Adding CarPlay/Android Auto to My Older Car
I’ve got an older Subaru Outback that I genuinely love. It’s reliable, it’s paid off, and it does everything I need … except for one thing: it doesn’t have CarPlay or Android Auto.
I didn’t want to give up that sweet feeling of not having a car payment just for a few modern tech perks. But I also didn’t want to keep fumbling with my phone for navigation, music, or podcasts. I looked into replacing the head unit, but between the high cost and losing some of the built-in features my current one has, it just didn’t feel worth it.
Just Add a Screen!
According to TikTok, it’s surprisingly easy to add CarPlay/Android Auto to an older vehicle. No tearing up your dash, no rewiring the car like a mad scientist. I wanted to try it.
I went through a bit of trial and error. I tried a few of the cheap wireless CarPlay screens floating around on Amazon and they were not good: laggy interfaces, unreliable connections, weird UI quirks, and screens that looked like a washed-out 2005 digital photo frame.
Worst part? The brightness on some would go nuts at night every time a car came toward me. One second it was dark mode, next second it was like staring into the sun. Returned those real quick.
Why Not Just Use Your Phone?
I used to just toss my phone on a mount and call it a day, but after using a dedicated screen, I don’t think I’ll ever go back.
- Phones are smaller. A 6-inch screen with tiny touch targets just doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to glance at directions or change playlists at 70mph.
- CarPlay/Android Auto UI is built for driving. Big buttons, simplified interface, and voice control. It’s designed to be safe and distraction-free.
- It keeps your phone out of your hands. I leave it in your pocket or purse and forget about it. Less clutter, fewer distractions.
This setup doesn’t just look better, It’s safer.
The Best Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Screen
After my trial and error, and frustration, I decided to spend a bit more and picked up the CarpodGo 8.9” screen. It’s a premium-feeling device and it just works as advertised.
Here’s what sold me:
- Clean look – no tacky branding on the front. It looks like it belongs.
- High-resolution, laminated IPS display – crisp and bright.
- Fast boot time — connected before you leave the driveway.
- Reliable connection – connects instantly every time I start the car.
- Auto-brightness that actually works – I can use it at night.
- OEM-style customization – it has your car’s logo for startup. Love this touch.
- Magnetic mount – makes it super easy to pop off and take with you if you’re parked somewhere sketchy.
- Flexible connectivity – Bluetooth-only, aux cable, or even FM transmitter if you’re in a pinch.
My Setup (What Works Best for Me)
I kept it simple and used my car’s built-in Bluetooth like usual. This screen was added as an additional device.
- I run the CarpodGo in display-only mode.
- For audio, I connect my phone to my car’s Bluetooth. That way I keep my factory Bluetooth features like steering wheel controls and hands-free calling.
- It comes with a cigarette lighter adapter, but you can use an existing USB port to power it if you have one.
- For mounting, I stuck the screen on a dash suction mount and let it sit gently against the dash so it doesn’t bounce around. Solid and stable.
- I added a magnetic USB-C breakaway plug for the power cable, so I can pull the screen off with one hand when I park. Quick connect/disconnect = anti-theft peace of mind.
đź“ş CarpodGo T3 Pro Wireless Carplay / Android Auto 8.9 Inch Screen
Final Thoughts
This screen gave my old Outback a refresh. I’ve got all the modern features I wanted: navigation, music, calls, Siri/Google Assistant — without replacing my head unit or shelling out for a new car.
Now when I drive, I get the same modern convenience as a newer model … and my bank account stays happy.
If you’re in an older car without CarPlay, I highly recommend checking out the CarpodGo 8.9” screen. A little upgrade goes a long way.