Quick Tutorials

Updating to wireless CarPlay is easier and cheaper than you’d think

If you have an older car with wired Apple CarPlay, you might think upgrading to wireless CarPlay requires an expensive head unit replacement. But what if I told you that for just $40, you can enjoy all the benefits of wireless CarPlay without any complicated installation?

I recently discovered a simple plug-and-play CarPlay dongle that instantly upgrades your car’s infotainment system to wireless mode—no more plugging in your phone every time you drive. Here’s everything you need to know about this game-changing little device.

What is Wireless CarPlay?

Apple CarPlay lets you mirror your iPhone’s interface onto your car’s infotainment screen, giving you access to navigation, music, calls, and messages without touching your phone. Originally, most cars required a wired USB connection, but newer vehicles support wireless CarPlay, allowing your iPhone to connect automatically over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you enter the car.

If your car only supports wired CarPlay, a wireless CarPlay adapter bridges the gap, allowing you to enjoy a seamless wireless experience without replacing your stereo.

How Does a Wireless CarPlay Adapter Work?

A wireless CarPlay dongle is a small USB device that plugs into your car’s USB port—the same one you currently use for wired CarPlay. Instead of needing a cable, the dongle acts as a wireless bridge between your iPhone and the car’s infotainment system.

Setup Process:

1. Plug the adapter into your car’s USB port.

2. The car recognizes the device as a CarPlay connection.

3. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and connect to the dongle (it may show up as “CarPlay Box” or a similar name).

4. After the first setup, your iPhone will automatically connect every time you start the car—no cables required!

How Well Does It Work?

I’ve been using one of these CarPlay adapters for a while now, and most of the time, it works flawlessly. The connection is automatic and quick, and I love not having to pull my phone out of my pocket when I hop in the car.

However, like most Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices, it’s not 100% perfect. Occasionally, my iPhone doesn’t connect right away, and I have to either:

• Toggle Bluetooth off and on

• Unplug the dongle and plug it back in

It’s not as rock-solid as a wired connection, but the convenience factor outweighs the occasional hiccups.

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely! Before I found this adapter, I thought upgrading to wireless CarPlay meant spending $200+ on a new head unit. But for just $40, this simple dongle does the same thing without any installation hassle.

Pros:

✅ Affordable – A fraction of the cost of a new stereo

✅ Easy to install – Just plug it in and pair it via Bluetooth

✅ Automatic connection – No need to plug in your iPhone every time

✅ Retains full CarPlay functionality – Works just like wired CarPlay

Cons:

⚠️ Occasional connection issues – Requires a quick fix sometimes

⚠️ Slight delay compared to wired CarPlay – Not usually noticeable

Where to Buy a Wireless CarPlay Adapter

The model I used in this video is no longer available, but I’ve found a similar, highly-rated alternative that works just as well. Check it out here!

If you want to ditch the cable and enjoy wireless Apple CarPlay, this is by far the easiest and cheapest way to upgrade your car.

Have you tried a wireless CarPlay adapter? Let me know in the comments! And if you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share itand subscribe for more tech tips! 🚗📱

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us continue to create guides like this for our audience.

#AppleCarPlay #WirelessCarPlay #CarTech #iPhoneTips #CarPlayAdapter #TechHacks