The best unit I reckon is the Carlinkit 5.0 2air - Where can you get it? Aliexpress (worldwide shipping!) s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFNDqd1 Amazon amzn.to/3w0AsMc
Can confirm this unit is an unreliable piece of junk. Been through every set up suggestion - it's such a waste of time. Blank screens, no connection, freezes while driving.
Thank you for demonstrating the Car unit the calling kit 5.0. I bought it after you demonstrated it. It worked perfectly. I followed your instructions. Change the delay to 20 could not be happier. Thanks again.
This was super helpful, thanks so much Tim. I purchased this, as per your video, and connected today and now the CarPlay works every time. This has made my MG Essence hassle free. I am very grateful. 🎉
I recently purchased the Carlinkit 5.0 from Walmart for $45US for my 2021 Ford Escape PHEV and it works great! Not sure why you needed to add a 20 second delay. I didn’t add the delay and it connects to CarPlay fast and works every time!
Different car. The MG4 is pretty slow to startup compared to all other cars, which is why it needs a delay. If you don't need a delay then great, it'll work much quicker in your car!
Yep buying via amazon is more expensive - the seller has a markup, amazon has a markup, but if you're impatient you will get it quicker than ali. However when I bought the ottocast from amazon, it was by far the cheapest, plus fortunately had easy returns when I found it wasn't great working with the MG4.
Hey, I have had the same issue with wireless CarPlay, one thing that is different on yours to mine is maybe the software version of the car, I’m in the uk and have a rear fog light, when Apple CarPlay is on using a normal cable I have a black bar at the top showing the fog light button, outside temp and eSIM signal. The car play is slightly squished to allow you to see the top bar. Why can’t I see it on yours?
Well, it's a little indecisive - sometimes it connects to the last phone used, sometimes it just picks a random phone to connect to. You can switch by selecting the unit in your bluetooth connections on your phone.
i had the Original Calinket 5.0 Air2 and send it back wasn't even possible to work on my MG4 with iPhone 15 Pro, will try this one it's a clone I think cause it has the same menu.. Did you do the test when you are both in the car with you're Android and iPhone can you switch with this unit or is it the first phone in row who connects ?
The carlinkit can connect to iphone and android, if both phones are nearby the car, it'll connect to whichever phone was last used with it. To switch, go to the phone you want connected, go to bluetooth settings and select the carlinkit and it'll switch.
To be honest I only tried it once when we first got the car and it sort of worked - I'll check it again soon, as I need to post a 6 month review of the MG4.
Tested the MG4 digital key yesterday and yes it works. A little fiddly you need to open the app and push a button to unlock, and push another button to start the car. But yes does work.
My wife just bought a 2023 build MG ZS Excite, which only has CarPlay and 1 USB connection that has the standard USB symbol on it. We both have Samsung Galaxy A11, Model # SM-A115F. I've been looking at all the adapters and the one I have ordered is the CarLinkit 4.0. I have watched the review of it and also the version 5 on RUclips by Anthony Barker (CarPlayLife). Apparently the model 5.0 won't work properly with the MG ZS whereas the 4.0 does work. What are your thoughts on the version 4 (blue) model? ..... Thanks ....
I actually purchased this based on your review. So when the car stars and both phones are inside, it gives you an option to pick a phone. If I really don’t want to take chance I am switching off Bluetooth/wifi of the phone I don’t want to connect for few seconds. Overall happy with purchase. Thank you for your review.
It's definitely NOT a reliable wireless solution for the MG4. I got one but it only works about 60% of the time. Have the delay start at 20 seconds, and other settings as suggested by manufacturer's troubleshooting but it's just not reliable. Blank screen, no connection. Sometimes works. iPhone 11.
Not displaying the song info on the infotainment screen (where you see the weather/charging state/radio/navigation) otherwise connects every time, no black screens, music plays perfectly. - yet when plugged in with the wire it does display it.
Ah, are you apple or android? Works for me streaming spotify on my android phone, the song details show up on the regula infotainment screen. That said when i'm using android auto I never have the infotainment display on - always a split of music/maps.
Ordered and followed your video on a MG4 with R46 software version…. No luck, sometimes it has to connect 30 or more times and then it works sometimes it take 30 min or more like that and don’t work always light up the CarPlay logo but black screen :(…. I have an iPhone 15Pro
Have you totally disconnected your iphone from the MG4 bluetooth, and "forgotten" the MG4 bluetooth on your phone? Also from the MG4 disconnect/forget your iphone. If you haven't, it won't work.
@@bozugarage Yes, checked both I forgot one to disconnect..... So I checked double now and all are good, restarted the phone to be sure and connects now to the dongle but still stays @ Connecting for about a few min and restart ....When i see in the BT menu it gives status "Connected" I don't know what I can do more, it's my second dongle I ordered and send one back cause this failure and now have the same problem.... Did you change another setting in the settings of the dongle that I need to do ?
