[mail.jaiswal]

Starting a new thread since a lot of articles are on Wireless Android Auto, but none compare all of them in one page. The idea of this thread is to bring all of them on the same page with links for easy reference.

Going wireless is the norm; efficient or not, it is ergonomic, clutter free and easy. Easy, is it? Well in most cases, but it is not easy to find a option to go wireless when it comes to Android Auto(AA). Most car manufacturers, even in their top end offerings, do not provide wireless AA. You have to use wire to connect or some sort of dongle required. Though it is not fully wireless option as the dongle would connect with a wire to your infotainment system, but it remove the hassle of connecting/disconnecting wire to your phone every time you get into the car.

As most users do not care if it is wired or wireless, not enough solution to make a wired AA to wireless AA available in market. Some Chinese dongles present, but they are not even 1% reliable. First reliable option came from crowd funded Indiegogo project AA Wireless back in 2020. Another option followed through Carsifi which has the same capabilities of AA Wireless. The next option came sometime last year from Motorola (Motorola MA1 dongle offers wireless Android Auto capabilities), but soon the short fall of it started coming in online forums. And it is not easy to get hold of, specially in India.

Now AA Wireless being crowd funded, manufacturing depends on bulk order and this pandemic makes the delivery of the product not streamlined and only ships in batches. But user base is strong, online support is available and they ship to India.
(above text taken from Dipdawiz post in this forum with minor edits - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-e...to-dongle.html (AAWireless - Indiegogo project for wireless Android Auto dongle)


There are 3 options as of now - May'22 (with Team-bhp review links):
1. AA Wireless ($88) which started it all in Indiegogo - https://www.team-bhp.com/news/my-kia...d-auto-rs-8000
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-e...to-dongle.html (AAWireless - Indiegogo project for wireless Android Auto dongle)
2. Carsifi ($89) which is a follow up of AA wireless. Has an additional functionality of being able to connect 2 phones and switch between them
(not yet reviewed on Team-bhp)
3. Motorola MA1 ($89) - Latest entrant into the AA wireless space - https://www.team-bhp.com/news/motoro...adapter-review

Another option is to use a master phone and a slave phone outlined by Bibendum90949 in his thread https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-e...uilt-wifi.html (Wireless Android Auto for cars without inbuilt WiFi) but this is not feasible for non-technical oriented folks like me.

Among these, based on my research AA Wireless has been the most widely used 'adapter' and has a lot of positive reviews. Carsifi is relatively new, but has a lot of positive reviews (and negative) as well. Motorola MA1 is the latest in the list and should be a reliable device coming from Motorola.

Links to the Wireless options:
1. AA Wireless - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aawireless#/
2. Carsifi - https://carsifi.com/
3. Motorola MA1 - https://motorolasound.com/audio-prod...droid-auto/ma1

Availability -
1. AA Wireless - Currently shipping in a month (but many have waited for a few months)
2. Carsifi - Very similar to AA Wireless
3. Motorola MA1 - currently available in the US. Users can get it through a forwarding service

AA Wireless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDEj5DrJ734

Carsifi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFm2OZaTmII

Motorola MA1 Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj9wch-THR8

I would seek help of the experts to build onto this list (as I myself have a lot of questions myself, which I'll post in subsequent posts)

[mail.jaiswal]

Now with the questions:
1. The main issue that I have with Android Auto is that the cable used for Android auto does not charge at a very good speed. I have a Oneplus 8 pro and the car is a Hyundai Creta 1.6 petrol 2017 edition. When Android auto (wired) is enabled, my phone drains faster than the battery being consumed, due to GPS and Bluetooth draining my battery.

Charging speed through the USB socket of the car is 50-150 mA and charging speed through the cigrette lighter car charger socket is 1500-1700 mA. Usually with GPS and Bluetooth, my phone is draining at 200-400 ma. I plan to install a wireless adapter such as AA wireless and use the car charger to charge the phone, which should hopefully charge the phone faster than the battery being used. Any suggestions would be welcome.

2. Any possibility of increasing the charging speed through the Android Auto USB socket in the car? I use the standard Oneplus cable with the USB socket of the car (under the dash).

The objective is to use Android auto on a daily basis for navigation, taking calls and basic web searches through the assistant. Any inputs on the above queries would be appreciated.

