Twelve South has introduced Airfly Drive, a compact adapter that upgrades a car’s existing wired CarPlay or Android Auto to a fully wireless connection. Plug it into the car’s USB port, pair up to two phones once, and CarPlay or Android Auto starts automatically every time the car does, with the phone still in the cup holder, a pocket, or a bag. The cable is free for charging when it is needed, rather than required every time.
Millions of drivers own a car with CarPlay or Android Auto built in but no wireless option, either because the car predates it or because the wireless upgrade was part of a package they did not buy. Airfly Drive closes that gap for £39.99. It works with the screen, buttons, knobs, and steering-wheel controls the driver already knows.
The idea is not new for Twelve South. Airfly was built for one narrow problem: wireless headphones and the wired headphone jacks still bolted into airplane seatbacks, gym treadmills, and older cars. Airfly Drive applies the same thinking to a car. Same problem, same fix: a small adapter ends the plugging in and unplugging that bookends every drive.
Plug it in. Leave it in.
Airfly Drive requires no app, account, or configuration. It draws power from the car’s USB port, so nothing needs to be charged. Pairing happens once. After that, the adapter reconnects automatically on ignition, typically within seconds of starting the car.
A single button switches between two paired phones without re-pairing, so two drivers can share one car. An aluminum housing keeps the adapter small enough to leave plugged in, replacing the cable that would otherwise run across the console.
Hire Cars, Too
A hire car is whatever the counter hands you: someone else’s settings, a cable in the console, and no way to change either. Airfly Drive is small enough to travel in a bag, and it makes a hire car behave like the car at home. Plug it into the car’s USB port, pair once, and CarPlay or Android Auto comes up wirelessly for the rest of the trip.
Which Cars It Works In
Airfly Drive works with most vehicles that have factory-wired CarPlay or Android Auto, across more than 75 makes and model years back to 2014. It fits both USB-A and USB-C ports, and the box includes a USB-A to USB-C adapter.
You can find a searchable vehicle compatibility list at twelvesouth.com. Airfly Drive receives compatibility updates over time as new phones and vehicle software ship. It is not compatible with AUX-only vehicles; Airfly serves those drivers.
Key Features
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Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the car’s built-in display.
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Plug-and-play setup with no app, account, or charging required.
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Fast automatic reconnection every time the car starts.
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One-press switching between two paired phones.
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Compact aluminium housing designed to stay plugged in.
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USB-A and USB-C support, with a USB-A to USB-C adapter included.
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Works with the car’s existing display, buttons, and steering-wheel controls.
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Ongoing compatibility updates.
Pricing and Availability
Airfly Drive is available beginning October 1, 2026 from Twelve South, in Black and White for £39.99. It will also launch on Amazon next week.
