Magic Link is a technology developed by Apple that allows users to connect their iPhone to their car's infotainment system using Apple CarPlay. This feature was introduced in iOS 14 and aims to enhance the overall user experience of CarPlay by simplifying the connection process. Traditionally, connecting an iPhone to a car's infotainment system required using a physical Lightning cable. However, with Magic Link, this process has become much more convenient. Users can now simply bring their iPhone near the car's infotainment screen, and the two devices will automatically connect wirelessly. This technology relies on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which enables devices to exchange information over short distances.
this is what worries me and you can't trust the website reviews as both TMB and MMB Android have all 5 stars and "no complaints".
But, in the rare event you have issues connecting properly to your car using the Magic Box, we ve outlined a series of troubleshooting steps below to follow. While going through these steps, please have your quick start guide handy since the lights on the box have their own unique statues so you ll want to watch those throughout the process.
This technology relies on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which enables devices to exchange information over short distances. The iPhone and the car's infotainment system have built-in NFC chips that allow them to communicate with each other when they are in close proximity. To use Magic Link, both the iPhone and the car's infotainment system must support NFC connectivity.
Magic Box vs MMB or Equivalent for "Wireless" Android Auto/CarPlay
Who's using what and why? 2021 here. It's not a huge inconvenience, wife has it in her car so it's just nice to be there and not have to plug anything in.
mkbruce
Tremor Fanatic
Joined Oct 3, 2021 Messages 115 Reaction Points 268 Location Leander, Texas Current Ride 2021 F350 KR Tremor 6.7
Carlinkit - works great, especially with latest firmwareJTredway
Tremor Fiend
Joined Nov 10, 2021 Messages 438 Reaction Points 437 Location Atlanta, GA Current Ride 2021 F-250 King Ranch
Carlinkit - works great, especially with latest firmwaredoes that one allow you to use netflix and such, they have another one on their website that mentions using a different box. Maybe that is just for the 4g sim card if you want that functionality.
mkbruce
Tremor Fanatic
Joined Oct 3, 2021 Messages 115 Reaction Points 268 Location Leander, Texas Current Ride 2021 F350 KR Tremor 6.7
does that one allow you to use netflix and such, they have another one on their website that mentions using a different box. Maybe that is just for the 4g sim card if you want that functionality.
No - this one is only wireless Carplay (and Android Auto) for vehicles that have wired connections.
That said, the same company does have other hardware that provides the functionality you describe. I don't have any experience with those.
youn1033
Tremor Fiend
Joined Apr 30, 2021 Messages 202 Reaction Points 250 Location Houston, TX Current Ride 2022 F-350 King Ranch Tremor w/ Ultimate Pkg.
I have a Magic Box that I would sell you if interested. I bought it and although it works, I ultimately wanted the ability to add a camera view and see them while in motion, so I ended up buying a video interface kit from Naviks so I can view/mirror my phone as well as see those cameras while in motion.
jimmyb
Tremor Fan
Joined Dec 29, 2020 Messages 26 Reaction Points 31 Location Navarre, FL Military USMC (Ret) Current Ride 2012 F-150 XLT
I have a Magic Box that I would sell you if interested. I bought it and although it works, I ultimately wanted the ability to add a camera view and see them while in motion, so I ended up buying a video interface kit from Naviks so I can view/mirror my phone as well as see those cameras while in motion.
Which Naviks kit did you buy? I am looking to do the same thing.
I have a magic box as well. Works good for Netflix and stuff like that. It’s ok for car play, but fails to reconnect half the time.
When you say mirror your phone, you mean that it will stream audio and video, I.e. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc. ?
JTredway
Tremor Fiend
Joined Nov 10, 2021 Messages 438 Reaction Points 437 Location Atlanta, GA Current Ride 2021 F-250 King Ranch
Which Naviks kit did you buy? I am looking to do the same thing.
I have a magic box as well. Works good for Netflix and stuff like that. It’s ok for car play, but fails to reconnect half the time.
When you say mirror your phone, you mean that it will stream audio and video, I.e. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc. ?
this is what worries me and you can't trust the website reviews as both TMB and MMB Android have all 5 stars and "no complaints".
youn1033
Tremor Fiend
Joined Apr 30, 2021 Messages 202 Reaction Points 250 Location Houston, TX Current Ride 2022 F-350 King Ranch Tremor w/ Ultimate Pkg.
