My older car has Bluetooth but it doesn't stream music. It does have an Aux input.
Can someone recommend me an Bluetooth to Aux Adapter.
Also was thinking, would I lose the ability to use the car's existing Bluetooth for telephone?
Can my iPhone simultaneously connect to the car's Bluetooth for voice calls and stream music to the new Bluetooth-Aux Adapter?
naaah, it's an integrated unit (Volvo C30)
unfortunately mine is an older model.
Oddly enough, when using Siri, Siri uses the car's audio system (but not music/podcasts)
@spackbace: I know you can, but you're correct, I rather not spend money on a 15yo car lol
The car has been great and reliable for a 15yo car.
I've been meaning to replace it but it doesn't give me any mechanical problems and the car prices since covid has been sky high. Car prices are becoming more reasonable so maybe will replace it sooner rather than later.
Can my iPhone simultaneously connect to the car's Bluetooth for voice calls and stream music to the new Bluetooth-Aux Adapter?
It can connect to both, but you still need to touch the phone generally to change the input from Headphones (AUX) to Bluetooth. Unless you have a button on the steering wheel that answers the call via Bluetooth.
From memory, that was what happened in my old car.
I used a something like this in my VE Commodore and it was great. Still had to touch the phone to answer the call though.
I have a button on the steering wheel to answer/make calls.
Then it might take priority over the AUX; you would have to try it to know 100%.
yeah I didn't want to touch the phone to make call.
@JimB: Understandable, you would need to check to be 100% because it can vary from car to car and the software.
Actually OP can get a Bluetooth adapter for any old car.
It basically runs off your phone
So yes you can play music and then take a call by pushing the CALL button on the adapter.
I did this with all my older cars years ago….
Once you have done that you can stream music from your phone through the car's speakers via the radio.
OR
You can insert a memory card into the bluetooth adapter and play music from that
Either way when a call comes in you simply push the CALL button on the adapter to answer the call.
I cant remember if you can initate calls the same way
AND AS OTHERS HAVE STATED
Another option is to get a compatible cable that connects the phone to the AUX slot of the car radio.
OP can play/stream music on his phone and the music will play via the car radio's AUX input, through the car speakers
When a phone call happens, OP can still use the car radio to answer the call.
The car radio will automatically switch from AUX, to Bluetooth Phone call and then back again.
This is probably the simplest option as long as OP can get a compatible cable that successfully connects thier iphone to the cars AUX input.
However its not as easy as it sounds. OP might need to get a genuine Apple lightning to 3.5mm stereo cable.
The ones I have that worked with an old iPhone 6S and 7 dont work with my iphone 12 so therin les the problem.
ALTERNATIVELY A BETTER OPTION AND SIGNIFICANT CAR UPGRADE AT MINIMAL COST!
The modern way is to use a CAR PLAY unit which works much the same way, except you have a touch screen that mirrors your phone screen for better integration and control instead of buttons on the old bluetooth adapter
Most car Play units are compatible with both Andriod and iPhone
You can buy car play units on eBay for about $50
Some even come with a reversing camera!
What a fantastic double upgrade to your car !!!!!
I recommend either of these. Both include reversing camera
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/387006287198 (comes with 1 year warranty)
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/356431078250 (warranty undefined)
These are both identical to this one sold by Klevarange (Rip-off merchants) selling for $149 which doesnt include a reversing camera.
So dont bork at the cheap $50 price tag for the ones on eBay. They are much the same!
https://klevarange.com.au/products/kleva-carplay
NB: With either solution your radio must be tuned to the output frequency of the bluetooth adapter or car play.
So you wont be able to listen to the radio unless you select/tune into a radio station instead.
But then you wont be able to hear whats happening on your phone
Problem solved better than you thought hopefully!
I think a workaround is to get a lighting adapter can out put to AUX and also accepts a charging input to charge my phone at the same time.
Generally would only bother to listen to podcasts/phone music on longer car rides where I would charge the phone (via cable) anyway.
That could work but looks bulky, that looks more for like home stereo rather and will need it's own power source.
It has a built in rechargeable 6 hour battery but can also charge using a USB connection.
It's perfect for what OP requires and is smaller than a stick of chewing gum.
I have the same issue in my 2012 car. Any cheap Bluetooth adaptor works, and my android phone supports simultaneous music to aux and calls to the car.
The music automatically stops and switches to the car's hands-free when a call comes in, just as you would want.
great to know. I've got an iPhone, so wonder if it can also switch.
Does your phone show two bluetooth connections at the same time?
Yes, it shows calls as Bluetooth linked to the car, and music to the bt adapter.
Perfect!
According to Google AI- Yes, an iPhone 15 can connect to multiple Bluetooth devices, including two Bluetooth headphones. However, it can only play audio from one device at a time.
Cheap Bluetooth to Aux adapter for me.
