Carlinkit Tbox Plus Android 13.0 CarPlay Box, 8GB+128GB AI Box Adapter

Purchased this for use in my 2023 Bolt EUV, which will be used when I'm stuck at a DCFC, so I can watch YouTube videos, or content from my Plex server. Seems to work perfectly, so far. I did have issues initially getting it connected to a WiFi network -- After a power cycle, that issue went away, and everything started working as expected. It shows up as a Car Play device, and is completely controlled via the vehicle's touch screen. It seems to support both GLONASS and GPS, and Google Maps had no issues locking onto my location. I also had no issues adding my Google account to the device, and had no issues using Google's Play Store to download apps. Video playback from both YouTube and my Plex server had no issues -- sound appeared to be in sync with the video, and seemed to be nice and crisp/clear. The UI and app load times are reasonably speedy, too. The device is very pricy, but it is what's needed in order to get functionality Google should have been allowing via Android Auto all along -- there's NO reason to block me from watching videos while I'm stuck in park at a DCFC, especially when my car tops out at 54kW, and so this is a price I'm reluctantly willing to pay. :)

Update: After installing a recommended OTA firmware update the device now only recognizes my ATT 4G SIM card about 20% of the time. I have to unplug and reboot the device 5-6 times every time I get in the car until finally the cellular modem is recognized and the SIM card works. Some reading online suggests that this may be a race condition on startup causing Android to boot up before the modem has time to initialize. Toggling airplane mode does not help. Down to 1 star since this is much less useful without an internet connection. The product images suggest that you can download apps from the Google play store and the device does come with a version of the Google play store installed. However you can’t download anything from the Google play store without signing into your Google ID which this device cannot do. Tapping sign in with an Internet connection immediately shows servers cannot be reached error messages. After doing some digging it turns out this device does not have a Google Services framework ID and is not officially recognized by Google so you can’t actually download anything from Google play store. Yes, you can side load certain APK files however not every app is available in that format. furthermore, APK Pure - the unofficial App Store also preinstalled on this device - hosts app images that are not verified as being secure. So while in theory you could download other apps, like Apple Music for example, putting your username and password into an unverified app is really asking for trouble.

Device works great for its intended purpose. My only real frustration is that I purchased a SIM card and plan for this device and it only seems to be recognized about 40% of the time. When it recognizes the SIM, again, works great, but I find that I need to power cycle it several times be lifted the SIM is even detected. I’ve even replaced the SIM a couple times to rule this out. It’s the hardware. Curious if this is a one off situation or would still be an issue if I replaced it. UPDATE: I returned the one that was giving me issues and got another one and the SIM is now working 100% of the time. I’m very happy with the final product and will increase my rating from 3 to 4 stars as there are a few minor improvements I think could still be made.

I haven’t explored everything this device can do, having just received it today, but I can report that it definitely delivers on its marquee claim: Netflix in the car. I have a 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, which is still using wired Apple CarPlay. As it turns out, in this case, that’s an advantage. I plugged this in using the same coiled USB-C->A cable I use for my iPhone 16 Pro. It started right up. Screen dimension adjustment required a reboot, and that took all of 20 seconds. After a few minutes inputting credentials for my car WiFi, and Netflix, I was watching movies. Audio was good and appeared synced. I also set some of my Google credentials and accessed other apps, including YouTube, which worked great. Everything worked as advertised. All this was done sitting in my garage. I have not tried interacting with the system while driving. The downside, of course, is bye-bye CarPlay. I like CarPlay, especially for its navigation sync between my Apple Watch and the car. And of course, there’s Messages and the integration of calendars, navigation, reminders, etc. So, it may be that this is a limited use item when we’re stationary or otherwise don’t need to worry about navigation. We’ll see. But, it delivers. 5 stars.

