How to use wireless Android Auto in an unsupported car

Wireless Android Auto is one of the most useful features to come along with Android 11. It’s great if you want to leave your cables in the past, but your car might not be ready for the jump. Some newer cars support wireless Android Auto right off the bat, but the rest of us will have to get creative. Luckily, there’s an Indiegogo project aiming to solve this headache for good.

We’ll run you through a quick overview of Android Auto and then jump right into the powerful wireless Android Auto box to help you get started. Ready to make your car a little smarter?

What is Android Auto?

Think of Android Auto as the best way to link your car and your phone. Instead of simply having access to music playback, Android Auto lets you tap into your specific mix of navigation apps, music, and even your Google Assistant settings. You can launch into commands by simply saying “Hey, Google” like you would at any other time.

See also: The best Android Auto apps to get the most out of it

If you have a phone running Android 9.0 or below, you’ll have to download the Android Auto app. However, it comes as a built-in feature on Android 10 and above, so you should be ready to roll if you have a newer phone.

How do I get this wireless Android Auto box?

Dubbed AAWireless, the device is effectively a middleman that allows your smartphone to communicate with your car’s Android Auto head unit via Wi-Fi.

The current hardware prototype, which resembles a tiny box with a USB port, plugs directly into the car’s head unit like a dongle. The prototype takes around 30 seconds to connect to the phone, but users can access Android Auto directly from their car’s dashboard once the process is complete. This includes live navigation, access to media controls, and placing or answering calls. The final device will likely measure around 50mm x 50mm x 30 mm, and lose its ethernet and USB-A ports.

Wireless Android Auto is now rolling out to Android 11, but its compatibility with vehicles depends on several factors. Some cars don’t support wireless connectivity and require a head unit upgrade to gain the feature. For these vehicles, the AAWireless seemingly fills a void.

If you’re hoping to grab the AAWireless box, get ready for a bit of a wait. The first round of pre-orders is shipping right now, and the second generation of devices will go out in October.