Carlinkit 5.0 is an adapter that enables wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in cars that support wired connections to those systems. This means you don’t need to connect your phone to the infotainment system by cable during normal use.
Carlinkit 5.0 is an adapter that enables wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in cars that support wired connections to those systems. This means you don’t need to connect your phone to the infotainment system by cable during normal use.
What you need
Your car must support wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, depending on which system you want to use. The adapter does not add support for either system to an infotainment unit that lacks it. Before use, check that your car supports the relevant system over a wired connection.
Carlinkit 5.0 supports:
- iPhone 6 and later running iOS 10 or later
- Android phones running Android 11 or later
The adapter connects to the car, and the phone then communicates with it wirelessly. You can use features and apps supported by the relevant system on the car’s screen, including navigation, calls and media playback. The available features depend on your phone, apps and infotainment system.
Wi-Fi and software updates
Carlinkit 5.0 uses dual-band Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands for wireless transmission. The connection can use either band, although its quality may also depend on surrounding conditions and interference.
The adapter supports online over-the-air (OTA) software updates. These can deliver bug fixes and new features without manual installation. However, update support does not guarantee compatibility with every future phone or operating system.
Power and phone charging
Carlinkit 5.0 has a USB-C port for powering the adapter and a USB-A port for slow phone charging. You can therefore connect your phone for charging while using it, although a cable is not needed for the wireless CarPlay or Android Auto connection itself.
Slow charging may not always keep up with the phone’s power consumption, for example when using navigation and playing media at the same time.
Carlinkit 5.0 and the earlier version
Carlinkit 5.0 follows Carlinkit 4.0. When choosing between the versions, compare compatibility with your specific phone and car, as well as the features you need, rather than relying on the version number alone.