Android Auto (and maybe Carplay) wireless with SE

[QLeo]

Just thought I would post this in case of interest. Goth Leo, our MG4 SELR, is, as folk here know, one that needs the left USB plug connected for Android Auto to work, giving maps, music etc. As it happens, I was looking for something completely different on Aliexpress and noticed an MG4 (Mulan) section. I did, of course, leap down the rabbit hole. And one of the items was a little USB thing that, it claimed, provides wireless connections for Android Auto and Carplay. It was only about £12 so I thought worth the punt.
It duly arrived, and was simplicity itself to set up - essentially just connect via bluetooth, when it sets up a low-power wifi network between itself and the phone. The car screen then lights up in the traditional way, and it's the same as being plugged in. It's also possible to update the firmware on the device.
Now, I just climb into the car, and a few seconds later, my phone is on Android Auto. Voice commands work as well (or not) as before (tried once saying "Play Baroque Selection" and it responded. "Sure, Playing Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson", which needed to be looked up), music is just the same etc.
Posted because, you know, it's SO yesterday to actually have the hassle of plugging a phone in. ;-)

 

[defbref]

Yeah there's loads of these on the market, plenty of discussion previously on here about them. Some work fine, others are inconsistent. Seems its best if you have an option to delay start up by about 30s to allow the MG to boot before the dongle attempts to connect.

 

[QLeo]

Yeah there's loads of these on the market, plenty of discussion previously on here about them. Some work fine, others are inconsistent. Seems its best if you have an option to delay start up by about 30s to allow the MG to boot before the dongle attempts to connect.

Ah, sorry, I had a quick search to see if they'd been mentioned.

 

[defbref]

Thread 'A wireless carplay adaptor that actually seems to work reliably?!'

Jun 23, 2024

I've been using a Carlinkit 5.0 for the best part of a year and it's been reasonable; once you set the "startup delay" to 25 or 30 seconds and make sure you've updated the firmware it works 90% of the time which for me was OK - my wife was less impressed with the occasional dropout and so I investigated other options.
If we ever tried to change which 'phone was connected mid journey then it was game over! We got pretty sick of seeing that status display with both of our 'phones listed but neither connecting.

I got a Lyssiefeel Wireless Carplay Adapter for iPhone a couple of...

• FunkyWorm
• carplay mg4 wireless wireless carplay
• Replies: 73
• Forum: MG4 Upgrades & Accessories

H

Thread 'Apple CarPlay dongle for MG4'

Mar 17, 2023

Any recommendations for dongle that will work in brand new MG4 to avoid need to plug in iPhone 10 by wire each time?

• Hugh Burnage
• apple carplay carplay dongle mg4
• Replies: 7
• Forum: MG4 Upgrades & Accessories

Thread 'Wireless Android Auto'

Aug 29, 2024

Hi all.

My S20 charger socket doesn't really like cables, so I was wondering whether anyone had any recommendations on a Wireless Android Auto USB adapter? There's lots on Ebay and Amazon, but at massively different prices. Don't want to overpay if a cheap one works.

Anyone had any experience with them and could recommend one?

• ojuk
• android android auto auto mg4 wireless
• Replies: 11
• Forum: MG4 Upgrades & Accessories

Just a few, but there's plenty more

 

[siteguru]

And this reply shows the one I use.

Post in thread 'Apple CarPlay dongle for MG4'

Feb 16, 2025

This is the one I've got, which has been rock steady.

Wireless Carplay Adapter Android Auto Wireless Smart Dongle 2 in1 für Volvo Benz Audi Kia Hyundai VW Mazda Cadillac mg Peugeot - AliExpress 34

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

• siteguru

• 

 

[QLeo]

Thread 'A wireless carplay adaptor that actually seems to work reliably?!'

