Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto Adapter Review in 2021 RAM HD Truck with 8.4-in Uconnect 4
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- If you're like me and you tend to keep your phone in your pocket while driving especially on shorter trips under 45 minutes, but you still like the Android Auto experience, then the Motorola MA1 might just be for you. The Motorola MA1 adapter basically converts your existing wired Android Auto into a wireless experience.
I've been using the Motorola MA1 with my Pixel 6 Pro for about 4-5 months now, both in my 2021 RAM 3500 pickup truck with the 8.4-in Uconnect Version 4 and in my 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK with aftermarket Alpine head unit. In today's video I'll share my candid thoughts on the product along with pros and cons I've experienced. At the end of the video discuss whether I'd buy it all over again.
I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Have you experienced any of the glitches on the Motorola MA1 that I've noted in the video? If so, let us know your car make, model, year, and the make and model of your phone in the comments below. In any case, let us know if you think the Motorola MA1 is worth the $89 price tag in the end.
00:00 Intro
03:45 How it Works
06:20 Demo
09:28 Review
15:35 Pros & Cons
21:34 Buy Again?
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Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto Adapter
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This will eliminate me forgetting my phone in the car then having to go back to retrieve it.
Great point!
Just installed this on my JT Jeep w Uconnect and it works flawlessly. No problems with my Bluetooth erasing. I did go for a run at the park w my Bluetooth headphones got back in the car not realizing my headphones were still going and not in their caee and the device wouldnt connect to the head unit. I put the Bt headphones in their case and the android auto began. I'm happy so far.
Very much informative, especialy the note on connecting cable for charging and the 15 minute port active after igntion off.
Best review I've seen so far, thanks for being so thorough
Thank you, glad to hear
This was the longest quick review 😅
Been using mine for around 4 weeks now and it only lost connection once. Restarted it and never again...really brilliant device...thank you for you post...really helpfull!!!!
Thank you, glad to hear it
I'll follow-up a few months later after switching to the Google Pixel 7 Pro... The disconnect and reset glitch that I mentioned in the video appears to have gone away now, so it must have had something to do exclusively with the Pixel 6 Pro combination I was using. Now with the Pixel 7 Pro I haven't noticed anymore odd glitches like that. Everything seems to work like normal.
With my pixel 7 while using Spotify it randomly stops playing music and i have to go back in Spotify and pick another song then it starts playing again. Has that happened to you?
@@Louie_Vision I don't use Spotify regularly, just CZcams music mostly. Maybe once a quarter it might cut out randomly, but otherwise seems to be pretty reliable.
Have you streamed video like CZcams on this device? If so how'd it do?
I used Android Auto Wireless in a Kenwood aftermarket Headunit and had delays in Google Maps navigation and Spotify with a Samsung S22 Ultra. Not sure if it's worth trying again with the dongle on the new car.
Terrific review! Thank you!
The problem wireless Android Auto solves for me is it prevents wear & tear on the phone itself. That phone jack gets worn with every plug-in & unplug. Also, there's been times when the connection wasn't complete. For example, I'll plug the phone in, begin backing out and then notice that it didn't connect. Then I need to stop the vehicle & reconnect it.
Regarding the issue with the Bluetooth Data being wiped out, this a U-Connect issue. I have a 2021 RAM 1500 and this happens about 10%-15% of the time. I plug the phone in via the USB cable just to charge & I'll try to make a call. The U-Connect then tells me, "There are no contacts in your phone book." I then have to repair the phone with U-Connect. One trick is to go to the U-Connect in my Bluetooth settings & check to "Allow access to Contacts." That usually prevents me from having to completely repair the phone. Also, I have a Samsung Note 20+, so it's definitely NOT the Google Pixel.
Ideally, a wireless charging pad with wireless Android Auto (or Apple Carplay) is the way to go. The phone connects wirelessly to the app & continues to charge. The only vehicle I've seen this work successfully in is the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring Sport.
Thank you for sharing, great points.
"Ideally, a wireless charging pad with wireless Android Auto (or Apple Carplay) is the way to go. The phone connects wirelessly to the app & continues to charge. The only vehicle I've seen this work successfully in is the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring Sport."
