Recommendation for Wireless CarPlay dongle

[VinceNg]

I am using this. No black screen. Connection is fast and no cables to deal with as it is just like a thumb drive.
However currently it is unavailable. Can search for similar products. I got it from aliexpress.

 

[fred12345]

I am using this. No black screen. Connection is fast and no cables to deal with as it is just like a thumb drive.
However currently it is unavailable. Can search for similar products. I got it from aliexpress.

yes, I'm using something similar if not the same, works well, better than cables so far.

 

[VinceNg]

yes, I'm using something similar if not the same, works well, better than cables so far.

Yes. Love the connection speed and I find it very suitable with no cables clogging up the wireless charging tray.

 

[DerCarl]

My Carlinkit 5.0 is running version 2024.01.18.1053, which is the latest available right now.

I'm also using the included cable (Type A). A black screen that goes away by itself doesn't sound like a cable problem, and more like a software issue. Whether it's the software on the MG, the Carlinkit or iOS is anyone's guess, though.

Hey ? I also had the same version as you then I did an UPDATE and now my version is Software Ver
2023.10.14.1711?

Where did you get yours from?
Thanks for your help

 

[theadum]

I found the black screen issue was occurring when the display would switch from CarPlay to one of the side cameras when indicating. Turned those off and no longer have the black screen problem.

 

[Aidanw]

I was wondering if the black screen issue for some of us is because the Android Auto Wireless adapters want to draw at up to 1A from the USB 5V port, but my understanding is the ZS only supplies 0.5A to the front USB ports. So the only adapters that would work are those which somehow don't draw as much power. Has anyone tried a USB hub with power injection from the cigarette lighter?

 

[Aidanw]

I'm now trying this. I've got a USB hub that accepts power via Micro-USB which is coming from the cigarette lighter. So far it seems better but not 100% reliable. I'll keep testing it for a few 100 more km but it's frozen twice in about 2hrs of driving so still problematic. I'm likely to go back to wired.

 

[fred12345]

I'm now trying this. I've got a USB hub that accepts power via Micro-USB which is coming from the cigarette lighter. So far it seems better but not 100% reliable. I'll keep testing it for a few 100 more km but it's frozen twice in about 2hrs of driving so still problematic. I'm likely to go back to wired.

not sure what connection are you trying and why; I would recommend you go for one of those simple Bluetooth/Wi-Fi AA dongles from AliExpress for £13 or so - no wires, no black screen (it switches onto camera when indicating at low speed but then goes back on AA screen) and no hassle ..

 

[Aidanw]

not sure what connection are you trying and why; I would recommend you go for one of those simple Bluetooth/Wi-Fi AA dongles from AliExpress for £13 or so - no wires, no black screen (it switches onto camera when indicating at low speed but then goes back on AA screen) and no hassle ..

If you read my original post you'd see why I'm trying this. I'm already using an android auto wireless dongle.
After a few 100 more km it does seem more reliable with the extra power supply through the USB hub so am persisting.

 

[scoobeesnac]

After also having issues with the cable - I've order a XUDA BT5 mini 2 in 1 (£18) from the 'official store' - will report back.

 

[Andy L]

Bought a USB stick size one on AliExpress, connecting to my phone with Bluetooth for about £15 and works perfectly on Android Auto, apparently good for iPhone too but not tested that ... I think all it really does is mimic cable connection between the car and the phone.

I ordered this and it arrived yesterday plugged it in paired with my Samsung s23 ultra and bang works brilliantly first off. Every bit as good as a wired connection. I have tried Carlink and it was so laggy and basically unusable. This cheap device £12 was worth very single penny thanks for the heads up.

 

[fred12345]

I ordered this and it arrived yesterday plugged it in paired with my Samsung s23 ultra and bang works brilliantly first off. Every bit as good as a wired connection. I have tried Carlink and it was so laggy and basically unusable. This cheap device £12 was worth very single penny thanks for the heads up.

give it a week and then imagine having to use USB cable again !!!! ... or paying £50+ for brand name ...
?

 

[scoobeesnac]

After also having issues with the cable - I've order a XUDA BT5 mini 2 in 1 (£18) from the 'official store' - will report back.

Sadly not a great experience with the Xuda (smartbox software) as it disconnects when going into reverse when the cameras take over the screen and then it’s not possible to bring back CarPlay.

The dongle doesn’t work with the * button set to CarPlay on the steering wheel and it also froze during navigation. It has been a little fussy with Bluetooth connections too. :-/

I’m running R16 infotainment and have the car booked in next week to hopefully be updated…so will test again then.

 

[fred12345]

Sadly not a great experience with the Xuda (smartbox software) as it disconnects when going into reverse when the cameras take over the screen and then it’s not possible to bring back CarPlay.

The dongle doesn’t work with the * button set to CarPlay on the steering wheel and it also froze during navigation. It has been a little fussy with Bluetooth connections too. :-/

I’m running R16 infotainment and have the car booked in next week to hopefully be updated…so will test again then.

mine also switches to rear camera view when reversing but then goes back to Android Auto. What do you want to use * for? it can only be set to control some of the car functions, not attached devices.
Issues you are having could be conflict between phone Bluetooth trying to connect to Xuda and to the car at the same time. Disconnect the car from your phone Bluetooth and connect Xuda only, see what happens. Happened to me when I first used my wireless dongle (not Xuda) but since then, no problems whatsoever. I think mine is also R16 software

 

[scoobeesnac]

mine also switches to rear camera view when reversing but then goes back to Android Auto. What do you want to use * for? it can only be set to control some of the car functions, not attached devices.
Issues you are having could be conflict between phone Bluetooth trying to connect to Xuda and to the car at the same time. Disconnect the car from your phone Bluetooth and connect Xuda only, see what happens. Happened to me when I first used my wireless dongle (not Xuda) but since then, no problems whatsoever. I think mine is also R16 software

Well good news - a Xuda software update fixed the problem of not restarting CarPlay once switched to cameras, so now it's quite usable.

I use the '*' on the steering wheel when in aircon/system settings etc. and want to switch to CarPlay quickly...but not a deal breaker.

I need to do more testing with two phones and stability since the latest Xuda update, but things are working ok at the moment.

 

[fred12345]

Well good news - a Xuda software update fixed the problem of not restarting CarPlay once switched to cameras, so now it's quite usable.

I use the '*' on the steering wheel when in aircon/system settings etc. and want to switch to CarPlay quickly...but not a deal breaker.

I need to do more testing with two phones and stability since the latest Xuda update, but things are working ok at the moment.

When my screen is on Android Auto, I use physical buttons under the screen, usually click home button then use the home screen for whatever, then click home again and then click AA icon on the screen and it goes back to AA.
Same with Car-Play (I have another dongle that plays videos on Car-Play icon) - here I just click on the edge of screen (as air-con shows as a smaller pop-up screen) and it goes back - or, as above - click on home physical button then CarPlay icon on screen.

About * button, I thought the most important thing for me would be to have quick access to front camera since there are no parking sensors and if I needed to see something quickly, I wouldn't hold the traffic whilst I fiddle with the screen looking for front camera settings ...