How to connect your phone to your car radio via bluetooth

Connecting via Bluetooth to the radio

I suggest you study step-by-step instructions on how to easily connect via Bluetooth to a radio and apply the knowledge gained in practice! First of all, let's create a pair between the smartphone and the radio. Both devices must have a built-in Bluetooth adapter and be visible to each other.

#1 Setting up Bluetooth on your phone

Before you start connecting your phone to the radio in your car via Bluetooth, make sure that Bluetooth is turned on on your smartphone. These steps are almost identical for iPhone and Android:

• Go to settings and check the “Bluetooth” parameter.

• Make sure that the option for your phone to be found by other devices is enabled.

• Check in the settings so that the smartphone is visible at all times. Some smartphones are configured in such a way that they remain online for only a few minutes.
• Important: if the connection with the radio is not established for some time, the phone may also go out of sight. The first time I struggled with this question for a very long time, forgetting about this nuance.

#2 Checking the radio

Now let's check if the radio is ready to connect to the phone. Most cars have a Bluetooth button to trigger gadget detection. Some machines use voice commands for this.

And once, when I tried to help a friend solve this problem, not a single method helped us. It turned out that it was necessary to activate the menu on the screen and follow the instructions there. If such difficult situations arise, in order to find out how to turn on Bluetooth on the radio in your car, you should read the car manual. This section is usually called "transferring audio from your phone to your audio system" or "connecting devices to your infotainment system."

By the way, even if your car does not have a built-in wireless adapter, you can still connect your smartphone to the car radio. In this case, an external USB-Bluetooth module is connected. It is inexpensive (from 150 to 500 rubles), and looks like a flash drive.

#3 Connection

There are two options for connecting: the phone searches for the radio and vice versa. In the first case, we select our radio in the smartphone from the entire list of gadgets around. For example, I regularly see someone’s computer and a pair of someone else’s headphones.

In the second option, we launch detection on the radio and follow the instructions on the screen - they differ for different models.

1. Once connected, the password will appear on the screen.
2. To connect Bluetooth to the radio in your car, enter the password on the phone screen, and then they will be paired.
3. If there is no screen, password information can be found in the manual. Many cars are equipped with standard options, like “111” or “1234”.

If the car is an old model or used, then the connection may not occur the first time due to poor compatibility or device malfunctions. In case of any problems, carefully repeat all steps again.

Now the gadget is connected to the audio system and connected to the radio. And we have two wonderful opportunities:

• receive calls through the car audio system.
• listen to music from your phone memory or from the Internet.

We talk about each of them in more detail below!

By the way, we talked in detail about the Bluetooth adapter for car radios in our other article.

Connection methods

Various techniques are used to connect external players. The type of connection depends on the Pioneer radio model and the design features of the player or cell phone. Installing additional playback devices expands the capabilities of older models of audio players (for example, cassette type), which are preserved in used cars as an element of the original design.

Which radio do you recommend buying?

• Pioneer 50%, 4618 votes

  4618 votes 50%

  4618 votes - 50% of all votes

• Alpine 14%, 1342 votes

  1342 votes 14%

  1342 votes - 14% of all votes

• Kenwood 11%, 1016 votes

  1016 votes 11%

  1016 votes - 11% of all votes

• Sony 9%, 797 votes

  797 votes 9%

  797 votes - 9% of all votes

• JVC 7%, 627 votes

  627 votes 7%

  627 votes - 7% of all votes

• Another... 4%, 356 votes

  356 votes 4%

  356 votes - 4% of all votes

• Prology 2%, 145 votes

  145 votes 2%

  145 votes - 2% of all votes

• 142 votes 2%

  142 votes - 2% of all votes

• Mystery 2%, 140 votes

  140 votes 2%

  140 votes - 2% of all votes

• Soundmax 1%, 92 votes

  92 votes 1%

  92 votes - 1% of all votes

Total votes: 9275

Voted: 7856

13.11.2019

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Also, to switch equipment, a special emulator is used, which is a block with USB or AUX ports, which is connected to the ISO connector of the radio. Inside the device there is an electronic microprocessor unit that supports the operation of the ports and converts sound into a signal recognized by the head unit. The emulator allows you to connect Android to an old-style radio tape recorder made in the 80-90s.

Via USB

Connecting external players via USB is the most common method. For switching, a standard cord is used, the connectors of which are installed in the socket on the car radio and cell phone. After the phone or storage device is connected to the head unit, it is possible to switch tracks using the buttons located on the steering wheel or front panel.

Are you a car driver?! Then you can take this simple test and find out... Go to the test »

The advantage of the scheme is the stability of operation and the absence of interference during signal transmission. The USB port additionally charges the external device's built-in battery. The disadvantage is the presence of a patch cable, which interferes with the driver while the car is moving. When the connector is placed in the glove box, the wire does not hang in the car, but to answer a call you need to disconnect the phone from the connecting cable.

Via AUX

The round AUX connector appeared on Pioneer cassette players. To connect the radio to the phone, you will need an appropriate cable that transmits only an audio signal. To listen to music, you need to install a program that plays files on your smartphone. The head unit is used only as a signal amplifier, which is then transmitted through the speakers of the speaker system. The port does not allow you to charge your phone battery.

Via Bluetooth

Some Pioneer players use a Bluetooth wireless communication unit, which does not require the use of cables for connecting external equipment. To connect your phone to the radio via Bluetooth, you need to activate the wireless communication units and then pair the devices. Tracks are controlled using the radio menu; the smartphone is located in the owner’s pocket or in a separate niche. When a phone call comes in, the driver can carry on a conversation without putting the handset to his ear.

