Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Guide Mazda

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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 Mazda.

The following options will depend on your situation, budget and the model of Mazda 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 Mazda - Option 1

All newer Mazda models have wireless CarPlay. Only some models have the ability to connect wirelessly via Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay but models after 2018 started to introduce Carplay as a standard wired connection.

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.

Mazda - Apple CarPlay Models

2018 – 2021 Mazda6
2019 – 2021 CX-5
2019 – 2021 CX-8
2019 – 2021 CX-9
2019 – 2021 Mazda3
2020 – 2021 CX-3
2020 – 2021 CX30
2020 – 2021 Mazda2
2020 – 2021 MX-5

Mazda - Android Auto Models

CX-3 2020-
CX-30 2020-
CX-5 2019-
CX-8 2019-
CX-9 2019-
Mazda2 2020-
Mazda3 2019-
Mazda6 2018-
MX-5 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 Mazda Models

Before 2018, models didn’t tend to come with Apple CarPlay and mostly 2019 for Andriod auto, except for the Mazda6 model. In addition, certain sports models may not come with wireless connectivity or may be offered as an upgrade add-on if your purchasing a new Mazda. If you’re looking for a Mazda specifically with Wireless CarPlay or Andriod Auto, you should check with your sales representative to make sure. Alternatively, you could go into the car settings to see if you can connect to CarPlay via a wireless connection.

Just because your Mazda 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 Mazda models support Apple Car Keys as of 2021, which allows you to unlock your car via your apple watch or iPhone. Currently only the latest BMW models offer this feature. support Apple Car Keys, allowing you to unlock your car via your apple watch or iPhone.

Unsupported Models by Type

323
Bongo
Demio
MPV
Rx-7
B2500
BT-50
Eunos
Mx-3
MX-5 RF
RX-8
Biante
CX-3
CX-7
MX-30
Premacy
Tribute

Setting up Mazda Wireless CarPlay & Andriod Auto - Factory Installed

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

CarPlay - Mazda

Official Mazda Connect Android Auto Manual

View the YouTube video to see the Mazda Aunstral representative set up Apple CarPlay. To see a wireless connection video click the link below the steps

Steps:

Make sure the car is stationary, and your parking brake is on
Unlock and connect your iPhone via the lightning cable into the car USB port.
Then follow the prompts on the infotainment screen

To see the Mazda wireless CarPlay connection see this Youtube Video

Android Auto - Mazda

Official Mazda Connect Android Auto Manual

View the YouTube video, which shows the Mazda USA representative set up Andriod Auto in the vehicle.

Steps:

Start by download the Free Andriod Auto app from the Google play store.
First, make sure the car is in the park, and the parking brake is engaged.
Then plug your Andriod smartphone into the car USB port via your charging cable.
You’ll then have to follow the prompts on the screen
Continue allowing permission for the Mazda on both the infotainment system and on your smartphone.
If you ever leave the android auto ecosystem, you can get back to it by moving your knob to the top left corner and pressing down, bring you back to Andriod Auto.
All set for you to enjoy.

Wireless CarPlay Adapter - Option 2 Mazda

If your car already has CarPlay or Android Auto installed, you can use the adapter to talk wirelessly to your Mazda 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 Mazda. 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 Mazda models:

NO Mazda Models are compatible

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.

MMI Unit

Unlike other car models such as BMW and Audi, MMI units are not common or main stream with Mazda. In this instance we therefore recommend replacing the whole head unit for the best result where possible. If you would still prefer to install an MMI unit, eBay is usually the best place to find them.

New Head Unit

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

As you can see in the photo of the 2018 mazda CX-5 the head unit protrudes from the dashboard meaning standard replacement head units won’t be possible.

Alternatively, you can see in the 2009 Mazda 6 picture there is a dashboard area where a new wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen could fit.

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

Sample of Cars Compatible with Installing a new Mazda CarPlay head unit in

See Compatible Mazda Models By Year

Year	Fits	Does not fit
2008	Mazda 3
2008	Mazda 5
2008	Mazda 6
2008	Mazda B-Series
2008	CX-7
2008	CX-9
2008	MX-5
2008	RX-8
2008	Tribute
2009	Mazda 3
2009	Mazda 5
2009	Mazda 6
2009	Mazda B-Series
2009	CX-7
2009	CX-9
2009	Miata MX-5
2009	RX-8
2010	Mazda 3
2010	Mazda 5
2010	Mazda 6
2010	CX-7
2010	CX-9
2010	MX-5
2010	RX-8
2011	Mazda 2
2011	Mazda 3
2011	Mazda 6
2011	CX-7
2011	CX-9
2011	Miata MX-5
2011	RX-8

If you’re not confident with installing a Mazda CarPlay 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 are compatible with you.