Author: Today, a smartphone has become the "center of the world" for almost everyone - social networks, calls, photos, useful applications and, of course, music. Many people store their playlist on a gadget or use popular music services from Vkontakte, Yandex.Music, Spotify, Apple Music, etc. All this makes it possible to enjoy hits in the car by connecting the device to the built-in car audio system. But how to connect the phone to the radio?
👑Popular radio tape recorders👑
How do I connect my phone to the radio via Bluetooth?
But how to connect through the phone to the radio? The most famous and simplest way of connection: the phone communicates with the radio tape recorder via a wireless connection - the sounds from the gadget are output to the speakers of the audio system. Depending on the type of radio, it is also possible:
- turn on the speakerphone through the car speaker system;
- look at the display of the car radio data on the battery charge of the gadget, network level, calls.
As for the connection process itself, it is similar to connecting the device to wireless "ears" or speakers. It is important that the radio tape recorder is equipped with a bluetooth module. It is possible to find out both from the instructions for the device and on the manufacturer's website. Many radios have a Bluetooth icon in the panel area.
How to connect a phone to a radio tape recorder via bluetooth? The general linking algorithm is as follows:
- Activate the bluetooth receiver on the radio. To put it in BT-AUDIO mode, you need to press the Mode key.
- Now activate Bluetooth on the smartphone itself.
- Select your radio tape recorder from the list of devices available for linking.
- Tap on the name on the smartphone screen, and then confirm the connection on the radio: the Pair, Pairing line should appear. To enable pairing of devices, click on Yes.
- If the bundle is installed, the smartphone display will show “Connected” next to the name of the radio.
- To play songs, it is enough to use either the built-in player of the smartphone, or virtual music services, the browser of the device.
How to connect Android to the radio? Let's clarify that the instructions are suitable for both iPhone and Android.
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Connecting your phone to the radio via USB
Let's figure out how to connect your phone to a USB radio. As you may have guessed, with this connection, the device will act as a flash drive, a data storage device. The radio will play music in the internal storage or on the gadget's memory card.
There is one drawback of the method, but significant - not all radio tape recorders establish a direct connection via USB. For example, certain models for such a bundle require the installation of a special application.
How to connect an "android" to a radio tape recorder via USB? Before connecting by cable, pay attention to the following recommendations:
- For iPhones, the connection isn't good - most car radios don't recognize the iPhone as a storage device. The exception is some models from Alpine, Kenwood, BOSS, JVC, Pioneer. The instructions say that the audio system supports a USB connection with an iPhone.
- To connect the "android" to the radio, you will need a USB - Micro USB or USB - USB Type-C cable (for the latest Android models). It is best to take the one that comes with the gadget - it is designed both for charging and for transferring digital data. If you buy the cable separately, make sure that it is not "sharpened" for only one charge.
- Read the instructions for the radio - it must be equipped with a USB port.If the audio system is built in, you will find it in the armrest or glove compartment.
- You can only listen to music from the internal / external memory of the phone. There will be no access to songs from the browser, applications, music services.
- You will "kill two birds with one stone" - you will listen to songs and charge the device.
- Such a connection is suitable not only for smartphones, but even for push-button phones.
Read also: The best microphones for your phone
How to connect the radio to the phone via USB? The bundling algorithm is as follows:
- Connect the cord first to the phone and then to the radio.
- The gadget can "specify" which connection mode to choose. Need "File Transfer".
- Check that the radio has switched to USB mode by itself. If it doesn't, translate it manually.
- It will take time for the audio system to recognize and read the sound files in the smartphone's memory.
- After that, the list of songs will appear on the radio display - you can only control the music from there.
How to connect a phone to a radio tape recorder via AUX?
The next life hack for a simple connection. Unlike wireless, it is suitable for old-fashioned radio tape recorders - even "ancient" devices are equipped with an AUX output. As far as phones are concerned, many models have a standard 3.5mm audio output. If it is not there (as in the latest iPhones), then the corresponding adapter is included with the gadget.
The first task is to find a standard 3.5 mm port on the radio. If the equipment is standard, it is located in the glove compartments, armrests or other "pockets".
Read also: Rating of the best wireless headphones from Aliexpress
The second task is to purchase a cord through which the phone is connected to the radio. Requires a model with two identical 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm jack plugs. These cables can be found in the electronics, radio, or digital department at an affordable price.
How to connect the phone to the radio in the car using a similar method? The connection itself is performed according to a simple guide:
- One plug goes to the AUX port on the radio and the other to the audio output of the phone.
- Transfer the audio system to AUX mode.
- Play a song on your phone - in your audio player, app, or browser.
- Manage tracks from your smartphone.