Bluetooth: hands-free calling in the car

My personal opinion: talking on speakerphone using the car’s standard speakers is very comfortable. Nothing distracts you from moving, your hands are free, and the wires do not get tangled. With the help of Bluetooth systems, you can not only receive calls, but also dial numbers.

The methods for connecting and setting up a speakerphone in a car via Bluetooth are the same as for connecting music. Many cars are equipped with a “Hands Free” system – this is what you need to connect to. Different models have many options: screen control, voice commands.

If you have strangers in the cabin, and you do not want the details of the conversation to be heard by anyone else, then you can purchase a wireless headset. We can recommend the following models:

• For example, the budget option SmarTerra will cost only 350 rubles. They look like this.

• We also suggest watching a short video review of this model.

• Headsets from Sven and Xiaomi have also proven themselves well; each brand has many good models; when choosing, be guided by the amount you are willing to spend.

How to turn on and listen to music in a car via Bluetooth?

Listening to music from your phone in the car via Bluetooth is a real pleasure. To do this, just turn on music playback on your phone; some machines additionally allow you to control tracks from the screen or by voice. You can also use downloaded files from your playlist.

• For me, however, it is more convenient to launch an online service, for example Yandex Music or Apple Music. When the question of how to connect an iPhone to a car via Bluetooth has been resolved, then Apple Music is the best option. The program is paid, but provides access to a huge library of music and has a user-friendly interface.

• Another high-quality service is Yandex Music. The application is paid, but if you use a browser, you can listen to music for free. There is a nuance: on iPhone in Yandex Music, tracks do not switch automatically, which is very inconvenient.

• But you can also use other services, there are more than enough of them: VK music, YouTube music, and so on. If you connect your Android phone to your car, the Google Music service from the Google Play market becomes available.

Now you know how to connect your smartphone to your car wirelessly. When my phone does not connect to the radio via Bluetooth, simply following these instructions helps. I hope you find it useful too!

Why connect a smartphone to a radio?

It is likely that you already have a specific goal that you want to achieve by connecting your smartphone to the radio. Moreover, you will surely find it in the list below. Since “synchronizing” your phone and radio can solve several different problems, we suggest you familiarize yourself with them all.

You can connect your phone to the radio for the following purposes:

1. Charge your phone without a charger.
2. Using a smartphone as a flash drive.
3. Play music stored on your phone on the radio.
4. Playing formats not supported by the radio.
5. Playback of analogue radio broadcasts.
6. Play Internet radio stations.
7. Watching videos on the big screen of the radio.

Let's briefly go through each point, starting with charging. After all, a radio tape recorder can really help you out if your phone battery is low and you need communication. At the same time, the charger for the cigarette lighter socket was not at hand. If the radio has a connector for a USB flash drive, then with its help it is quite possible to slightly recharge a dead battery. However, you shouldn’t count on much in this case, since the current that the USB connector of the radio is capable of delivering is very modest.

The second, third and fourth points may seem the same at first glance, but this is far from the case. You can use your phone as a “flash drive” when your radio does not support full synchronization with external devices. That is, you can play music files saved on your phone, just like from a regular flash drive.

If the radio tape recorder supports full synchronization with external devices (you can synchronize in several ways), then you can play music directly on your phone, and the radio tape recorder in this case will only act as a sound amplifier.

And the fourth point. Many car enthusiasts are very concerned about a high-quality and powerful sound system, spending a lot of money on good speakers and other problems. At the same time, almost everyone forgets that the sound quality of car speakers largely depends on the format in which the music is played. The already popular MP3 format today is very far from high quality. If you then try to play back, for example, the FLAC format on an inexpensive system, then it may well turn out that the quality of your acoustics is good, and the bass and high frequencies have appeared. The limit of sound volume without distortion will also change radically.

So, not all radios “can read” music formats other than MP3. And to play high-quality FLAC in the car, you have to connect your phone and play music on it. And use the radio only as a sound amplifier.

A radio in a car is another problem, and many are familiar with it. Sometimes it doesn’t play at all, sometimes it doesn’t catch well, sometimes not everywhere, sometimes with terrible interference... But with the help of a phone connected to the radio, without any antennas or antenna amplifiers, you can easily listen to both analogue radio broadcasting and Internet radio stations. And today there are more than 70,000 of the latter, whereas in the usual way, with a successful deployment, you can choose from a dozen or two, no more.

As for watching videos saved on your phone on the radio, you need, at a minimum, a radio with a large screen. This task does not arise very often, so it will not be discussed in detail here. But as for playing music and listening to the radio through the phone in the car, here are the promised 7 connection methods.

How to connect your phone via Bluetooth to your car: 6 comments

Good afternoon Please tell me why the radio is connected to the phone only for calls, but cannot play music!

Hello, Oksana! There are different problems, most often you need to delve into the phone settings. For example, in Android there is an item in the Bluetooth settings A2DP.

Hello! Please tell me I have a radio without bluetooth, can I connect to my phone using a bluetooth adapter?

Hello! When you connect your phone to the car, the last thing played on the phone, a video on YouTube, and an audio advertisement on the site that was opened last automatically starts playing. And you have to start the music manually. It can be fixed?

suddenly my car, when dialing a number via bluetooth, began to say that access is not possible, contact the operator, although incoming calls are going through? Thank you

Hello! After the phone and DVD “saw” each other on the DVD screen it was displayed (You need to reboot the system) The next time you turn it on, it still lights up, turning it off and disconnecting it from the battery does nothing. What can you do?

