Wireless Android Auto - AAWireless

[spindlewood]

AAWireless is a device which gives us true Wireless Android Auto on the MMI. As of March 17, 2021 the device is actively shipping. I have been a beta tester for this device on a 2018 SQ5 and it works very well. AAWireless should work on any Gen2 Audi MMI (MIB2), and I have reports of the 2020 touchscreens working as well.
l am happy to offer support for AAWireless with Audi on this thread.

Links
Order page on Indiegogo
XDA Support Forum
General AAWireless FAQ and support

Overview
As an overview, this is a very basic Android device which plugs into the car's USB and provides wifi for your phone to connect to. It will load Android Auto on your phone and have it recognized by the MMI and shown on the center console.

Audi Specific Settings and Troubleshooting for AAWireless
Settings
USB Mode: Direct

Troubleshooting for the Audi MMI
1) For Android Auto to automatically load on the MMI, Developer Settings need to be accessed in Android Auto.
To Turn on Android Auto Developer Settings:
Settings => Tap on Version 10 times in succession => Accept turning on Developer Settings

Auto Load Android Auto on the MMI
Settings => 3 dots menu => Developer settings => Request video focus on start (turn on)

If Android Auto does not auto load on the MMI but has connected to the MMI (as shown by a steady blue light on the device), the Android Auto logo will be shown on the MMI Main Menu in place of "Audi Smartphone Interface". Clicking on the Android Auto logo will load Android Auto.

2) Occasionally, Android Auto will not show as connected and the Android Auto option will not show on the MMI Main Menu. To manually connect to Android Auto, do the following:

MMI Main Menu => Audi Smartphone Interface => Change to connection manager => Audi smartphone => (Click on the phone name)

The phone name should be a check box and not grayed out. After clicking on the phone name, Android Auto should load on the MMI.

Note: For this manual connection to work, the AAWireless device must show a steady blue light (indicating that the device has connected successfully to the car).

[spindlewood]

Three weeks ago, Audi's MMI maps had me arrive at my destination in the middle of a freeway. Anyone else experience the kind of stuff with the stock nav system? I had to have my passenger fire up Google Maps to get us to the location. I'm curious what others are using. I have only small amount of time with Waze. Waze vs Google maps, which has the best voice recognition?

[SHCKR]

Drove from Colorado Springs to Aspen on Friday. Car navigation 6+hrs. Google maps, 5.5 hrs, Waze 4hrs. Similar story in NC, MMI navigation 3 hrs from Fayetteville to the beach, Waze and Google maps under 2 hrs. Needless to say I've been using AA with Waze exclusively for the last year or more.

[steel234]

I saw it today in news feed on my mobile and followed immediatelly. It would be very nice thing if it works...

[spindlewood]

I saw it today in news feed on my mobile and followed immediatelly. It would be very nice thing if it works...

The Indiegogo funding just hit 100%, so that part is taken care of ($220k in less than 48 hours!). Like any project, just working out a few bugs. It will work.

[YoYo]

I'll give it a try. Just signed up for one. Thanks for letting us know about this.

[YoYo]

Mine shipped a few days ago.
Damn I had forgotten about it . You guys still using it?

[spindlewood]

Absolutely. Drive with it every day. I'm just about to post help and settings info on the 1st post in this thread.

[YoYo]

Awesome man.. that's good to hear. Thanks again for the OP and any updates.

Absolutely. Drive with it every day. I'm just about to post help and settings info on the 1st post in this thread.

[Spike Spiegel]

I was curious to see if anyone else on here has purchased. Feel like I only found out about it a couple weeks ago (but apparently I've been subbed to this thread for a while ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ). I was able to get in for late April/Early May delivery date. From all the videos I've watched and readings, it looks very promising.


Best,


Space Cowboy

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2019 Daytona Gray RS 3 | Instagram: SPCECB

[Spike Spiegel]

Absolutely. Drive with it every day. I'm just about to post help and settings info on the 1st post in this thread.

How is the connection boot up after initial setup? The creators said that the connection time initially takes about 30 seconds on first setup. From recent readings, it looks like it takes 15 seconds after that each time. Also, how long did delivery take once you got a tracking number?


Best,


Space Cowboy

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2019 Daytona Gray RS 3 | Instagram: SPCECB

[spindlewood]

How is the connection boot up after initial setup? The creators said that the connection time initially takes about 30 seconds on first setup. From recent readings, it looks like it takes 15 seconds after that each time. Also, how long did delivery take once you got a tracking number?


