Can I connect my MacBook Pro to my car stereo?

[TanBrae]

I'd like to listen to my audiobooks from my MacBook's Book app. I think I should be able to connect my laptop to my car's stereo via the USB, but am not certain. And, do I need an audio cord?

MacBook Pro, running Ventura 13.4.1.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

You cannot connect through USB. If your car has an Aux audio input, you can use an audio cable from the MBP and connect it that way.

If you have an iDevice (iPhone, iPad), you should be able to listen to the audiobooks over Bluetooth, USB or audio cable.

 

[pm-r]

I'd like to listen to my audiobooks from my MacBook's Book app.

You haven't mentioned here what model of MacBook you have nor the radio make and model you have installed in your car.

You may want to stop by a local car audio place and see what they have available or try some Googling, like:
Add wireless connection to car radio

Getting Wi-Fi in Your Car Is Easier than You Might Think

Getting Wi-Fi in your car may be easier, and cheaper, than you ever thought possible. In fact, if you have a modern smartphone, you may already have it.

www.lifewire.com

Google Search

add bluetooth to car radio

Google Search

Good luck.



- Patrick
=======

 

[TanBrae]

You cannot connect through USB. If your car has an Aux audio input, you can use an audio cable from the MBP and connect it that way.

If you have an iDevice (iPhone, iPad), you should be able to listen to the audiobooks over Bluetooth, USB or audio cable.

Thanks! I'll give that a try. My iPad is old, and may not work. I refuse to buy an overly priced iPhone.

 

[TanBrae]

You haven't mentioned here what model of MacBook you have nor the radio make and model you have installed in your car.

You may want to stop by a local car audio place and see what they have available or try some Googling, like:
Add wireless connection to car radio

Getting Wi-Fi in Your Car Is Easier than You Might Think

Getting Wi-Fi in your car may be easier, and cheaper, than you ever thought possible. In fact, if you have a modern smartphone, you may already have it.

www.lifewire.com

Google Search

add bluetooth to car radio

Google Search

Good luck.



- Patrick
=======

Brand new MacBook Pro, running Ventura.
2015 Ford Expedition with factory radio. It has an Aux input, so I'm guessing what

Raz0rEdge suggested may work.​

 

[Slydude]

What kind of phone are you currently using? If it has sufficient free storage and Bluetooth connectivity/USB connectivity you may be able to use that method to play the files that you want to hear.

 

[pm-r]

Brand new MacBook Pro, running Ventura.
2015 Ford Expedition with factory radio. It has an Aux input, so I'm guessing what

@Raz0rEdge suggested may work.​

I'm not knocking the Aux input method which hopefully should work but I thought all such recent automobile audio and radios all had a wide variety of Wireless audio modes available to them, but I guess they also need some sort of compatible software to get it all working.

I recall an old Nissan Multi SUV we had had a Wireless transmission cartridge available that fitted in the tape slot and then you just turned the radio to a certain frequency so you could listen to what was being received from the device sending out the signal that was received by the cartridge receiver. That was back in the late '80s early '90s time but worked very well for what it was designed to do.

I would have thought more modern radios would have had a similar thing already built in.





- Patrick
=======

 

[Raz0rEdge]

My $0.02, you might want to think twice about taking your expensive laptop everywhere in your car and especially leaving it in there when you're gone. But hey, your money, your choice.

 

[TanBrae]

What kind of phone are you currently using? If it has sufficient free storage and Bluetooth connectivity/USB connectivity you may be able to use that method to play the files that you want to hear.

I have a Motorola G6. I probably CAN do it through that, but I don't want to. I need to be able to access my phone frequently.

 

[TanBrae]

I'm not knocking the Aux input method which hopefully should work but I thought all such recent automobile audio and radios all had a wide variety of Wireless audio modes available to them, but I guess they also need some sort of compatible software to get it all working.

I recall an old Nissan Multi SUV we had had a Wireless transmission cartridge available that fitted in the tape slot and then you just turned the radio to a certain frequency so you could listen to what was being received from the device sending out the signal that was received by the cartridge receiver. That was back in the late '80s early '90s time but worked very well for what it was designed to do.

I would have thought more modern radios would have had a similar thing already built in.





- Patrick
=======

My vehicle has bluetooth capabilities, I think. I know it has sync because I can use my phones hands free. It's got several ports, too, so I'll have to investigate.

I remember those cartridge devices! I never could afford one back then, but sure wish I had one!

 

[TanBrae]

My $0.02, you might want to think twice about taking your expensive laptop everywhere in your car and especially leaving it in there when you're gone. But hey, your money, your choice.

I take my laptop because I use it in our business. It does NOT stay in the vehicle most of the time, and if it does stay in there, it is most definitely out of site. Car has an alarm, and we usually travel with two fairly large dogs who do not like people messing about with our property. I appreciate the concern, though!

 

[pm-r]

Car has an alarm, and we usually travel with two fairly large dogs who do not like people messing about with our property.

Definitely one of the better types of anti-theft deterrents one can use and often send out a "don't even think about it" signal to any would-be thieves.




- Patrick
=======