Android Auto remains the easiest and safest way to get your Android apps in the car. How you get Android Auto in your car, or better yet, how you experience it, can vary depending on what accessories you use to amplify or create the compatibility you're looking for. The good news is there are adapters, dongles, and even full-on displays that can help you get there.
Expand Android Auto — or just bring it in for a debut
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Truly wireless
This crowdfunded device is now readily available to anyone, working with just about any vehicle, as well as Android phones running version 9 or later. It's a small unit, so easy to tuck away, and pretty easy to set up whether your car came with Android Auto or you're using an aftermarket head unit. The included app should also be helpful.
Cutting the cord
The Motorola MA1 was made for those situations where you already have Android Auto and want to go wireless. This dongle can make that happen, and with a simple setup, you could be running the platform from your phone wirelessly. The two-sided adhesive it comes with isn't great at keeping it stuck to the dash, so you may have to improvise.
Keep it simple
Carsifi is among the smallest adapters you'll find to get Android Auto running wirelessly, and it manages to make that connection without any real issues. It works flawlessly with both factory and aftermarket head units, and while questions linger over support, you may not need anyone to help you figure this one out anyway.
Link it up
This one is probably better for you if your car already has Android Auto compatibility, as aftermarket head units might not integrate as smoothly. You do need to run Android 11 or later to make this work, but when you do, you can get wireless access to keep your phone free to charge how you want.
Casting out
The Ottocast MX is pretty versatile for a small black box and could be your ticket to converting a wired Android Auto connection to a wireless one. Watch out for compatibility, as certain makes (BMW and Mitsubishi) might not work, while some aftermarket head units work better than others. Bear all that in mind before you try this out.
A full-on screen
When your car is either old or just missed out on the Android Auto train, the Intellidash is one way to retrofit your ride. Sporting a 7-inch IPS display, you won't always need to plug your phone into it to run the platform. You do get the cables you'll need to make sure the unit connects to a power source and routes audio from your car stereo.
A different look
The Carluex Air is unique, not just because the unit is literally crafted like a car, but also because it enables further integration with a unique Android interface. You can still run wireless Android Auto with ease, only you'll get best results when doing it through a factory head unit since aftermarket models aren't necessarily compatible.
Stick approach
The MSXTTLY U2A Air is like a USB stick but it's ultimately a low-key adapter that lets you run wireless Android Auto with little fuss. Since it's a stick, it also has a lower profile, making it easier to keep it out of sight, especially if your USB port is in the center console. There are no bells and whistles once you plug it in, but you can rely on it to stay connected.
Screen in a box
You might like this as another option if your vehicle has no hope of ever running Android Auto, much less running it wirelessly. The Carpuride Portable Wireless Car Stereo not only brings the platform to your car, it also wirelessly connects to your phone, so you end covering two needs at once. You just need to make sure your vehicle has the requisite USB and Aux-In ports to make it happen.
You've got what you need for the road
Even if you feel this world of Android Auto gizmos is a little murky, the results will probably show you otherwise. Never mind simply having Android Auto in the car; when it's wireless, it just feels all the more liberating.
The AAWireless stands out among a growing pack of options because it offers a level of support not all devices like it have, including a dedicated app and firmware updates to improve or add new features. The Motorola MA1 is more well-known because of its brand familiarity, and like other adapters in this list, you kind of forget about it once you set it up, which is very much the point.
Cars without any built-in compatibility with Android Auto aren't left out entirely when the Intellidash and Carpuride let you bring in a whole screen onto the dash. Whether it's going wireless or just being able to use the platform to begin with, you've got avenues to pursue to change how you use it while you drive.