Which Naviks kit did you buy? I am looking to do the same thing.
I have a magic box as well. Works good for Netflix and stuff like that. It’s ok for car play, but fails to reconnect half the time.
When you say mirror your phone, you mean that it will stream audio and video, I.e. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc. ?
I bought the NK-1324-20
2021 - 2022 Ford F-250 / F-350 / F-450 / F-550 Super Duty (SYNC 4) 12"Screen HDMI Video Interface + 4 Camera Inputs (Left, Right, Front, Trailer)
this is what worries me and you can't trust the website reviews as both TMB and MMB Android have all 5 stars and "no complaints".
Agreed. I had no issues with it dropping, but would have to connect it to my phone when I re-started the vehicle. For some reason it seemed to work more seamlessly in my wife's Lincoln Aviator, which also utilizes Sync. My only guess as to the reason for this is that my truck has wireless carplay already and the Magic Box was constantly fighting my phone when re-started since it would try to connect to it 1st even though it was not plugged in.
JTredway
Tremor Fiend
Joined Nov 10, 2021 Messages 438 Reaction Points 437 Location Atlanta, GA Current Ride 2021 F-250 King Ranch
I bought the NK-1324-20
2021 - 2022 Ford F-250 / F-350 / F-450 / F-550 Super Duty (SYNC 4) 12"Screen HDMI Video Interface + 4 Camera Inputs (Left, Right, Front, Trailer)
Agreed. I had no issues with it dropping, but would have to connect it to my phone when I re-started the vehicle. For some reason it seemed to work more seamlessly in my wife's Lincoln Aviator, which also utilizes Sync. My only guess as to the reason for this is that my truck has wireless carplay already and the Magic Box was constantly fighting my phone when re-started since it would try to connect to it 1st even though it was not plugged in.
Maybe, I don't have wireless. So maybe I won't have that issue. My wife's BMW x6 has wireless and it's mostly ok with a little dropout on Pandora sometimes but all in all it seems ok. For me it's more about the wireless than the "Netflix and other apps" although having my garage door on the home screen might be cool
Joined Nov 10, 2021 Messages 438 Reaction Points 437 Location Atlanta, GA Current Ride 2021 F-250 King Ranch
Once the devices are connected, users can access various features of their iPhone through the car's screen. This includes making phone calls, sending and receiving messages, playing music, and using compatible third-party apps. Magic Link is particularly useful for individuals who frequently use Apple CarPlay and want a seamless connecting experience. It eliminates the need for cables, making it more convenient to start using CarPlay as soon as they enter their vehicle. It is important to note that Magic Link is currently only available on select car models and requires iOS 14 or later on the iPhone. Users should check their car's compatibility and ensure they are running the latest software on their iPhone to take advantage of this feature. In conclusion, Magic Link is a technology introduced by Apple to simplify the connection between an iPhone and a car's infotainment system using Apple CarPlay. By leveraging NFC technology, users can now connect wirelessly and enjoy a seamless CarPlay experience without the need for physical cables..
Reviews for "Enhancing Your Car Connectivity: The Magic Link and Apple CarPlay Duo"
- John - 1 star - The Magic link apple car play was a huge disappointment for me. I was excited to try it out and connect my iPhone to my car's infotainment system, but it was a nightmare from the start. The connection was constantly dropping, and when it was connected, the interface was slow and glitchy. It was nearly impossible to use any of the features without getting frustrated. I ended up disconnecting it and going back to using my regular Bluetooth connection. Definitely not worth the price or the hassle.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Magic link apple car play, but it fell short of my expectations. The installation process was confusing and took much longer than it should have. Once it was finally set up, I found the interface to be difficult to navigate. The touchscreen controls were not intuitive, and it was hard to find the apps and features I wanted to use while driving. Overall, I found it to be more of a distraction than a helpful tool. I ended up returning it and going back to using my old car's infotainment system.
- Mike - 2 stars - I purchased the Magic link apple car play hoping it would enhance my driving experience, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. The connection issues were constant, with the device frequently disconnecting from my iPhone. Even when it was connected, the response time was slow, making it frustrating to use. The limited app options and lack of customizability was another downside. I expected more from a product with a hefty price tag. I'll be looking into other options for Apple CarPlay integration in my car.