CarlinKit 3.0 Mini wireless CarPlay adapter review, pros & cons

The smallest wireless CarPlay adapter that I had in my hands yet - #CarlinKit 3.0 Mini is a tiny device that will convert your wired CarPlay interface into wireless. Infotainment system in your car will connect you your phone, even without taking it out from your pocket. Installation and pairing is very simple. Just connect the device to the CarPlay enabled USB port in your vehicle, and search for new bluetooth devices from your iPhone.

ℹ️ I've used it in my personal car the last few days and had no issues with connection, sound quality, or phone calls. There's a slight delay on the touch input which is acceptable for wireless connection. For sound stability, system is configured for 1000ms audio buffer by default. This means that changing track or pausing the music will take up to one second after use input. In advanced settings you can lower the buffer size to have faster system reaction.

🚗 This CarlinKit 3.0 Mini converter was used by me for few days in 2016 VW Golf MK7 equipped with MIB2 infotainment system (MIB2 Discover Media). Car was equipped with AppConnect. CarlinKit supports most factory and aftermarket systems with wired #CarPlay.

👍 Pros
Really small size
Plug & Play, easy installation quick setup
Simple phone pairing
Controlled with touch inputs, control knobs, multifunction steering wheel buttons
High range and good quality #wireless connection
Shows OEM car manufacturer icon
Advanced options and firmware update available from phone web browser

👎 Cons
Occasionally slow boot-up
USB-C adapter not included

🎟 Discount code: RU5EIO8D

0:00 CarlinKit 3.0 Mini
0:10 Unboxing
0:45 Size comparison
1:17 Installation and connection
2:10 Touch input and control knob
2:23 Pros & Cons
4:22 Advanced settings and firmware update
4:55 Discount code

[tomkemp]

Tried one of these today with iPhone 12 on 2017 Ford Fiesta. First time it connected and worked perfectly. However the second time it refused to connect. Tried forget and reconnect. In Bluetooth, it connected but the car still failed. Eventually gave up and went back to wired connection, which worked perfectly. Do I send it back or keep trying?

[piotrsaweczko]

Hej - jak działa system samochodu przy użyciu tego adaptera. Tzn. czy można szybko przejść np. do radia / nawigacji i innych funkcji wbudowanych w system samochodu ?
BTW: Bardzo przyjemny akcent!

[TechieGrl]

What is the difference between the mini and other ones which are selling for $150 and above why do they have costly devices when this one works well

[ErikAalundsdk]

Is the CarlinKit 3.0 Mini than the CarlinKit 3.0?

[manu-g-mx]

These dongle's use their own carplay app to work? Or the carplay that you're seeing it's the original?

[krzysman]

Hej, generalnie bardzo się zastanawiam nad kupnem tego urządzenia do mojego Renault Mégane 2018. Ale jak byś mógł powiedzieć jak to jest z połączeniem jak urządzenie jest już na stałe w aucie. Czy są jakieś bugi po jakimś czasie, jak szybko to coś łączy się z telefonem i u uruchamia CarPlay w aucie, i czy ten czas jest zawsze taki sam? No i czy są jakieś opóźnienia w dotyku i reakcji ekranu? I ostatnie pytanie, jak z odtwarzaniem muzyki? Nie przerywa, bo na niektórych filmikach jest pokazane jak muzyka podczas odtwarzania przerywa. A w tych ustawieniach CD vs DVD daje jakąś różnicę? Daj znać, bo mocno się nad tym czymś zastanawiam :d

[TheNorville]

Would be nice to have one that works with Android phones.

[michadudkowski]

Hej, jak z jakimiś opóźnieniami wyświetlania? Mam na myśli opóźnienie szczególnie podczas nawigacji. Bo zakładam, samo wyświetlanie jest realizowane po stronie telefonu i obraz jest przekazywany bezprzewodowo przez kostkę.
No i drugie pytanie jak w przypadku jak 2 osoby korzystają z samochodu? Można łatwo wybrać, który iphone będzie tym wyświetlającym? Prosty use case, ja i żona mamy iphony, oboje korzystamy w CP jak jedziemy samochodem, ale jak jedziemy całą rodziną razem, chcę mieć możliwość wyboru, który telefon nadaje na ekran.

[WILDDMN]

Hi, am I able to watch films, YouTube etc on this device ??

[ronulrich]

Some other devices allow playing video on the car screen. I have a vw mk7. Do you know if this will allow YouTube other other video content on mob screen? Tia.

[tokyo]

Does it work if the car doesn't have CarPlay active? *car needs CarPlay to be activated by Skoda*

[РусланРахманкулов-ив]

Где быстродействие переключения треков в приложении?

[cengizhankasikcioglu]

I have bought carlinkit 3.0 but it could not connected mb glb200. It has connected but only for4-5 sec. I have updated to latest firmware but still have no connection. I don’t know what to do

[dzurovcak]

Hi, I would like to ask you if this module can unblock Android Auto for VW Passat B8 2015 Highline? Thanks in advance

[koyagul]

Hey hey
Have canry 2019 which is only carplay enabled, and am an andoid user, would this work for me?

[AshrafAlTaleb]

is it working with toyota camry 2018? and does it have android auto?

[amnisakkiz]

Hi Mateusz,

Can you please tell me if you can fast-forward songs in for example Spotify by long-pressing the steering wheel buttons? I have a MK7 GTE and it did not work with the older Carlinkit 2.0 (and older firmware). I dont have the adapter anymore so I havent tested the latest firmwares.

Does it work now with this new adapter? Thank you for your time!

[useruseraa]

is it better than 2.0 ? no more lagging ?

[TolsadusMaxime]

Does it drain the car battery when the car is powered off ? Some of the previous Carlinkit seems to do that according to other users? Ty!

[CristianChiorean]

Hello, do you know if i change the original cable with another one type-c -> type -c? will it work?