Jun 23, 2024

I've been using a Carlinkit 5.0 for the best part of a year and it's been reasonable; once you set the "startup delay" to 25 or 30 seconds and make sure you've updated the firmware it works 90% of the time which for me was OK - my wife was less impressed with the occasional dropout and so I investigated other options.
If we ever tried to change which 'phone was connected mid journey then it was game over! We got pretty sick of seeing that status display with both of our 'phones listed but neither connecting.

I got a Lyssiefeel Wireless Carplay Adapter for iPhone a couple of...

• FunkyWorm
• carplay mg4 wireless wireless carplay
• Replies: 73
• Forum: MG4 Upgrades & Accessories

H

Thread 'Apple CarPlay dongle for MG4'

Mar 17, 2023

Any recommendations for dongle that will work in brand new MG4 to avoid need to plug in iPhone 10 by wire each time?

• Hugh Burnage
• apple carplay carplay dongle mg4
• Replies: 7
• Forum: MG4 Upgrades & Accessories

Thread 'Wireless Android Auto'

Aug 29, 2024

Hi all.

My S20 charger socket doesn't really like cables, so I was wondering whether anyone had any recommendations on a Wireless Android Auto USB adapter? There's lots on Ebay and Amazon, but at massively different prices. Don't want to overpay if a cheap one works.

Anyone had any experience with them and could recommend one?

• ojuk
• android android auto auto mg4 wireless
• Replies: 11
• Forum: MG4 Upgrades & Accessories

Just a few, but there's plenty more

My search-fu abandoned me there. Again, apologies. Happy to delete/have deleted the thread.

 

[hojnikb]

Yeah, these dongles work pretty well with delay. But the ultimate solution is to sideload your favorite apps to the infotainment itself, so no need for phone connection at all.

 

[Stoob]

Yeah, these dongles work pretty well with delay. But the ultimate solution is to sideload your favorite apps to the infotainment itself, so no need for phone connection at all.

Interesting. I have a 2020 ZS Exclusive. Could I do that? If so, how?

 

[Fluffykins]

Now, I just climb into the car, and a few seconds later, my phone is on Android Auto.

What's your mobile signal like? Reason for asking is that, if I'm using wireless AA, the phone drops the link to the car whenever the mobile signal goes which, round these rural parts is quite often and navigation dies. If I'm on a wired connection the phone stays connected and navigation continues, using cached maps data.
Google is aware of the issue, which has been raised by many people, but has so far studiously ignored it.

 

[hojnikb]

Interesting. I have a 2020 ZS Exclusive. Could I do that? If so, how?

Maybe. I have only seen tuturials for MG4. If the infotainment is android based, there's a good chance you can try and sideload apps too.

 

[Stoob]

Just thought I would post this in case of interest. Goth Leo, our MG4 SELR, is, as folk here know, one that needs the left USB plug connected for Android Auto to work, giving maps, music etc. As it happens, I was looking for something completely different on Aliexpress and noticed an MG4 (Mulan) section. I did, of course, leap down the rabbit hole. And one of the items was a little USB thing that, it claimed, provides wireless connections for Android Auto and Carplay. It was only about £12 so I thought worth the punt.
It duly arrived, and was simplicity itself to set up - essentially just connect via bluetooth, when it sets up a low-power wifi network between itself and the phone. The car screen then lights up in the traditional way, and it's the same as being plugged in. It's also possible to update the firmware on the device.
Now, I just climb into the car, and a few seconds later, my phone is on Android Auto. Voice commands work as well (or not) as before (tried once saying "Play Baroque Selection" and it responded. "Sure, Playing Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson", which needed to be looked up), music is just the same etc.
Posted because, you know, it's SO yesterday to actually have the hassle of plugging a phone in. ;-)

Could you give more info about the device you’re using? I don’t mind the usb connection but o key leaving my phone on the car!

 

[siteguru]

Could you give more info about the device you’re using? I don’t mind the usb connection but o key leaving my phone on the car!

Post #5 in this very thread links to the one I am using.

