ATOTO CarWave AD3 Car Smart Box

CarWave AD3 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.

Android Auto is a trademark of Google LLC.

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

2.1 What Comes in the Box

2.2 Product Appearance

①Type-C Port：

Connect to the port for wired Android Auto or wired CarPlay on the car stereo.

②LED Statues Light:

2.3 Before installation

Before installation, please make sure your vehicle or head unit is compatible with the AD3.

1. Compatibility Requirement:

The AD3 is compatible with vehicles whose OEM systems support wired CarPlay or wired Android Auto.

1. Power Supply Requirement

For stable operation, the AD3 requires a stable power supply of 5V/0.5A.

1. Control Requirement:

Your car stereo must also meet at least one of the following conditions:

①The stereo supports direct on-screen touch control.

②If it does not, the stereo must have a touchpad or remote control for navigation.

1. 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 Wiring Connection Instructions

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.

Method 1: Standard Connection

Use the appropriate USB cable (Included) to connect the AD3 to the car stereo based on your car's CarPlay/Android Auto port type:

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

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

Chapter 3 Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Setup

3.1 Compatibility

3.1.1 Phone

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

Wireless Android Auto is compatible with these Android versions:

1. Any phone with Android 11.0 and higher.

2. A Google or Samsung phone with Android 10.0.

3. A Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, or Note 8, with Android 9.0.

3.1.2 Car

Your vehicle must support wired CarPlay or wired Android Auto, as the AI Box operating

mode depends on the factory system.

Not compatible with:

❌ BMW Series,

❌ Most Subaru Models,

❌ Aftermarket head units,

❌ or OEM head units that support wireless CarPlay or wireless Android Auto only.

3.2 Wireless CarPlay

Step 1: Connect AD3 Plus

Plug the AD3 Plus into the USB-A or USB-C port on your car stereo that supports CarPlay using one of the included cables.

Step 2: Enable Bluetooth & Wi-Fi

Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your iPhone.

Make sure your phone is not connected to any other Bluetooth device or Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Pair the Device

Select “AD3PL-xxxx” from the Bluetooth device list on your iPhone.

Follow the pop-up prompts on both your iPhone and car stereo, and tap “Allow” when requested.

Step 4: Connection Successful

Once connected, the CarPlay interface will appear on the car stereo screen.

Exit CarPlay

Tap the on-screen exit icon to return to the main interface.

3.3 Wireless Android Auto

Step 1: Connect AD3 Plus

Plug the AD3 Plus into the USB-A or USB-C port on your car stereo that supports Android Auto using one of the included cables.

Step 2: Enable Bluetooth & Wi-Fi

Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your Android phone.

Ensure your phone is not connected to any other Bluetooth device or Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Pair the Device

Select “AD3 PL” from the Bluetooth device list.

When the pairing pop-ups appear, tap “Pair” and “Connect.”

Prompts may vary depending on the Android device—always allow connection requests.

Step 4: WLAN Direct Connection

Enable WLAN Direct in Wi-Fi settings and connect to the device named Smart Adapter-**** if prompted.

Step 5: Connection Successful

Once connected, the Android Auto interface will appear on the car stereo screen.

Exit Android Auto

Tap the on-screen exit icon to return to the main interface.

Important Notes (Applies to Both CarPlay & Android Auto)

• You only need to complete Steps 1–4 the first time you connect.
• After initial setup, the connection will occur automatically when you start the car (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must remain enabled).
• If AD3 Plus is deleted from your phone’s Bluetooth list, repeat the setup steps.
• AD3 Plus can connect to only one phone at a time.
• Do not manually select “AD3 PL” in the Wi-Fi list. Wi-Fi connects automatically after Bluetooth pairing. Manual selection may cause connection failure.
• Do not run phone mirroring apps while using wireless CarPlay/Android Auto mode.

Android Auto Troubleshooting (Wireless Connection Issues)

If wireless Android Auto fails to connect:

1. Clear Google Play Services cache/data

Go to:

Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > Storage

Tap “Manage Storage” > “Clear All Data” and “Clear Cache.”

