How Shall I Choose the Carlinkit Dongle Model? Does my vehicle model have Wired Apple CarPlay? Which Carlinkit dongle should I get for my car? What's the difference between Dongle 1.0 and 2.0 (U2W, U2W Plus)? You'll get answers to questions like these. This article is dedicated to CarPlay lovers who are confused about choosing a CarPlay adapter.
The differences between the two Carlinkit dongles (Autokit, U2W Models).
Dongle(Autokit)
Carlinkit dongle (Autokit) is suitable for existing 4.4 or above aftermarket Android systems.
- How to confirm whether the vehicle is supported by Autokit dongle (CCPA) or not?
First of all, you need to check the Android version of your car in the car system to make sure it is above 4.4. Then install the software "Autokit.APK" on your car. If all three options are displayed with "√", your car with an aftermarket Android head unit can work with the dongle.
- The function of the dongle(Autokit/ CCPA)
The dongles which work with "Autokit.apk" supports the use of CarPlay supported APPs, Waze, and Maps to navigate, receive messages and calls, and play music while you are on the road, and the Screen Mirror can support syncing your phone screen to the car screen for more fun.
This Carlinkit wireless Carplay dongle supports your Android phone and iPhone, so it also supports wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. It has several variants, a wired connection, and a wireless version.
- Shall I choose the wired connection or the wireless connection version?
"Wired Connection" means you can just connect to your CarPlay via cable regardless of phone. "Wireless Connection" means you can not only connect to your CarPlay via Bluetooth and wifi, but also via cable. So if you use Android phones like Samsung, then you can try a "Wired Connection". Then if you usually use iPhone, you'd better choose the wireless version. We also have an optional Pro version with a built-in mic for the wired version.
Dongle(U2W, U2W Plus)
Their primary function is to convert Apple CarPlay from wired to wireless. If your car does not already have CarPlay capability, this dongle will not work in your car. You must already have Wired Apple CarPlay and a USB port that you previously used with the Apple Lightning cable. The U2W Plus dongle (Carlinkit 2.0) can only for iPhone 9+ and supports Wireless CarPlay. This means that can't use for an Android phone with a U2W Plus dongle (Carlinkit 2.0).
- Does your vehicle have Wired Apple CarPlay?
If you have previously used CarPlay via the Apple Lightning cable, then you will not have this question. If you don't have this experience, try connecting with the Apple Lightning cable and see if you get the CarPlay interface (first open CarPlay on your phone) like the following picture. Finally be confirmed that there is indeed, then you are lucky to have about wireless CarPlay solution.
- Differences about dongle(U2W) and dongle(U2W Plus).
Carlinkit 2.0 (U2W Plus) is the upgraded version of Carlinkit 1.0 (U2W). Although the firmware system is the same, there are some improvements in hardware and appearance. 5.8GHZcertification module, automotive stardard ATMEL main control chip, 5G WIFI and blueooth etc. on version 2.0 The integration. Therefore, the 2.0 upgrade version has better experience in connection speed and stability. In the small box comes the Carlinkit 2.0 dongle itself, with its sleek shiny casing and a large LED status bar on the front The LED light can show the status of connection.
The dongle itself has USB-C and USB-A female ports and the kits a short USB-C to USB-A cable which it's detachable to come with. The Carlinkit dongle has to attach to this female USB-C port via USB-C on the end of the cable. Then this USB-A on the end of the cable can connect to your vehicle's existing 'Apple CarPlay' USB socket.
The wireless dongles that simply connect to the existing USB port that you use to plug your USB to cable into. As soon as the dongle powers up, it tricks CarPlay system into thinking iPhone is connected by cable to vehicle's system/receiver. Meanwhile, your iPhone thinks it's connecting to a wireless CarPlay system (the dongle), so it then transmits CarPlay wirelessly over Bluetooth (for the initial hand-shake) and Wi-Fi to your car system/receiver via the dongle.
- Compatibility about dongles.
We currently have a supported list including some tested vehicle models(for reference only). Although we have declared compatibility for them, we are unable to test compatibility for all models to ensure 100% fitment due to regional differences in versions of the same model year and differences in cell phone connectivity. We still to test and collect feedback from our customers to improve our supported list. Every point of your feedback is important.
For Japanese production or Japanese brand models, we have added them to our supported list. But actually, the existing firmware is not yet mature for them, so there will be some cases where they are not able to be stably compatible. We have been aware of such cases from your feedback and decide to improve the stability in the future firmware for their models. You can wait for future firmware or product updates to improve them.
If you have technical problems with your Carlinkit wireless dongle (U2W, U2W Plus), you are welcome to upload the usage log at 190.168.50.2(the same website of upgrade firmware). It is best to take a screenshot of the information you filled in on that screen and contact our after-sales team via email. If you are unable to upload usage logs via 190.168.50.2, you can leave your feedback at the bottom of the page. If you encounter errors when trying to access the URL 192.168.50.2, please refer to this blog.
Update: We have released Carlinkit 3.0, Carlinkit 4.0 and Carlinkit 5.0 (2air).
The Carlinkit 3.0 adapter serves the same purpose as the Carlinkit 2.0. However, the Carlinkit 3.0 adapter boasts a significant improvement in industrial design, making it even more visually appealing compared to its predecessor, the Carlinkit 2.0. One notable enhancement is the elimination of the glossy top surface. The Carlinkit 3.0 adapter is constructed using carbon fiber material, which effectively prevents fingerprints from smudging the adapter.
As for carlinkit 4.0, it is an upgraded version of 3.0, which adds a wireless Android auto function on the basis of the original. The interesting part about the Carlinkit 4.0 Wireless Android Auto integration is that the car does not have to support Android Auto for it to work at all as Wireless Android Auto is converted to Apple CarPlay. So if your car has Apple Carplay only, but you want Android Auto? Carlinkit 4.0 is the answer! You can convert your Apple CarPlay infotainment unit to Wireless Apple Carplay or Wireless Android Auto!
Carlinkit 5.0 (2air) supports both Wireless Apple CarPlay for iPhones and Wireless Android Auto system for Android mobiles. The new Carlinkit 5.0 adapter, also known as Carlinkit 2air. This is a Wireless Carplay and Wireless Android Auto Adapter in one - Compared to the Carlinkit 4.0, the Carlinkit 5.0 adapter supports Carplay and Android Auto natively, so it does not have to convert between Android Auto and CarPlay protocols.
Are you ready to revolutionize your in-car connectivity? Don't miss out on the chance to experience the incredible features of Carlinkit 3.0, Carlinkit 4.0, and Carlinkit 5.0! Plus, as a special offer for our valued readers, we're excited to offer an exclusive 18% discount code: Carlinkit. Upgrade your driving experience today and save!
Carlinkit 3.0 (U2W Plus)/ Carlinkit 4.0👉Buy Now.
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