Works in my wife's Toyota Highlander as well. It is a sweet setup, I must admit.
I rented a 2023 Grand Cherokee Limited. It has the wireless charging pad/Android Auto mash-up. I was in love 😍.
What wireless Android Auto solved for me was the charging speed. My car USB port that my phone had to plug into in order to use Android Auto charges my phone very slowly. In fact, my battery would get depleted on longer trips. Now that its wireless I can use a fast charger while using wireless Android Auto and my phone will charge instead of deplete.
Great point!
You answered my question. Great review. Thanks.
Yes, it does. Apparently there's some kind of power relay on the USB port that keeps it alive. I've gotten used to it. Minor nuissance consdering all the other benefits. In my Jeep Wrangler JK, it goes off with engine, so no issues there.
@@AdventureRocks awesome thanks for the reply. I was concerned that it would run all night and leave me with a drained battery in the am. So it might just stay on for 15 min or so as you mentioned.
@@undagroundrican Yes, seems to be the case on my RAM. Eventually it cuts power.
I just picked up my new 2023 Toyota 4Runner today. It's the TRD Off Road Premium model and wouldn't you know it, it doesn't come with wireless Android Auto! $51k vehicle, and you have to plug-in to use AA. Like you, I tend to not plug my phone in while driving. My phone's battery easily gets me through the entire day and then some, and when I'm going to work, I carry it in a backpack and only pull it out if I need it for something. It's not uncommon for me to go through an entire two, sometimes three days without using my phone except to reply to a short text message from the wife on occasion. So, again, like you I wasn't thrilled about having to plug-in every time I got into the vehicle in order to utilize AA. I'm going to pick up one of these dongles, plug it into the port and hide it away just as you did. Out of sight, out of mind and no being bothered with pulling the phone out and plugging it in every time I get into the truck. Thanks for the video, very informative and well organized. Great job and you convinced me to go spend a little more money LOL. Peace to you.
I love that TRD Offroad packge...very nice! Thank you for the kind words.
The bluetooth drop out you discussed is likely the Uconnect, not the MA1. My wife and i have two different vehicles with the same version of Uconnect and we have the same issue. I watched your video because I'm considering purchasing an MA1. So its not even currently part of the equation for us.
I have a 2015 Ford Edge Titanium that needed an upgraded head unit. After having a wireless AA experience in the Grand Cherokee, I upgrade the head unit in my car. The guys at #HoustonCarStereo in Houston, TX (shout out to Mohammed & his sons) who did the new head unit install told me there was no such aftermarket charging pad/wireless AA connection. I was told that the 2 devices would have to be separate. I've scoured the internet & didn't find a combo unit, but I did find the MA1. I have the charging pad in my center console; I haven't installed the MA1 yet but I hope to have a great wireless AA experience. I prefer not to plug in my phone to run AA.
Agreed, wireless AA is a nice convenience to not have to plug in each time.
I have not purchased the Motorola yet. It is on my list for things to do this Christmas. However, my uconnect does erase my Bluetooth connections and saved favorites in my RAM 2019 Laramie with the 12-in screen. I do use Android wired almost weekly. My phone is the pixel 7 pro. Contacted uconnect and they have reset my system now. They recommend I take it to the dealer and let them check it out.
Interesting. Maybe it's a glitch then. Thought I was crazy or the only one encountering it.
@@AdventureRocks No, you're not crazy...well, you might be.. Ha ha! But regarding the erasure of contacts, this is a U-Connect issue & I have it in my 2021 RAM. Happens to me about 10%-15% of the time.
Also, I tried briefly using an iPhone 11 and it gave the U-Connect fits! Wired, it would run Apple Carplay & allowed me to use Waze for navigation, but it wouldn't allow me to use the contacts from my phone or make a call using Bluetooth.
Then when I unplugged it from the U-Connect, I could make calls using Bluetooth but it wouldn't let me use Waze for navigation because I had disconnected it from U-Connect. I sent the iPhone back & got another Samsung Android!
