2023 Q3 Premium Wireless Carplay

Barry T said:

Just took delivery of a 2023 Q3 Premium yesterday for my wife. I was wondering if anyone has used a Carlinkit dongle successfully on a 2023 Q3 for wireless Carplay?
Also, I was surprised that the Q3 has US-C plug ins and not US-B. I am surfing for a good US-B to US-C adapter without going to Audi ($60) so I can set up my wife's Carplay. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
So far I find the Q3 is OK, but I should have gone for the Premium Plus. Well, too late now. After market here I come!

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Please note that the following information is intended for educational and informational purposes. It specifically applies to vehicles with factory-installed Apple CarPlay that is wired. This information does not apply to vehicles that already have wireless CarPlay or aftermarket radios with factory wireless CarPlay integration. It also does not apply to integration with wireless CarPlay. This information is relevant only if you have a vehicle that was originally equipped with Wired CarPlay from the factory.

Currently, there are no mechanisms available to convert factory-installed wired CarPlay in cars to wireless CarPlay. It is possible that Apple Inc. may release such a mechanism in the future. However, one Apple product that does not have third-party versions available is the lightning to HDMI adapter. This is because the chip inside the adapter is developed by Apple and not sold to third-party companies. Therefore, if you require this adapter, you will need to purchase it directly from Apple. Similarly, the Bluetooth chips used in Apple headphones are not sold to third-party companies.

The wireless dongles that enable wireless CarPlay in factory-equipped cars are not straightforward wireless devices. They operate in an interesting way. Apple negotiated with car manufacturers to adopt Apple CarPlay, and one of the conditions set by the manufacturers was that it should not require any updates on the car side or necessitate customers to return to the dealership for upgrades. As a result, CarPlay functionality is handled solely within the phone and not within the car. This design choice ensures long-term compatibility, as long as iPhones continue to maintain compatibility with CarPlay, it will work with any car, even a hundred years from now.

However, you may wonder how these dongles enable wireless CarPlay if there is no inherent mechanism to convert wired CarPlay into wireless. The only true wireless CarPlay functionality is achieved when it is designed as part of the CarPlay product itself. Unfortunately, if your car already has wired CarPlay, there is no way to make it wireless.
The wireless dongle functions by using a chip with Android phone or tablet software installed on it. On top of that software, a hacked version of Apple CarPlay is added. When you connect your phone to the dongle, your phone thinks the dongle is a car, and they establish a wireless connection. Then, when you insert the dongle into your car, your vehicle thinks the dongle is an iPhone. So, to summarize, your phone connects to the dongle, thinking it's a car, while your car thinks the dongle is a phone. The phone and car are never directly connected. Inside the dongle, the CarPlay software (which runs on Android) and your phone communicate and perform various conversions. This allows your phone's display to be shown on the dongle, which then transmits that image to the car. In return, the car sends back controls and touchscreen inputs. Many conversions take place inside the dongle, and ultimately, the Android system sends the modified image back to your phone.

Using a wireless dongle to make CarPlay work wirelessly in a car that originally had wired CarPlay can be convenient. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Compatibility: Not all car models or versions of CarPlay may be compatible with wireless dongles. Make sure to check if your car is compatible before buying a dongle.

2. Stability and Performance: Because the dongle modifies the software, there is a chance that stability and performance may suffer. You might experience issues like delays, occasional disconnections, or problems with certain apps.

3. Software Updates: Regular software updates from Apple for iOS and CarPlay could potentially cause compatibility problems with the modified CarPlay version installed on the dongle. Stay informed about updates and their impact on the dongle's functionality.

4. Lack of Official Support: The wireless dongle and the modified CarPlay software are not officially supported by Apple or the car manufacturers. This means you won't receive official assistance or warranty coverage if you encounter problems or if the dongle becomes outdated.

5. User Experience: Using a wireless dongle may not provide the same seamless experience as native wired or wireless CarPlay. Some features might not work as expected, and the integration with your car's infotainment system may not be as smooth.

6. Limited Support and Updates: Since third-party companies develop the wireless dongle and its software, the level of support and updates may vary. There's a possibility that support or updates for the dongle could stop, leaving you with an outdated and unsupported system.

Consider these factors before deciding to use a wireless dongle to convert your factory-wired CarPlay to wireless CarPlay.

How does real Wireless Apple CarPlay work:

Real wireless CarPlay does not involve any conversions. It operates by establishing a Bluetooth handshake to initiate a Wi-Fi connection between your iPhone and the car's infotainment system. Once the Wi-Fi connection is established, CarPlay runs directly on your iPhone without any additional conversions or modifications.

No data or signal conversions take place within a dongle or any other external device. Instead, the wireless connection enables seamless communication between your iPhone and the car's infotainment system, allowing you to access and control CarPlay functionality directly from your phone.