The multimedia systems of new cars are increasingly equipped with Apple CarPlay, or the manufacturer offers an option to purchase the system as an option. Unfortunately, most CarPlay systems still require you to connect the iPhone’s USB charging cable to the media system in order to use CarPlay.
Nowadays there are wireless CarPlay systems based on Bluetooth, but not every car manufacturer has this option available yet. With the Carlinkit 5.0 dongle you can turn USB CarPlay into a wireless Bluetooth version. The condition for using Carlinkit 5.0 is of course that your car’s media system is equipped with CarPlay (via cable).
How Car Carlinkit 5.0 works
The Carlinkit 5.0 can be connected to the USB port (USB A or C) of your car, after which the dongle streams Apple Carplay from your iPhone to the media system via a wireless Bluetooth connection. All the functionalities and conveniences of Apple CarPlay are retained without having to use a cable. This means that the Carlinkit 5.0 only works if your car actually has CarPlay.
After inserting the dongle, connect the iPhone via Bluetooth to the Carlinkit 5.0. When the connection status is reached, CarPlay will automatically be activated on the audio system.
It is possible to connect multiple iPhones with the adapter, making it easy to use with different drivers. If there are multiple paired iPhones in the car, a connection will be made to the most recently used iPhone. After starting the car, you can also manually choose via the audio system which iPhone should be connected to or simply switch.
You can also continue to use the USB port to which the Carlinkit is connected, as the dongle is equipped with its own (pass-through) USB port. Other USB devices can be connected to this and you can also charge another mobile phone.
Wireless CarPlay in practice
The Carlinkit 5.0 works fine and automatically connects the iPhone and the CarPlay system of our KIA Sportage (2022) after the first pairing.
Wireless CarPlay has several advantages. For example, the battery life of your iPhone is displayed in the CarPlay interface and annoying cables are a thing of the past. The biggest advantage is that CarPlay always works, without this dongle you always have to physically connect your iPhone, this extra step is skipped with Bluetooth.
A button is automatically created on the CarPlay home screen that allows you to return to your car’s media system, in our case KIA connect.
The dongle itself measures 7.6 cm by 4.3 cm and is 1.25 cm thick. Together with the adapter, two USB cables are supplied with a USB-A and USB-C connection. The cable is long enough so that you still have room to neatly store the dongle. You can also use a different USB-C cable to better suit your connection.
The Carlinkit dongle is a smart device that does what it promises. Thanks to an LED, you know that the dongle is active and functioning. The dongle is compatible with all cars that are equipped with CarPlay. In addition, the aftermarket systems from Pioneer, Alpine and Kenwood are also supported.
Also suitable for Android Auto
In addition to CarPlay, Carlinkit 5.0 (2air) also supports the Android variant ‘Android Auto’. The operation is exactly the same, you can connect wirelessly to Android car with an Android device via Bluetooth.
Not an official Apple solution
In the past it has regularly happened that charging cables do not comply with the MFI program (Made for iPhone). These cables can suddenly no longer function after an iOS update. The Carlinkit 5.0 emulates a legitimate CarPlay system. This prevents Apple from blocking its operation in a future iOS update.
Update and manage dongle
In addition to a Bluetooth signal, the dongle also sends out a WiFi signal. This allows you to make connections with your iPhone. After you have established a WiFi connection, you can access the internal web page of the dongle in Safari via the address: 192.168.50.2. Using this page you can provide the Carlinkit 5.0 dongle with firmware updates and adjust settings.
The WiFi connection can only be used to perform firmware updates and adjust settings. You can manage already connected devices, enable or disable auto-connection and change the language.
You can update via the ‘Infos’ tab. The manual states that you should only update the Carlinkit 5.0 if it is not functioning properly. If it works properly, it is recommended not to perform the update.
Only for CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Carlinkit 5.0 makes it possible to expand the existing CarPlay or Android auto functionality with Bluetooth if it does not have it. So if your car supports CarPlay, but only wired, you can use the Carlinkit 5.0. This allows you to easily connect Bluetooth and always use CarPlay without any hassle.
So it is not the case that thanks to this adapter you can add CarPlay or Android auto to a car system that does not support the function.
Conclusion: Carlinkit 5.0 (2air)
REVIEW SCORE
The Carlinkit 5.0 (2air) does exactly what it is supposed to do: convert your car’s wired CarPlay system into a wireless solution. You can use CarPlay via Bluetooth and you are no longer bothered by cables. It is a solution to a luxury problem, but it is easier because CarPlay is always and automatically connected to your car. Ideal during a long drive on holiday or when you often travel by car.
The Carlinkit 5.0 is fast and offers the option to connect multiple iPhones so that everyone in the family can use the dongle. Unfortunately, no official Apple MFI support, but thanks to the possibility of updates, this does not seem to cause any problems.
Please note, you cannot add CarPlay to your car system with this adapter. It only ensures that you can connect wirelessly to the existing CarPlay system that normally only works via cable.
- Works with CarPlay and Android Auto
- Suitable for USB A and C (depending on car type)
- Compact size dongle
- Connection between iPhone and dongle very stable and connect quickly
Purchase Carlinkit 5.0 with discount code
The Carlinkit 5.0 (2air) can be purchased online via autokitcarplay.com for a price of $85.00 (± €80) which includes standard shipping. With the discount code APPLETIPS you will receive an 18% discount on all products in the webshop.