Very similar to CarPlay, Google’s Android Auto provides a method to give your automobile a mobile-inspired interface that is powered by your smartphone. You may get widgets and entry to Android apps (together with Google’s personal software program, like Google Maps) and all you want is a automobile that helps it. However simply because your automobile is Android Auto-compatible doesn’t suggest it is going to be ready to connect with your cellphone wirelessly.
Never lose your car in a parking lot again thanks to this Android Auto feature
No have to wander round hitting the panic button in your automobile fob.
In these instances, the best choice is to purchase an adapter or dongle to plug into your automobile that acts as an middleman between your smartphone and your car. By way of options, there is not a lot selection in what these adapters do, however there’s a ton of selection in how they appear and the way they work along with your automobile, in addition to whether or not they help CarPlay. We have collected a choice of Android Auto adapters within the checklist under, so proceed studying when you need assistance discovering one which works along with your car.
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AAWireless Wi-fi Android Auto Dongle
Finest general
The AAWireless Wi-fi Android Auto Dongle is our favorite decide due to its compact design, and easy setup over USB-C, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. AAWireless’ technique is constructed round its companion app, which you utilize throughout preliminary setup and may later be used to theoretically replace the firmware of the dongle over time to take care of compatibility.
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Ottocast U2-X Professional Android Auto & CarPlay Adapter
Finest premium adapter
If your loved ones makes use of each Android and iPhone, paying just a little bit extra for the Ottocast U2-X Professional could be value it. It is one other rectangle (this time with a button for resetting and switching telephones) that may connect with your automobile over USB, however this time it helps Android Auto and CarPlay so you possibly can select which in-car working system you utilize.
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AACPlay Android Auto Wi-fi Adapter
Finest funds adapter
The AACPLAY Android Auto Wi-fi Adapter is among the most inexpensive choices we discovered for connecting your Android cellphone to your automobile. It could plug into your automobile over USB-C or USB-A, helps the required Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to your cellphone, and features a sticky gel pad so you possibly can preserve it from sliding round in your automobile.
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Motorola MA1 Wi-fi Android Auto Automotive Adapter
Google-approved adapter
Motorola’s MA1 Wi-fi Android Auto Automotive Adapter was the primary of those dongles to get Google’s official help. It’s formed a bit like a Google Chromecast and meets the essential necessities for connecting to your cellphone wirelessly and automobile bodily, although solely makes use of a USB-A cable, which could restrict which automobiles it may connect with.
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Carlinkit 5.0 Wi-fi Adapter
Finest compact adapter
The CarlinKit 5.0 Adapter is able to the identical two-in-one trick because the Ottocast, successfully letting you utilize the dongle for wi-fi CarPlay or wi-fi Android Auto, however in a barely smaller bundle with choices for USB-C and USB-A connections to your automobile.
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HEI LANG Android Auto Adapter
Finest puck-shaped choice
Functionally, HEI LANG’s adapter is sort of an identical to the opposite dongles on this checklist, providing each Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, nevertheless it’s formed like a puck and lets you use your automobile’s current buttons, knobs, and touchscreens to navigate Android Auto.
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Carsifi Wi-fi Android Auto Adapter
Finest with a button for switching telephones
When you share your automobile and intend to attach it to a number of totally different Android gadgets, Carsifi’s Wi-fi Android Auto Adapter has a devoted button for switching between telephones. It plugs in to supported automobiles over USB-C or A, and can work along with your automobile’s current controls.
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Teeran Android Auto Wi-fi Adapter
Ships with a separate USB-A adapter
The Teeran Android Auto Wi-fi Adapter is ceaselessly discounted, and simply as succesful as the opposite adapters on this checklist. It could plug into your automobile over USB-C, but additionally ships with a USB-A adapter when you personal an older automobile. Like our different picks, all automobile controls will nonetheless work.
How do I do know if my cellphone and automobile are appropriate with Android Auto?
Google has published a list of all of the automobile manufacturers and particular automobile fashions that help Android Auto. These cowl autos from Acura, BMW, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and extra. By way of telephones that help wi-fi Android Auto, Google’s standards is a bit more sophisticated.
Your cellphone has to have an energetic knowledge plan (as in, cell service) and help 5 GHz Wi-Fi for wi-fi Android Auto to be a risk in any respect. From there Google breaks down compatibility like this:
- Any Android cellphone working Android 11.0 or later helps wi-fi Android Auto
- Google or Samsung telephones working Android 10.0 help wi-fi Android Auto
- A Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, or Notice 9 working Android 9.0 helps wi-fi Android Auto
In case your cellphone does not match a kind of descriptions it will not work with Android Auto, wi-fi or not.
What ought to I search for in a wi-fi Android Auto adapter?
The largest issues to contemplate when buying a wi-fi Android Auto adapter are the connector it makes use of to plug into your automobile (newer fashions are inclined to favor USB-C, whereas older fashions use USB-A) and the strategy you will have to reset or replace the dongle if one thing goes unsuitable. A number of the fashions we selected use companion apps to permit for future updates, guaranteeing your adapters stay appropriate along with your automobile and Android normally. Others embody devoted buttons for resetting the dongles. You too can merely unplug them and restart your automobile. Whichever technique you select, having a method to repair points in case one thing goes unsuitable is essential.
