I tried Wireless CarPlay adapter a couple years back but was disappointed due to the lag I experienced with the Carlinkit adapter. I have a 2023 CX-5 and iPhone 15 pro. What adapters are the best and does it work reliably?
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CarPlay What’s the state of Wireless CarPlay adapters?
- Thread starter Elektrofone
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I’ve no experience with these adapters personally but you may find some useful info in this thread. It’s been going strong for over four years.
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CarPlay adapter to convert to wireless CarPlay?
I have a manufacturer fitted head unit that has CarPlay in and works great. The unit is wired only though. Works fine just a bit awkward when going short journeys when I'd like CarPlay but it's in bag or pocket and forget. It uses the USB plug in the front. Is there a way to make it wireless...
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I have one, and it works. But I found that especially Maps is a power hog. So I have to have my iPhone plugged in anyway. My iPhone Mini 13 slides around on the Qi connector, it does not work reliably.
Renting cars, I found the wireless built into current models works better than aftermarket (faster initial connection.) But the power issues remains.
Renting cars, I found the wireless built into current models works better than aftermarket (faster initial connection.) But the power issues remains.
I've run the gamut of CarLinkIt adapters (v3, v4 and v5) and none of them worked beyond the first 5 or 6 days... they ran hot and were constantly disconnecting... had to constantly unplug them, plug them back in and wait for them to connect... use them for a minute or two, then rinse and repeat.
I found an off-brand (YEHUA) on Amazon that works pretty much flawlessly FOR ME. I've had it for about 5-6 months now, and no issues with heat or connectivity... connectivity is fast - it's fully operational by the time I back out of my garage... voice and texting work exactly as expected... the only flaw that tI have experienced is a slight lag on the reported car speed displayed via the Waze app, but IMO, that's an issue with Waze, as there was some of that with wired CarPlay.
I have no idea what the determining factor is for whether or not the adapters will work with your phone in your vehicle. Like I said, and despite the number of users who are satisfied with the CarLinkIt adapters, they just refuse to work with my '21 Ford Ranger/SYNC 3 and iPhone 14 Pro Max. I have also tried a couple of other off-brands before settling on the YEHUA adapter.
To the OP, my advice would be to try it and see. At least Amazon has a pretty painless return policy and process. If it works, good on ya. If not, return it and try again. As always, YMMV.
I found an off-brand (YEHUA) on Amazon that works pretty much flawlessly FOR ME. I've had it for about 5-6 months now, and no issues with heat or connectivity... connectivity is fast - it's fully operational by the time I back out of my garage... voice and texting work exactly as expected... the only flaw that tI have experienced is a slight lag on the reported car speed displayed via the Waze app, but IMO, that's an issue with Waze, as there was some of that with wired CarPlay.
I have no idea what the determining factor is for whether or not the adapters will work with your phone in your vehicle. Like I said, and despite the number of users who are satisfied with the CarLinkIt adapters, they just refuse to work with my '21 Ford Ranger/SYNC 3 and iPhone 14 Pro Max. I have also tried a couple of other off-brands before settling on the YEHUA adapter.
To the OP, my advice would be to try it and see. At least Amazon has a pretty painless return policy and process. If it works, good on ya. If not, return it and try again. As always, YMMV.
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I bought the one on Amazon from "Schmidt Spiele" ( it's just another Chinese brand ...) to replace some other brand I bought a few years before that seemed to stop working. Whatever chipset they are using now is MUCH more reliable and works great in my VW Golf. CarPlay is up and running before I can back out of the driveway.
I’ve had the carlinkit v3 for 2 years, been using it in a CX-30. I’ve never had major problems with it and the latest fw in particular is the best so far. It connects fast (12-15 sec), there is no lag, never disconnects, occasionally there is some wifi interference in dense areas. My iphone 13 tends to run hot sometimes but I never run out of battery. I only drive around town though.
Your CX5 has the same or very similar CMU so performance should be similar.
Your CX5 has the same or very similar CMU so performance should be similar.
I’ve just gotten myself that. It seems nice but the announcing texts on my radio doesn’t seem to be working at all and I”m having a problem with the updates. Now I updated it and the light flashed a mix of purple/blue/red/yellow, etc. Now when that stopped, the device had a baby blue light that was on from then. According to the instructions it said to wait 30 seconds and then disconnect and reconnect it. But when I reconnected it, the dark blue light came and is now blinking. Ok, I guess that’s what it does to “finish the update” as the manual says but it’s still on and blinking 2 hours after the fact and I’m wondering “If it’s ever going to finish” and “If I did it correctly?” The version displayed on my screen is still the same version I had pre-update so I don’t know if my device is faulty or what. How did updating go for you and can you give me any advice?
Schmidt Spiele is a European country and they said they only support service/support requests for them, not the US, so great I have a device I can’t go to the manufacturer for, for support. Again if you can help me any I’d appreciate it.
