Android Auto working through CarLinKit Carplay Conversion Dongle

nlroth

Folks,
I own a 2019 Toyota Sienna with a radio that only supports wired-only Apple Carplay.
I saw on a number of Chinese sales sites a conversion dongle from CarLinKit that converts wired Carplay to Wireless Carplay -AND- wireless Android Auto (CarLinKit 4.0).
I bought the unit from an authorized vendor to ensure I didn't get a questionable clone and it worked with my iPhone 6S+ via the wireless connection to verify its operation. I then verified it worked with my Motorola Edge+ Android 13 phone via the wireless link - so now at least I know the dongle works.

I waited until the GOS team released the latest OS version that supports AA and started to 'play'...
It didn't work.
I checked permissions - everything seemed OK and I made sure to open up everything (yeah, so G gets more info on me). The Pixel would connect on Bluetooth but i had a feeling there was a WiFi issue (the dongle uses both).

Now, some background info on my Pixel 7 setup: I run Marcel B's great VPN-based firewall Netguard
I checked firewall permissions - WiFi was allowed for the Android Auto app.
I then looked more closely at the lower level options for AA - there is a checkbox "Apply Rules and conditions" that is checked. I unchecked the box which I assume allows AA to bypass the firewall altogether.
It Worked! It appears that Android Auto doesn't like going through a VPN connection.

My Pixel 7 connected through the CarLinKit 4.0 dongle via a Bluetooth/5GHz WiFi link and everything came up on my headunit. (I haven't tried a phone call or voice command yet)

Thank you very much to the GOS team for this enhancement and the continual security updates.

Cheers and Happy New Year to all

...Larry

Ninja4694

Good to know. I'm in the same boat with a car that only supports wired CarPlay. I wish there was a dongle that would convert to wired Android Auto. All the ones I've seen are wireless.

nlroth

Ninja4694
The CarLinKit 4.0 lets you use wireless OR wired...
I got mine on AliEx... for approx $50CAD from Cutesliving Store but there are hundreds of vendors selling these - make sure you find one that has good feedback score and lots of followers (like eBay).
In fact, this is probably available on eBay as well.

YMMV...

Ninja4694

nlroth So just to clarify, you can plug the Carlinkit 4.0 into a wired CarPlay car and then connect an Android phone with a cable to the Carlinkit 4.0 to use wired Android Auto? I don't see that functionality mentioned in the online user manual or product description. That would be perfect if so. I'd like to avoid enabling the wireless Android Auto permissions on GOS.

nlroth

Ninja4694

From the carlinkit.com website on the 4.0 dongle page:
"Wireless connection: Android 10.0 +，Wired connection: Android 6.0+"
You shouldn't have an issue either way, BUT, I've only used wifi connection with my Pixel 7.

In any case, all I wanted to say is that it works using Carlinkit 4.0 on a GrapheneOS Pixel 7 and with Android Auto bypassing the VPN-based firewall app (like NetGuard).

Again, YMMV

BalooRJ

I would also like more information as my car supports wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto but does not support GrapheneOS...does the dongle simply allow for GrapheneOS to be used with android auto?

Edit: I just realized that this still requires the Android Auto app to be installed which I presume also needs Google Play Services.

Ninja4694

BalooRJ If your car supports Android Auto, you shouldn't need any adapter. Using the latest version of GrapheneOS should allow you to install Android Auto from the "Apps" app and then enable the permissions toggle in Settings > Apps > Sandboxed Google Play > Android Auto.

These adapters are just to provide Android Auto support in cars that only have CarPlay. They are not GOS specific.

bluegrass

Ninja4694 There must be something I'm missing or doing wrong.

I've installed Android Auto from Apps but cannot find the permission toggle anywhere in the suggested path. I've setup Android Auto within it's own settings, but when I connect to the car the app asks me to do as you've suggested.

Been trying ever since this option became available. It's really frustrating.

billinmtl

From the settings on your phone, go to the apps. It is the phone settings - not AA, or the GOS apps app

From settings, go to apps, scroll down to sandboxed google play, inside there you will find android auto. In there you will find the toggles and suggestions.

Just in case, you do need sandboxed google play and services installed as well

Ninja4694

@nlroth I got one from the same vendor and it works on my Pixel 8 with wired AA!

Do the steering wheel controls to change music tracks work for you? That's the only thing not working for me. It's probably a compatibility issue with the adapter and my Pioneer stereo.