1. Clear Android Auto cache/data

Go to:

Settings > Apps > Android Auto > Storage. Tap “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data.”

1. Enable Wireless Projection

Go to:

Settings > Apps > Android Auto > In-app notification settings

Scroll to the bottom and tap “Version” multiple times to access Developer Settings.

Enable “Add wireless projection to settings.”

After completing the steps above, try reconnecting to Wireless Android Auto.

Chapter 4 Online Update

4.1 For iPhone users:

Step 1: Power on the AD3 Plus.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the AD3 Plus WiFi network.

(Default password: 12345678).

Step 3: Open a web browser and enter 192.168.1.101 in the address bar.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap “Update” to upgrade the CarPlay function.

4.2 For Android users:

Step 1: Power on the AD3 Plus.

Step 2: Connect your phone to the AD3 Plus WiFi network.

(Default password: 12345678).

Step 3: Open a web browser and enter 192.168.1.101.

Scroll to the bottom and tap “Switch P2P”, then tap “OK.”

Step 4: Return to WiFi settings, enable WLAN Direct, and connect to the available device named Smart Adapter-*.

Step 5: Go back to the browser page and tap “Update.”

Notes:

●The indicator light will flash when the update reaches 70% and will return to normal after the update is completed successfully.

●On the same page, you can enter your vehicle brand, model, year, and other details, then tap “Submit” to report an issue. Our engineers will review your information and investigate possible solutions.

●Firmware updates are only required if you experience issues with the AD3 Plus. If the device is functioning normally, do not update the firmware.

Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

Important Note:

1. If you have checked the points described in this chapter and the problem persists, unplug the AD3 for 10 seconds and then plug it back in.
2. If the problem still occurs after following the suggestions, please contact Customer Service for further assistance.

1. General Issues

Issue 1: AD3 does not respond / does not power on / restarts randomly

Reason & Solution:

● Confirm wired CarPlay / Android Auto support

Make sure your original car head unit actually supports wired CarPlay or wired Android Auto.

AD3 cannot work with OEM systems that support wireless CarPlay / Android Auto only.

● Check the correct USB port

Ensure the AD3 is connected to the original USB port specifically used for wired CarPlay / Android Auto.

Some vehicles have multiple USB ports, but only one supports CarPlay/Android Auto data transmission.

● Verify vehicle compatibility

Confirm that your car model is compatible with AD3.

● Check cable connections

Ensure all cables are securely connected.

● Possible power cable issue

If the AD3 still does not power on, the supplied power cable may be defective.

Please contact your dealer or ATOTO official customer support to request a replacement cable.

Issue 2：AD3 loses power after being used for a while

Reason & Solution:

● Insufficient or unstable power supply: For stable operation, the AD3 requires a stable 5V/0.5A power supply.

● Overheating due to poor ventilation. Avoid placing AD3 in enclosed spaces like glove boxes or armrests.

Issue 3: AD3 disconnects and restarts when releasing the brake pedal at a stoplight

Reason:

● Vehicles with a Start-Stop system automatically turn off the engine at temporary stops. When the engine restarts, the battery may experience a brief voltage drop, causing AD3 to reset.

Solution:

● Confirm whether your vehicle has a Start-Stop system.

● If yes, try disabling the Start-Stop system.

● If the problem is resolved, check whether the Start-Stop function can be permanently or manually turned off.

2. CarPlay / Android Auto Connection Issues

Issue1: Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto cannot connect

Possible Cause: Phone Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is turned off, or AD3 Plus is already connected to another device

Solution: Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your phone, and disconnect AD3 Plus from any other devices.

Issue2: Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto does not reconnect automatically

Possible Cause: Phone Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is turned off, or AD3 Plus has been removed from the phone’s Bluetooth list

Solution: Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your phone, and re-pair AD3 Plus if it was removed from the Bluetooth list.

Chapter 6 Technical Specifications