What is MirrorLink?

Today, you can project your smartphone screen to almost any device - from your TV or laptop to your car's infotainment screen. Now, if you want to project your smartphone to your car's infotainment system, you must have a head unit that's compatible with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

However, you can also use MirrorLink to integrate your smartphone with your vehicle. But how does it work? Let's find out through the following article!

What is MirrorLink?

MirrorLink is a smartphone-to-car integration system that works similarly to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This means you can connect your smartphone to your car's infotainment screen using MirrorLink. Once your smartphone is integrated into the infotainment system, you can interact with apps through voice controls, dashboard buttons, steering wheel buttons or the touchscreen.

However, MirrorLink is an open source system that any car manufacturer or developer can customize - unlike Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. In fact, Nokia developed and introduced MirrorLink as the first smartphone-to-car integration system several years before the advent of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

MirrorLink policies are established by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), which also owns the platform.

What vehicles and smartphones are MirrorLink compatible?

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MirrorLink lists manufacturers whose cars are compatible with the platform, including Citreon, General Motors, DS Automobiles, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Skoda Auto, Suzuki and Volkswagen. When it comes to smartphones, it's worth noting that MirrorLink works on HTC, Huawei, LG, Samsung and Sony smartphones.

If your vehicle is not compatible with Mirrorlink, Android Auto or Apple Carplay and you want to connect a recent smartphone to your vehicle, you will need to install a compatible aftermarket head unit.

How to use Mirrorlink?

If you want to use MirrorLink, you'll need to install the app on your smartphone first - but if your phone isn't compatible it won't. Next, connect your smartphone to the infotainment system using a USB cable or Bluetooth.

Once your smartphone is integrated into your vehicle, you can access some of your apps on the infotainment screen. If you don't want to be distracted, you can control the apps with the steering wheel controls or voice commands.

Also, to avoid distracted driving, MirrorLink doesn't let you browse the Internet or stream video, but you can still use the touchscreen and dashboard buttons.

Also, MirrorLink only supports some apps. The MirrorLink website only lists a handful of apps, with none of the popular apps, like Spotify, supported natively. However, they are enough to make calls, listen to music, check the weather forecast, and navigate.

What are the limitations of MirrorLink?

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While MirrorLink was considered a game changer when it first launched in 2010, its popularity has been eclipsed by Google Assistant Driving Mode, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. It is also limited to older smartphones released in 2016 and 2017.

Unfortunately, the Car Connectivity Consortium will be shutting down MirrorLink after September 30, 2023. This means you will stop receiving updates on your MirrorLink app and it may stop working on your smartphone in the future.

Additionally, most automakers have turned to infotainment system design with Android Automotive, an enhanced version of Android Auto that's much more powerful than MirrorLink.

Can you use MirrorLink today?

On the surface, MirrorLink's best days are over - the app is no longer being updated and will be discontinued on September 30, 2023. Not to mention, the system is commonly found on older vehicles and smartphones, so it will slowly disappear with those vehicles and devices.

Also, you're better off upgrading your head unit to work with newer technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, if you want to integrate your car and smartphone.

Samuel Daniel

Update 24 July 2023