How to play music

Immediately after connecting, the radio will start FM radio - do not pay attention. The way you control songs depends on the year the player was produced. On older radios, this can only be done using the built-in buttons. And on newer models it is possible to listen to songs directly from your smartphone.

Just launch the built-in Music and select the tune you want. Within a few seconds, the selected song will play from the radio.

As you can see, the cable method works great, but it has one huge drawback - the cord constantly gets in the way while driving. It is best to record musical compositions on a regular flash drive and insert it into the radio. Of course, you can’t control the player from a smartphone here, but you can improve driving safety. You can also install a navigator on your phone and listen to driving directions from the car speakers. Another way: How to connect a phone via Bluetooth to a radio tape recorder Thus, after reading this material, you can easily connect your smartphone to the radio tape recorder. It is worth noting that when you connect your phone via a USB cable, you can select the charging function, then the device will gradually charge the battery.

We hope everything worked out for you, if you have any difficulties, ask questions to our bot in the telegram channel: write. Even more interesting things on the ITPEN channel.

Evgeny Zagorsky

IT specialist. Author of information articles on the topic of Android smartphones and IOS smartphones. An expert in solving problems with computers and programs: installation, configuration, reviews, tips on the security of your devices. In his spare time, he designs and develops websites.

What is the best way to connect your phone to the radio: USB, AUX, Bluetooth or FM

Multimedia technologies are rapidly evolving, leaving still morally fresh cars on the sidelines. Ten years ago, and this, by the way, is the average age of a foreign car in Russia, Hands-Free technology was only available in some premium sedan, one could only dream of fast Bluetooth communication, and Wi-Fi was not exactly in every car , not in every house. And how far smartphones have come... The online editors of Autostadt.su talk about how to pair a new iPhone or Android smartphone with an old audio system.

A banal connection: how to connect a phone to a radio without AUX and Bluetooth

BluetoothBluetooth
Crystal clear “highs” and transparent “lows” - high-quality sound is typical for all processor radios of that time, whether standard or purely car music “fetish”, such as Alpine, Pioneer, etc. These devices supported FLAC, a format that is used today Few people know.

Now, for the most part, such audio systems only cause headaches. Difficulties arise from the need to dock the phone and radio, which is impossible without additional devices. In general, for very old copies, the only possible connection option is an FM modulator. We discussed the pros and cons of FM transmitters and the technique for connecting them in a separate article.

There is nothing revolutionary in the design of the FM transmitter. It simply converts the digital signal into a radio signal that any car radio can pick up. The resulting sound quality is, frankly, crappy. Not everyone likes it when their favorite compositions are reproduced in a quality worse than on-air radio broadcasting: the “bottoms” and “tops” are significantly reduced. The connection format of FM modulators is fine: support for USB flash drives and SD cards is for simpler models, connection to a phone via Bluetooth is for more advanced devices.

Via FM transmitter (radio)

If your radio only reads cassettes or CDs and picks up the radio, then you can connect your phone to it via an FM transmitter. There are a huge number of different devices. They differ in their capabilities, design, etc. In addition to transmitting music from a phone via radio, FM transmitters can read SD cards, regular USB flash drives, and work as a speakerphone. They are usually powered from the cigarette lighter. Or via USB from charging.

It makes sense to buy such a device only if the radio in the car does not have an AUX input and Bluetooth. If there is AUX, then it is better to buy a Bluetooth transmitter. But this is purely my opinion. With such a connection, there may be poor sound quality and interference.

It works like this:

In some cases, this is the only solution that allows you to listen to music in the car using your phone. We are talking about old radios and standard head units.

AUX – yes, Bluetooth – no. What should I do?

The AUX input greatly simplifies the life of a gadget addict driver. Initially, AUX IN, and this is its full name, was intended for interconnection with MP-3 players. At the peak of the introduction of the connector, the most advanced portable audio equipment were players. The phones of that time were not predisposed to storing a large amount of information, which cannot be said about modern “touch phones”. Nowadays, you can establish a connection between a smartphone and a radio via AUX in two ways:

1. Via mini-jack plug (3.5 mm).
2. Using a Bluetooth adapter.

Each connection has its own advantages and disadvantages, but overall the audio quality is much higher than using an FM transmitter. Taking into account only musical qualities, the method can be safely placed on a par with Bluetooth-based audio systems. However, the details are below.

AUX cable

They decided to integrate AUX IN into the car player precisely because of the need to connect an external audio device with the radio via a cable. The cable can be bought now, in almost any large electronics hypermarket, and the player, and now a smartphone, only needs to have a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

The connection algorithm is extremely simple. It is enough to connect two devices with a cable, switch the car radio to AUX IN mode, and start playing music on your smartphone. It is undesirable to neglect the quality of the audio cable - a serious attitude to the performance does not violate the details of the composition.

AUX Bluetooth adapter

In fact, cable switching is inconvenient in many ways:

• The wire constantly gets in the way of the driver, and the smartphone takes up useful space in the center console.
• You can only switch tracks on your phone.
• It is not possible to receive an incoming call through the audio system (Hands Free technology).

This gave impetus to the development of a Bluetooth adapter, a wireless communication device. The adapter consists of a microprocessor unit and a battery. It is connected via AUX IN and needs to be recharged, usually via a USB cable. The latter can easily be adapted to the cigarette lighter using adapters.

