45clouds/WirelessCarPlay
FreeWireless CarPlay for CarPlay enabled cars
FreeFree tier
About 45clouds/WirelessCarPlay
An open-source software project that enables wireless Apple CarPlay in vehicles that only support wired CarPlay. It uses a Raspberry Pi connected to the car's USB port. The iPhone connects to the Raspberry Pi via Bluetooth and WiFi, and the software forwards the CarPlay data to the car's head unit through the USB connection. This provides the convenience of wireless CarPlay for short trips without needing to plug in the iPhone.
Key Features
Uses a Raspberry Pi as an intermediary device
Connects iPhone via Bluetooth and WiFi to the Raspberry Pi
Forwards CarPlay data to the car's head unit via USB
Open-source with MIT license
Written primarily in C (96.1%) with some Java, C++, and other languages
Designed for vehicles that support wired CarPlay only
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and open-source (MIT license)
- Uses inexpensive and widely available Raspberry Pi hardware
- Enables wireless CarPlay without purchasing a new car or aftermarket stereo
- Community-supported with 1k stars and 179 forks on GitHub
Cons
- Requires technical knowledge to set up and configure the Raspberry Pi
- Not officially supported by Apple, may break with iOS updates
- Potential latency or reliability issues compared to built-in wireless CarPlay
- Needs a power source for the Raspberry Pi in the car
Best For
Convert wired CarPlay to wireless in cars that only support wired connectionsProvide convenient wireless CarPlay for short journeys without plugging in the iPhone
FAQ
What hardware is needed?
A Raspberry Pi (model unspecified) and a CarPlay-enabled car with a USB port that supports wired CarPlay.
Does this work with any car?
It requires a car that supports CarPlay via a wired USB connection. A list of compatible models is available on Apple's website at https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/available-models/.
How does the wireless connection work?
The iPhone connects to the Raspberry Pi via Bluetooth and WiFi. The software on the Raspberry Pi handles the CarPlay protocol and passes all data to the head unit through the USB port.