Best,


Space Cowboy

---

2019 Daytona Gray RS 3 | Instagram: SPCECB

I just timed it with the car completely off (asleep). The USB ports power up and the MMI starts booting immediately after opening a door. This is even if the car start button is not pressed (the MMI boots in the background even while the screen is off). From getting power to AA connecting (AA logo appearing in settings) is 25 seconds and 30 seconds until the MMI was fully loaded and maps displayed on the screen (the default) give or take a second :)

Often, I open my trunk first and by the time I've made it into the driver's seat and turned on the car, it's either loaded or almost loaded.

If I am backing out of my garage or a parking space (the Parking System is activated), the loading of AA may pause (I'm not sure), but this is completely an Audi thing (I haven't timed it).

I'm in Idaho and DHL shipping handed off to USPS took 6 days

[Spike Spiegel]

I just timed it with the car completely off (asleep). The USB ports power up and the MMI starts booting immediately after opening a door. This is even if the car start button is not pressed (the MMI boots in the background even while the screen is off). From getting power to AA connecting (AA logo appearing in settings) is 25 seconds and 30 seconds until the MMI was fully loaded and maps displayed on the screen (the default) give or take a second :)

Often, I open my trunk first and by the time I've made it into the driver's seat and turned on the car, it's either loaded or almost loaded.

If I am backing out of my garage or a parking space (the Parking System is activated), the loading of AA may pause (I'm not sure), but this is completely an Audi thing (I haven't timed it).

I'm in Idaho and DHL shipping handed off to USPS took 6 days

Fantastic, thank you for the detailed response! I'm so hyped to get this haha. My first time "backing" a project off of Indiegogo/in general. Other than a garage opener, this is the only other thing I really wished my car came with functionality wise. Wireless Android Auto for when I'm taking shorter trips and don't feel like plugging in my phone. I'm loving the progression Google has been taking overall all with their ecosystem/Android 11 and getting the full functionality of it through this solution would make me even happier for my commutes.


Best,


Space Cowboy

---

2019 Daytona Gray RS 3 | Instagram: SPCECB

[spindlewood]

Fantastic, thank you for the detailed response! I'm so hyped to get this haha. My first time "backing" a project off of Indiegogo/in general. Other than a garage opener, this is the only other thing I really wished my car came with functionality wise. Wireless Android Auto for when I'm taking shorter trips and don't feel like plugging in my phone. I'm loving the progression Google has been taking overall all with their ecosystem/Android 11 and getting the full functionality of it through this solution would make me even happier for my commutes.

Best,
Space Cowboy

I have been very impressed with the AAWireless implementation. I don't experience lag (at least I don't notice any) and no random disconnects. I like wireless because I always forget to put my phone back in my pocket if I take it out to charge. This happens a lot especially doing errands and I find myself having to go back to my car. Once we got the bugs worked out, it's been pretty much flawless. The one exception was needing to manually connect through the MMI a couple of times two weeks ago but which didn't even happen this past week. This could have been a phone glitch that was solved through a phone reboot.

[MeesterChoo]

do you have to have wifi set up for AAwireless to work ?
If so where is the wifi coming from ? Audi connect?
or can you use your phone as a hotspot ? ?

[MeesterChoo]

do you have to have wifi set up for AAwireless to work ?
If so where is the wifi coming from ? Audi connect?
or can you use your phone as a hotspot ? ?

Looking at this for a potential solution for my 2016 s5:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a...s#/updates/all

and because I don't have a usb port :
https://www.ebay.com/itm/14369683687...AaAqkuEALw_wcB

[kifac]

On 2020 S4 with the touch screen MMI, you can enable wireless careplay through OBD.
I figure Android Auto would be the same steps.

[spindlewood]

do you have to have wifi set up for AAwireless to work ?
If so where is the wifi coming from ? Audi connect?
or can you use your phone as a hotspot ? ?

The AAWireless device becomes the wifi hotspot that the phone connects to. The mobile data is fed through wifi through AAWireless through the USB cable to the MMI.
Without a USB cable, your car MMI won't support Android Auto.

AAWireless doesn't add Android Auto support to a car, it only takes away the requirement that the phone be wired to the car. If your non b9 Audi already supports Android Auto through a cable, then there's a possibility it will work.

[DirtD1ver]

Mine shipped out last week. I can't wait to get it.

[ywang98]

On 2020 S4 with the touch screen MMI, you can enable wireless careplay through OBD.
I figure Android Auto would be the same steps.

Do tell!

[spindlewood]

On 2020 S4 with the touch screen MMI, you can enable wireless careplay through OBD.
I figure Android Auto would be the same steps.

Whatever steps you'd take to enable AA with the wire attached, you'll do the same with AAWireless. The car thinks the phone is attached via usb.

[DirtD1ver]

mine got delivered today. setup took a bit longer than expected, but it works. now where to put it so it is out of the way. i might velcro it to the top of the center console and use a shorter cable.

[spindlewood]

mine got delivered today. setup took a bit longer than expected, but it works. now where to put it so it is out of the way. i might velcro it to the top of the center console and use a shorter cable.