There are no wires between the phone and the adapter, the connection is only via Bluetooth. The device allows you to talk on the phone in Hands-Free mode: you can accept a call by pressing a button on the adapter. Then the voice of the interlocutor will be heard through the car speakers, and you will be heard through a microphone located directly in the repeater.

Bluetooth music playback is enabled by default. As for the sound quality, it largely replicates the AUX connection.

USB is also an option!

More modern radios have not only an aux, but also a USB input. This element was added during the booming popularity of USB storage devices or so-called “flash drives.” Noting the functional features of a computer-oriented input applicable to smartphones, it is appropriate to draw an analogy with AUX.

Old head units recognize a connected phone as an external storage device, nothing more. This approach cannot provide any two-way control or other exotic features. The newer radios are distinguished by advanced synchronization with a smartphone: at least it is possible to control it from the audio system panel.

The pinnacle of perfection: connecting a smartphone to a radio via Bluetooth

It is considered good practice to replace an old player with a modern multimedia complex with Bluetooth support. An updated analogue can be found both for standard audio systems and for classic 1DIN and 2DIN.

Purchased head unit with BT support

When looking for a worthy option to replace the “old man,” take into account the main highlight of any car radio – sound quality. From this point of view, a win-win option is a processor device that flexibly adjusts the sound in the car capsule.

Of course, “pairing” with Android and iOS OS should be provided by definition. This combination allows you not only to play files from your phone, but also to talk in Hans Free mode only using the radio and use voice control of your smartphone. This is 1DIN. 2DINs are certainly capable of more.

The first connection between the phone and the car radio via Bluetooth is usually made using a cable. When you connect your smartphone via USB, the head units immediately form a Bluetooth pair, revealing their full potential. Of course, the wireless connection on your phone must be active at this time. In some cases, the audio system may not support the protocols of a particular OS. Then there is no point in connecting the gadget via USB.

Standard audio: Android Auto, Apple Car Play, Yandex.Auto interfaces

It has long been believed that the most fruitful “conversation” between a smartphone and an audio system is possible only with official support from its OS developer. Software from Android and Apple is built into almost all modern cars. Recently, Yandex joined them by releasing the Yandex.Auto application.

The full potential of the “bundle” is revealed by the USB connection. One of the applications must first be installed on your smartphone: Android Auto, Apple Car Play or Yandex.Auto. The connection technique for each of the three interfaces is absolutely the same:

• Launch the application on your smartphone.
• Turn on Bluetooth.
• Connect devices with a USB cable.

When connecting for the first time, the audio system usually provides a choice of the interface through which you plan to connect a specific smartphone. Of course, each standard multimedia has its own nuances: some versions do not allow you to hide the application, others do not allow you to block the smartphone screen, others require you to first connect the gadgets with a cable, and only then via Bluetooth. It is better to look for nuances on a specific system in the instruction manual or on the Internet, writing down a specific request.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Well, this is the best solution today. If your car has support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, then you can not only listen to music from your iPhone or Android smartphone, but display the necessary applications on the head unit screen: maps, podcasts, audiobooks, instant messengers, calendar, phone. You can also use voice search.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support must be provided by the standard head unit or car radio. Some popular manufacturers such as Gazer, Pioneer, ALPINE, Kenwood, SONY, JVC have already released radios supporting these functions.

The full list of supported cars is listed on the website https://www.android.com/auto/ and https://www.apple.com/ru/ios/carplay/. You can also learn more about these functions there.

How to connect a smartphone to a car if it does not have Bluetooth

Kirill Sergeev

You quickly get used to good things, so having bought myself a new car without Bluetooth (in the past it was), I was immediately puzzled by the question of how to connect my smartphone to the audio system. In the process of solving it, I met interesting devices and today I will tell you what connection options are possible and how much they cost.

AUX cable, or solving the issue on a budget

The cheapest and fastest way to connect a smartphone to a car audio system is to buy an AUX cable at the nearest kiosk, communication store, computer store or any other suitable place, that is, a wire with 3.5 mm mini-jack plugs on both sides. That's exactly what I did when I got behind the wheel of a new car.

The cost of such cables starts from about 50 rubles and depends on the length and quality of workmanship. High-quality options are sold in the same DNS for 200-300 rubles.

Before purchasing, do not forget to make sure that your car has a port!

Pros:

• Low price
• Availability in stores
• Good sound with good quality cable

Minuses:

• Every time the smartphone needs to be connected and disconnected
• Extra wire in the dashboard area
• Not suitable for smartphones without a 3.5mm jack

Price:

Bluetooth FM transmitter, or create your own radio station

I initially considered the AUX cable as a temporary option, since I didn’t want to physically connect the smartphone all the time. Remembering that Xiaomi has a line of Roidmi Bluetooth FM transmitters, I immediately ordered the latest model Roidmi 3S.

The principle of operation is as follows: you connect your smartphone to the transmitter via Bluetooth, and it, in turn, broadcasts sound at the FM frequency, that is, we only have to catch the desired wave in radio receiver mode. Roidmi transmitters from Xiaomi skillfully disguise themselves as regular car charging - there are 2 USB ports with a total power of 17 W. This is a 2 in 1 device.

The transmitter is configured using the Roidmi application, it is available both on Google Play and the App Store.

