I can’t live without Android Auto now. I had it several years ago in my previous vehicle via a Pioneer aftermarket add-on and it was a “must have” option in the new car I purchased last month. Unfortunately, Android Auto is pretty standard on modern cars, but most manufacturers still consider the fully wireless variant a premium option.
Luckily, we’re in the fun world of tech, and there are several companies filling that void in the market with aftermarket Android Auto wireless adapters. We’ve covered a few more, but the last one we spent time with is Carsifi. This new dongle brings everything we expect but also has a few surprises up its sleeve.
Plug in and use
You can’t get much easier from a setup. Like the competition we’ve used, the Carsifi Android Auto dongle is a cinch to boot into your car. Plug the included USB cable into the appropriate port in your car, connect to the dongle via Bluetooth settings, then complete your integration via the car’s infotainment.
That’s it. You should have the Carsifi ready to jam wirelessly in less than five minutes.
The magic button
So what sets Carsifi apart from other Android Auto wireless adapters? It’s the magic button. The company has built a dongle that supports multiple connections. Whether you carry a work and home phone, or most commonly, you and the significant other both have an Android, then Carsifi can be the answer.
You can achieve this by independently setting up the secondary phone using the same steps above. Then you can “hot swap” the devices in the car by double clicking the magic button. The unit defaults to the last known connection, but easily switches between owners just by pressing this button.
Performance
The Carsifi dongle worked exceptionally during my time with this one installed. When first set up, it’s truly plug-and-play as if it were any other Bluetooth audio unit. Then your car should remember the connection and preset it to move forward.
My only complaint is that sometimes the magic button wouldn’t swap devices on the first try. Usually a second double-click did the trick. Otherwise, you should have no problem getting the Carsifi to work in your vehicle.
Another notable is the battery life of the connected Android phone. It’s not great, but that’s true for all the other options to add Wireless Auto as well. Using the combination of WiFi and Bluetooth at the same time is taxing on the endurance of the connected phone.
An added bonus is that Carsifi has a companion app. This allows for basic software tweaks and, more importantly, software updates. This makes it on par with AAWireless and a step ahead of Moto MA1. Being able to fix bugs as they arise with little consumer intervention is a huge advantage.
Conclusion
Carsifi is another great way to add Android Auto wirelessly to a car that doesn’t have it from the factory. With a USB cable and a quick Bluetooth connection, you can add it to any car with wired Android Auto.
The final selling feature is that Carsifit won’t break the bank. At $100, that puts it firmly in the same range as its competitors. Honestly, of the three wireless Android Auto options I’ve tested, Carsifi is my favorite.
I can’t put my finger on it, but it just seems to launch and run slightly better than AAWireless and the Moto. Add support for multiple devices with the magic button, and I think you have the most comprehensive wireless adapter that Android Auto users should check out.
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