I have made my car’s Android Auto wireless with a 10 euro adapter from AliExpress and this is my experience

The list of Android Auto compatible cars from recent years is long, but if we limit it to those that can be used with wireless Android Auto, the gap narrows considerably. For example, the modern Seat Leon and Skoda Karoq in my area are not compatible and have to resort to a cable no matter what. However, there is always a solution: opt for an accessory in the form of a wireless Android Auto adapter.

Although I personally prefer to use Android Auto with a cable, it is convenient to forget about connections or having the cable in the way, but for such sporadic use it was not worth spending too much. So I decided to use it with my Android Auto.I went to AliExpress and bought the cheapest wireless adapter I could find. . It arrived home, we tried it out and this has been my experience with this Android Auto accessory for just over 10 euros.

Getting started and getting started

I had a hard time finding a cheap wireless Android Auto adapter on AliExpress, as the descriptions are often vague, which leads to errors on the one hand and on the other, I had a couple of orders cancelled. With this one from Allwinner I was luckier and in three weeks I had it at home. As a fact: we are looking at a Wireless adapter for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlayhas support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth and is powered from the socket (5V -1A/2.1A)

The packaging was simple but neat and inside it comes everything you need to get started. Thus, we find a manual, the adapter itself and a pair of short cables with USB-A/USB-A and USB-A/USB-C sockets, in case connecting it directly is not an option or you do not have a USB-A in your car.

The adapter itself is shaped like a USB flash drive with an LED on one side and holes on the sides that serve both to better grip it and to facilitate the passage of air. When plugged into the car, the LED turns green permanently, and flashes during the pairing phase. As for materials and build quality, it is made of ABS and aluminum alloy and I find it robust and attractivewith little to envy of more expensive models.

I completed the setup in just a couple of minutes without any major problems.For the tests I used my Google Pixel 8a, although I also used an entry-level mobile phone that is a couple of years old from Xiaomi that was quite a bit slower for me… but it is also slow with a cable.

Since the car I was using (the Skoda Karoq) has a USB-A port inside a tray next to the gear shift, I simply plugged it in. Then, on the car’s console, I tapped on ‘App’, which is the option that takes you to the infotainment systems (the car also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay).

At this point we go to the mobile settings and in ‘Bluetooth’ we look for a device called ‘WirelessDongleXXX’ and select it. It will then display a code to confirm the pairing, as well as the notice of granting permissions to access contacts and call history (it is activated by default). After tapping on ‘Pair’, just wait a few seconds and tap on the car screen in Android Auto to access the Google infotainment system. Ready to use.

What is the user experience like?

From that moment on, if you always leave it connected to the USB, when you get in with your phone and turn on the ignition, you will be able to access Android Auto wirelessly. I was pleasantly surprised by how it works. because both the configuration and the use are correct, fulfilling their objective. Only once has it fallen off and I have had to plug it back in.

In my tests I have made a call, received messages, played music and used navigation applications to guide me on the route and everything is going smoothly. Although there is a slight delay compared to pulling the cable, it is nothing dramatic and does not affect use.

What I did notice is that after a quarter of an hour of use, its surface was hotsomething that can eventually take its toll on both its performance and integrity if the temperature continues to rise (for example on long trips or when the sun is shining). In this sense, it is advisable to keep the environment cool (using air conditioning), promote ventilation or use it lightly.

Conclusions

There is little more you can ask for from such a cheap Android Auto adapter: it pairs well, works correctly and the lag is minimal. However, I think that heat is an issue to take into account when choosing its use. Thus, it seems to me a good option for short trips or where we are going to keep the temperature of the cabin moderate.

Cover | Eva Rodriguez de Luis