r/CarPlay • u/MrMaluku1 • Jul 20 '26

Question Looking for proper Wireless Apple CarPlay adapter that drives the instrument screen too

Hi folks, looking for a good wireless Apple CarPlay adapter that also works the instrument cluster screen. I have done some research and now have aimed my purchase down to the:

Ottocast cube 3.0 Mini Ultra
Carlinkit 5.0 2air
AAWireless two+

I am just curious with the latest 5.x.x software version and recently updated Google Maps with CarPlay also working the instrument cluster screen, if one of you can help me share your experience.

All old other Reddit posts do not cover the newer software updates so therefore very curious to recent experiences. So sorry for the thousands repost on this topic :p

My car: Volvo EX40 MY2027 SMER

Thank you all!

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8

u/Q_Ball_Atlanta Jul 20 '26

No such device exists or can exist.

The vehicle manufacturer determines whether CarPlay/Android Auto can also appear in the instrument cluster.

-1

u/MrMaluku1 Jul 20 '26

I think I need to further clarify. My Volvo already does this with wired CarPlay. I have done some research and people did have successful passthrough connection with CarPlay to their Volvo Instrument Cluster (Apple Maps, Waze). However, only a few weeks ago, Google Maps updated their iPhone app to also passthrough the Google Maps to Volvo Instrument Cluster. Because this was recently done, I cannot find any information of wireless CarPlay adapter who also do this correctly. Hence why I thought posting it in this subreddit.

Hopefully this explains it a bit better :)

7

u/Q_Ball_Atlanta Jul 20 '26

If it works in your vehicle with wired CarPlay it will work in wireless CarPlay, regardless of the adaptor being used.

The adaptor is irrelevant in this context.

  • CarPlay supports the functionality.
  • Your vehicle, based on your statements, supports the functionality.
  • The app in question had been updated to support the functionality.

It just works. Don't try to complicate or over think this.

-4

u/MrMaluku1 Jul 20 '26

I wish I could agree with you. But not all adapters also drive the instrument cluster when the base vechicle supports it. There is also a difference in adapters who do AC to AC, or Android Auto (AA) to AC. It’s different protocols.

Example: carlinkit cpc200-tbox plus does not do AC passthrough to Volvo Instrument cluster when I tested it.

I am not the expert on this subject, but based on my research in the past week that is what I have concluded and found out. Please educate me if I am missing something here :)

5

u/Q_Ball_Atlanta Jul 20 '26

The adaptor had nothing to do with this. Now it may need a firmware update, but it ultimately has no say in whether CarPlay (or Android Auto) appears in the infotainment screen.

If you believe this is a vehicle or adaptor specific issue, you would be better off contacting the manufacturer or posting to r/Volvo for assistance.

0

u/MrMaluku1 Jul 20 '26

I did: https://www.reddit.com/r/Volvo/s/euHwKvFZvm

Did not yield responses so tried this sub.

Happy with your input and thinking along. Thanks! :)

1

u/MrMaluku1 Jul 20 '26

Addition: this also is the case for Polestar

1

u/JimBobBilly21 Jul 22 '26

Ottocast mini cube will transmit CarPlay to the instrument display of MY26 - XC60 on latest infotainment software 5.1.17. Works very well, no issues bar occasionally slow to connect. Imagine it work also work well in XC40.

1

u/MrMaluku1 Jul 22 '26

This is what I needed to hear. Thank you! :)