Summary
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have been around for a while, but not all of us drive vehicles with the technology built in. Of course, you could install an aftermarket head unit yourself, but that can be intimidating. There’s actually a much easier way to do it—no wiring required.
There’s no shortage ofaftermarket head unitswith Android Auto and CarPlay for a wide variety of vehicles. Even my ancient 2009 Chevy Silverado allegedly has compatible models. However, there are a couple of things that have always held me back, and maybe you feel the same way.
For starters, I’m an avid DIYer, but I am out of my depths when it comes to vehicles. I can read tutorials and watch videos all day, but ripping out a chunk of my vehicle’s interior is still an intimidating prospect. I’m never comfortable working with electricity and wiring.
The other problem is I could never be 100% positive that what I saw online was indeed compatible with my truck. My specific make and model were very difficult to find on compatibility lists, and I couldn’t find examples of people with my exact vehicle in the reviews. This always left me feeling uncertain, so I lived with ajanky Spotify Car Thingas an alternative.
In the last year or so, “portable” head units with Android Auto and CarPlay haveexploded on Amazon. Back when I bought the Car Thing, I remember thinking a similar device with Android Auto would be awesome, and now they’re readily available.
“Portable,” in this case, simply means the device is not a permanent, built-in part of your vehicle. They’re essentially a modern-day version of a GPS that you might find on the dashboards of a car in the early 2000s. You get all the convenience of Android Auto or CarPlay in a compact package. The “installation” consists of finding the best way to mount it and plugging in the charging and aux cable.
Theexact model I bought was only $45—which is much cheaper than any built-in model I found thatmightwork with my vehicle. It has a 7-inch touch screen and comes with a number of mounting options and cables. In just a couple of minutes, I had a fully functional Android Auto display in my 15-year-old rusty truck.
You May Even Get Bonus Features
The interesting thing about many of these portable Android Auto/CarPlay devices is they always seem to have more features than what you get in vehicles that come with the tech built-in.
For example, my partner drives a 2019 Ford Escape with an infotainment system that has Android Auto and CarPlay built-in. However, it does not support wireless connections. You must connect your phone with a USB cable orbuy a wireless dongle. Meanwhile, my $45 device supports wireless connections out of the box.
Another thing that my portable screen has is AirPlay and “Android Cast.” Technically, I could cast videos to the screen for passengers to watch. I don’t think I will ever actually use the feature, but it’s not something you’d find built into many vehicles (unless Google has something to say about it).
Portable head units are a great way to add Android Auto and CarPlay to any car, even older models. They’re easy to install and often come with bonus features not found in built-in systems. If you’re looking to upgrade your car’s infotainment system without the hassle, a portable head unit is a great option. I’m glad I did.
