Android Auto is one of the most comfortable and safest ways to interact with your mobile in the car through its screen. Normally it works by connecting the mobile to the car with a USB cable, although you can get the most out of Android with the right accessories.
For those who frequently use Android Auto, we have prepared a list with the best accessories: dongles for connect to Android Auto without cables, screens, cell phone holders and cables. You’ll find a dozen accessories to take your Android Auto experience to the next level.
Android Auto Dongles
The standard way to use Android Auto is to connect the mobile to the car with a USB cable, although compatibility with wireless Android Auto is gradually spreading. Still few cars support wireless Android Autobut you can use small gadgets to have a similar functionality: they connect to the car and you connect to it with your mobile via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Here are the best options:
Motorola MA1
The Motorola MA1 is the only official Android Auto dongle. Like the rest of the alternatives, it connects to the car’s USB and pretends to be a cell phone with Android Auto, so you can connect to it wirelessly over Wi-Fi. It’s very easy to set up even though it has the disadvantage that its cable is fixed. You need your mobile to support wireless Android Auto, which is usual if you have Android 11 or later.
Carsify
Carsify is a dongle similar to the Motorola MA1 with which you can have Android Auto wirelessly even if your mobile does not support it. It is compatible with Android 5.0 or higher and includes a magic button to switch between different mobiles
AAwireless
Another similar option is AAWireless, a small box that acts as a bridge between car and mobile so you can use Android Auto without cables. It’s a minimalist option, with no buttons or additional functions beyond bring wireless Android Auto to any mobile with Android 9.0 high.
CarPC
CarPC is a somewhat different option, that is a dongle with “normal Android”, which will display on your car screen as long as it supports Android Auto. This way you have all the Android apps without the restrictions that Google places on usage and availability in Android Auto. There are three versions of CarPC, ranging from $119 to $149.
Carlinkit 4.0
Although the options above can be somewhat difficult to get in stock, Carlinkit is just a click away on Amazon. This dongle allows you to make Android Auto and CarPlay wireless. His appearance isn’t the most inspired of all, being something like a power bankbut otherwise it does the same thing as the rest: that you can connect to Android Auto without having the mobile plugged into the car.
Carlinkit 4.0 Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Adapter 2 in 1, for Wired CarPlay CarPlay Model Year: 2016-2022, Plug & Play, Support Update Online
OTTOCast
Likewise, OTTOCast allows you to wirelessly connect to Android Auto and CarPlay. Requires Android 11 or higher and allows you connect to Android Auto via Bluetoothinstead of plugging in the cable every time.
OTTOCAST Android Wireless Car Adapter AA Car Play Auto 2 in 1 Wireless Dongle Plug Play Wirelesscarplay for CarPlay Wired Cars (Year of Manufacture: 2016-2022)
Screens compatible with Android Auto
When your car doesn’t have a screen or support for Android Auto, you can always turn to a smart screen, which is a lot easier to install than a radio. Basically, you can place it wherever you can and plug it into the car power and the story is over. Here are some interesting options.
Hodozy Screen
What if your car doesn’t support Android Auto and/or doesn’t have a radio with display? You’ll still need to buy a screen that you can project Android Auto onto, as long as you have a place to put it that doesn’t obstruct visibility while driving. This media player from Hodozzy has a 7 inch touch screen
Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Player Bluetooth 7 inch Touch Screen Radio Receiver DVR Video Recording Navi GPS Navigator Night Backup Camera Waterproof 9V-36V Camper Bus
Carpuride
Another similar option is this Carpuride 7 inch screen which will help you connect your mobile with Android Auto or just mirror the mobile screen. It supports FM radio, Bluetooth 5.0 and comes with all kinds of accessories so you can place it where it suits you best.
CARPURIDE Carplay Radio, Car Stereo with CarPlay and Android Auto, 7 Inch HD Touchscreen Radio Player, Bluetooth 5.0/GPS Navigator/FM/USB/Mirror Link/Siri/Google
cell phone holders
Wired or not, you’ll need to find a place to put the mobile follow DGT regulations. Depending on how you connect the mobile and where the Android Auto cable is in your car, you will be interested in one type of support or another.
Jungen steering wheel support
If you are on a tight budget, the mobile support for the steering wheel is very cheap. It may not be the best option if you are connecting the mobile with its cable as it may get in the way. It is important that you look at the maximum width and the width of your mobile, because some are quite small.
JUNGEN Steering Wheel Mobile Phone Holder, Car Steering Wheel Navigation Holder, Car Phone Clip Fit for iPhone Samsung Xiaomi Huawei Meizu GPS (5-8.5cm) (Red)
Keenso support for the mirror
Another place where you can hang the mobile is the rearview mirror. This Keenso brand universal support has adjustable tweezers which make it possible to adapt mobiles from 50 to 90 millimeters wide and to rotate them to place them in the desired position.
Universal 360° Rearview Mirror Car Mount, Mobile Phone Holder for iPhone Samsung HTC GPS
UGREEN support for the ventilation grid
A fairly popular place to put the mobile is in the air vent, and it will also help you not to overheat when using it with Android Auto. This support from UGREEN has a triple grip and reduces vibrations.
UGREEN Car Cell Phone Holder, Gravity Air Vent Car Cell Phone Holder, Universal Car Phone Holder for iPhone 13 12, Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, S22 (Gray)
Mohard stand with wireless charging
If your mobile supports wireless charging, you might be interested in a stand that does the double function of recharging your mobile, especially if you’re using wireless Android Auto. This one from Mohard supports 15W Qi wireless charging.
Mohard 15W Qi Wireless Car Charger with QC 3.0 Charger Adapter, Fast Charging Car Phone Holder, 360° Rotating Car Phone Holder Compatible with iPhone 13 Pro Max/12/11/XR, Galaxy and Others
Cables for Android Auto
The main reason why Android Auto fails is that you are using a poor quality cable or it is added. Google recommends that you use the cable supplied with your mobilebut if that’s not an option, here are some other quality cables.
Amazon Basics USB-C Cable
Amazon’s white label USB-C cable is 0.9 meters and supports USB 3.1 standardwith transfer speed up to 10Gbps and current support up to 5V and 3A. More than enough for Android Auto.
Amazon Basics – USB Type-C to USB A 3.1 Gen 2 Male Cable – 0.9 m – White
SUNGUY USB-C cable
Braided cables like this one from SUNGUY are a bit stronger than normal cables, at least in general. This cable supports the standard USB 3.1 Gen 2, measures half a meter and it’s very cheap.
SUNGUY USB Type C to Type A Cable 3.1 Gen 2 Nylon Braided High Data Transfer Support up to 10Gbps Android Auto Type C Cable
NIMASO T-cable
Maybe a USB-C cable is better for you which ends in T, depending on how you place the mobile in the car. In this case, that of NIMASO, also half a meter, supports fast charging up to 60W and transfers up to 480 MB per second.
NIMASO USB C to USB C 90 Degree Cable [0.5M] 60W PD Carga Rapida, Tipo C USB Cable with Power Delivery Compatible with Galaxy S21+/S21/S20+, Google Pixel 3a XL/3A, iPad mini 6, iPad Pro 2021/2020, Switch
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