CarlinKit 2air Wireless CarPlay Adapter 2023 REVIEW

The CarlinKit 5. 0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter offers a seamless and convenient way to integrate Apple CarPlay into your vehicle. Its easy setup and reliable wireless connection make it a must-have for any car owner who wants to enhance their driving experience.

I’ve been a big fan of CarPlay ever since its first release in 2014. My one beef with the system is that it requires a wired connection for operation. I hate having cables draped across the dashboard in my car.

There just isn’t any good place to hide them. This is why I am glad there are third-party adapters that enable wireless connection between your vehicle and your mobile device. These adapters ensure that you don’t have to be tethered to a clunky USB cable while enjoying infotainment systems such as or Android Auto.

Once such adapter is the CarlinKit 2air Wireless CarPlay Adapter, which I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to install in my car. The CarlinKit 2air Wireless CarPlay Adapter is a sleek and innovative device that allows users to seamlessly connect their iPhones to their car’s infotainment system without the need for a cable. The adapter connects to your car’s USB port and acts as a wireless network for your phone to connect to.

The 2air provides a senseless connection for CarPlay and Android Auto so that a mobile phone can automatically connect to the car’s infotainment system. This adapter is only compatible with cars that have a factory-installed head unit that supports wired CarPlay/Android Auto. The device itself has a built-in colored LED that automatically adjusts and it’s designed with heat sink vents on both sides to dissipate heat for smooth operation – even in high-temperature environments.

The 2air’s user-friendly design and robust performance make it a must-have accessory for anyone looking to enhance their driving experience with the latest in-car technology. The CarlinKit 2air Wireless CarPlay Adapter is available to purchase from for $104. 99.

It is packaged with a manual, 1 x Type-C to Type-C data cable, and 1 x Type-C to Type-A data cable. As I carefully unboxed the CarlinKit 2air Wireless CarPlay Adapter, I was immediately struck its size and compact shape. My car – a 2019 Ford Escape – has a USB port inside its central console storage.

So, I had no issue stashing the 2air adapter inside that compartment. The adapter is very lightweight and it’s easy to hide away. There is even a small piece of adhesive that is included so the user can stick it somewhere inconspicuous.

The adapter comes with two cables – a USB-C to USB-C and a USB-C to USB-A – and an instruction manual. The manual is detailed and walks you through the steps of installation well. As I mentioned, the CarlinKit 2air Wireless CarPlay Adapter comes with a printed user manual.

This manual is multilingual and easy to follow. There are diagrams and illustrations to help in case the written parts are harder to follow. You’ll want to plug the 2air into your car’s USB port first and then start your car.

I’ve found this helps the system start up properly the first time. Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth and WiFi are active and then pair the phone to AutoKit-xxx. You will wait for an on-screen prompt in the car and then use CarPlay normally.

After the initial pairing, the 2air adapter should automatically connect to your phone on subsequent car starts. Integrating this adapter does add an extra step to your car’s infotainment system’s startup process, but it doesn’t add that much time. I’ve found that the adapter’s startup screen will pop-up for about 10 seconds and then shift over to the CarPlay UI.

The process for connecting an Android Auto device is the same, but additional precautions are noted in the manual. Updates to the adapter can be completed via the connection to your phone by entering a specific IP address into your browser. The entire process is outlined in the manual.

Since I’ve had the 2air adapter in my car I’ve not had any connection issues with it. My phone has connected 100% of the time and it’s never disconnected while I’ve been using it. I’ve used it for listening to music, and podcasts, and for navigation.

I’ve also used it for phone calls and digital assistant commands. All of the functions of CarPlay have worked seamlessly and I don’t have any complaints for this tiny device. I think one of the most impressive aspects of this device is how responsive it is.

You would think that with it being a passthrough device there might be some lag, but I’ve never noticed any delay. Navigating through apps, changing music tracks, and using voice commands all work with no lag, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience. Additionally, the adapter’s stable connection ensures that there are no interruptions or dropouts during operation.

Overall, my testing of the CarlinKit 2air Wireless CarPlay Adapter has left me thoroughly impressed with its performance and usability. Its innovative features and reliable functionality have undoubtedly set a new standard for wireless car entertainment systems, making it a must-have for anyone seeking an enhanced driving experience with Apple CarPlay. For more information, visit .

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