AAWireless TWO+ will let you use both Android Auto and CarPlay wirelessly in 2025

Ben Schoon | Oct 2 2024 - 5:35 am PT

Phone-projected car platforms have become essentially a requirement for many drivers nowadays, and being able to use that without a wire is handy. However, wireless Android Auto and CarPlay aren’t available in all cars, and adapters that add the feature usually only work with one or the other. With an upcoming release, AAWireless will be able to use both Android Auto and CarPlay.

AAWireless was the first wireless adapter for Android Auto, converting cars with a wired-only connection to ones that support using the platform without a cable plugged in. In an effort to also add CarPlay to the device, the team behind the popular device released a beta that enabled CarPlay alongside Android Auto with hopes to improve the experience in the future with the help of newer hardware.

That goal is being accomplished, finally, but with some good news and some bad.

The good news? AAWireless is releasing an adapter that supports both wireless Android Auto and wireless CarPlay with the same device. This new hardware will feature a button that lets users easily swap between phones, including between Android Auto when connected to something like a Pixel or Galaxy phone, or CarPlay when paired with an iPhone.

The bad news? It will require a special release.

In a press release announcing availability of AAWireless TWO – which launches on October 20 – the team behind the device unfortunately confirms that its original plans for CarPlay support didn’t work out. As we reported in January, this sequel adapter was originally meant to support both Android Auto and CarPlay, but the team found along the development path that hardware changes would be required to create a stable CarPlay experience.

AAWireless’ Chiel Prins explains:

Last year, we rolled out our CarPlay Beta on the current AAWireless adapter but soon found certain limitations. Meanwhile, we had already started the design and development phase for the AAWireless TWO. After testing the CarPlay Beta extensively, we had to conclude we needed a different hardware design to implement adequate CarPlay support. That’s when we started a new design process for a new product.” This also means that the CarPlay Beta will remain in beta permanently on the first AAWireless adapter.

For AAWireless TWO, which will cost $64.99, CarPlay won’t be an option.

Rather, the functionality is being saved for “AAWireless TWO+,” a second adapter that will have the hardware needed to support both platforms. It’s not mentioned, but this version will presumably come at a higher cost.

[In] Q1 2025, AAWireless will release the “TWO+” adapter, which provides support for both CarPlay and Android Auto. “With this new hardware design, we are creating a product that delivers wireless CarPlay with the same high standards as our Android Auto adapters.”

In the meantime, the CarPlay beta remains in place on the original adapter.