In this review, I look at the MINIX CP85 2-in-1 Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Adapter Review.
You can buy this dongle for $39.92 from Amazon US – https://amzn.to/3EdGiO1, for £62.99 from Amazon UK – https://amzn.to/4aD6pKg, for €55.99 from Amazon DE – https://amzn.to/4hbeqJb, and for $142.63 from Amazon AU – https://amzn.to/3EakdA7. It is currently $89.90 on the MINIX website, but it is currently sold out https://bit.ly/cp85minix and may likely not return in their store.
TLDR: The MINIX CP85 is a 2-in-1 wireless adapter for CarPlay and Android Auto, offering fast boot times (10 seconds for CarPlay, 14 seconds for Android Auto) and smooth performance. It features a physical switch button for easy device switching, though it requires disconnecting Bluetooth on the current device first. While not as seamless as the discontinued DRERYRIT adapter, it’s one of the best options for multi-user support. However, both adapters are reportedly being discontinued, so grab one soon if you’re interested in multi-device support and wireless functionality.
If you share a wired CarPlay or Android Auto car system with multiple phones and wish to explore a wireless adapter, there are two key features you need to ensure the adapter supports. First, the adapter must support both wireless CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Second, it should be able to switch between devices easily and seamlessly. Unfortunately, the second requirement isn’t widely supported by most adapter brands. I’ve only come across a handful of adapters that successfully achieve seamless switching, one of which was the DRERYRIT 2-in-1 Adapter. However, with rumours that the DRERYRIT adapter is no longer being manufactured, the MINIX CP85 caught my attention. Not only does it look identical, but it also features the same physical disconnect button. Could this be a like-for-like alternative to one of the best multi-user switching adapters? Let’s find out.
In the box, you’ll find a paper instruction manual, the CP85 adapter itself, two power cables, and an adhesive sticker to mount the adapter and prevent the adapter from sliding around your car’s interior.
Upon inspecting the adapter, the CP85 is nearly identical to the previous adapter I assumed it would replicate. It has the same glossy top cover, this time with the MINIX logo, which also lights up to indicate the adapter’s status. The edges feature a hammered-textured plastic material. On one side, there’s a USB port to power the adapter, while the opposite side houses the physical switch button.
After connecting the CP85 to the CarPlay port in my Cupra Born, I was soon presented with a simple launch menu screen in 11 seconds. This screen displays the Bluetooth ID for connecting your iPhone, as well as the current firmware version. Pairing my iPhone to the Bluetooth ID brought up the wireless CarPlay display on my screen in just 6 seconds. With a total boot time of 10 seconds into wireless Apple CarPlay, the CP85 is the fastest 2-in-1 wireless adapter I’ve tested so far.
Interaction within wireless CarPlay was smooth and responsive, on par with current-generation wireless adapters. Audio quality was decent, with a slight delay, but not significant enough to cause concern during calls. Overall, wireless CarPlay on the CP85 was decent, not the fastest or smoothest, but as a switchable 2-in-1 adapter, this was difficult to beat. Let’s switch to Android Auto…
The adapter’s Bluetooth remained discoverable on my Android device. After pairing, I pressed the physical quick-switch button on the adapter and was soon presented with wireless Android Auto from my Samsung S22 in 10 seconds. The total boot time into wireless Android Auto was just 14 seconds, again one of the fastest times I’ve recorded on a 2-in-1. Similar to CarPlay, interaction with Android Auto was fluid, smooth, and responsive. The wireless rendering stream from my Samsung S22 was sharp and high-quality. Playback audio was excellent and noticeably quicker compared to its CarPlay performance, this is expected and a trait of wireless Android Auto over CarPlay. Its call quality was also better with minimal lag.
Entering the adapter’s IP config menu offers a basic list of options, including the ability to update the adapter over the air. Options include adjusting the Wi-Fi band, changing audio modes, adding a delayed start, and enabling GPS passthrough. However, after testing different settings, I don’t believe the hardware supports GPS passthrough.
Compared to the DRERYRIT 2-in-1 adapter, the MINIX CP85 adapter was a better alternative in terms of performance in CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as successful at switching between CarPlay and Android Auto platforms. While it automatically connects to the last-used platform and device, switching to an alternative paired device still requires disconnecting from Bluetooth on the current device before pressing the switch button. That said, this process is still easier and faster than most other 2-in-1 adapters out there. So if you’re considering cutting the cord and implementing wireless functionality for your CarPlay or Android Auto car system, either of these dongles is among the best options available right now – that’s if you can get hold of them…
The only downside about these adapters is that both brands have reportedly discontinued these adapters, likely due to poor sales and a lack of interest in adapters supporting both platforms. This is a huge shame for those seeking this exact functionality, considering how well they perform and how easy they make switching between devices for multi-user support. Hopefully, we’ll see other brands of adapters adopt a similar switching process in 2025, because it really is an untapped market, still yet to be done well. However, until that day happens, these two adapters are your best bet—but time is running out before they become unavailable. If this adapter interests you, I’d recommend grabbing one before they’re gone for good!
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Brief overview
0:29 – Unboxing
0:56 – Features & design
1:28 – Comparison
2:33 – Boot-up & main menu
3:06 – Wireless CarPlay
4:46- Config menu
6:05 – Switching to Android Auto
7:00 – Wireless Android Auto
8:29 – Switching devices
11:18 – My Impressions
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