I'm enrolled in the "Amazon Vine" program and get a lot of free stuff but have to write a review. Here is the link to the one I have---it works great overall. Once in a while it won't connect but I simply unplug then plug back in....the past month or so it happened twice. I have a 2021 Rav4 Hybrid using a Iphone 15 Plus/Pro on 17.5.1... and all the steering wheel controls work (other adapters did not) with this wireless BT adapter. I love it, especially when I run short trips and simply get in and out of the car without plugging and unplugging multiple times.
The only thing is a slight lag (1-2 seconds) when hitting forward to "next song".
The only thing is a slight lag (1-2 seconds) when hitting forward to "next song".
Android Auto Wireless Adaptor and Wireless CarPlay Adaptor, Mini USB CarPlay Wireless Stick Converts Factory Wired to Wireless CarPlay Dongle Magic Link CarPlay for iOS 10+/Android 11+ Plug & Play
Android Auto Wireless Adapter & Wireless CarPlay Adapter - Mini USB CarPlay Wireless Stick Converts Factory Wired to Wireless CarPlay Dongle Magic Link CarPlay for iOS 10+/Android 11+ Plug and Play
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I have the "Magic Link" from MagicBrands. Had this for a year now and it works great 95% of the time, with phone in pocket it autoconnects within 20sec -or quicker- when i get in and turn on the car, but sometimes (rarely) I have to tap the 'connect' button that shows up on the display in the car to initialize the connection. In use, the lag is minimal enough that either it never bothered me or i got used to it. But yeah, hitting pause and a half sec/sec later it pauses. no big deal.
Car is 2016 eGolf (electric) with built-in carplay unit it came with. I tried it out in my son's Subaru Outback with an aftermarket (Sony) carplay head unit and worked fine there too, but he didn't want one because even a .5 sec lag is apparently too much for a teenager. (and he counts on charging the phone while driving)
Car is 2016 eGolf (electric) with built-in carplay unit it came with. I tried it out in my son's Subaru Outback with an aftermarket (Sony) carplay head unit and worked fine there too, but he didn't want one because even a .5 sec lag is apparently too much for a teenager. (and he counts on charging the phone while driving)
I have used Carlink v3.0 in our 2018 Land Rover for 3 years. It’s not 100 percent but us is pretty decent. Just sold car and upgraded to a new model that offers wireless from the factory.
I find that with CarPlay I use Maps even to known locations.
- Road congestion and closures are detected.
- Warning for speed traps!
My iPhone goes through the battery running Maps, so I need to keep it plugged in for real word use.
The Qi pad in my car does not keep the iPhone in place, so it ends up sliding and not charging.
- Road congestion and closures are detected.
- Warning for speed traps!
My iPhone goes through the battery running Maps, so I need to keep it plugged in for real word use.
The Qi pad in my car does not keep the iPhone in place, so it ends up sliding and not charging.
We use Carlink v2 (2017 Genesis G80) and v3 (2020 Maz CX-9) with really no issues.
I do think the Mazda's implementation of Carplay itself is buggy. Using the Carlink or just usb cable it will freeze periodically. Easy fix is to press the car's music button and then back to navigation and it clears itself up.
In the Genesis it just seems to always work, connecting within 45 seconds of turning the car on.
I use a ProClip Magsafe iPhone holder, so I just stick it on and go.
I do think the Mazda's implementation of Carplay itself is buggy. Using the Carlink or just usb cable it will freeze periodically. Easy fix is to press the car's music button and then back to navigation and it clears itself up.
In the Genesis it just seems to always work, connecting within 45 seconds of turning the car on.
I use a ProClip Magsafe iPhone holder, so I just stick it on and go.
You may consider getting one of those magsafe rings (or vent mount) to keep the qi charger aligned. the magnets in the 13 mini are very strong
Yeah the ProClip is a Magsafe mount. Just pop you magsafe mount in the holder and the phone, even larger 15 Pro Max stays on strong.
I have this version of Carlinkit, and there is a couple of seconds delay when I start the car to when it connects, but other than that, there is no problem. I do have wireless charging in my 2021 Hyundai Tucson, so my 15PM is on the charger while the adapter is hooked up.
2023 CarlinKit 5.0 Wireless Android Auto & Wireless CarPlay Adapter USB for OEM Wired CarPlay & Wired Android Auto Cars (Model Year: 2015 to 2023), Wireless CarPlay Dongle Convert Wired to Wireless https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C49VGV5...cial_share=cm_sw_r_ud_dp_0HZDC5KC0SBMMDFX15SJ
2023 CarlinKit 5.0 Wireless Android Auto & Wireless CarPlay Adapter USB for OEM Wired CarPlay & Wired Android Auto Cars (Model Year: 2015 to 2023), Wireless CarPlay Dongle Convert Wired to Wireless https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C49VGV5...cial_share=cm_sw_r_ud_dp_0HZDC5KC0SBMMDFX15SJ
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