I assumed that the sound transmitted over FM would not be of the best quality, but still hoped for the “magic of Xiaomi”. And it didn't happen. The sound is really muffled, noise appears at high volumes, and even on standard speakers the music does not sound very high quality. However, I note that at low and medium volumes, especially if you do not turn up the volume in your smartphone to maximum volume, but use the adjustment on the audio system, the quality is tolerable. On the forums they say that the previous model Roidmi 2S sounds better, and they advise buying it, but I didn’t check it, continuing my search for a more interesting solution.

Pros:

• Suitable for any car that has an FM tuner and a cigarette lighter socket
• Complete absence of wires
• Easy to set up
• Performs the function of car charging (2 USB ports with a total power of 17 W, maximum 12 W per one).
• Possibility of firmware update

Minuses:

• Poor sound at above average volumes
• Unpleasant ringing notification sound when connecting a smartphone

Price:

Bluetooth-AUX receiver, or get high-quality sound wirelessly

Continuing to study the issue, I came across Bluetooth-AUX receivers. The principle of their operation is similar to transmitters, but instead of the FM frequency, a wired connection is used through the AUX connector.

I note that even on AliExpress there are not so many Bluetooth receivers designed for use in cars, and in Russian retail it is generally useless to look for them. But, despite this, I managed to find an almost perfect device - Kript Bluetooth Car Kit.

The device looks like this.

On the front of the gadget there is an LED that notifies you about the connection status, and a multifunction button with which you can answer a call, end a call, play music, pause it, switch tracks, or use voice dialing. Below the button is a microphone grid used for voice calls. Although the manufacturer claims high-quality noise reduction and crystal clear sound, my interlocutors often disagree with this.

Two wires come out of the gadget – USB for power supply and a 3.5 mm plug for connecting to the AUX port of the audio system. The kit includes a car power supply for the cigarette lighter, but I power the Kript Bluetooth Car Kit from the standard USB port for flash drives, there is enough power.

And now about the most important thing - the sound. There are no complaints about him. Music plays clear as if using a direct AUX connection. Owners of Android smartphones will be pleased with the support for the Apt-X codec, thanks to which audio transmission via Bluetooth will be virtually uncompressed. But even paired with an iPhone, everything is very good.

The receiver automatically turns on when power is applied, and also automatically connects to the last known device. Calls begin to be forwarded to the Kript Bluetooth Car Kit immediately, and to play music you need to press the multi-function button once, then the last song will start. Double clicking turns on the next track, triple clicking the previous one.

This device solved all my problems, so I can confidently recommend it for purchase.

Pros:

• High-quality sound, Apt-X codec support
• Working in Hands Free mode
• Compatible with all audio systems with AUX
• Rich equipment with a car power supply and two types of fastening (clamp for deflectors and double-sided sticker on the panel)
• Automatic connection after turning on the ignition

Minuses:

• No autoplay music, need to press a key
• There is no place to hide the wire
• Not the best microphone quality during a call

Price:

Conclusion

In the end, I would like to note that these solutions are budget options for upgrading standard head units. If your budget allows, then you can look for a head unit with Bluetooth; the price for such options starts from 5,000 rubles. But this is a topic for a separate article.

Connection options

Depending on the model and operating system, connecting the phone to the radio can be done in several ways:

• via USB interface;
• via Bluetooth;
• via analog audio input;
• via a radio transmitter;
• via emulator.

For connections, use known good cables and wires.

How to connect your phone to the radio via USB

To connect your mobile phone to the car radio, you will need a suitable cable. After turning on the head unit, the handset screen will light up and music will start playing in the car. At the same time, the gadget’s battery will be charged. If the car radio was turned on in a different mode, then after connecting the plug to the USB port it will switch to the music player. A mobile phone connected to the standard radio via a USB interface must support operation in removable storage mode in the same way as a flash drive or external hard drive.

How to connect your phone to the radio via Bluetooth

You need to check which profiles are supported by devices before connecting to the radio via Bluetooth. To play music through your phone, you need the A2DP protocol. With support for the HFP/HSP profile and a microphone, the car radio will help you talk on the phone hands-free.

To be able to control music listening, support for the AVCRP protocol is required. Before connecting the phone, you should turn on Bluetooth on the radio. To do this, press the source switch button until the desired mode is selected. Then the car radio and phone (smartphone) are paired.

To do this, open the BlueTooth settings on the latest device. The handset must be visible to other devices, after which the search for the head unit starts. During setup, the gadget must be located next to the car radio so that problems do not arise.

After a few tens of seconds, a line will appear in the list, which may contain the model or brand of the player or the words Bluetooth, Music, Hands free or others. To connect, you must select the desired device by entering the PIN code when prompted. When the pairing process is completed correctly, the car radio will beep and its status will change in the Bluetooth settings, indicating that the device is connected.

After pairing, you need to check the music playback and the ability to make calls (if this function is available).

To do this, turn on music from your mobile phone. The sound should be output through the speakers in the car. Otherwise, the audio output channel via Bluetooth is checked. When you press the listening control buttons on the head unit, the tracks should switch.

To check the speakerphone through the radio, you will need an assistant with a second handset. He must call the phone paired with the autoplayer. When a call arrives, the caller's number or name will appear on the display of the head unit. The ringtone will be played on the phone itself. To receive a call, press the button with the handset icon on the radio.

AUX connector

Using this method, you can connect your old phone to a car radio that has an additional audio input (aux) to listen to music. If your mobile device is equipped with a standard 3.5 mm jack, then you will need a shielded stereo cable with appropriate plugs for connection. One of them is inserted into the socket on the phone, and the other into the car radio with AUX.

