ZKQ 9 Inch Wireless CarPlay Screen

Updated October 22, 2026. Based on the Amazon listing and owner reviews, not a hands-on test.

Quick verdict: The ZKQ 9" Wireless CarPlay Screen fits drivers with an older car that has no CarPlay or Android Auto and who don't want to replace the factory radio. It plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, mounts on the dash, and comes with a backup camera, so it adds a lot to an older car. The catch is audio: like most portable screens, it relies on Bluetooth, FM, or AUX to reach your car speakers, and how well that works depends on your car.

Who should buy it (and who should skip it)

Good fit if you

• Drive an older car, truck, or van with no built-in CarPlay or Android Auto and want maps, music, and calls on a bigger screen.
• Want to keep the original car radio and skip cutting into the dash or removing the center console.
• Would like a backup camera but don't want to pay for a professional head unit install.

Skip it if you

• Already have factory CarPlay or Android Auto. A wireless adapter dongle costs less and keeps everything on your existing screen.
• Want the cleanest possible look. Visible power and camera cables come with any dash-top screen.
• Have a car with no Bluetooth audio, no AUX input, and a crowded FM band, since getting good sound through the car speakers will be harder.
• Need a dedicated dash cam with loop recording and parking mode. The listing does not describe this unit as a full dash cam.

Key specs at a glance

What it does well

Adds CarPlay and Android Auto without touching the dash

This screen's main selling point is that it skips a stereo replacement. According to the listing, it powers from the cigarette lighter socket, mounts on the dashboard with one of two included brackets, and leaves the original car radio in place. You don't need wiring harnesses, dash kits, or an installer.

It works with both iPhone and Android, which helps households that use both. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto mean you don't have to plug your phone in every trip.

A larger, tablet-style display

At 9 inches, the screen is bigger than many factory displays in older cars, so map turns and song info are easier to read at a glance. The listing gives a 1280 x 720 IPS panel rated at 550 cd/m² brightness and a 1000:1 contrast ratio.

Backup camera in the box

A rear camera comes included, and the listing says its 7-meter cable is long enough for sedans, trucks, vans, and pickups.

Navigation and voice control through your phone

Navigation comes from your phone, so you use the apps you already know, such as Google Maps and Waze, with live traffic. The listing is clear that a phone connection is required for navigation, which means the screen has no standalone GPS maps. A built-in microphone handles Siri or Google Assistant voice commands and hands-free calls.

Firmware updates over the air

Phone operating systems change often, and cheap CarPlay screens can lose compatibility after an iOS or Android update. The listing says this unit gets OTA firmware updates, which should help it keep up. The spec sheet lists the update support end date as "unknown," so don't assume updates will keep coming for a fixed number of years.

Feedback from owners

The product has a moderate number of reviews and an overall positive score, and it ranks well in its Amazon subcategory. The sample of ratings we pulled was mostly five-star, with one three-star rating. The review text itself wasn't available in our data, so we can't tell you which features owners praise most. Read recent reviews on the listing before you buy.

Common complaints and limitations

We couldn't see the text of the lower-star reviews, so the points below come from the specs and from issues common to portable CarPlay screens, not from complaints quoted from this listing.

• Audio routing is the weak link. The listing itself recommends connecting the screen to your car's Bluetooth for the best sound. If your car has no Bluetooth audio, you're left with AUX, FM transmission (which can pick up static in cities with crowded stations), or the small built-in speaker.
• Visible cables. The power cord to the lighter socket and the rear camera cable will be visible unless you take time to tuck them along trim panels.
• It takes your lighter socket. If you also charge a phone or run a dash cam from the same socket, you may need a splitter.
• Suction mounts can loosen. Suction cups can slip in strong heat or cold. The included adhesive bracket is more secure but harder to move later.
• Unclear camera specs. The listing says the backup camera "records your entire driving journey" but gives no camera resolution, storage, or loop-recording details. Treat it as a reverse camera and don't count on it as a dash cam.
• Confusing listing wording. One bullet calls it a "double-DIN car stereo," but the rest of the listing describes a portable dash-mounted screen that keeps your original radio. Based on the included parts, it is a portable unit, not an in-dash replacement.

Setup and everyday use

Mounting the screen

Before you stick anything down, sit in the driver's seat and choose a spot that doesn't block your view of the road or any airbag panel. Clean the dash or windshield with alcohol and let it dry before applying the suction cup or adhesive bracket. Adhesive mounts usually hold best if you wait several hours before hanging weight on them, so do this the night before a drive if you can.

Running the backup camera cable

The 7-meter cable has to reach from the rear of the vehicle to the dash. Most people route it under the headliner and down a pillar, or along the door sills under the trim. Some reverse camera kits can also be wired to the reverse lights so the view comes up automatically when you shift into reverse. The listing doesn't explain how this unit triggers the camera view, so check the manual before you start wiring.

Pairing and audio

• Pair your phone to the screen first, following the manual's steps for wireless CarPlay or Android Auto.
• Next, choose the audio path. The listing recommends Bluetooth to the car's stereo. If you use FM, find an empty frequency in your area and set both the screen and the car radio to it.
• If your car has an AUX jack, a wired AUX connection usually sounds cleaner than FM.

Daily care

Heat is hard on LCDs and suction mounts, so avoid leaving the screen in direct sun for hours. Install firmware updates while parked.

How it compares

Versus replacing the head unit: An in-dash CarPlay stereo looks factory-installed and sends audio straight to your speakers, which is the cleanest result. It also costs more, often needs a dash kit and wiring harness, and usually means paying for installation. The ZKQ screen gives you most of the daily features for far less work and can move to your next car.

Versus a dedicated dash cam: If you mainly want recording for insurance or incident evidence, a dedicated dash cam such as the 70mai A810 Lite 4K Dash Cam is better suited, with 4K capture and clear recording specs.

To compare other portable models side by side, see our guide to the Best Wireless CarPlay Screens.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to remove my car radio to install this screen?

No. According to the listing, it powers from the cigarette lighter socket, mounts on the dashboard, and keeps your original car radio in place. You don't need to remove the center console.

How does the sound get to my car speakers?

The listing gives four audio options: Bluetooth, the built-in speaker, FM, and AUX. It recommends connecting the screen to your car's Bluetooth for the best playback. AUX is usually the next best choice, and FM can pick up interference in busy radio areas.

Does it have built-in GPS maps?

No. Navigation runs through your phone using apps such as Google Maps and Waze, and the listing notes that a phone connection is required.

Does it work with both iPhone and Android phones?

Yes. The listing says it supports wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and phone mirroring for both iOS and Android.

Can the backup camera work as a dash cam?

The listing doesn't give recording details such as resolution, storage, or loop recording. Treat it as a reverse camera. If you want reliable recording, use a dedicated dash cam.

Is there a warranty?

The listing gives the warranty as 2 years from the manufacturer. Check the seller's terms on Amazon before you buy, because coverage details can vary.

Bottom line

The ZKQ 9" Wireless CarPlay Screen is a practical way to add wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and a backup camera to an older vehicle without a stereo install. The large IPS screen, support for both phone platforms, and OTA updates are its strong points. Before you buy, work out how audio will reach your speakers in your car and how you'll run the camera cable. If your car has Bluetooth audio or an AUX jack, this kind of screen is a sensible upgrade.