Wireless Android Auto: compatibility and setup
The short answer
Wireless Android Auto shows a phone's navigation, media, messaging and voice assistant on a car's dashboard screen without a USB cable. It works only when both the vehicle's infotainment system and the phone support the wireless version. A car that runs Android Auto over a cable does not automatically support it wirelessly. Wireless support depends on the make, model year, trim and sometimes the infotainment package or software version.
To find out whether your car qualifies, check the vehicle's documentation or ask the manufacturer or dealer for your exact model year and trim. Then confirm that your phone meets Google's current requirements for wireless Android Auto. This article had no verified, model-specific compatibility data to draw on, so it does not list particular vehicles, phones or software versions.
How wireless Android Auto works
Two radio links do the work. Bluetooth handles the initial pairing and phone calls. A direct Wi-Fi connection between the phone and the head unit carries the display, audio and touch input. The head unit is the dashboard screen and computer that runs the car's infotainment system. The phone still runs the apps; the car's screen acts as the display and control surface.
The phone and car need both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on. The phone does not need an internet connection through that Wi-Fi link. Navigation, streaming and other online features still use the phone's mobile data.
How it differs from wired Android Auto
Aspect | Wired Android Auto | Wireless Android Auto; Connection | USB cable to a data-capable port | Bluetooth pairing plus a direct Wi-Fi link; Vehicle support | More widely available | Must be specifically supported by the head unit; Phone charging | Charges through the cable while connected | Does not charge the phone unless a wireless charging pad or separate cable is used; Start-up | Begins when the cable is plugged in | Can reconnect automatically when the car starts, after the first setup; Battery use | Phone battery is topped up during use | Phone battery drains during use, often noticeably on long drives
Editorial note: wireless is mainly a convenience upgrade. The features on screen are generally the same in both modes. In exchange for getting rid of the cable, you take on extra battery drain. A wireless link can also be more affected by interference or connection drops than a cable.
Compatibility checklist
Vehicle or head unit: the factory system, or an aftermarket stereo, must list wireless Android Auto support specifically, not just Android Auto. Model year and trim: support often varies within the same model line, so check your exact configuration. Infotainment software: some vehicles gain or need wireless support through a software update, which a dealer or over-the-air update may provide. Phone: the phone must meet Google's current minimum Android version and hardware requirements for wireless use, including Wi-Fi support compatible with the head unit. Region: Android Auto availability and features can differ by country; this guide is written for US readers. Android Auto app: on recent Android versions it is built into the phone's system, but it should be kept up to date through the phone's app store or system updates.
How to set up and activate wireless Android Auto
Menu names and the exact order of steps vary by vehicle maker and phone. The general process is:
Park the car, ideally with the engine running so the infotainment system stays on during setup. On the phone, turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Location services may also need to be on. On the car's screen, open the phone or device connection menu and add a new phone or device. Pair the phone over Bluetooth and confirm the matching code on both screens. Accept the prompts on the phone to allow Android Auto, and grant the permissions it requests. If the car does not start wireless mode right away, some systems need one initial wired connection. Plug in with a USB cable, finish setup, then unplug, and the phone should reconnect wirelessly. In the phone's Android Auto settings, make sure wireless Android Auto is enabled, if your phone shows that option. On later drives, keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on and the phone should connect automatically after the car starts.
If it won't connect wirelessly
Confirm that the vehicle supports wireless Android Auto, not only the wired version. Check that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both on, and that the phone is not in a power-saving mode that limits connections. Update the phone's software, Android Auto and, if available, the car's infotainment software. Remove the phone from the car's device list and forget the car on the phone, then pair again from scratch. If several phones are paired, make sure the car is connecting to the intended one. Try one wired connection to finish any setup steps that were missed.
Options for cars without wireless support
If your car supports only wired Android Auto, aftermarket wireless adapters exist. These plug into the car's USB port and create the wireless link to the phone. Results vary by adapter and vehicle, and this guide has no tested performance data for any specific product. Check the adapter maker's compatibility information for your car before buying. Replacing the head unit with an aftermarket stereo that supports wireless Android Auto is another route. It costs more and involves installation work.
What this guide could not confirm
No verified data was available on which specific vehicles, trims or model years support wireless Android Auto. The same goes for exact phone and Android version requirements, update availability for particular cars, and adapter performance. Requirements and supported devices change over time, so check Google's current Android Auto requirements and your vehicle manufacturer's documentation before relying on wireless support.