@@ihop4no14 Good to know I'm not only one. Kinda a strange glitch. For some reason it went away with my Pixel 7 Pro, at least so far. But others have still reported same glitch with Pixel 7 Pro, so not sure what the culprit is.
We have two vehicles. Once connected to the phone, can this adapter seamlessly work across both by being simply plugged into the respective vehicle’s USB port? Seems like the obvious answer is yes but still asking because why not?
Great question. If I understand correctly you want to share the adapter between two different cars, moving it from one to the other as needed. I have not tried that myself. I know it keeps a memory of phones paired, even after being unplugged physically. The only thing that may throw it a curve ball is that the Bluetooth handshake is unique between each car's radio and phone. I wonder if the adapter would get confused or potentially force you to re-pair the second car? Not sure on this one. I'd offer to try it, but I sold the vehicle in this video recently.
I don't have the Motorola MA1 yet. That said, I have had some occasions where my uconnect looses pair devices. Just an observation that might suggest it's an issue with uconnect only.
Thanks for sharing. Which phone do you have? And, what version Uconnect?
Can you by any chance confirm that the Google Assistant works with the MA1.
I have tried CarlinkIT 4.0 which seems not to support Google Assistant - though supposed to.
Yes, on my Pixel 6 Pro and now 7 Pro, both have worked with the MA1 and my Uconnect with Google assistant. Basically any features that worked when plugged in have worked for me through wireless with the adapter.
@@AdventureRocks appreciated, thank you !!
Sounds like a dodge u connect problem.. Works flawless on the Ford Sync
Thanks for feedback. Good to know.
Works flawless in a 2022 Jeep Latitude also. Couldn't be happier!
Having issues on my Sync 3 , but it might be my new android 12 phone
My 2023 Sportage does not cut power to USB data port when car is powered down. I need to disconnect to prevent battery drain. Is there a way to turn device off when connected to port without turning off BT on phone?
I think that is a common problems on the vehicles that keep the USB ports alive. I didn't encounter battery drain on mine, but if I was in range it would keep trying to connect to AA. I thought there was supposed to be a software update to fix the persistent 'attempting to connect' - but as far as telling your car itself to shut off the USB to prevent drain, that might be a car by car setting...some may not offer the option to adjust.
My motorola MA1 started getting very hot when used. It lasted about 12months and burned out. Try to keep this in a cool ventilated area of the car
Wow, that's crazy. Thank you for the tip!
My Ram truck did that too without the MA1.. I had to pair my Samsung phone a few times a month..
Good to know, thanks for sharing. With my Pixel 7 Pro it seems to happen a lot less, maybe once a quarter. Strange issue for sure.
For the money you can't really go wrong
I need this because I don't want my new phone to be overcharged.
What happens if you have this device but then you also plug in your phone to the USB so that it can charge?
Great question. On my my truck with the uconnect infotainment system it'll pop up and ask me if I want to switch to a second device detected when I plug it in, which I ignore of course. It almost looks like you have two devices even though it's the same device. Otherwise for me when I leave it plugged in like that to charge on a longer trip, it doesn't seem to interfere with the wireless connection.
I've had one of these for a year, and it just stopped working. No warning, it just no longer connects. I've tried doing a reset, going through all the typical troubleshooting steps but no dice. Seems like something that should last more than a year
Sorry, that's frustrating for sure
I have one but it will quit ,disconect on you off and on aside from that it works pretty good
If you leave the adapter plugged in will it drain the battery?
On my RAM the power to the USB shuts off eventually if you keep your proximity key away from truck. I've never timed it, but I think it's between 15 and 30 minutes. Then it shuts off. I think most modern cars are similar, but every brand takes a different approach to the delay cutting the power to USB ports. In my older Jeep it goes off right away after opening door.
Does the adapter allow one to choose which phone to connect too? Say you jump in the car with your wife, can you select different profiles upon detection?
I believe the switching is done on your car's head unit itself at least to some degree, based on priority. I don't use multiple devices personally, so I can't speak from experience, but on my Uconnect it lets me prioritize previously connected devices. So I'd imagine if my Bluetooth connection is prioritized as desired, then the Android auto would follow since there is a delay connecting MA1 following the standard Bluetooth connection that happens first. Again, I don't use the multiple devices personally.
