Wireless CarPlay...Does it well?

Last year, I purchased a 2021 4Runner. I don't want nor like to plug in a cable (via USB) to get Apple Services. I did some research and there are a few wireless adapters that allow you to use Apple Carplay via bluetooth. Wire CarPlay is fine, but I prefer wireless CarPlay.


Is there anyone out there that has used or currently using this device and if so, how is it?
Thanks in advance!!

 

I have the same question for my 2022

 

I have wireless AA - but this might work for you
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_249AC...hv6b81pZUY8e67gwp9xUzjERXO3PhlJgaArjoEALw_wcB
or
https://cplay2air.com/products/cpla...y-android-auto-module-and-mirror-link-feature

 

When I asked the dealer why in 2022 we need to plug our phones into anything to get Car Play. He claimed the amount of data needed to be shared over Bluetooth was too much. Is there any noticeable lag with a Bluetooth Wireless Car Play connection?

 

I dont have my 4runner yet should be coming in next week.. but I use https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aawireless#/ in my Chevy truck. it works perfectly no lag no issues and i have Waze running, youtube music playing and my hotspot on my phone is on for my kiddos 40 min drive to school every day.

 

Oh -- the only downside is that does eat some of the phones battery. I plan to get a proclip console mount with a wireless charger holder.

 

Man that sounds great, if only it were for carplay....

 

i found this article https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/20/carplay-to-wireless-carplay-adapter/ and here is the item on Amazon

$50 Carlinkit 3.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter USB for Factory Wired CarPlay Cars (Model Year: 2015 to 2025), Wireless CarPlay Dongle Convert Wired to Wireless CarPlay

https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-Wi...ywords=wireless+carplay&qid=1648237715&sr=8-3 has a 35.00 coupon.. and it is from amazon so if it does not work easy returns!!!

 

FYI, while it uses Bluetooth to manage the connection; wireless CarPlay operates primarily via WiFi. That’s why you need the adapter (or a radio that has a closed Wi-Fi network for use with CarPlay).

 

Exactly. Salespeople know little about the cars they sell. It’s true all that data can’t go over BT which is the reason the bulk of the data goes over WiFi once the initial handshake happens over BT.

 

Not a Techie, but WiFi has more bandwidth than BT, I take it?

 

Precisely. So the way wireless CarPlay works is that the initial connection or “hand shake” between your apple phone and the infotainment system is via Bluetooth, then the transfer of data happens over wifi.

 

Ah HA! So the Head Unit has no WiFi adapter for the phone to connect to natively? But doesn't it have the ability to be a Cell Phone Hotspot, and also recieve Updates over WiFi?

 

Correct. Toyota equipped the vehicle with BT and WiFi but didn’t enable it for CarPlay. The WiFi is there for them to sell you a useless hotspot service. I say useless because modern phones serve just fine as hotspots.

 

Exactly what I thought about the usefulness of a separate "hotspot" in any vehicle. Must be a cut they get from AT&T.
I wish all these car companies would be happy with the profit they make on the sale of a new car, and not pull a nickle and dime game that everyone can see right through. Just builds cynicism in your customer base so they will jump at ship to another brand at the first sign the other guys don't pull this crap.

 

I only have a couple weeks driving experience so far, but has anyone compared the accuracy of Google Maps vs Toyota's on-board Dynamic Navigation? So far, I like that Toyota's DN orients the map the direction I'm driving, instead of North always being at the top of Google Maps when I'm heading south.

 

I have had this installed for a couple of weeks. The lag isn’t that bad, just a couple of seconds and really doesn’t bother me now that I am used to it. Every once in a while it will disconnect and needs to be unplugged and plugged back in, but compared to having to plug my phone in every time to use CarPlay, the pros definitely outweighs the cons. It’s a $100 aftermarket product, not factory so it will never be perfect. Overall, no regrets and happy I have it. Just don’t expect perfection.

 

Perfectly stated. This has been my experience as well. Happy I have it.

 

Only a few days with my mine, and I’ve played around with CarPlay. For me, it’s cool and fun and something familiar. I’m happy not having my phone plugged in and charging all the time. As long as I can get calls and listen to Spotify wirelessly via Bluetooth I’m happy. Now, for me, I prefer using CarPlay for the navigation using Apple or Google maps. I suppose it’s familiar and a personal preference.

 

I made a review on one! Not sponsored or anything. It’s been working flawlessly since I’ve purchased it. There was only one time I had to unplug and replug it due to some connection problem on my phone likely. By the time I back my car out of a spot, or driveway, it’s connected without even taking my phone out of my pocket. The link to the model I have is in the description.
https://youtu.be/nodS1mTdGDY

 

Anyone bought one of these from aliexpress? Seems to be the same ones from Amazon at a much lower price

 

I use this one. It works great. 95% of the time, it connects within 30 seconds after start up. Sometimes it takes a little longer.

https://carlinkitcarplay.com/products/carlinkit-wireless-adapter-for-factory-carplay

 

you should be able to change that. I don’t really use google maps but I do use apple nav with CarPlay. There’s the option to have the map show always north or the direction you’re driving just like Toyota’s nav. I’m sure google maps can do the same thing. If you really want to use it let me know and I’ll look into what to press to change it

 

I have been using the same Carlinkit 3.0 wireless CarPlay adapter for the past six months. Works the vast majority of the time, but every now and then doesn't connect. Just unplug the unit and plug back in and that usually does the trick. Much better than having to plug in my phone every time. Fine for Apple Music playing, podcasts, etc. Happy with the unit. Also works in my wife's Telluride.

 

Thanks! My resident Tech Support person (my son) just told me there is a way to fix Google Maps. I haven't had to use it much yet buy will figure it out. I just always thought that's the way Google Maps works, up until now.

 

i wonder what's stopping these companies to make a single unit that can take both AA and Carplay. maybe including a physical switch so that the unit can receive AA signal and vice versa.

 

I would think licensing but just pass those costs onto us. We all want the same thing. Wireless AA or CarPlay. We know it’s possible so what’s the deal?

 

+1 for this, my experience as well. There are tons of these out there, FWIW this is the unit I purchased from Amazon for the ease of a return that wasn’t necessary:

CarPlay Wireless Adapter Carlinkit 3.0

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZHCS8R3?ie=UTF8&th=1

Yes, it does fail or lose connection on occasion. I find that rebooting the head unit (by holding down the volume knob) is more effective than unplugging/replugging the dongle, or switching the phone to Airplane mode and then back.

 

I bought this last year for my Lexus and never used it (I enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Lexus no music needed) but I plugged it in my 2023 4Runner and love it. Can’t remember what I paid on Amazon but it works great.

 

how did you get automatic climate control? It wasn't an option when i got my 2023 ORP