Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Guide Audi

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Wireless carplay / android auto is a great way to get access to the feature without the added hassle of plugging your phone into the stereo to set it up each time. There are 3 main ways to retrofit wireless car play in your Audi.

The following options will depend on your situation, budget and the model of Audi you own. Pick One Option Below:

Pick One Option Below:

In a hurry?

We’d recommend the CarLinKit 3.0 Wireless Carplay Adapter (Selected models)

Already installed in Audi - Option 1

From 2017 practically all of Audi’s models, such as the A, Q, R and T series, have supported wired CarPlay. Still, it’s not been until 2021 that Audi models now support wireless CarPlay, with the manufacture confirmed for Audi A4 and A5.

If you’re not sure, you can go into the car setting and check if it will allow you to connect to CarPlay wirelessly via a WIFI connection.

Audi - Apple CarPlay Models

2017 – 2020 A3
2017 – 2021 A4
2017 – 2021 A5
2017 – 2021 A6
2017 – 2021 A7
2017 – 2021 Q2
2017 – 2021 Q7
2017 – 2021 R8
2017 – 2021 TT
2018 – 2021 Q5
2019 – 2021 e-tron
2019 – 2021 Q8
2020 – 2021 Q3
2021 e-tron Sportback
2022 e-tron GT

Audi - Android Auto Models

Audi A1 2019-
Audi A3 2017-
Audi A4 2017-
Audi A5 2017-
Audi A6 2017-
Audi A7 2017-
Audi A8 2018-
Audi Q2 2017-
Audi Q3 2019-
Audi Q5 2018-
Audi Q7 2016-
Audi Q8 2019-
Audi R8 2017-
Audi TT 2017-
Coming soon: Audi A1 Sportback 2019-

(Updated as of June 2021)

See the full list of compatible vehicle models on Apple’s CarPlay website

See the full list of compatible vehicle models on Andriod’s Auto Website

Unsupported Audi Models

Before around 2017, models didn’t tend to come with Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto as standard. There are certain caveats to this, such as unique options or modifications that prevent CarPlay from being installed, but this is rare. Suppose you’re looking to buy a new Audi and want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. In that case, you should check the specification before buying. Many newer Audi models already have wireless CarPlay and Andriod Auto. Still, only some models from 2021 will have the ability to conduct Carplay and Andriod Auto wirelessly. If you’re not sure, you can go into the car setting and check if it will allow you to connect to car play wirelessly via a wifi connection. Wireless CarPlay is also standard in models from 2021 onwards, as manufacturers adopted the technology from this year ahead.

Just because your Audi doesn’t come with CarPlay or Android Auto as a standard doesn’t mean you can’t install it. See option 2 and option 3 for more information on how this might be possible for your model.

No Audi models support Apple Car Keys, allowing you to unlock your car via your apple watch or iPhone. As of 2021 only some BMW support this feature. support Apple Car Keys, allowing you to unlock your car via your apple watch or iPhone.

Unsupported Models by Type

100
A2
80
Quattro
RS3
RS4
RS5

Setting up Audi Wireless CarPlay & Andriod Auto - Factory Installed

These methods will only work with Audi’s with existing CarPlay, and Android Auto installed from the factory.

CarPlay - Audi

Steps:

Android Auto - Audi

Steps:

Wireless CarPlay Adapter - Option 2 Audi

If your car already has CarPlay or Android Auto installed, you can use the adapter to talk wirelessly to your Audi head unit.

The CarLinkit 2.0 is for vehicles with CarPlay or Andriod Auto as a factory install. The CarLinkit 1.0 is for aftermarket Andriod head units that are compatible with CarPlay and Andriod Auto use.

This is a great cheaper option to get plug and play wireless Carplay in your Audi. Although this option is not without its faults, it’s a practical solution.

CarLinKit 1.0

For Aftermarket Andriod Head Units

Pro's

Con's

List of Compatible Stereo Models:

Compatible with aftermarket Android car stereos installed into your vehicle.

These include the likes of:

JVC
Kenwood
Sony
Pioneer

CarLinKit 3.0

For Manufacture installed CarPlay / Android Auto

Pro's

Con's

List of compatible Audi models:

If it’s not compatible, you’ll have to find an adapter that is or move on to option 3.

PLEASE NOTE: It’s essential to understand that the adapters are not a perfect solution and are what I would call “temperamental”. The product works most of the time; however, it sometimes doesn’t connect and requires pulling the cable out and back in or restarting the engine.

It also takes around 10 seconds to fully connect to car play. Suppose you’re not happy enough with this. In that case, you should look at our option 3 recommendation as this method is Apple and manufacture approved.

The adapter is just a patch fix to trick the car into thinking it’s connected like usual, so there are occasional bugs. However, in my experience, when testing the product in a 2017 Vaxuall / Opal Corsa, it worked 90% of the time. This was good enough for the factional price of a new head you’d have to buy, as seen in option 3.

New Wireless CarPlay Compatible Head Or MMI - Option 3

This option is the most expensive route to take to get wireless carplay but will be one of the only options if you couldn’t follow the previous two steps.

New Head Unit

Installing a new head unit won’t always be possible in your Audi, this is because of the position and unusual shape of the factory head units.

As you can see in the photo of the 2007 Audi TT the head unit is possible but could be difficult.

See the link below for the head units we recommend on Amazon.

Sample of cars compatible to install a new Audi head unit in

If your not confident with installing a head unit yourself or not sure if it’s possible in your car model, retailers such as Best Buy or Halfords will often install a high value head unit for free and check if your cars compatible for you.