Upgrade to Wireless Android Auto in Your Ford Bronco Sport: Motorola MA1 Review

Enjoy Wireless Android Auto Despite wireless Android Auto having been available on inexpensive entry-level cars like the Hyundai Elantra now for years, new models continue to come out that require a cord to make it work. One of these is the Ford Bronco Sport. Of course, Ford has wireless Android Auto systems. It has for years. The company just didn’t put that system in the Bronco Sport, which was released as a 2021 model-year vehicle. If you’re still listening to ads, news, and weather on your AM radio, this may not be your story. But if you understand the value that Android Auto offers, read on.

Benefits of Wireless Android Auto The primary reason to adapt a wired Android Auto system to wireless is to enable a driver to hop in a vehicle and drop one’s phone into the wireless charging tray. The Bronco Sport has the perfect setup for this. By doing this, you save the bother of plugging in your phone, the hassles of replacing your cable when Android Auto decides it no longer likes that cable, and you don’t have to have a cable-penetrated phone goofing up your center console area.

Another reason for avoiding a wired connection is the inconvenience when making multiple stops. Plugging in for an extended drive isn’t much of a problem, but if you’re in and out of your vehicle frequently, it can become a hassle, especially when you know it’s not necessary with many other vehicles.

Testing a Wireless Android Auto Setup Looking online at reviews of wireless Android Auto dongles, you’ll find that many of them have two main problems:

1. They fail to auto-start when you get in or take a long time to auto-start.
2. They disconnect for no apparent reason from time to time.

The Motorola MA1 – Easy Setup To set up the Motorola MA1, begin with your phone already connected to the vehicle with your cable (which you won’t need again after this process is completed). You need to be running Android Auto while wired. This is a simple first step but an important one.

Next, unplug the phone and then plug in your MA1 to the same USB port, conveniently located in the center dash lower cubby of the Bronco Sport. When the LED light on the MA1 flashes blue, pair your phone with the MA1 in your phone’s Bluetooth settings, just like any other Bluetooth device. The setup takes about 2 minutes in total, and it should work seamlessly.

Operating the Motorola MA1 The MA1 will start Android Auto wirelessly automatically every time you start the vehicle with your phone inside. After using the MA1 for weeks, it has consistently started Android Auto without issues. A small piece of Velcro can be used to secure the MA1 to the top of the cubby hole, keeping it out of the way.

No Connectivity Issues The MA1 has not disconnected during our weeks of testing, and Android Auto works as if it were connected via cable. The device doesn’t overheat, nor does the phone get unusually hot. The battery does not drain; in fact, the phone gains charge when placed in the charging tray. Additionally, the MA1 doesn’t appear to create any energy drain when the Bronco Sport is off.

Price and Availability The Motorola MA1 is available on Amazon for $69.99, with possible lower costs on sale days or other retailers. On the Motorola site, the MA1 is priced at $89.99.

Conclusion: Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto Dongle If your car has wired Android Auto, and you wish to upgrade to wireless, the Motorola MA1 is a perfect solution. It offers seamless functionality without connectivity issues, allowing you to ditch the cord for good. This review is not sponsored; the author purchased the product independently.

About the Author John Goreham is an experienced member of the New England Motor Press Association and a skilled vehicle tester. John holds an engineering degree with a focus on electric vehicles and has two decades of experience in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain. He is known for providing unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics and has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. You can follow John on Twitter and connect with him on LinkedIn.