How to connect your phone to the radio via a USB cable
The most common way to connect a phone to a radio is using a USB connector. Not a single modern radio is produced without a standard USB output on the panel. This output allows you to use a regular computer flash card as a music storage medium. But you can easily connect your mobile phone to it via a computer connection cord
The arrows indicate the USB cable connecting the radio to the phone.
This cord has a standard USB plug at one end, and an output for connecting to a smartphone at the other. Simple radio tape recorders are not able to integrate with the phone, and in this case the latter acts only as a storage medium, that is, as a regular flash drive.
To play music, just connect the cord to the smartphone and to the output of the radio, and then in the phone settings in the “USB connection” item, select “Data transfer”, after which the radio will be able to read all music files. In this case, music files will be managed only from the radio. More modern radios integrate with your phone, allowing you to control music from both devices. In this case, it is possible to launch applications on a smartphone, for example, some special player, and in this case it will act as a regular amplifier.
How to connect your phone to the radio via USB
Connecting via a USB cable is quite convenient; it allows you to manage files directly from the radio; in addition, many smartphones are recharged with this connection, although not as quickly as from a conventional charger. And yet there is a double benefit - the music plays, and at least the phone doesn’t run out of charge. The disadvantage of this connection is the presence of the cord itself, which will have to be pulled to the location of the phone. Moreover, if the cord is short, you will have to disconnect the cord every time you make a call.
How to listen to music in the car via Bluetooth
One of the modern methods of connecting any mobile device to a car radio is the use of Bluetooth for this purpose. However, this method is not supported by every playing device. Multimedia systems with a touch screen most often have access to it.
A big plus of connecting the radio to a phone via bluetooth is the absence of a cord
There are absolutely no cords here - the user simply connects Bluetooth on both the smartphone and the multimedia system, after which they are paired. This connection ensures complete integration of devices. All control occurs via the radio.
Video: connecting a smartphone using bluetooth
Bluetooth is considered one of the most convenient options for connecting a gadget to a car player. Using the radio, you can not only listen to music, but also play video files. Many models provide the ability to use Bluetooth as an intercom. Receiving an incoming call and conducting negotiations is carried out through the radio, which eliminates the need to hold the phone near your ear.
This is interesting: Improving visibility in a car
The disadvantages of using this connection method include the fact that this function, as mentioned earlier, is not supported by all car radios. And even those that have this support do not connect to all smartphone models. In addition, there may be stuttering when playing large files.
How to connect your phone to the radio via Bluetooth
Connecting a car radio to a phone via a Bluetooth connection can be organized if the phone and radio have the corresponding functions. You can check whether the car radio has such a function in the menu.
How to connect a phone to a radio via bluetooth - connection
It is also necessary to check that both devices have the same Bluetooth communication protocols (including A2DP). Modern radio tape recorders usually support this protocol. Smartphones from previous years may not support streaming playback. If the radio does not support Bluetooth, you can purchase a Bluetooth dongle (adapter), in which case the connection is made using such an additional device.
How to connect a phone to a radio via bluetooth - connection
Communication between the radio and the phone via Bluetooth can be organized both from the telephone side and from the car radio side. In this case, both devices must activate Bluetooth. Then you need to use one of the devices to search for all Bluetooth devices within communication range. Next, select the appropriate device, give a connection request, and exchange the code.
Advantages of Bluetooth connection: no cable required, wireless connection.
Disadvantages: difficulty setting up the connection, possibility of interference.
bluetooth adapter
Designed only for radios that have a Bluetooth function, but do not have a standard adapter installed. It is required to be selected individually for each radio model and is a small unit connected to the audio system. Most models have a USB input, AUX, a memory card slot and built-in memory, which expands its functionality and allows you to use it not only for Bluetooth communications, but also as a storage for data and music.
Bottom line: to connect a smartphone on the Android or iOS operating system to a car audio system, no special knowledge is required - just pair it once, and in the future there will be no problems with the connection.
This will allow you to play music from your phone or use the hands-free system, which will provide additional safety for the driver and passengers.
How to connect AUX radio to phone
Another way to connect the phone to the radio is through the AUX connector. This method of connecting to an external device has existed for a very long time - since the days of cassette tape recorders. This is the very first way to connect the head unit to external media.