[dipdawiz]

Voted AAWireless. I bought this for following reasons

- Designed and developed by the famous android developer of xda-developers (Emil Borconi-Szedressy from Netherland). Already given us app like AAGateway which is tried by Bibendum90949.
- Very active support team and regular firmware updates. More user base, so better community support. Proper technical discussions possible in xda-developers.
- If I remember correctly, carsifi uses some tech stack which has tendency to make some apps not working properly (not sure whether it was about carsifi or something else, but did not want to try), AAWireless uses native AA APIs.
- Chip shortage is almost over, its being shipped within a month and so to India. Carsifi also ships with similar time frame, Motorola MA1 is yet to officially available in India, then support is a big question in our country.

One correction with AAWireless
- AAWireless is USD 85 + shipping

Some information about carsifi
- carsifi is also a Indiegogo crowdfunded project.
- carsifi has dedicated button to switch between multiple connected phone, making it easy if it is used by two persons using the car.

Originally Posted by mail.jaiswal

now with the questions:
1. ...

Charging speed through the USB socket of the car is 50-150 mA and charging speed through the cigrette lighter car charger socket is 1500-1700 mA. Usually with GPS and Bluetooth, my phone is draining at 200-400 ma. I plan to install a wireless adapter such as AA wireless and use the car charger to charge the phone, which should hopefully charge the phone faster than the battery being used. Any suggestions would be welcome.

2. Any possibility of increasing the charging speed through the Android Auto USB socket in the car? I use the standard Oneplus cable with the USB socket of the car (under the dash).

...

1. This is strange, did not hear this issue with any built-in or aftermarket HU of my friends who uses AA regularly. I have seen the phone gets charged fully when connected to AA with GPS and music on. Did you check with other cable and other mobile? Anyway if that is the case with your charging, you can go with wireless android auto and charge with cable when you need it. I have checked Samsung galaxy phone uses approximately 15% charge in 2 hours. Sometimes up to 20% (so 10% per hour). So you can use wireless AA for 4-5 hours before you put the phone on charge, better time also possible (offline map, downloaded music). Battery drainage due to wireless AA is depended on phone brand/ROM, as I read somewhere Pixel phones drain 20% per hour with wireless AA and has heating issue.

2. I guess this is not possible without rip apart the mechanism and doing a DIY

[mail.jaiswal]

Originally Posted by dipdawiz

1. This is strange, did not hear this issue with any built-in or aftermarket HU of my friends who uses AA regularly. I have seen the phone gets charged fully when connected to AA with GPS and music on. Did you check with other cable and other mobile? Anyway if that is the case with your charging, you can go with wireless android auto and charge with cable when you need it. I have checked Samsung galaxy phone uses approximately 15% charge in 2 hours. Sometimes up to 20% (so 10% per hour). So you can use wireless AA for 4-5 hours before you put the phone on charge, better time also possible (offline map, downloaded music). Battery drainage due to wireless AA is depended on phone brand/ROM, as I read somewhere Pixel phones drain 20% per hour with wireless AA and has heating issue.

I have tried multiple cables including the standard Oneplus cable and the charge reduces over a period of time. will try some other cables to see if they charge faster. this could be a Oneplus specific issue as charging from other chargers is slow but on the Oneplus charger is blazingly fast.

[dipdawiz]

Originally Posted by mail.jaiswal

I have tried multiple cables including the standard Oneplus cable and the charge reduces over a period of time. will try some other cables to see if they charge faster. this could be a Oneplus specific issue as charging from other chargers is slow but on the Oneplus charger is blazingly fast.

Most Chinese phones are designed to detect the same brand wall charger and then use full potential of the charger. But it should not be that slow, AA port should be charging with 10-20watt which is fast enough charging for most mobile (even though it may not be displayed as "fast charging" on mobile).

Check if other brand mobile charges normally or slow.

Can other Creta (before 2020) owners confirm this slow AA wired charging?

[BennyA23]

Originally Posted by mail.jaiswal

now with the questions:
1. The main issue that I have with Android Auto is that the cable used for Android auto does not charge at a very good speed. I have a Oneplus 8 pro and the car is a Hyundai Creta 1.6 petrol 2017 edition. When Android auto (wired) is enabled, my phone drains faster than the battery being consumed, due to GPS and Bluetooth draining my battery.

Portronics has this product that I use on my 2007 W211 E280 CDI that doubles up as my Bluetooth audio connector and has a fast charger plus a normal charger. We land up charging 2 smartphones from practically 15% to 75% in less than 30 mins with both being used.

A55 I believe its called.

[N33raj]

Originally Posted by dipdawiz

... Can other Creta (before 2020) owners confirm this slow AA wired charging?

