Want to enjoy music while traveling but don’t know how to connect phone to car without AUX or Bluetooth? You’re not alone. Most new-age car stereos or head units come with wireless features like Bluetooth & wired features like AUX (auxiliary) ports. However, these features aren’t always functional.
Your car head unit’s Bluetooth may malfunction. Or, your aux cable may break down. I, alongside countless car owners on the Internet, have faced similar situations. That’s why I decided to learn how to connect phone to car speakers without Bluetooth or an AUX jack. In this article, I’ll teach you everything I’ve learned.
Below is my step-by-step guide on how to connect phone to car without AUX or Bluetooth.
Do you have a particular question about connecting phone to car? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
How to Get Bluetooth in a Car Without AUX?
There are four ways to connect your phone to your car’s head unit or stereo without using AUX or Bluetooth:
Use an FM Radio Transmitter
An FM Radio Transmitter is a device that can connect your phone to the radio that’s already installed in your car. For example, if you have installed a car radio in your car, you can use an FM Radio transmitter to connect it to your phone.
Just buy an FM Radio transmitter online or at a nearby electronic store. Then, turn the radio on in your car. Next, connect the transmitter to your phone’s headphone slot. Now, any music you play on your phone will be played through your car’s speakers.
Use a Cassette AdapterWant to know how to get AUX in an old car? You don’t need to if your car has a cassette slot available. Most old cars come with cassette slots. You can get a Cassette Adapter & use it to play music through your car’s speakers. Connect the adapter to your car’s cassette slot.
Then, insert the cassette adapter’s 3.5mm jack into your phone’s headphone slot. Now, on the cassette slot, look up an option titled “tape.” Select this option from the audio system’s menu & start playing music via your phone & through your car’s speakers.
USB input
Suppose cassette adapters offer the perfect alternative to AUX for old cars. In that case, USB inputs do the same for new models. Most new-age cars come with inbuilt USB ports. You can use these ports to play music from your phone & through the car’s speakers. Just get an extra USB cable.
Then, connect it to your phone on one end & to your car’s USB port on the other. You’re guaranteed to get a reliable connection that doesn’t just produce good sound quality audio but also facilitates phone charging.
In addition to charging your phone, you can also take calls while driving. So, a USB port is essentially a better version of an AUX for a car without AUX. But what if your car doesn’t have a USB port? Then, you’ll need to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for car without AUX.
Hands-Free Bluetooth App
This solution is becoming increasingly popular among new-age car owners who want to add Bluetooth to car without AUX input. Many new-age cars have built-in Bluetooth properties. This type of Bluetooth is known as a “hands-free Bluetooth call.”
Car companies have given owners the ability to connect their cars to Bluetooth without requiring any intermediaries. If your car happens to have this feature, you should download an app that’s designed to activate this feature.
mySPIN, CarAuto BT, Car Connect, etc., are some apps that are specifically designed for this function. Download one on your phone to play music through your car stereo. Of course, you can use the hands-free mode for calls as well.
How to Connect AUX to Car Without AUX Port?
You can add Bluetooth for car without AUX by getting an FM transmitter. Just plug the transmitter into a power socket in your car. Then, connect your device to the transmitter via cable or Bluetooth.
Now you can use Bluetooth to play music in your car via your phone without requiring an aux input. Here’s a helpful video that demonstrates how to setup & use an FM transmitter in a car that doesn’t have an AUX port or Bluetooth:
How to Connect Phone to Car Radio Without Bluetooth?
Again, you can use an FM Radio Transmitter to connect your car’s speakers to your phone. You can also use a USB Bluetooth adapter for car without AUX. Via this adapter, you can connect your phone to your car’s stereo or head unit via USB.
You can also use a Bluetooth adapter. A Bluetooth adapter for car stereo without AUX is a device that can make any car Bluetooth-friendly. Just plug the adapter into a power outlet in your car & then route the audio via a specific FM frequency on the radio.
Best Bluetooth Adapter for Car Without AUX
Getting a Bluetooth adapter eliminates the need for you to ever worry about AUX cables again. With this device, you can effortlessly stream audio from your phone completely wirelessly. You can even make phone calls.
If you have no idea about these devices, don’t worry. Here are some of the best Bluetooth adapters currently in the market:
The Nulaxy KM30
This Bluetooth adapter has a responsive screen, a high-quality microphone, & a USB port for charging phones. Regarding cost-effectiveness, the Nulaxy KM30 is the best Bluetooth adapter in the market. Here’s an in-depth review of this device that you should see before buying it for your car:
Anker Roav Bluetooth Car Adapter
This FM Bluetooth Adapter comes with a small screen. But it has two USB ports. So, if simultaneous charging is something you care about, this device will come in extremely handy when you’re traveling. Make sure to buy the Bluetooth 5.0 version of this adapter (not the outdated 4.2).
USA Spec BT-45
The USA Spec BT-45 costs a lot because it’s a factory-style Bluetooth system with advanced features like automatic scanning for FM frequencies, USB-A & USB-C charging ports, & higher audio quality.
Technically, this factory-style Bluetooth system completely differs from a normal FM/aux connection Bluetooth adapter. It comes with dash mounting adhesives & it doesn’t feature any unsightly wires or cables.
No AUX in car? No worries! Use this guide to eliminate the need for adding AUX to car. Instead, use the products mentioned in this list to play music wirelessly while traveling in your car!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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