 

[QLeo]

What's your mobile signal like? Reason for asking is that, if I'm using wireless AA, the phone drops the link to the car whenever the mobile signal goes which, round these rural parts is quite often and navigation dies. If I'm on a wired connection the phone stays connected and navigation continues, using cached maps data.
Google is aware of the issue, which has been raised by many people, but has so far studiously ignored it.

It's very bad around these parts. On our trips to the east coast, about 40 of the 70 miles distance has no mobile coverage, with, off the top of my head, about 7 or 8 places where the signal comes or goes, so plenty of cycling. We've not had the issue you describe.

 

[QLeo]

Could you give more info about the device you’re using? I don’t mind the usb connection but o key leaving my phone on the car!

Sure. It's from Aliexpress and described as "For MG ZS EV Mulan MG4" The URL is

Wireless Carplay Adapter Android Auto Wireless Smart Dongle 2in1 Für Für MG ZS EV MULAN MG4 MG5 EHS MARVEL R MAXUS - AliExpress 34

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

And rats! - it's come down in price since I ordered!

 

[tsedge]

I just bought a Carlinkit Mini Ultra and apart from being tiny, it seems rock solid with the CarPlay connection (once updated to latest software), unlike my previous dongle. Cost around £44.

 

[siteguru]

Mine from AliExpress is still working fine.

 

[Fluffykins]

It's very bad around these parts. On our trips to the east coast, about 40 of the 70 miles distance has no mobile coverage, with, off the top of my head, about 7 or 8 places where the signal comes or goes, so plenty of cycling. We've not had the issue you describe.

Well. I've now replaced my old Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC phone and have a OnePlus Nord CE5.
It's early days but on a regular local run with regular dropouts the AA connection didn't miss a beat.
We shall see.
Another pleasant feature of the OnePlus phone is the lack of built-in advertising in many of the built-in aps, that needed to be switched off (with varying degrees of success) and the smaller amount of bloat, most of which could actually be uninstalled with no special measures (Faecebook app, Lunkhedin app, ThickTock, Instagram for starters.arec gone to app hell.

 

[QLeo]

Well. I've now replaced my old Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC phone and have a OnePlus Nord CE5.
Its early days but on a regular local run with regular dropouts the AA connection didn't miss a beat.
We shall see.
Another pleasant feature of the OnePlus phone is the lack of built-in advertising in many of the built-in aps, that needed to be switched off (with varying degrees of success) and the smaller amount of bloat, most of which could actually be uninstalled with no special measures (Faecebook app, Lunkhedin app, ThickTock, Instagram for starters.arec gone to app hell.

Good.
Yes re generally less bloatware on lesser-known phone brands, especially usually denigrated Chinese ones. We use Cubots. Very cheap and no bloatware at all, almost stock android. Can't say they are flawless, but the trouble we have is in common with many others, so is not unique to the brand.
We also install TrackerControl (via the f-droid repository) which is alarmingly eye-opening, in terms of showing you, and blocking, who tracks what, and what companies are involved. MG iSmart is pretty good, only using google crash analytics. Electroverse tries to send data to two (at least) advertising companies, as well as what appears to be an email harvester.

 

[Fluffykins]

We use Cubots. Very cheap and no bloatware at all, almost stock android.

Thanks for the tip. Any idea what the commitment is for major Android updates and security updates

 

[QLeo]

Thanks for the tip. Any idea what the commitment is for major Android updates and security updates

It seems to vary across different models. Herself has a different model to mine, and that has had more recent full updates than mine. But these days, Android mostly uses google play services as a shim to mitigate the worst of the lack of full updates, so personally I'm less concerned about that. A >2 year old P80 had a full update the other day, for example. The biggest frustration to me is that alternative ROMs like LineageOS or /e/OS are not really provided for niche brands, so extending the life of older phones is more difficult.
It's not really a tip, which these days I'm reluctant to offer, but just a comment about our experience, and what we look for in cheapie phones.
Oh, by the way, my KingKong toughened phone (yes, that's what it's called) lasts 10 days on a charge, but I don't use Meta apps and the like that are constantly reporting on my activity. and use VoWiFi when at home, which uses less power.