ATOTO AD 1 Wireless CarPlay Adapter

CarWave AD1 Series Operation Manual

Preface

Thank you for choosing ATOTO

As an innovative brand with a decade of dedicated expertise in automotive electronics, ATOTO upholds the core philosophy of "Different. Better. Trusted". We seamlessly integrate professional audio-visual technology and user-friendly interactive features to elevate every journey with refreshing experiences.

Copyright Statement

The copyright and related intellectual property rights of ATOTO brand CarWave Wireless Car Smart Box product manuals (including electronic and printed versions) are exclusively owned by ATOTO. Without explicit written authorization from ATOTO, no organization or individual may use the content in any form (including but not limited to copying, distributing, adapting, translating, mirroring, or reposting) for commercial purposes or provide it to third parties.

Permitted Use Scope:

These manuals are provided exclusively for reference by users who have purchased genuine ATOTO CarWave Wireless Car Smart Box products. Users may view, store, or print the content for personal and reasonable needs, but must not remove or alter copyright notices, statements, or product information. The content shall not be used for technical support, promotion, training, or third-party service scenarios involving non-ATOTO products.

Liability Statement:

ATOTO reserves the right to pursue legal action against any party for legal disputes, financial losses, or damage to brand reputation caused by unauthorized use, reproduction, modification of the manual content, or infringement of ATOTO's copyright. For cooperation authorization, content citation, or technical inquiries, please contact ATOTO through official channels (Customer Service Email: Email: support@atotoglobal.com).

FCC Compliance Statement:

The FCC Compliance Statement is an official declaration by ATOTO to users indicating that the product complies with the radio frequency interference and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The specific statement is as follows:

This device strictly complies with all provisions of Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1.This device must not cause harmful interference;

2.This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Contact ATOTO Customer Support

If you encounter any issues during installation or use, our support team is ready to assist.

Email: support@atotoglobal.com

Chapter 1 Important Information

1.  About this Manual

To ensure proper use of your CarWave Wireless Car Smart Box, please read this user manual carefully and fully understand its contents before operation.

Friendly Reminder:

1) The screenshot images provided in this manual may be different from what’s displayed on the current system.

2) ATOTO may release new system updates, which may include changes made or newly added functions that are not mentioned here.

3) Additional Assistance

This manual may not cover all possible questions or scenarios. If you encounter any issues or have questions that are not addressed here, please contact ATOTO Customer Support for further assistance.

2.  Operation Warnings

1. Place the box on a flat and stable surface. Avoid positioning it where it may fall or obstruct driving visibility.
2. Ensure proper ventilation. Do not place the box in enclosed spaces such as glove compartments or armrests. Proper airflow helps prevent overheating.
3. Do not disassemble, pierce, or short-circuit the device. Any unauthorized modification may result in damage or fire hazards.
4. Keep the device away from liquids. Avoid contact with water or other fluids to prevent short circuits and corrosion.
5. Do not operate the box with wet hands. Using the device with wet or sweaty fingers may cause moisture to enter the unit, leading to malfunction or electric damage.
6. If you notice smoke, odor, or excessive heat during use, immediately disconnect the USB cable and contact customer support.

3.  Important Notice

·Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc.

· iPhone® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

· Use of the Apple CarPlay logo means that this user interface meets Apple performance standards.

· Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

· ATOTO are not affiliated with Apple Inc.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by ATOTO are under license.Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Chapter 2 Product Overview

AD 1 is a wireless CarPlay adapter with HDMI-In support. It enables seamless wireless connection between your smartphone and car infotainment system, while the HDMI-In allows connection of external video sources to expand your in-car entertainment.

2.1 What Comes in the Box

2.2 Product Appearance

2.3 Before installation

Before installation, please make sure your vehicle is compatible with the AD1.

1. Car compatibility Requirement:

Your vehicle's OEM system must support wired CarPlay

1. Car compatibility Limitation:

❌ Not compatible with:
BMW vehicles
Most Subaru vehicles
Vehicle’s systems that support wireless CarPlay or wireless Android 

Auto only

⚠ Aftermarket head units:
Compatibility may vary. Some aftermarket head units may work if their CarPlay/Android Auto interface follows Apple’s or Google’s official

specifications and hardware requirements.