How to connect your phone to the radio via AUX
Connecting a smartphone to the car radio via the AUX output is very simple. You just need a cable with two Jacks (3.5mm) on both sides, one of which is connected to the specified output on the radio, the second is inserted into the headphone jack of the smartphone. That's it, now you can set the desired musical composition on your smartphone and enjoy.
The prerequisites for the success of this type of connection are the presence of a cable (it’s easy to buy and costs a penny), an AUX output on the radio (almost all radios have them, even not the most modern ones) and, most importantly, the presence of an appropriate headphone jack on the smartphone.
How to connect your phone to the radio via AUX
Here the situation can be more complicated, since some use such a useful output, while others use some specialized outputs that can only be used in conjunction with branded headphones. If there is no headphone output, then nothing can be done, but if it is not standard, then the problem can be solved with a special plug.
Connection and pairing
You can connect your phone with the Android operating system to your car audio system in a few steps:
- Put the radio into standby mode.
- Enable Bluetooth in the settings or in another way described in the instruction manual (for example, in Mystery radios you need to remove the front panel and hold the “Pair” button for 4 seconds).
- Pair your phone with the device. To do this, you need to turn on Bluetooth on your phone and find the Bluetooth audio system, then enter the PIN code on two devices (the standard PIN in most devices is 0000).
- The equipment is connected and ready for use.
Attention: on some radios, searching for new devices is possible not only with the phone, but also with the radio (for example, Pioneer).
The Bluetooth connection functionality includes the handsfree system, the ability to view images and listen to music from the phone.
Handsfree system
How to find the function to turn on Bluetooth and synchronize devices correctly?
Inclusion
To turn on Bluetooth, you can use the tips from the device’s operating instructions or find the option yourself in the radio.
For popular brands of car radios (JVC, Pioneer, Sony, Ford and Priora stock radios), you need to do the following:
- To enable Bluetooth on a JVC radio, you need to go to the settings, find the Bluetooth section and put the device in the operating position, after which you can pair. In addition to turning it on, in this section you can configure the “hands-free” mode, microphone and select the device to be connected if pairing has already been carried out.
JVC radio
- You can turn on Bluetooth on the Pioneer radio by going to the initial settings and using MULTI-CONTROL to select BT-AUDIO. Afterwards, you can search for the phone from the radio or find the device from the phone for further actions.
- To enable bluetooth on your Sony radio, you need to go to the settings and select the desired section, after which you can pair. Further communication between devices will be carried out automatically.
- To enable Bluetooth on the Ford 6000CD radio, just go to the settings menu and enable Bluetooth in the appropriate subsection. In a Ford Focus 2 with a Ford 6000CD radio, after entering the menu, you need to press the right arrow once, and then press “select” 6 times. After this, an indicator should appear indicating whether Bluetooth is enabled or disabled.
Radio Ford 6000CD
- You can enable Bluetooth on the Priora by finding the corresponding section in the menu. After synchronization, the functionality will be available in full - calls using the car speakers (handsfree) and playing audio tracks.
Attention: some audio systems have a Bluetooth function, but to use it you need to buy a special adapter, and full functionality will be available only after installing and configuring additional equipment!
bluetooth adapter
Synchronization
The process of synchronizing with a new device on almost all radios is the same, and to complete it, you need to perform several steps:
- Bluetooth must be turned on on all devices.
- Conduct a search and find the equipment you need.
- Enter the pairing code on both devices (default is 0000).
- If everything is done correctly, the equipment is ready for use.
After pairing, the PIN code can be changed (up to 16 digits). To enter numbers on the audio system, MULTI-CONTROL is used - by rotating, the required combination of numbers is selected (using the Pioneer as an example).
How to connect a phone to a radio - questions from readers
And now I would like to answer the most popular questions from our readers about connecting a car radio to a phone!
How to connect a phone to the standard radio on a Lada Priora?
Unfortunately, the standard radio of the Lada Priora is not equipped with a Bluetooth connection function! Therefore, you won’t be able to connect to a smartphone through it, but you can use the two methods described above via USB and AUX!
Head unit Lada Priora
How to connect your phone to your Pioneer radio
In order to connect your phone to the Pioneer radio, you don’t need to open America! Use the three methods described above, and everything will work out for you!
