'Not Having Wireless CarPlay in a $30K Car Is Kinda Crazy,' Says Honda Civic Driver. Then He Finds a Workaround
Your phone charges wirelessly, your earbuds sync automatically, and your car might even drive itself. So why are so many drivers still plugging in cords like it's 2014 just to use CarPlay?
In a series of TikToks, creator Bishi (@bishifindsdeals) reveals that the 2025 Honda Civic Sport model is still reliant on wires to access apps and other functions from a smartphone.
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'I love my Honda Civic so much, but one thing I hate the most about this car is that it does not come with wireless CarPlay at all,' Bishi says.
His post has been viewed 150,000 times as of this writing. Bishi captions it, 'Not having wireless carplay in a 30k car is kinda crazy.' His post notes that it is eligible for commission.
Bishi then lists numerous options to add some wireless living to cars still rocking that tether.
These devices act as intermediary dongles that spoof a wired connection between a smartphone and the vehicle's infotainment system. Once paired via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, they trick the car into thinking a physical cable is connected, enabling wireless
CarPlay
in vehicles that technically only support it through a wired connection.
They're not made or endorsed by Apple, and buyers report that they vary in quality.
But the right device can provide a wireless upgrade for people who drive older models or those in new base-model vehicles.
Why Don't Automakers Include Wireless?
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Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Hyundai often only include the feature in higher trim levels or as an optional
infotainment
add-on.
The reason usually boils down to a combination of cost and technical complexity. Wireless CarPlay requires more than just Bluetooth; it depends on dual-band Wi-Fi (typically 5 GHz) to handle the bandwidth required for smooth audio and screen projection.
That requires different antennas, more robust processing, and a system to manage thermal output, especially in dashboard units with limited space and airflow. Carmakers aiming to keep base model prices competitive often opt to leave those components out.
There's also the issue of licensing and software integration. While Apple doesn't publish its
licensing fees
publicly, it's widely reported in industry forums and analyst reports that integrating CarPlay—especially wirelessly—adds to both unit and development costs.
For automakers already facing narrow profit margins on entry-level vehicles, that added expense might not be worth it.
Modern World, Outdated Technology
Not having wireless capabilities in a vehicle in 2025 seems out of step with most consumer expectations. Physically tethering a phone to a USB cable just to get navigation on your dash feels outdated. Perhaps particularly so in a world where features like heated seats and adaptive cruise control were once luxuries, but now often come standard.
Many drivers now view wireless smartphone integration as another
baseline requirement
. Instead, they're met with feature segmentation that positions wireless CarPlay as an upsell, bundled with premium infotainment packages or only available on trims that push the total price several thousand dollars higher.
This gap between expectation and reality has given rise to a growing aftermarket ecosystem, especially among younger drivers comfortable with DIY tech. Plug-in adapters that enable wireless CarPlay are now
widely available
through Amazon, TikTok Shop, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce platforms.
Some are from known brands like Carlinkit or Ottocast, which offer Federal Communications Commission-certified devices with regular firmware updates.
You can also buy from less established brands. But while many work well enough, customers
mention
issues including laggy connections, audio dropout, and software bugs.
More importantly, these dongles function by spoofing a wired connection, something Apple has
never officially supported
and which raises questions about security, stability, and compatibility with future iOS updates.
Still, if you, like Bish, can't bear to plug in your phone to use wireless, those aftermarket products may be just the solution.
'Let's be honest, it's the big 2025, so you can't be seen using wires just to get some CarPlay in your car,' he says.
Motor1
contacted Bishi via direct message. We'll be sure to update this if he responds.
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