We have tested eight devices, and the experience with each was similar. What they all share is that once you have your phone connected, you’ll appreciate the ease of wireless CarPlay or Android Auto. But you'll also notice a slight lag from hitting a button on the screen to when it responds (for example, when pausing a song) compared with using the direct wired connection. On the home screen are apps to launch CarPlay or Android Auto, plus others such as Google Maps. Pretty much any app available in the Google Play store or that you can sideload is an option—they even ship with a few of the non-Google-Play apps available on the device. You’ll need to log into individual apps and keep them up-to-date, like on your phone. If you prefer to mirror your phone to the dashboard (or your TV), you select the Phone Cast app and activate screen mirroring on your phone—it should work like a charm with iOS. But the interface of your phone, transposed to your dashboard screen? Now that is nice. So, if you’re like me, when you finally got a vehicle that supported CarPlay (for Apple iPhones) and/or Android Auto, you fell in love with it. The Binize Wireless Android Auto Adapter supports most of the Android Auto enabled wired Media systems. It connects with your Android smartphones via Bluetooth and Wifi. The dual channel WiFi sees to it that no latency issues ever take place. This Android Auto Wireless Dongle comes with an inbuilt GPS. Their is also an option to switch to the 4G cellular network if you’re having a 4G SIM.

Carlinkit’s U2W Plus, sometimes also called the Carlinkit 3.0, is one of the most advertised CarPlay-only dongles out there. The company also sells a combo CarPlay+Android Auto device called the 4.0, and the A2A for Android Auto-only use, among other devices. The 3.0 is rated to work with the iPhone 6 on up running iOS 10 on up, and in any car with factory-wired CarPlay except BMWs.Even though wireless connectivity is growing in newer vehicles, so many out there simply don't have that option. Same with those using aftermarket head units, as I do. Setting up the AAWireless was a fairly easy process because the AAWireless app walked me through every step. If you're not sure how to enable wireless Android Auto on your phone, the app includes a handy tutorial to take care of that. Including an update to the firmware from the outset, I was up and running in less than 10 minutes. Freeing up your phone with the AAWireless doesn't mean your phone is entirely untethered. The wireless setup harnesses the phone's resources and, as such, sips battery life at a faster rate. You're fine if you plug in or use your car's wireless charger, something I really advise you do on longer drives. A short jaunt to run an errand won't pose a problem, but if you're commuting or road-tripping, make sure the phone is charging somewhere. What about when there are two devices being used with the same car? Well, it works, but it’s not particularly intuitive. The button on the side of the dongle doesn’t really have much to do with connecting a second device beyond the initial pairing process. In testing with my Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Pixel 6 Pro, I found that both devices needed to be paired with both the dongle itself and my car. To go from one to the other, I needed to place the device I did not want to use Android Auto with on airplane mode, as that was the only way I found to kill an established connection. After about a minute, the other device will automatically take over. This is far from a reliable or intuitive solution – Redditors reported mixed results using similar tactics – but it’s better than nothing. At least you can use this device with two different phones. MA1’s setup process is as dead simple as you could possibly want Performance & Battery Drain While some adapters can remember and auto-connect to the last paired phone, switching between multiple phones may require manual selection or re-pairing. It varies by adapter model, so make sure you refer to the product’s manual or specifications to get the full picture. Key Features: Wireless connectivity | WiFi and Bluetooth | Works on 5GHz WiFi band | USB A and Type C HUD input | Supports Android 9 and above | USB port charging

