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Has anyone found a bluetooth carplay adapter that actually survives? (self.apple_enthusiast)

submitted 5 months ago by benfell to c/apple_enthusiast

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I have the misfortune of being stuck doing DoorDash. It means I'm constantly plugging in and unplugging my phone from my car, at least once at the beginning and and again at the end of each and every delivery. Even with USB-C (it's an iPhone 15 Pro Max), that makes me nervous. It's also inefficient, having to fumble with the cord and the plug and the phone each and every time. And of course it's a problem when it's pouring down rain and the USB outlet gets wet.

So I've been trying bluetooth adapters for my 2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium Hybrid. I've gone through three of them, now. They each worked great for the first day or so, then died. A message appears on the screen that the device could not be started in "advanced mode" and "normal mode" means the device doesn't work.

The dealer informs me that the head units which support CarPlay over bluetooth are only available in model years 2023 and newer and cannot be retrofitted to a 2021.

I'm not even seeing the problem acknowledge in a web search. But for me, it's consistent.

Does anyone know a solution?

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (7 children)

Do you have an aux input? I had good results with aux input Bluetooth in the past.

[–] benfell 3 points 5 months ago (3 children)

This isn't about playing music. This is mainly about CarPlay for navigation, dealing with text messages, etc. I am extremely reluctant to replace the head unit: First, it would be expensive--a problem with what these gig companies pay. Second, I would lose some of the interface to the car itself.

[–] aedelred 2 points 5 months ago

I found this that supposedly fits your car and does wireless CarPlay, but unfortunately the cost and interface with the car itself is still going to be a problem. I do wish modern cars left the car interface, A/C controls, and stereo separate. This along with privacy concerns and reluctance to spend on a new car is what keeps me driving very old stuff.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130DMT3800/Pioneer-DMH-WT3800NEX.html

[–] aedelred 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I just got to thinking... by "interface to the car itself" did you mean stuff like Bluetooth phone, steering wheel buttons, and backup cameras or is it more in-depth stuff like car settings and monitoring? I know the phone calls, steering wheel buttons, and backup cameras can be tied to aftermarket stereos. I'm not sure if they have figured out anything more yet or not.

[–] acosmichippo 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

look up carplay, it’s a specific car UI run from your iphone.

[–] aedelred 1 points 5 months ago

I'm aware of what CarPlay is. I use it in my aftermarket car stereo.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Sorry I misread. I’ve been using an Ottocast one for over two years. I had to do the advanced config portion, you can find out how to do in the manual, to get it to work perfectly. Haven’t had an issue since.

[–] benfell 1 points 5 months ago

Ottocast is one of the ones that died. It's actually the first one I bought because it is highly rated.

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