@JimB: This is the one I bought, but they are all the same.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/225702486009
@mskeggs: Why not just use a lighting to 3.5mm stereo/AUX cable ?
Switch the car radio to AUX input for music from the iphone
Then push the call button on the radio to accpet a phone call.
Radio switches between bluetooth and AUX inputs automatically
Plenty under $14 on ebay apparently Apple Mfi certified
Like this one: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/375546359538
Yes I know it works the same way as your Bluetooth adapter but this doesnt require 2 concurrent bluetooth connections and doesnt require USB power either…BINGO!
@JimB: Oh, you need to have a USB power socket somewhere to power the adapter. Mine is next to the aux socket.
Depending on the year, you might be able to attach an external Bluetooth adaptor (car stero thinks it's a external stacker):
https://gromaudio.com/store/most_adapters/volvo-s40-c30-c70-…
I had one in my 06 Mazda 6, which worked pretty well.
That could work but way out of my budget!
Yeah, I remember them being a lot cheaper back in the day (around $100 USD from memory)
I had the same issue with my 2012 IS350.
As others have said. You can connect to a 'multimedia' source and a 'calls' source at the same time. My car would automatically switch between the two when a call came in and ended.
My only issue was the multimedia controls didn't work on the steering wheel. But I think that was due to it just seeing the Aux as a 'pipe' into the speakers.
I used this exact one from TP Link It was flawless
I liked TPLink as it seemed a bit more reliable than the no name ones everywhere.
Apologies, on mobile.
Thanks for your input.
Seems a bit overkill- 'Up to 20km' lol
It looks like it's more for home. Did start up take long?
I think that's a typo. No BT is going 20km. 20m might be a stretch.
Startup was as fast as BT could recognise and connect. I remember being very happy with the setup. It's no CarPlay/AA. But it was a good solution.
I would stay your BT>Aux route. I've done the FM thing. It's never great quality.
yeah, I know, it states 20m downthe page, which I agree, would be pushing it.
I use one of these on my 30YO Posh Datto:
https://www.amazon.com.au/LENCENT-Transmitter-Wireless-Bluet…
You can get similar for cheaper as well. Phone transmits to it via Bluetooth, it transmits to your car via FM radio.
Pro: cheap and convenient
Con: sound quality is that of FM radio quality
This device is good if your car doesn't have built in bluetooth for telephone.
I reckon the last Datsun sold in Australia would have been over 40 years ago. Congrats on keeping it on the road. Must be a head turner these days!
Lol thanks but no that’s my way of saying I’ve got an R33
Crazy to think that the R33 is over 30yo!
I still remember when the R32 Godzilla was officially released here.
there was one posted here a day or two ago on sale.
Do you mind telling me where please.
No, I don't believe it will work for what I want.
This is a Bluetooth Transmitter
I need a Bluetooth Receiver
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005058530326.html?spm=a2…
would something like this work?
I use this on my Mazda 2. Conveniently, the USB plug is next to the aux input.
I can use the Aux for music and still use a BT earbuds for phone calls. you do have to configure the Aux for music only. This setup works well. However, my earbuds do sometimes steal the music.
This looks like it work.
Unfortunately it goes from AU$1.62 with free shipping to AU$8.93 with shipping once I log in lol
Jim, I highly recommend you get yourself a Carplay device. Less than $100, including a reversing camera, from Aliexpress.
Will do what you are asking for, as well as what you don't know you want yet.
The B5303 is very popular.
Thanks but I didn't really want to install that.
I have Carplay in my other car and for this car, I don't really need all the features, just want to stream some music and podcast.
Appreciate the suggestion.
Hi. I was in exactly the same situation 2007 bmw hatch. iPhone connects only for phone calls and Siri but won’t stream music etc.
Bought a Bluetooth receiver (90% that I have seen have a switch for receive or transmit) and plugged it into the aux.
iPhone connects to both original car and Bluetooth receiver at the same time. Incoming calls (and outgoing!) over-ride the aux and use the car’s system with the steering wheel controls. As far as sound goes only the volume control is active when playing media. Can’t change tracks etc.
Only issue I found is that the receiver has a built in battery and remains active after I turn off the car which is not ideal. ie it does not auto off/disconnect . Something to look out for when you are buying one.
Great to know.
Why does it matter if the receiver stays on after the car is switched off (assuming you then move far away enough from the receiver to disconnect)?
I have a ugreen adaptor and it works very well. It has an internal battery which means a repairing (with extended interruption to the audio stream) is avoided each time the vehicle starts.
Should have included that the adaptor referred to in my earlier post has an auto off feature so the internal battery does not exhaust prematurely as alluded to in the post before by oztack.
https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-sam…
Thanks for the suggestion.
what about bluetooth to fm transmitter.
something like.
https://www.repco.com.au/in-car-technology/connectivity/blue…
FM doesn’t seem like a good idea if you have an Aux input.
What sorta car? Sometimes it's just an easier and more practical thing to just swap the head-unit