If the handset is equipped with a non-standard socket, then you can connect it to the AV radio input or via AUX by making an adapter cable. It requires an audio cable with a stereo jack or AV connector and a standard headset. Both headphones are cut off, and the ends of the cables connected to them are stripped.

Common wires have the same color. They are soldered to the audio cable wire connected to the negative terminal of the plug. The remaining two wires are the audio output from the phone. They connect to the left and right channel pins of the audio cable. The advantage of this method is the possibility of hands-free communication through the radio.

Transmitters

Music from the phone can also be broadcast via radio to a car radio, which has neither a USB port nor an audio input, through a transmitter. It is powered by the cigarette lighter in the car. The choice of transmitter depends on the design of the phone. If your smartphone does not have a headphone jack, then you should use a Bluetooth transmitter. If this is the case, then to connect to the radio you need an FM transmitter with a linear audio input or a USB port.

Bluetooth transmitter

This device combines a module for playing music via Bluetooth and a low-power VHF radio transmitter. He streamed music from his phone to outdated radios. Connecting mobile devices to the Bluetooth transmitter is carried out in the same way as to a head unit with a similar interface. Then the broadcast is tuned to a frequency free from terrestrial radio stations. Control can be carried out from the transmitter itself using the AVCRP protocol.

FM transmitter

Connecting your phone to an old tape recorder via an FM transmitter can be done either through the audio input or via the USB port. In the first case, you need to connect with an audio cable. You can control your music listening from the phone itself.

In the second case, the connection is made in the same way as to a radio with a USB port. There are FM transmitters specifically designed to charge devices connected to it. The output current of the port in this case is at least 1 A, thanks to which the gadget is effectively charged simultaneously with the transmission of digital audio.

Emulator

This device converts the MTP protocol to a removable disk protocol, allowing you to connect smartphones with Android 5 and later, as well as an IPhone, to a radio that supports flash drives, in order to listen to music recorded on them and expand the capabilities of a budget head unit. If the emulator has additional drivers, you can use and manage an external non-USB hard drive, diagnostic adapter, or other useful devices.

How to connect your phone to the radio in your car in all ways

As we know, inexpensive car radios have a limited number of functions. You can expand their capabilities by connecting your smartphone using one of the available methods using AUX, Bluetooth or USB. New generation phones are equipped with modern devices that provide special options for connected equipment. Automakers, in turn, create models that can function in integration with phones, but in order to use useful functions, you need to be able to correctly connect and configure the device.

USB flash drive

The first method is, in principle, known to all vehicle owners. In this case, the smartphone is connected to the car radio via a regular adapter cable from miniUSB to USB. In this case, the phone can act as:

• as a flash drive on which music or video files are recorded;
• in the form of a charger.

This option has several disadvantages. Firstly, the sound quality of music via a USB port will depend on the capabilities of the audio device. Secondly, you can connect your smartphone in this way only to those devices that have the appropriate connector.

But this type of “synchronization” is ideal for recharging your phone if the standard device is lost or left at home.

What is Bluetooth, AUX and USB

Budget car radios have a limited list of functions. Usually they do not have special connectors that allow you to connect an external device and listen to music. To remedy the situation, you can purchase an adapter.

What are Bluetooth, AUX and USB. At their core, these are technologies created to transfer data from one device to another.

Bluetooth is different in that it allows you to connect gadgets by wirelessly transmitting information.

Each method of transferring data from a phone to a car radio has its own technological features.

For a successful connection, the following technical capabilities are required:

1. adapters;
2. connectors;
3. location of the smartphone within reach for transmission.

Connecting the phone via AUX

This method of connecting a smartphone to a radio is carried out through the AUX connector. This was one of the first opportunities to connect a car radio to an external media. Such connectors were even on cassette players and were used to connect third-party devices. This is a simple 3.5mm round plug, often used for headphones. You can still find such a cord with plugs at both ends in specialized stores. The cord is connected simply: using the appropriate connectors, we connect the radio and telephone with it - that’s all, you can listen to music. However, with this connection, you need a smartphone player for control. The radio in this case will only be an amplifier, and with its help you can only adjust the volume.

How to listen to music in the car via Bluetooth

The most profitable option for connecting a smartphone to a car radio via Bluetooth. The technology allows you to use the phone's options in full. The system allows you to synchronize the operation of the radio and audio transmitter.

The connection method is also advantageous because while using the phone, you can communicate remotely without using your hands. To make the connection, you can use the instructions from the car radio.

Such a device always has a manual in Russian, where all the steps are described in detail with pictures:

1. The required mode for receiving information is switched on on the sound-reproducing device;
2. Select Bluetooth from the phone menu;
3. A list of available devices appears on the screen, the one you need is selected from the list, and the connection is made.

One glance at the phone screen is enough to control the correct functioning of the connection. The Bluetooth icon should glow white or blue. If there is no connection, it remains gray.

This method of transmitting information is advantageous because there are no wires. Several devices can connect to one phone and receive data at once.

The only disadvantage of Bluetooth transmission is that it quickly drains the phone's battery. After a short period of time it will have to be recharged; if there is no car charger in the car, the driver risks being left without communication.

