Short answer: yes. If your car only has wired CarPlay via a USB port, you can make it wireless with an adapter like the Ottocast U2Air Pro adapter. You plug it into the car's USB port once; after that your iPhone connects wirelessly on its own. If you'd rather stick with a cable, a good cable works just as well, except you need to plug in your phone every time you drive.
How an adapter makes wired CarPlay wireless
Your car thinks there's an iPhone connected with a cable in the USB port. The adapter plays the part of that iPhone: it presents itself to the car as a wired device while at the same time making a wireless connection with your actual phone in your pocket. This way your car doesn't need to do anything it couldn't already do; the work happens inside the adapter. After pairing once, CarPlay picks up automatically as soon as you get in.
Important: this only works if your car already has CarPlay via the cable. If your car has no CarPlay at all, an adapter won't fix that. If you're not sure, connect your iPhone with a cable once: if the CarPlay screen appears, the adapter is an option.
Wireless or wired: what suits you?
| Solution | Wireless | For which iPhone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottocast U2Air Pro adapter | Yes | iPhone with iOS, wired CarPlay in the car | 58,99 euro |
| USB-C to USB-C cable 1 metre | No | iPhone 15 and 16 | 9,99 euro |
| USB-C to Lightning cable 1 metre | No | iPhone 14 and older | 9,49 euro |
| Original cable for your phone | No | matches your device | no extra purchase |
Which cable goes with your iPhone?
If you'd rather stay wired, the cable you need depends on your iPhone. An iPhone 15 or 16 has a USB-C port; that calls for an Apple USB-C to USB-C cable 1 metre with. If you have an iPhone 14 or older with a Lightning port, choose an Apple USB-C to Lightning cable 1 metre. Make sure you get a cable for data and not one that only charges, since CarPlay also sends video and audio through it.
Here's how to set up the adapter for the first time:
- Plug the adapter into the USB port where you'd normally plug in your phone.
- Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your iPhone; the adapter uses both to pair.
- Select the adapter from the list on your screen; next time it connects automatically.
A wireless adapter costs a bit more upfront than a cable, but your phone can stay in your pocket or on the wireless charger. A cable is cheaper and never breaks because of a weak connection, but you have to plug it in every time you drive.
Does the adapter work with every car that has CarPlay?
With pretty much any car that has wired CarPlay. The adapter presents itself as a wired iPhone, so the car doesn't need any extra capability. If the car doesn't have CarPlay via the cable, the adapter won't work.
Does my phone keep charging during wireless CarPlay?
Not through the adapter itself; it doesn't supply power to your phone. Place your iPhone on a wireless charger in the car, or use a separate charging point, so it doesn't run down during a long drive.
Is there any lag with wireless CarPlay?
In practice you barely notice it with navigation and music. The first time you get in, pairing takes a few seconds; after that it runs smoothly.