@@sc00zy Only setting I changed was to have 20 second startup delay. Did you get to the screen on your phone where it says "use this (bluetooth) connection for carplay"? you may need to manually select it in your bluietooth settings after it's connected to the unit
@@bozugarage Ah i just connected to BT but not needed to confirm this "use this connection for carplay" will check it when i am home, if not working will do a reinstall from scratch tomorrow will see if it change .... next month i go for a yearly check @ the dealer and normally they update to R59 software maybe this will fix the BT connection ?
The version I got from your link is a such a load of crap. Can get to configuration screen (as you show in the video) via mobile phone, set the delay to 15 seconds. Powered down, re-connected the crap piece of sh#t and lo and behold and wont even boot up at all and I only get is the red lights. I did wait over 20 minutes to see if there was something I missed, but no I tried everything I could think of and it refuses to work as expected. The ONLY way to get consistent startups is to put a power switch to the USB port and switch it ON once the car is powered. This is what I built and tested with few issues, annoying yes but works a damn more times then what you recommended.
20 seconds works for me as shown in the video. Try that. Don't know why you picked 15 seconds, timing is critical as you've found out. Been rock solid for me ever since installed. I had 2 other wireless adapters, which needed annoying usb power switches. This one doesn't.
@@raypalmer7733 try a firmware update too. if still no good, maybe lodge a return request. Unsure why doesn't work for you properly it's been great on my car
Nope, it didn’t work for me. Gotten Carlin 3.0 to Toyota RAV4 Hydrid 2020. Watched half a dozen of RUclips, as to how simple to connect. I spent hours to connect, it came on and split seconds later, it turns off. So, mailed it back for refund.
I don't think so, though there's suggestions there are ways to sideload the apps onto the unit. Wife is just happy wireless carplay works perfectly for her
Make sure the unit is plugged into a powerbank or USB power, NOT the car. Connect your phone/tablet wifi to the device wifi. If doesn't connect to the wifi of the unit, try a different phone/tablet, try turning off your sim card
The best unit I reckon is the Carlinkit 5.0 2air - Where can you get it?
Aliexpress (worldwide shipping!) s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFNDqd1
Amazon amzn.to/3w0AsMc
Can confirm this unit is an unreliable piece of junk. Been through every set up suggestion - it's such a waste of time. Blank screens, no connection, freezes while driving.
Spot on, unlike my other adaptor. 20 second delay works perfectly for MG4 and connects every time👍🏻
Also found to avoid the black screen when it launches is in settings to toggle Background to ON
Thank you for demonstrating the Car unit the calling kit 5.0. I bought it after you demonstrated it. It worked perfectly. I followed your instructions. Change the delay to 20 could not be happier. Thanks again.
This was super helpful, thanks so much Tim.
I purchased this, as per your video, and connected today and now the CarPlay works every time.
This has made my MG Essence hassle free. I am very grateful. 🎉
I recently purchased the Carlinkit 5.0 from Walmart for $45US for my 2021 Ford Escape PHEV and it works great! Not sure why you needed to add a 20 second delay. I didn’t add the delay and it connects to CarPlay fast and works every time!
Different car. The MG4 is pretty slow to startup compared to all other cars, which is why it needs a delay. If you don't need a delay then great, it'll work much quicker in your car!
Went through the exact same issue with my wireless adapter in an LDV (effectively the same company as MG).
Thanks for the heads up.
You are a genius! Thank u! I’ve just changed the settings and like magic my MG4 is now wireless 🎉 🎉🎉🎉
Glad it worked for you 🤩
Great review, just ordered one from the link. Amazon is more than double the price.
Yep buying via amazon is more expensive - the seller has a markup, amazon has a markup, but if you're impatient you will get it quicker than ali. However when I bought the ottocast from amazon, it was by far the cheapest, plus fortunately had easy returns when I found it wasn't great working with the MG4.
Hey, I have had the same issue with wireless CarPlay, one thing that is different on yours to mine is maybe the software version of the car, I’m in the uk and have a rear fog light, when Apple CarPlay is on using a normal cable I have a black bar at the top showing the fog light button, outside temp and eSIM signal. The car play is slightly squished to allow you to see the top bar. Why can’t I see it on yours?
Thanks for the review.
Possibly dumb question...what happens if you get in the car with both Iphone and android -both BT ON, which will connect first?
Well, it's a little indecisive - sometimes it connects to the last phone used, sometimes it just picks a random phone to connect to. You can switch by selecting the unit in your bluetooth connections on your phone.
can you test it with android auto please? Sorry, just watched to the end!! Thanks
Yep works with both apple carplay + android auto in my testing. Pretty good product I reckon.
@@bozugarage Thanks...I saw that at the end of your video!! Looks good!!
i had the Original Calinket 5.0 Air2 and send it back wasn't even possible to work on my MG4 with iPhone 15 Pro, will try this one it's a clone I think cause it has the same menu.. Did you do the test when you are both in the car with you're Android and iPhone can you switch with this unit or is it the first phone in row who connects ?
The carlinkit can connect to iphone and android, if both phones are nearby the car, it'll connect to whichever phone was last used with it. To switch, go to the phone you want connected, go to bluetooth settings and select the carlinkit and it'll switch.
Does digital key for mg4 51 excite work for your wife? I am interested about this car.. great content…
To be honest I only tried it once when we first got the car and it sort of worked - I'll check it again soon, as I need to post a 6 month review of the MG4.