Video connection instructions

How to properly connect your phone via Bluetooth in this video:

Bluetooth

Bluetooth connectivity is the latest in modern electronics and is by far the most advanced wireless technology available today. However, not all radios can support this function. This method is available mainly on multimedia systems with a touch screen. Of course, such a connection does not require any cords - and this is a big plus. To make a connection, you need to start Bluetooth on both the radio and the phone, and then pair them. As a result of pairing, absolute integration between the radio and the phone occurs. For this reason, the mobile phone can be removed - control is carried out from the radio. In addition, using Bluetooth, the radio tape recorder will read not only audio, but also videos from the mobile phone. This type of connection allows some radio tape recorders to play the role of an intercom. That is, if a call is received on your mobile phone, you can answer the call using the radio. In this case, the driver will be freed from the need to pick up a cell phone.

Connecting a smartphone using AUX

This type of connection allows you to use the car radio as an amplifier, while the music is played back by the phone.

Audio information can be obtained:

1. From the Internet online;
2. On the radio;
3. From recorded and saved files.

To make the connection, you only need an AUX adapter with the appropriate connector.

This type of connection between the telephone and the car radio is not beneficial:

1. The energy reserve on your smartphone quickly disappears;
2. The phone cannot be recharged while playing music via the AUX connection;
3. Additional connected wires in the car create inconvenience.

1. Does not require complex settings, universal;
2. The selection of musical compositions is made from a mobile device;
3. The ability to create a playlist to your own taste;
4. Ease of Management;
5. The ability to organize a speakerphone through which everyone present in the car can communicate;
6. Works on the simplest devices.

During a call on the phone, the transfer of music to the radio stops. Some consider this an inconvenience, while others consider it a plus, since loud sounds do not interfere with hearing the interlocutor.

Video instructions for connecting two devices

This video describes in detail how to connect two devices to listen to audio materials:

Play music via USB for Android devices

• Our products have received a new feature to support the Android Open Accessory 2.0 (AOA 2.0) protocol.
• If you are using an Android device with OS version 4.1 to 7.x, you can play music files with our car receiver via USB.
• By installing “KENWOOD Music Play APP” on your Android phone, you can view the music files stored on your phone.
  (see KENWOOD Music Play)

DDX23BT, DDX24BT, DDX3016, DDX316, DDX316M, DDX3170, DDX317BT, DDX340BT, DDX373BT, DDX374BT, DDX393, DDX394, DDX4016BT, DDX4016BTR, DDX4016DAB, DDX4 017BT, DDX4017BTR, DDX4017DAB, DDX416BT, DDX416BTM, DDX417BT, DDX417BTM, DDX517BT, DDX573BH, DDX574BH, DDX593, DDX594, DDX6016, DDX6016BT, DDX6016BTM, DDX6016BTR, DDX6016W, DDX616WBT, DDX616WBTM, DDX6170, DDX6170BT,

DDX7017BT, DDX7017BTM, DDX7051BT, DDX717WBT, DDX717WBTM, DDX751WBTL, DDX773BH, DDX774BH, DDX793, DDX794,

DPX-3000U, DPX-5000BT, DPX-7000DAB, DPX-U5140, DPX-U5140BT, DPX-U520, DPX-U530, DPX-U720BT, DPX-U730BT, DPX206U, DPX3002U, DPX301U, DPX302U, DPX306BT, DPX406DAB, DPX5002BT, DPX501BT, DPX502BT, DPX520BT, DPX530BT, DPX592BT, DPX702BH, DPX791BH, DPX792BH,

KDC-100UA, KDC-100UB, KDC-100UBS, KDC-100UG, KDC-100UR, KDC-100UW, KDC-1010U, KDC-1020U, KDC-102U, KDC-102UR, KDC-10UR, KDC-110U, KDC- 110UB, KDC-110UG, KDC-110UR, KDC-115U, KDC-11UR, KDC-121RY, KDC-122U, KDC-125U, KDC-131Y, KDC-138U, KDC-150RY, KDC-151RY, KDC-151UBM, KDC-152UM, KDC-161URM, KDC-162U, KDC-164UB, KDC-164UG, KDC-164UR, KDC-165U, KDC-168U, KDC-170Y, KDC-181UWM, KDC-200UB, KDC-200UV, KDC- 210UI, KDC-220U, KDC-230U, KDC-262U, KDC-264UB, KDC-265U, KDC-268U, KDC-300UV, KDC-300UVM, KDC-364U, KDC-BT21, KDC-BT265U, KDC-BT268U, KDC-BT31, KDC-BT330U, KDC-BT35U, KDC-BT362U, KDC-BT365U, KDC-BT368U, KDC-BT39DAB, KDC-BT420U, KDC-BT45U, KDC-BT49DAB, KDC-BT500U, KDC-BT5062U, KDC- BT5065U, KDC-BT510U, KDC-BT562U, KDC-BT565U, KDC-BT568U, KDC-BT600U, KDC-BT6062U, KDC-BT6065U, KDC-BT610U, KDC-BT700DAB, KDC-BT710DAB, KDC-BT720HD, KDC-BT762HD, KDC-BT765HD, KDC-BT768HD, KDC-DAB35U, KDC-DAB400U, KDC-HD262U, KDC-MP162U, KDC-MP165U, KDC-MP168U, KDC-MP2062U, KDC-MP2065U, KDC-MP262U, KDC-MP3062U, KDC- MP3065U, KDC-MP362BT, KDC-MP365BT, KDC-MP368BT, KDC-U2063, KDC-U2163B, KDC-U2263R, KDC-U2363G, KDC-U263A, KDC-U263B, KDC-U263R, KDC-U363, KDC-U463, KDC-U563BT,

KDC-X300, KDC-X301, KDC-X399, KDC-X500, KDC-X5000BT, KDC-X501, KDC-X5100BT, KDC-X599, KDC-X700, KDC-X7000DAB, KDC-X701, KDC-X7100DAB, KDC- X799,

