Smartphones have become a part of daily life, and they surely aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. As inseparable as our phones can be at times, we need to put them down when we’re at the wheel. The problem is, a lot of people don’t do this. They continue to text and use their phones while they are behind the wheel. It goes without saying that this can be extremely dangerous, not only for the driver but for their passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. Simply put, using your phone while driving is distracted driving.
As much as fines and laws have been put in place to reduce the number of people who engage in this risky behavior, it still happens. That time with your eyes off the road is enough for serious injury to happen, which is why driving safety has always been a major issue. The phone is the problem here, and technology recognized that there had to be a way to keep a smartphone out of the driver’s hands. While still giving them the functionality that makes them handle it at the wheel.
This is precisely what Android Auto was developed to tackle. This is a smartphone app available for Android devices. With a compatible vehicle, it allows for smartphone features such as your texts, music, and maps to be operated directly from the car’s display, whether by touching the panel or using the controls, or by using voice commands for an extra layer of safety. This helps drivers to always keep their hands on the wheel.
Android Auto is a great innovation, holding about 80 percent of the market share. Still, one thing about it is that the device needs to be plugged into the vehicle’s center console. It can still serve as a distraction when it is so close, and a loose cable connection may have a driver taking their hands off the wheel repeatedly to adjust it. So, the question on many people’s minds is, is there wireless Android Auto?
Well, as always, you’ve come to the right place. If there’s a way to use Android Auto without USB, this article will let you know-how.
Do you have a particular question about wireless Android auto? 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:
Is Android Auto wireless?
At the beginning of its release into the market, Android Auto was exclusively wired. However, now it finally has wireless capability. Not only does this make it safer, but it makes it so much more convenient. No need to be at the mercy of USB cables! This is referred to as Android Auto wireless projection.
However, it is important to keep in mind that not all vehicles compatible with Android auto are compatible with Android Auto Wireless. You can read up on your make and model of car to verify. You will also need to ensure that your Android device is also compatible with wireless projection. Any device running Android 11 will be compatible. All Google or Samsung phones on Android 10 will also work, but you may need to confirm compatibility apart from that.
Does Android Auto Work Over Bluetooth?
Now that we know that Android Auto works wirelessly, you likely want to see if it works via Bluetooth or some other wireless standard like Wi-Fi.
Well, the answer to that is yes! If you want to connect wirelessly, Android Auto over Bluetooth is the way to go. Seeing how ubiquitous Bluetooth is, this is a great choice. Bluetooth also makes the connection process very easy to go through. I’ll tell you how to do that in the next section.
How to connect Android Auto wirelessly?
Android Auto through Bluetooth will work just as well as it does when connected by cable. So, to get Bluetooth Android Auto connected without a problem,
you just need to follow these steps:
- If you’ve made sure that Android Auto Wireless can work with your vehicle, then you can proceed to the next step. If the car isn’t compatible, then this won’t work no matter how hard you try!
- Pair your phone with your car’s Bluetooth if you have never done that before. If you have, then you can skip this step.
- It’s time to connect your phone to the car. Plug it in with a USB cable, how you would have done if connecting wired.
- Follow the prompts that appear on the screen to complete the first part of the setup.
- Once this is complete, you can unplug the USB cable.
- Ensure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on the next time you enter the car. You should have Android Auto through Bluetooth working fine!
Wireless Android Auto Compatible Cars
Many cars support Android Auto wireless projection, and the numbers keep increasing. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but some of the cars support Android Auto over Bluetooth. These models are 2021 editions.
- Ford: F-150, Mustang Mach-E
- Honda: Accord
- Jeep: Grand Cherokee L
- Kia: K5, Sorento
- Mercedes-Benz: S-Class
- Nissan: Rogue
- Chrysler: Pacifica
- BMW: 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, X Series, Z4
- GMC: Yukon, Sierra
- Volkswagen: Golf GTI, Jetta, Tiguan, Arteon
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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