Our picks at a glance
| Adapter | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ottocast U2Air Edge | Best all-rounder: remembers two phones, works with CarPlay and Android Auto | £45 |
| Ottocast Mini NOVA | Best budget pick: small, simple, plug in and go | £39 |
| Ottocast Car TV Mate Pro | Watching video on your car screen while parked, through HDMI | £46 |
Prices from Ottocast's UK store on 2 November 2026. We compare published specs and features. We haven't run our own long-term tests.
Will it work with my car?
This is the most important check. A wireless adapter only works if your car already has wired CarPlay or wired Android Auto built in from the factory. It doesn't add CarPlay to a car that never had it.
The quick test: plug your phone into your car's USB port with a cable. If CarPlay or Android Auto pops up on the screen, an adapter will work. Most cars from 2016 onwards with a touchscreen have it. Use the USB port marked with a phone or data symbol, not a charge-only port.
Your phone needs to be reasonably recent too: Ottocast lists iOS 10 or later for iPhone and Android 11 or later for Android Auto.
How a wireless adapter works
The adapter plugs into your car's USB port and pretends to be your phone. Your phone then connects to the adapter over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. You pair once, and from then on it reconnects automatically a few seconds after you start the car. Your touchscreen, steering-wheel buttons and control dial all keep working as normal.
The picks in more detail
Ottocast U2Air Edge (£45): best all-rounder
The one we'd buy for most people. It works with both CarPlay and Android Auto, remembers two phones, and has a button to switch between them, which is ideal if you share the car. It comes with a USB-A plug and a free USB-C adapter, so it fits most cars. Ottocast says it's 45% lighter than its older U2Air Pro, with a faster processor and newer Bluetooth.
Ottocast Mini NOVA (£39): best budget pick
The cheapest way to cut the cable. It's a small aluminium plug with no app and no setup: plug it in once, pair your phone, and it reconnects every time. It gets firmware updates over the air to stay compatible with new phone software. Pick this if you only use one phone in the car and want the simplest option.
Ottocast Car TV Mate Pro (£46): for video while parked
As well as making CarPlay wireless, it has an HDMI input, so you can show video from a streaming stick, laptop or games console on your car screen. That's useful for passengers on long trips or while you wait in a car park. Video should only be watched when parked, never while driving.
Things to know before you buy
- Wireless uses more battery. Your phone isn't charging through the cable any more, so pair the adapter with a wireless charging pad or a car charger on long drives.
- A short delay on start-up. Expect a few seconds after starting the car before CarPlay appears.
- Updates matter. Phone software updates sometimes break adapters until the maker catches up. Ottocast's OttoPilot app handles firmware updates.
- Returns: Ottocast offers 30-day returns and a one-year warranty on these adapters.
Other brands make similar adapters, including Carlinkit and AAWireless. Whichever you choose, check compatibility with your exact car first.
