Two Ways to Add Android Auto to an Old Car (One Costs Under $20)
Want Android Auto in a car without a screen? A wireless dashboard display costs under $50. Using an old phone costs almost nothing. Here's how both methods work.
Cars from before roughly 2010 rarely shipped with any infotainment screen, which means no Android Auto. According to ZDNET contributor Artie Beaty, there are two practical ways to fix that: buy a dedicated wireless display (from under $50 for a 7-inch unit) or repurpose an old phone or tablet using a free app. The old-phone route can cost well under $20 in total, making it the cheapest path to a glanceable, hands-free driving display.
What happened
| Method | Approximate cost | Hardware needed |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless dashboard display | Under $50 (7-inch) | Cigarette lighter power, Bluetooth |
| Old phone or tablet as display | Under $20 | Spare device, Bluetooth, WiFi Helper app |
Android Auto is standard on most cars built in the last 15 years, but older vehicles leave drivers without a dedicated screen. ZDNET writer Artie Beaty tested both workarounds and found each one genuinely functional, with some trade-offs in polish.
How each method works
Option 1: A wireless screen on the dashboard
You buy a standalone display that connects to your current phone via Bluetooth and mounts on the dashboard. It draws power from a cigarette lighter socket, so there is no wiring involved. A 7-inch version is available for under $50, and Beaty notes that reviews for this category are generally positive. The display works like a factory screen would, showing navigation, calls, and media.
This is the simpler setup. No app configuration is required beyond pairing Bluetooth, and the result looks close to a factory installation.
Option 2: An old phone or tablet running Headunit Revived
If you have a spare Android device gathering dust, install the Headunit Revived app (or the similar Headunit Reloaded) on it. This converts the old device into a head unit receiver, mimicking the role a built-in car screen would normally play. Then install the companion WiFi Helper app on your main phone and complete the one-time pairing process.
Your main phone runs Android Auto as usual. The old device just displays it. Beaty tested the setup during a real drive. He described it as functional, though not quite as seamless as a purpose-built screen. Since the apps themselves are free, the only potential cost is a Bluetooth adapter if your car has only an aux port, which is where the “under $20” figure comes in.
What you need either way
- Your current Android phone (to host Android Auto)
- A display device: a wireless screen or an old phone/tablet
- A Bluetooth connection in the car, or a cheap Bluetooth-to-aux adapter
Why it matters
A glanceable dashboard display is meaningfully safer than picking up a phone while driving. Android Auto keeps navigation, calls, and music controls in one fixed spot. For anyone running a business that involves time on the road, reducing phone distraction is a practical win, not just a convenience.
The old-phone method also gives new purpose to a device that would otherwise sit in a drawer. If your team uses phones for field work or client calls, a low-cost in-car display setup could improve daily workflow without requiring a new vehicle or an expensive head unit replacement.
Our take
This is a useful, low-drama how-to. The wireless screen option is clean and probably the right call for most people who want a no-fuss result. The old-phone route is genuinely clever and costs almost nothing, but “functional, not seamless” is an honest description of anything running through an unofficial app bridge.
One thing to consider: if you are setting up Android Auto for a small fleet or delivery drivers, this matters more than it sounds. A driver who can glance at a mounted screen instead of picking up their phone is safer and less likely to miss a call or turn. It is worth the sub-$50 investment per vehicle.
If you are interested in the broader question of how to integrate smart tools into day-to-day business operations, our AI integration services cover that territory. And if you are curious about what other automation setups are worth testing, the Lumien news desk covers practical tech developments regularly.
What to do about it
- Check whether your car has Bluetooth built in. If not, order a Bluetooth-to-aux adapter first.
- Decide on your display: spend under $50 on a wireless dashboard screen for the easiest setup, or dig out an old Android phone or tablet.
- If using an old device, install Headunit Revived or Headunit Reloaded on it and WiFi Helper on your main phone.
- Complete the one-time Bluetooth pairing between the display device and your car.
- Mount the display at eye level on the dashboard and test it on a short drive before relying on it daily.
Start with the old-phone route if you have a spare device. If the experience feels clunky after a week, upgrade to a dedicated wireless screen.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add Android Auto to a car without a screen?
You can either buy a wireless dashboard display (around $50 for a 7-inch model) that connects via Bluetooth, or install the Headunit Revived or Headunit Reloaded app on an old phone or tablet and use it as a display. Both methods require your current Android phone and a Bluetooth connection in the car.
What is Headunit Revived and how does it work?
Headunit Revived is an app you install on an old Android phone or tablet. It turns that device into a receiver for Android Auto, acting as a car screen would. You also install a companion app called WiFi Helper on your main phone, then pair the two devices over Bluetooth.
How much does it cost to add Android Auto to an old car?
Using an old phone or tablet with free apps can cost under $20, mainly if you need a Bluetooth adapter for an aux-only car. A purpose-built wireless dashboard display costs under $50 for a 7-inch model.
Do I need to replace my car stereo to get Android Auto?
No. You can add Android Auto by mounting a wireless Bluetooth display on your dashboard or by repurposing an old phone as a display. Replacing the head unit is one option but it is more involved and expensive than either of these alternatives.