How to connect your phone to a JVC radio
There are 3 ways to connect JVC car radios to your phone:
- Via USB cable
- Bluetooth connection
- and AUX
Problems connecting your phone to your car stereo
- The radio does not “see” the smartphone when connected via AUX. A headphone icon appears in the corner of the phone screen for a second and then disappears; sound is reproduced only through the speakers of portable equipment; music sounds both from the phone and from the radio speakers. In order to solve this problem you need to: download special applications, like SoundAbout, which make it possible to choose the “direction” of sound to the cable or headphones. You can also buy a 3.5 mm Jack double. One of its sockets connects to a smartphone, the second to an audio device. True, this will reduce the volume.
- The smartphone does not “see” the radio via Bluetooth. Bluetooth is turned on on both devices, but the phone cannot find the audio device. Most likely the problem is in the settings. One of the devices may be using an outdated Bluetooth protocol. In order to solve this problem you need to: Check the protocols. Explore the settings. Be sure to turn on the “Available to everyone” option. In some cases, updating the head unit firmware helps. An exotic option that can be used by owners of some JWC radios is to remove the terminal from the battery for 30 minutes, then connect it again.
- No USB contact . When connected via a USB port, nothing happens, or the smartphone is charging, but the radio does not “see” it. The problem is almost always a damaged cable or broken port. It is also possible that you have not enabled the Data Transfer function on your smartphone. Try a different cable. If everything is fine with it, go to the USB settings on your phone and check if the connection is allowed.
Bluetooth technology in the car
We live in times of digital technology and wireless communications. The mouse and keyboard on your PC no longer require a wired connection. Smartphones can also be easily connected to headphones or a wireless speaker via Bluetooth.
And automotive developments do not stand still. Nowadays, most modern cars have a Bluetooth interface, which means that you can easily pair your smartphone with the car and listen to music from your phone’s library on the car’s speakers.
Bluetooth pairing is the saving of data for communication between two devices. Two devices record data and a connection occurs. To share Bluetooth devices, you need to pair one device (in our case, a phone) with another device (in our case, a car). Bluetooth range is approximately 10-15 meters. If Bluetooth is turned on on your smartphone and car, and they were once paired, then while you are walking from your apartment to your car, the car and smartphone will connect again. Once you get into the car, you will no longer have to perform any operations. This happens because both devices leave in their memory the data necessary for subsequent quick connection. For convenience, you may need a car smartphone holder, which is usually attached to the windshield with a suction cup. Just insert your smartphone into the holder. Fix your smartphone in a position convenient for you and you are ready to go.
How to connect? Very simple. The main thing is that Bluetooth is turned on in the car’s equipment settings, and you need to search for Bluetooth equipment on your smartphone. From the list, select a device that is more similar in name to the car brand. There is a chance that when pairing, the smartphone will ask for a password, usually an easy password like “1234” or “0000”
Listening to music from your smartphone is far from the limit of possibilities. Most modern smartphones have a GPS or GLONAS module installed, and by installing the Yandex Navigator application, you can safely travel while listening to prompts through the acoustics.
If they call you on the phone, you don’t have to worry about picking up the phone and holding the steering wheel with one hand, thereby violating traffic rules. A smartphone paired with the car can easily receive hands-free calls through the car's speakers. Some car models have a call acceptance button, it is usually located on the steering wheel. But even if you don’t have such a button on your steering wheel, don’t despair, modern smartphones have voice control, so by saying a special phrase to your smartphone in the car interior, for example, “pick up,” you can easily answer the call. Also, using the voice assistant, you can easily control your phone without touching it.
If your car does not have a Bluetooth interface, but does have AUX, do not worry, all is not lost. There is a Bluetooth to AUX adapter. This adapter is designed to communicate via the Bluetooth protocol of a phone (or any other device) by transferring the audio signal through AUX. This little thing is inexpensive, but it will allow you to do everything described above (and more) with your smartphone and car.
Bottom line. Our world does not stand still, every day it develops more and more, many discoveries and inventions occur, and all this is for our convenience. You need to keep up with the times, then life will become easier and more interesting!
- Ten years of success. Report from
See all photo news >>
