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Ankush Sharma
Ankush Sharma

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Your Own Wireless Android Auto Adapter with Raspberry Pi

#raspberrypi #androidauto

Most modern cars support Android Auto, but many still require a USB cable. If you’ve ever wished for a wireless connection, you don’t need to buy an expensive adapter. Thanks to open-source collaboration, you can build your own wireless Android Auto dongle using a Raspberry Pi.

Project Lineage

  • Original Author: nisargjhaveri

    Creator of the WirelessAndroidAutoDongle project. He designed the buildroot system that generates SD card images for Raspberry Pi boards and established the foundation for DIY wireless Android Auto adapters.

  • Fork Author: ankush-ksharma

    Forked the repo into WirelessAndroidAuto, preserving the same features and hardware support while making it easier for others to experiment and contribute.

    GitHub logo ankush-ksharma / WirelessAndroidAuto

    Use Wireless Android Auto with a car that supports only wired Android Auto using a Raspberry Pi.

    Wireless Android Auto Dongle

    DIY Wireless Android Auto adapter to use with a car that supports only wired Android Auto using a Raspberry Pi.

    This repository consists of the buildroot setup to generate an sd card image to create your own Wireless Android Auto adapter.

    Features

    • Native Wireless Android Auto connection to the phone, no extra app needed on the phone.
    • Passes through all Android Auto traffic without any modifications to ensure seamless and safe experience.
    • Fast bootup, connection under 30 seconds.
    • Supports multiple boards (Currently multiple Raspberry Pi boards).

    Supported Hardware

    This is currently tested and built for the following Raspberry Pi boards supporting USB OTG.

    • Raspberry Pi Zero W
    • Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
    • Raspberry Pi 3 A+ (Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is not supported)
    • Raspberry Pi 4

    In theory, this can be extended to more hardware in future with these basic requirements.

    • The board should support USB…
    View on GitHub

This fork is a good example of how open-source projects evolve and spread through community-driven efforts.

What Is WirelessAndroidAuto?

The project is a DIY wireless Android Auto dongle that:

  • Creates a native wireless connection between your phone and car.
  • Passes through all Android Auto traffic without modification.
  • Boots up quickly, usually connecting in under 30 seconds.
  • Supports multiple Raspberry Pi boards.

It’s essentially a plug-and-play solution for anyone tired of cables dangling in their car.

Supported Hardware

Tested on:

  • Raspberry Pi Zero W
  • Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
  • Raspberry Pi 3 A+ (note: 3 B+ not supported)
  • Raspberry Pi 4

Requirements:

  • USB OTG support
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (external modules also work)
  • Operates on car-provided power

Setup Guide

  1. Download the pre-built SD card image from the releases page.
  2. Flash the image to your SD card.
  3. Insert the card into your Raspberry Pi and connect it to your car’s USB port.
  4. Pair your phone via Bluetooth (AndroidAuto-Dongle-*).
  5. From then on, your phone will connect automatically via Wi-Fi.

Advanced users can also build their own image using the provided BUILDING.md.

Configurations

After flashing, the SD card mounts as a WirelessAA drive. Edit the aawgd.conf file to:

  • Set your country code
  • Enable SSH for debugging
  • Adjust Wi-Fi password and other preferences

Troubleshooting

  • Phone stuck at “Looking for Android Auto”

    Check your USB cable (it must be data-capable) and ensure you’re using the correct OTG port.

  • Need logs?

    Enable SSH, connect via Wi-Fi, and inspect /var/log/messages.

Contributing and Support

  • Report issues or improvements via GitHub Issues.
  • Submit pull requests to enhance compatibility.
  • Consider sponsoring the project to support ongoing development.

Limitations

Currently tested on a limited set of cars and head units. Compatibility may vary, so community feedback is important.

Why This Matters

Commercial wireless Android Auto adapters exist, but they can be expensive and limited in compatibility. This project empowers makers and car enthusiasts to build their own solution, learn along the way, and customize it to their needs.

Final Thoughts

This project is a great example of open-source collaboration:

  • nisargjhaveri built the foundation.
  • ankush-ksharma forked it to keep the momentum alive.
  • The community continues to test, contribute, and improve.

If you’re into DIY car tech, this is a project worth trying.

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