From the Cplay2Air interface on the dash, you can choose between different iPhones if multiple people have them and are all vying for control. Then the screen switches over to CarPlay. Your iPhone treats this as a new instance of CarPlay, so if you have the icons pre-arranged, you’ll have to arrange them again in Settings > General > CarPlay. The important part is that if you just want to leave it as is, the dongle just works. When Android Auto appeared, I could use apps, talk to Google Assistant, and search for points of interest exactly like I would if I were plugged in to do all that. Latency isn't an issue when doing all those things, either, which is why this setup feels a lot like plugging the phone in always did. The app is also used to send OTA updates to the dongle, report issues, and tweaking the USB mode. Most vehicles should work fine on the default settings, but some may need to be tweaked to work properly. AAWireless also told us that a new list of tested vehicles is coming soon.The installation video says you plug it into your car's smart port, be it USB-C or USB-A, with the other USB-C end going into The Magic Box. It includes an 8-inch premium braided cloth USB-A to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable. The Magic Box takes about 20 seconds to load and displays a fun animation screen. It warns you not to use the dongle while in motion, and then deposits you in a configuration screen. The Magic Box runs Android itself, and thus has its own settings you must use—like setting it up to use Wi-Fi from your home, or when parked by the coffee shop, or off of your phone’s mobile hotspot while you’re on the road. But over time, the biggest problem I’ve had with the Motorola MA1 has been degraded performance. Lately, each session using the MA1 with my Pixel 6 Pro is laggy to an unusable degree. When using Google Maps, I’ve seen turn-by-turn directions lag behind by up to a full minute, which often means the display is still showing the street I already turned off of. That’s fine when I’m just driving around my local city, but it’d be a nightmare in an unfamiliar area with complex junctions. The lag issues also mean that music is often heavily delayed, with the steering wheel controls often not resulting in a new song for over 30 seconds.

When considering the MA1, it’s essential to understand its nuances, especially if you plan to switch between multiple paired phones. It tends to favor the first paired phone, requiring a bit of manual management when swapping devices. But once this learning curve is conquered, the wireless freedom offered makes it an invaluable tool for Android Auto enthusiasts. Wireless Android Auto Adapter FAQs And then there’s XEITIN’s Wireless Android Auto Adapter. It’s a budget-friendly gem that promises to effectively turn wired setups into wireless paradises, though one may encounter sporadic connectivity hiccups. And, that really shines a light on what I think is the biggest problem with MA1. Let’s say that this is a software issue on the MA1 and not just an experience limited to me — which is possible! —there’s no way the manufacturer can fix software problems on existing units.

Get rid of wires forever

Trying to find a reliable, well-made wireless Android Auto adapter can be nothing short of a challenge. There are a lot of options out there, and they’re not all made equal. Whether you’re an avid traveler, a tech enthusiast, or someone who simply wants a clutter-free car environment, selecting the right adapter to complement your driving experience is vital. Most cars, if they support wired CarPlay, probably also support Android Auto (or vice versa, depending on how you roll). Obviously, not all dongles do that. The OttoCast U2-X does, and at a reasonable price. It's nice to have a dongle that supports both if you have a family that crosses the mobile OS streams. It includes a 12-inch USB-A to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable. The U2-X is rated for any vehicle with wired CarPlay from 2016 on, but not for BMWs or Sony aftermarket head units. Then I found out about wireless CarPlay dongles. They plug into your car's smart USB-A or USB-C port. Normally, whichever smartphone plugs into it will then display on the screen. The wireless dongle is a go-between; it connects your smartphone to the dashboard via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. So you can get in the car and start rolling—no need to plug in. Cleverly, the app also allows for changing the DPI of Android Auto on the screen. This allows a bit more information to be on screen at once, and potentially even opens Android Auto’s new widescreen mode to more cars, though the touch targets may become a bit too small at that point.

Related: 10 Best Android Auto Head Units and Apple CarPlay Stereo Binize Wireless Android Auto AdapterThe downside is that in most vehicles, to use CarPlay and Android Auto you have to physically plug your phone in every time. That means charging the phone when you may not want to. It means more wear and tear on the power port. If you’re limping along with an older iPhone, you probably know the Lightning port is not up to that much stress. I was at a point where it was entirely hit or miss if my phone would connect, no matter how much I changed lighting cables. For those who prioritize swift connections, the Ottocast A2Air’s impressive 15-second auto-connect stands out, while its dual-core chip ensures smooth streaming. Then I found out about wireless CarPlay dongles/adapters. They plug into the smart adapter port of your car (usually a USB-A port, but USB-C on some newer models). Whatever smartphone plugs into it will display on the screen. The dongle is a go-between, connecting to your smartphone to the dash using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. So you can get in the car and start rolling, no need to plug in.