If you want to use Android Auto wirelessly, you need two things: a compatible car radio that has built-in Wi-Fi and a compatible Android phone. Most head units that work with Android Auto and most phones capable of running Android Auto can’t use the wireless functionality.
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.
Another popular question is “Does Android 11 support Android Auto wireless?”.
One source claimed it’s likely in addition to Google and Samsung, phones from manufacturers like LG, Motorola, and One. Plus may also receive support when Android 11 exits public beta later this year. But Android 11 support for Android Auto wireless comes with a few requirements : you need to have both a phone and Android Auto head unit that supports 5GHz Wi-Fi.
Yet another query we ran across in our research was “What if my phone doesn’t support Android Auto wireless?”.
If your phone, or your car radio, doesn’t support Android Auto Wireless, all you can do is wait for an update that may or may not come. Advanced users can use Android Auto Wireless with almost any head unit that’s capable of running Android Auto, but it takes a lot of extra work.
Will Wireless Android Auto work in my car?
Generally, wireless Android Auto will only work in cars models from roughly 2020 and beyond, since it’s a recent feature. You’ll also need to have an Android phone that works with wireless Android Auto. At the time of writing, the following phones support the feature: All phones with Android 11 or later.
How does Android Auto wireless work in a car?
To achieve a wireless connection between your phone and your car, Android Auto Wireless taps into the Wi-Fi functionality of your phone and your car radio. It only works with vehicles that have Wi-Fi functionality.
Does Android Auto work with any phone?
In order to establish a connection between your car and phone, using Android Auto wirelessly makes use of Wi-Fi, so you must have the functionality. Basically, it works with any Android phone with Android 11 or later, any Google or Samsung phone running Android 10, and a few Samsung phones running Android 9 Pie.
Pretty clearly, that means any Android phone from the likes of LG, Motorola, Samsung, Nokia, etc. that is released on or gets updated to Android 11 will be able to enjoy connecting wirelessly to Android Auto.
Android Auto is a handy feature that lets you use functions of your phone, like music and navigation apps, safely in the car. And in most cases, you need to connect your phone to your car with a USB cable to take advantage of Android Auto. However, with certain phones and cars, you can use Android Auto wireless to connect even more conveniently.
Is it better to use Android Auto wired or wireless?
Obviously, the wireless connection is much easier and hassle-free. Do note that using Android Auto Wireless can take a toll on the battery of your smartphone, so it is preferred that you use Android Auto wireless for short drives and a wired connection for longer drives.