Tested the MG4 digital key yesterday and yes it works. A little fiddly you need to open the app and push a button to unlock, and push another button to start the car. But yes does work.
My wife just bought a 2023 build MG ZS Excite, which only has CarPlay and 1 USB connection that has the standard USB symbol on it. We both have Samsung Galaxy A11, Model # SM-A115F. I've been looking at all the adapters and the one I have ordered is the CarLinkit 4.0. I have watched the review of it and also the version 5 on RUclips by Anthony Barker (CarPlayLife). Apparently the model 5.0 won't work properly with the MG ZS whereas the 4.0 does work. What are your thoughts on the version 4 (blue) model? ..... Thanks ....
Sorry, I've only tried the carlinkit 5 on the MG4. Good luck getting it working, it makes it so much more convenient to have a wireless connection!
Can we have 2 I phones connected to this device and switch between phones easily ?
That’s what I would like to know also
Often we both get in the car - I have android, she has iphone - and we don't know which one the car will connect to. Little inconsistent
I actually purchased this based on your review. So when the car stars and both phones are inside, it gives you an option to pick a phone. If I really don’t want to take chance I am switching off Bluetooth/wifi of the phone I don’t want to connect for few seconds. Overall happy with purchase. Thank you for your review.
It's definitely NOT a reliable wireless solution for the MG4.
I got one but it only works about 60% of the time. Have the delay start at 20 seconds, and other settings as suggested by manufacturer's troubleshooting but it's just not reliable. Blank screen, no connection. Sometimes works. iPhone 11.
Not displaying the song info on the infotainment screen (where you see the weather/charging state/radio/navigation) otherwise connects every time, no black screens, music plays perfectly. - yet when plugged in with the wire it does display it.
Ah, are you apple or android? Works for me streaming spotify on my android phone, the song details show up on the regula infotainment screen. That said when i'm using android auto I never have the infotainment display on - always a split of music/maps.
iPhone 14 Pro
Doesn’t not working on 2016 Honda pilot
Ordered and followed your video on a MG4 with R46 software version…. No luck, sometimes it has to connect 30 or more times and then it works sometimes it take 30 min or more like that and don’t work always light up the CarPlay logo but black screen :(…. I have an iPhone 15Pro
Have you totally disconnected your iphone from the MG4 bluetooth, and "forgotten" the MG4 bluetooth on your phone? Also from the MG4 disconnect/forget your iphone. If you haven't, it won't work.
@@bozugarage Yes, checked both I forgot one to disconnect..... So I checked double now and all are good, restarted the phone to be sure and connects now to the dongle but still stays @ Connecting for about a few min and restart ....When i see in the BT menu it gives status "Connected" I don't know what I can do more, it's my second dongle I ordered and send one back cause this failure and now have the same problem.... Did you change another setting in the settings of the dongle that I need to do ?
@@sc00zy Only setting I changed was to have 20 second startup delay. Did you get to the screen on your phone where it says "use this (bluetooth) connection for carplay"? you may need to manually select it in your bluietooth settings after it's connected to the unit
@@bozugarage Ah i just connected to BT but not needed to confirm this "use this connection for carplay" will check it when i am home, if not working will do a reinstall from scratch tomorrow will see if it change .... next month i go for a yearly check @ the dealer and normally they update to R59 software maybe this will fix the BT connection ?
The version I got from your link is a such a load of crap.
Can get to configuration screen (as you show in the video) via mobile phone, set the delay to 15 seconds.
Powered down, re-connected the crap piece of sh#t and lo and behold and wont even boot up at all and I only get is the red lights. I did wait over 20 minutes to see if there was something I missed, but no I tried everything I could think of and it refuses to work as expected.
The ONLY way to get consistent startups is to put a power switch to the USB port and switch it ON once the car is powered. This is what I built and tested with few issues, annoying yes but works a damn more times then what you recommended.
20 seconds works for me as shown in the video. Try that. Don't know why you picked 15 seconds, timing is critical as you've found out. Been rock solid for me ever since installed. I had 2 other wireless adapters, which needed annoying usb power switches. This one doesn't.
@@bozugarage I tried 20 seconds as well, still wont work.
@@raypalmer7733 try a firmware update too. if still no good, maybe lodge a return request. Unsure why doesn't work for you properly it's been great on my car
Nope, it didn’t work for me. Gotten Carlin 3.0 to Toyota RAV4 Hydrid 2020. Watched half a dozen of RUclips, as to how simple to connect. I spent hours to connect, it came on and split seconds later, it turns off. So, mailed it back for refund.
Can it play RUclips and Netflix?
I don't think so, though there's suggestions there are ways to sideload the apps onto the unit. Wife is just happy wireless carplay works perfectly for her
I can’t seem to get the web page to connect.
Make sure the unit is plugged into a powerbank or USB power, NOT the car. Connect your phone/tablet wifi to the device wifi. If doesn't connect to the wifi of the unit, try a different phone/tablet, try turning off your sim card
I had this issue. Plug it in and leave it alone for afew minutes before trying your connect to webpage. That worked for me.