This instruction is applicable more for Android and Apple earlier models - with 3.5 mm ports. If you did not find the required adapter in the smartphone box for the new iPhone, then look in the Internet markets for the AUX connection with the Lightning cable - 3.5 mm jack.
Read also: Rating of the best TWS headphones
Connecting to a radio tape recorder via a radio transmitter
An FM transmitter is a handy device that can receive audio from a smartphone via bluetooth or AUX and transmit it to a car radio via an FM tuner. Thus, you need to tune the car player to the frequency at which the transmitter works, and enjoy the tracks from your phone. The method is good for old radio tape recorders that only catch radio, "see" only cassettes or CDs.
Important characteristics of FM transmitters:
- Some models can not only transmit music via radio frequencies, but also read SD cards and USB flash drives, act as devices for remote communication.
- The power supply of such devices is from a cigarette lighter or USB port.
- Suitable for working with radios without bluetooth module and AUX.
- There may be poor audio quality or sound interference.
Read also: Rating of the best headphones for the phone
How do I connect my phone to the head unit? The instructions for connecting via an FM transmitter looks like this:
- Connect the transmitter to a power source.
- Connect the phone to the FM device either wirelessly or with a special cable that plugs into the 3.5mm port.
- Tune the radio tape recorder to the FM on which the transmitter works.
- Control playback either through your smartphone or through the transmitter itself.
Connecting a phone to a radio tape recorder via a bluetooth transmitter
This instruction for wireless communication with a phone is for owners of radio tape recorders who do not have their own Bluetooth module.Therefore, for the bundle you will need:
- smartphone that supports Bluetooth technology;
- Bluetooth receiver or Bluetooth transmitter;
- car radio with AUX port.
You can buy both a transmitter and a receiver - both will work. The only differences between them are as follows:
- Receivers only receive audio over wireless channels and transmit it further.
- Transmitters function in two options: receiving sound from a gadget via - transmitting it to a radio tape recorder, headphones or speakers, receiving sound via a cord - transmitting it to a smartphone.
How to connect a smartphone to a radio tape recorder? In a situation with a radio tape recorder, they act in several steps:
- Connect the wireless transmitter / receiver to the USB port of the audio system or to the dedicated port to charge the device.
- Connect the transmitter / receiver to the radio with a cable, plugging it into a standard 3.5 mm AUX port.
- In the case of a transmitter, put it in receiver mode, and then (if necessary) in AUX.
- Most receiver / transmitter models will then automatically turn on. Others need to be turned on with a button.
- Activate Bluetooth mode on the receiver / transmitter.
- How to connect a phone to a bluetooth radio tape recorder? Activate "bluetooth" on the gadget - the receiver / transmitter should appear in the list of available devices.
- Switch the radio to AUX mode.
- Play a track on your smartphone - both on the built-in player and in any of the music apps.
What if the microphone of the headphones on the laptop does not work? There are several ways to solve problems with a microphone from wireless equipment. Most often, in the "Settings" section "Bluetooth and others" next to the name of the headset, only the inscription "Connected music" or the sign "Disconnected", "Interrupted connection" pops up. In such cases, proceed as follows:
- In the "Bluetooth and others" section, remove the headphones.
- Reboot the computer.
- They turn on the bluetooth modules on the computer, and then on the headset - connect the devices.
- If in the “Recording” tab the status “Disabled” is still near the “Headset”, activate it by right-clicking and selecting “Enable”.
- If the message "Connection interrupted" appears, click on the name of the PCM microphone, select "Connect" in the menu that appears.
Read also: The best headphones for your computer
Connecting to a radio tape recorder via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
This bundle is the most comfortable, lightweight and modern for today. But it is important that the car itself, the audio system itself, support it. Then you can work with maps, instant messengers, a calendar on the display of the car radio, listen not only to songs, but also podcasts, audiobooks, and use a voice assistant.
Today, the connection is supported by the latest models of radio tape recorders from:
- ALPINE;
- Pioneer;
- SONY;
- Kenwood;
- Gazer;
- JVC.
Read also: Rating of the best headphones under $ 100
As for the car, support for connecting with modern smartphones began to appear in 2016. Today there are over 500 models:
- Audi
- Toyota
- Citroen
- Skoda
- Subaru
- Nissan
- BMW;
- Ford
- Hyundai
- Chevrolet
- Mazda
- Mitsubishi, etc.
As for phones, the connection is supported by the following models:
- iPhone: From iPhone 5.
- Android: from version 5. How to connect a phone to an "android" -magneto? Prior to Android 9, the installation of a special program is required - Android Auto. As of Android 10, this app is already built in.
The connection guide is the easiest - connect the gadget to the radio tape recorder using a USB cable. The device will configure itself - you can control the music both on the gadget and on the car radio.