2.4 Installation Process

Before starting the installation, please read the instructions carefully and follow each step as described.

Important Notice:

If you are unable to complete the installation successfully after following the instructions in this chapter, please contact ATOTO Customer Support immediately. Our support team will provide personalized assistance, including a step-by-step installation guidance video, to help you complete the setup correctly.

2.4.1 Connection Instructions

1. Use the appropriate USB cable to connect the AD1 to the car stereo based on your car's CarPlay port type:

USB-A port: Use a USB-A to USB-C cable.

USB-C port: Use a USB-C to USB-C cable.

1. After connection, the vehicle’s head unit screen will typically display the factory system menu automatically.

Select CarPlay or HDMI to start using.

Chapter 3 Wireless CarPlay

Phone Compatibility: Wireless CarPlay is available on iPhone 5 and later models with iOS 9.0 and higher.

1) Select CarPlay

Note: The device name shown on the screen may vary depending on your car model or system, but it always refers to the AD 1.

2)  Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Your Phone

Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your phone and ensure the AD 1 is powered on and ready to pair.

Search for the device name in the Bluetooth list and pair it; Wi-Fi will connect automatically.

3) Once connected, the CarPlay interface will automatically switch on and display on the car stereo.

Chapter 4 HDMI Input

HDMI Device Compatibility:

Common HDMI devices should support HDMI 1.4 or older.

1)  Use an HDMI cable to connect the AD 1 to an external device (e.g., game console, TV box, DVD/Blu-ray player).

⚠️ Note: The HDMI cable is not included in the package. Please use a suitable cable.

2)  On the vehicle’s head unit main interface, select HDMI to display the external device’s video.

Tips: Make sure the external device is powered on and outputting a signal; otherwise, no video will appear.

Chapter 5 Online Update

The AD 1 supports online system updates. ATOTO regularly provides update plugins to ensure users enjoy the latest features and improvements.

Supported Devices:

•  iPhone
•  Android phone

How to Update:

1)  Connect the AD 1 to your car and ensure a stable network connection.

2)  Open the update tool or follow on-screen instructions on the head unit to perform the system upgrade.

Tips:

Keep the AD 1 and your phone/car unit powered during the update to prevent interruption.

After the update, the device will automatically restart and apply the latest system.

⚠️Note:

The AD 1 does not support Android Auto, but you can still use an Android phone to perform system updates.

5.1 iOS Phones

1) Turn on Wi-Fi on your mobile phone and connect to the AD1's Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi password is 88888888.

2) Open your browser and enter the address <192.168.1.101>.

3) Tap “Update” to complete the upgrade.

5.2 Android Phones

1) Turn on Wi-Fi on your mobile phone and connect to AD1's Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi password is 88888888.

2) Open your browser and enter the address <192.168.1.101>.

3) Tap “Switch P2P”, and set P2P.

4) On your phone, tap Settings > WLAN > WLAN Direct, then tap the device name to connect.

5) Return to the browser and tap “Update” to complete the upgrade.

⚠️ Note:

The upgrade is expected to take about 8–10 minutes, but please follow the on-screen prompts for exact timing.

During the update, the device indicator light will flash rapidly.

Once the indicator light stops flashing, the update has been completed successfully.

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

6.1Why Can't I Use CarPlay?

Issue Description: Can’t connect to CarPlay

Solution:

1. Check whether the vehicle’s original head unit supports wired CarPlay, not just wireless CarPlay or Android Auto.

2. Check whether the USB data cable or port is faulty.

3.  Check whether your phone’s operating system version supports CarPlay.

6.2 Why Does My CarPlay Connection Keep Dropping?

Issue Description: It was working fine, but the connection became unstable and eventually disconnected

Solution:

1. Check your phone connection.

2. Make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your phone are still turned on.

3. Ensure there is no interference or shielding in the wireless environment around the vehicle.

4.  Restart the AD 1 or your phone and try connecting again.

6.3 Why Is There No Display When the HDMI Device Is Connected?

Issue Description: After connecting the HDMI device, nothing is displayed on the screen

Solution:

1. Check whether the HDMI cable is intact and the connector is secure.

2. Confirm that the external device’s resolution is compatible with the car display.

3. HDMI input not displaying may also be due to the car system settings. Try switching to the corresponding video input source in the car’s main menu (if available).