Glad to hear it's functioning as expected. You're the first Audi user to respond and confirm. I hadn't thought about that location, but I like the idea. Another possibility is to the right of the power outlet (cigarette lighter) and under the passenger dash, just to the left of the glove box. My charger runs off the USB in the console, so I have to weigh options. I haven't even gotten my production version yet.

I'm curious what made setup take longer than expected.

[DirtD1ver]

Glad to hear it's functioning as expected. You're the first Audi user to respond and confirm. I hadn't thought about that location, but I like the idea. Another possibility is to the right of the power outlet (cigarette lighter) and under the passenger dash, just to the left of the glove box. My charger runs off the USB in the console, so I have to weigh options. I haven't even gotten my production version yet.

I'm curious what made setup take longer than expected.

I did have an issue with the usb cable they provided which was not allowing it to connect. but tried with 2 different cables that I had and my phone is connected as soon as i start the car.


both my usbs are in the console, so i have one for charging and the other is aawireless.

[spindlewood]

I did have an issue with the usb cable they provided which was not allowing it to connect. but tried with 2 different cables that I had and my phone is connected as soon as i start the car.


both my usbs are in the console, so i have one for charging and the other is aawireless.

USB cable stuff can be such a pain. I've bought many that work on some devices but don't work on others.

Glad you have 2 cables it works on

[DirtD1ver]

mounted

[YoYo]

I'm still waiting. Departed New Jersey on March 27th. No tracking update since.

[spindlewood]

mounted

Nice. I think I'll follow suit. What tape did you use to attach. I want something that won't leave behind a residue but also won't melt in the heat. This tape says it goes to 150 F.

[spindlewood]

mounted

Nice. I think I'll follow suit. What tape did you use to attach. I want something that won't leave behind a residue but also won't melt in the heat. This tape says it goes to 150 F.

I'm still waiting. Departed New Jersey on March 27th. No tracking update since.

Yeah, tracking DHL can be maddening. It'll likely hand off to USPS and be there shortly.

[DirtD1ver]

Nice. I think I'll follow suit. What tape did you use to attach. I want something that won't leave behind a residue but also won't melt in the heat. This tape says it goes to 150 F.

i used heavy duty velcro I had at work. not sure what temp it goes to.

https://www.scotchbrand.com/3M/en_US...3786499&rt=rud

Basically used a little square of this. only thing I have done different since the pic is got a different cable with a right angle usb-c so I can see the light on the unit.

[JackQuint]

Add me to the list of those with their AA Wireless unit and working flawlessly with my RS 3.

I had a fair bit of initial difficulty getting it set up and working, but the devs were awesome with support (as was @spindlewood on XDA) and now it's working great.

[YoYo]

Received mine today and it works perfectly.

[Spike Spiegel]

Add me to the list of those with their AA Wireless unit and working flawlessly with my RS 3.

I had a fair bit of initial difficulty getting it set up and working, but the devs were awesome with support (as was @spindlewood on XDA) and now it's working great.

Also have an RS 3 and a "AAW" order I'm waiting on. What did they need to help you with for it to work?


Best,


Space Cowboy

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2019 Daytona Gray RS 3 | Instagram: SPCECB

[YoYo]

This seems to be killing my phone battery. My battery would usually last two days on a charge. Anyone else noticed that?

[SHCKR]

This seems to be killing my phone battery. My battery would usually last two days on a charge. Anyone else noticed that?

It's been mentioned here before that wireless AA will kill the battery at a faster rate than the car can charge it, so I would stick with the wired option if I were you.

[spindlewood]

My wireless charger seems to keep pace on my s10+. Not sure if a different charger would be any better. Guess "it depends" . But if you're just keeping it in your pocket, then yes, it will draw. I have to charge every night since I only use the wireless charger on long trips.

[DirtD1ver]

my commute is fairly short, but on a slightly longer trip last weekend my phone (s21 ultra) lasted the entire day using AAWireless for nav and music.

[aintitthelife98]

Just received mine today and got it setup. Other than having to switch the USB mode to direct, it was very simple to setup.

[Spike Spiegel]

Just received mine today and got it setup. Other than having to switch the USB mode to direct, it was very simple to setup.

Nice nice! Unfortunately I'm in the May delivery and am still waiting. Saw the email update this morning about how the factory didn't send the batch units out last week. The wait continues haha.


Best,


Space Cowboy

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2019 Daytona Gray RS 3 | Instagram: SPCECB

[aintitthelife98]

I think when I ordered in January it was suppose to be for March delivery but here we are. I honestly didn't know mine shipped until I saw the update this morning and saw the order number that they had shipped through and went and checked mine. Hopefully they start catching some breaks and you get yours soon!