This item starting off is very expensive. There are much cheaper options that may be more limited yet a better value. Starting off, the product connects very well and makes a stable connection. It also syncs easily with both of my phones, a samsung and a motorola. The product features flexibility of a full android tablet on the dash. But that however is where its shortcomings are exposed and where the better alternative lies. The problem is that a tablet stuck in one position is not better than an actual tablet mounted in the vehicle and using the same wifi from your phone as this device. Plus a tablet can be passed around the vehicle and obviously used outside the vehicle. This comparison brings me to the problems with this product. In comparing it to an actual tablet setup, the low processing power is exposed. The lag is slight but it is noticeable. My vehicle has touchpad on the center console to control the display and the cursor lag and input button lag was just enough to be be noticeable. The speed of loading apps was the equivalent of a mid grade smartphone. And the last two items I want to point out were the dealbreakers. Audio quality and video replay resolution. Youtube was mid to okay. But live streaming cannot on this device could not compare to the video quality of a tablet or ipad. When my audio quality was better with my phone wire connected for Apple Carplay, I was sure this device needed to be returned. To be sure, this is a neat device with reliable connection and functionality for those with no other option. But it is not refined enough to justify the price. Better off with an ipad or Foldable phone mounted on the dash.

I got this September 4, 2025. It’s November 30, 2025. For a month now, this piece of crap has been crashing/powering itself off/freezing multiple times every time I turn my car on. Absolutely terrible connectivity! I have a 30-45 minute commute depending on the day. This thing is functional maybe 5-10 minutes of that drive. I’ve also tried multiple times to update it only for the update screen to say “update not currently available. please try again later”. Well, I try later and get the same thing. Every single time. Absolute piece of crap and waste of $190. Save your money folks. This is no better than the $20 CarPlay adapters.

Does exactly what I need, now the question is that is this wired or not because for an electric car it seems unnecessary. Is there a wireless version? Product is good, instructions not helpful but YouTube will work. Quality is based on your monitor, but hertz is combination—this does great. No buffer and am considering getting the mega coverage sim for it. It’s pricy and I have found it cheaper elsewhere and might return because of that. Happy with product.

Man, I wanted this to work the way it's advertised. Unfortunately it didn't. I have car stereo installation background and I like to think I am pretty good with most infotainment systems as well. This Carlinkit Tbox got me all twisted. I worked for over 5 hours over a 2 days period trying to get all the glitches out of the product. I sought AI help from Google assistant and ChatGPT and even reached out to customer service (which took 24 hours to get the worst advice of all). I tried every configuration possible. Performed a Google update because the Tbox demanded it and that shut down the Google assistant. Uninstalled it at the suggestion of Google AI and that shut down making calls. I literally tried every possible option from every possible angle and it still did not work properly. I am now returning it to regain my sanity. Purchase at your own demise : )

This adapter is slim and looks like any Carplay adapter. However it got a stand-alone Android system and inside the system it can connect to my android phone while it's connected to an carplay system. This mean for cars with Carplay compatibility Android phones can take advantage of the display as well. It is a full fledged Android system that you can connect to WiFi, Bluetooth and use app store to download apps. Nice there is a 4g card slot for internet if you need internet on the go. The con is that there is a lack of physical button to switch phones, especially you got two person both with phones in the car. There is a pin hole to switch Carplay and Android auto system but who carries a pin? And no pin was provided in the box. It only connects to car displays. I tried to connect to a computer but that does not work. Really there is missed potential here that this cannot be used on other kinds of displays.

I was sent a defective item- a damaged one - I returned it and asked for a new item - however, the supplier has sent me a totally inferior product - thereafter, I returned the product and claimed refund - now I got refund - I don't suggest you to deal with the supplier or this product

I got this for a family member and they are very happy with it. It connects to a carplay compatible system (but nothing else) and connects to an android phone. The buffering is good on the videos, I'm told, and overall it's quite easy to use for those with a mind for such things (some, like me and my wife, might be a bit baffled by it). For that huge price, though, I do wonder at how pigeon-holed the manufacturer has made this item, when additional software might have made it usable in a variety of other environments, like with a laptop, perhaps.