KMM-1015, KMM-101AY, KMM-101GY, KMM-101RY, KMM-102, KMM-102AY, KMM-102GY, KMM-102RY, KMM-103, KMM-103AY, KMM-103GY, KMM-103RY, KMM- 112, KMM-115, KMM-118, KMM-121Y, KMM-122Y, KMM-123Y, KMM-202, KMM-203, KMM-264, KMM-303BT, KMM-BT203, KMM-BT3012U, KMM-BT3015U, KMM-BT302, KMM-BT303, KMM-BT312U, KMM-BT315, KMM-BT315U, KMM-BT318, KMM-BT318U, KMM-BT32U, KMM-BT35, KMM-BT502DAB, KMM-BT515HD, KMM-BT518HD, KMM- DAB403,

KMM-U11, KMM-U21, KMM-U51BT,

KMR-D362BT, KMR-D365BT, KMR-D368BT, KMR-D562BT, KMR-D765BT, KMR-D768BT, KMR-M312BT, KMR-M315BT, KMR-M318BT,

RDT-171, RDT-181, RDT-191,

U300, U300BT, U300MS, U300R, U310, U310BT, U310R, U320BT, U320L, U320W, U350BT, U360BT, U400, U400BMS, U400BT, U410BT

Compatible Android™ device models

accessed 04 June 2015

: Playback available

: Playback not available

N/A : Bluetooth function not applicable

• *1 When playing music files on an Android source via Bluetooth connection, the ringtone on the Android device may produce slight noise distortion when receiving an incoming call.
• *2 This Android device does not support playback on Android source (AOA 2.0).
• *3 Test performed only for Play/Pause/Skip forward/Skip reverse functions.
• *4 When playing an Android source, sound is output from the Android device instead of the KENWOOD receiver.
• *5 Sometimes, when playing an Android source (BROWSE MODE), sound is not output from the KENWOOD receiver.
• *6 Sometimes, when playing Android source (BROWSE MODE), sound distortion may occur at the beginning of each song.
• *7 Sound is not output from the phone speaker during a phone call during playback on an Android device via USB without Bluetooth connection.
• *8 Sometimes when playing Android source (BROWSE MODE), track playback freezes.
• *9 The Android device will automatically reboot when you connect the Android device to the KENWOOD receiver.
• *10 The Android device may reboot automatically when you disconnect the USB cable without pressing the Safely Remove Device button on the KENWOOD Music Play app on the Android device.

Pairing your phone and radio via USB

The USB adapter is a universal tool; it can be used to connect various types of devices. To transfer audio from a phone to a car radio, certain connectors (sockets) are required through which the adapter is connected.

The USB connection allows you to control the phone through the radio and in the opposite direction.

While data is being transferred to the playback device, all other mobile phone applications remain available and can be used.

To connect via an adapter, you do not need to perform complex manipulations or additional settings. Devices begin to “see” and perceive each other automatically. Some models ask the administrator for access permission, then no difficulties arise during operation.

The positive aspects of using a USB connection to connect a phone:

1. The phone's battery does not drain as quickly as when connected via Bluetooth.
2. The mobile phone requires recharging less often, since while transmitting information to the radio through the adapter, its battery is simultaneously recharged.
3. The phone can be controlled through the radio screen, and the playback device through a mobile phone.
4. During the transfer of information, all other applications and functions of the phone remain available and can be used. This is especially valuable when you need to make a call or use the navigator in your smartphone.

There are not many disadvantages to this method:

1. A constantly connected and hanging wire can get in the way;
2. Old radios do not see “audio files” in new phone models or cannot play them.

Video manual for connecting devices

When the user does not understand exactly how and into which socket the USB cable should be connected, they should study the manual, which clearly describes all the actions that need to be performed.

The video instructions describe how to connect your phone to the car radio:

What problems can you encounter?

Inexpensive car radios are rarely equipped with the devices necessary to connect to a telephone. Some models can be equipped with an adapter that allows you to receive data transmitted from your phone.

When transmitting data to the car radio via Bluetooth, AUX, the phone battery drains quickly. After a short period of time it will have to be recharged.

What can be concluded? Connecting a phone to a radio is possible in three available ways, however, despite the simplicity of this process, not every user is able to connect two devices without watching video materials and studying instructions.

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Connection features

It is necessary to take into account the operating features of different mobile devices with Android and iOS before connecting the phone to the radio in the car. This will avoid additional problems associated with the inability to play music or the unavailability of various functions.

For Android

Smartphones with Android version 5 and newer do not have a removable disk mode. In this case, to listen to music in the car from such a gadget, you will need a car radio that supports the MTP protocol or is compatible with the proprietary Android Open Accessory 2 package. This feature is available in recently released radios from JVC and some other manufacturers.

Depending on the model and specification of both devices, some control functions may only be available on the Android smartphone's player. From the radio you can, for example, switch between tracks. To check for compatibility, you need to connect your Android smartphone to the radio and select the MTP protocol. If it supports Android Open Accessory, then music will start playing. In rare cases, you may need to enable USB debugging mode.

For iPhone

It is worth considering that the radio must support work with similar devices (as well as IPod). This may be indicated by an icon on the front panel and the presence of the required options in the menu and source list. Only in this case can you listen to music from your iPhone. To connect your iPhone to the radio in your car via USB, you should use the proprietary cable included with the gadget. When you install an additional application from the App Store, you will be able to control the radio from your phone.