I have a gen 1 Creta with AA and i have not faced any issues with the slow charging so far. However, i do not have a OnePlus, i use either a BB Priv or Galaxy Note 10.

My usual usage is AA + music (either VLC or streaming services). In short drives (<45 mins) the battery seems to drop by ~ 5-6% from when i start. However, on longer drives i find the phone to charge up as well.

e.g. driving to Delhi from Lucknow some days ago, Note 10, 6 hours drive, start battery at 20%, end at 78%.

For some reason, the Priv seems to run hotter. I keep both phones on a holder and aim one of the vents at; maybe this helps with the charging as well.

I use AA on other cars as well and have not faced any battery drain issue as such. Some cars charge faster, others slower but its alright.

[Sachin V.W.]

Just came across this news.

https://www.bollyinside.com/news/a-m...d-kia-vehicles

My question is, can infotainment unit suppliers upgrade thier software which could enable wireless AA on thier current non-wireless units in various cars ? Is there any hardware upgrade required to go wireless or it could be done via software upgrade ? I'm not sure.

Just my thought - If they could do it through software upgrade, they can even charge some money through car maker's service centres. This could be another revenue model for both of them. If I'm being asked to pay say couple of thousand rupees for this software upgrade to wireless AA, I would happily pay rather than handling third party dongles.

[mail.jaiswal]

Originally Posted by N33raj

I have a gen 1 Creta with AA and i have not faced any issues with the slow charging so far. However, i do not have a OnePlus, i use either a BB Priv or Galaxy Note 10.

My usual usage is AA + music (either VLC or streaming services). In short drives (<45 mins) the battery seems to drop by ~ 5-6% from when i start. However, on longer drives i find the phone to charge up as well.

e.g. driving to Delhi from Lucknow some days ago, Note 10, 6 hours drive, start battery at 20%, end at 78%.

For some reason, the Priv seems to run hotter. I keep both phones on a holder and aim one of the vents at; maybe this helps with the charging as well.

I use AA on other cars as well and have not faced any battery drain issue as such. Some cars charge faster, others slower but its alright.

I am guessing it's an issue with the phone and not wired AA.. Even regular wall chargers charge very slowly on my oneplus. Thats the way, I think oneplus phones are designed, so that only the proprietary chargers provide fast charging. Maybe other oneplus users may be able to confirm the same.

But good to know that it's not an issue with the creta or AA.. Thanks for your info.

[Jebs]

I've been using AA always. Even for a shorter trips. I have never faced any issues with my OnePlus 8 pro and using MI cable for the connectivity. Charging is reasonably better, however AA doesn't support fast charging as per their website. No disconnects or struggles after upgraded to Android 12. Though I prefer the wireless AA, My Scross stock HU doesn't support it.

[Fillmore]

Slightly off topic.

Was anyone able to successfully plug in a USB splitter into your Android Auto deck and be able to use 1 port to connect AA to your phone, while in parallel have the ability to stick in a USB stick with your music ?

This way you have both on tap, all the features of Android Auto + your USB music drive when needed ?

I tried with This USB Splitter, but the car unit does not recognize when you plug in a USB drive via this splitter.

Note: The splitter works perfect on a laptop and supports data transfer from multi ports.

[cnu]

Originally Posted by Fillmore

Slightly off topic.

Was anyone able to successfully plug in a USB splitter into your Android Auto deck and be able to use 1 port to connect AA to your phone, while in parallel have the ability to stick in a USB stick with your music ?

This way you have both on tap, all the features of Android Auto + your USB music drive when needed ?

I tried with This USB Splitter, but the car unit does not recognize when you plug in a USB drive via this splitter.

I have the exact same splitter and works fine as you explained above in my Toyota. May be this is dependent on the car HU.

[shamanths3]

Thanks for this thread. My Nexon EV Max is providing wireless charging pad but no wireless AA. Weird! However it seems connected Cars like Nexon EV, Newest Venue top end usually exclude AA either due to Harware limitation or some other reason.

Couple of differences I would like to Highlight as per my research on these devices.

Motorola MA1 -
From a good manufacturer , but has no way to upgrade the firware to fix any bugs that pops up.
Only product officially licensed to support Android Auto.
However it is usually out of Stock.

AA Wireless -
Tried and tested by so many people now. Also has support for firware updates and you can tweak the settings to suit your needs.

Carsifi -
I feel it has almost the same advantage as of AA wireless with firware update support.
One USP is that you can connect multiple devices and quickly switch between them with a click of a button.