@@AdventureRocks thanks for the reply.
I do not think so. Once the pair is done, the adapter will try to use that phone. You have a button to "break" that relationship, but it's not automatic. That's not an issue to me, since I do not share my car.
Other videos should toggling between phones using the side button on the MA1
how does woek work when two phones which are paired with MA1 are in the car sam time?
I have not used with two phones simultaneously, only one at a time. I recall in manual it talks about an option for more than one, but just can't attest as I have not used that way personally.
I want to buy it but it's not available in Italy 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I bought one of these for my Goldwing and while it does work great, my phone battery not being plugged in gets drained pretty quick. Maybe 3 hours starting with a full charge.
Thank you for feedback!
I returned my MA1, because it would unpair my phone. We get into the car, as we start driving, we notice the phone is not connected anymore. We went back to using directions straight off of the phone, everything is working fine now.
Thank you for sharing. What phone model do you have?
@@AdventureRocks I have a Galaxy A13 5G android auto works fine with USB cable. Thanks for asking, because there are phones that won't even work with a USB cable, like LG phones.
@@TOONMAN200 Appreciate the feedback! Thank you
I love mine....Recently though it won't allow me to run a vpn. I'm getting a red pop-up asking me to disconnect my vpn in order to run Android Auto....It wasn't always doing this....Other than that I love it.
Interesting. I quit using VPN when I noticed WiFi calling doesn't work when VPN is connected, I guess due to location issues for 911. Hopefully they sort out those issues soon in future updates.
@@AdventureRocks It'll work if I use usb wire....it just doesn't work with the MA1....Not a deal breaker at all.
I have sumsung. I use Bixby routines to disconnect once truck disconnects.
Thank you for weighing and sharing. Sorry to hear about trouble.
Thanks for this suggestion, works lika a charm👏
Tried hooking this up but the display on the dash doesn't show up. It's connected but the dash keeps spinning looking for the connection
Forgot to put in make and model. I have a Cadillac XT5 with a Z fold 5.
Sorry not as familiar with the Cadillac system, but if you haven't already tried resetting it all and re-pairing, I remember that worked for me sometimes. It is a bit finnicky getting setup initially depending on head unit. Once it is setup seems to work nicely though.
I had the same problem on my GMC Sierra 1500 and spent the entire weekend trying to get it to connect, resetting everything over and over again, and searching the internet for solutions. I was about to give up, but on my last attempt, while the head unit was spinning looking for a phone, in frustration, I unplugged the MA1 dongle and immediately plugged it back into the same port. The phone connected!!! It's been working seamlessly for two days now on relatively short trips of 15 - 40 min duration.
Thanks guys! I was just about to return it too. But just Sierra head unit it spinning and spinning look for a device. I’ll try to plug it out and back in. I really do appreciate the responses!
My MA1 constantly disconnects at random times forcing me to unplug & replug the device. This doesn't happen with wired connections.
Sorry to hear about that, frustrating. What headunit and phone combo are you using?
@AdventureRocks headset is a OEM head unit in a '21 4runner. Phone is a Samsung S21
Doesn't work on 2020 Gmc Sierra
Sorry to hear that.
After a weekend of frustration, I finally got it to work two days ago on my 2020 GMC Sierra. While the head is telling you to connect a phone, unplug the MA1 dongle and immediately plug it back into the same port. I think it makes the head unit believe the phone is being plugged in. Anyway, that's what worked for me.
@@kenthielman3198 great tip thank you
I guess you're popular in Germany. 😂
Apparently 😂
Do your Google voice assistant work in this device. Mine is not working. Is there any setting to enable Google Voice assistant.
Yes, I haven't had issues with Google assistant not working. In fact I can longpress my truck's voice assistant button and it'll respond with Google. I do know there are AA issues once in a while where different versions get out of sync between AA and GA, so you could try clearing cache on both apps if you're comfortable troubleshooting with stuff like that.