android auto

[Richo0360]

Ive seen a past post regarding, AA connection issues. but there it stopped. I am having lots of issues with connection, sometimes it works sometimes it dosnt. my phone says AA is connected but head unit says it isnt. I have a HTC running lollipop 5.1. Has any one found any solutions or having similar probs. When working it is fantastic. apple car play seams easier, but prefer google maps, especially since u can download maps and use online

[Djlech]

Change to iPhone. You could also try flashing different versions of firmware. Google maps doesn't work offline even if you have it pre downloaded as the HU requires internet connection. Google has to step up android auto is a pile of junk atm.

[PaulN]

I have only used Android auto a few times (about 10) and have found that I need to have the car's screen booted up and working before I put the USB plug into the phone (the car end of USB is always left plugged in). When I do this it always seems to connect without problems. I am using a Huawei Y5 (a cheapie) running android 5.1.1.

However if I leave my phone plugged in when I turn the car off, when I turn the car back on it never seems to reconnect automatically - I always have to unplug the phone and plug it back in again.

I have definitely been able to use google maps offline. I definitely have data turned off on my phone and have been able to navigate around my local area using the offline maps. I have offline maps of Brisbane and Wide Bay (where i am) stored but not the bits in between - it will quite happily let me select a Brisbane address but will then tell me it can't work out a route. When I get home and connect the phone to wifi it is then able to work out a route. So it seems to use real-time data when it can and offline data when it can't.

A separate issue is that the offline google maps seem to get corrupted on my phone. I think normally it will download the maps for 29 days and then give you a countdown (23 days remaining etc) but most of my maps become flagged (by the google maps app) as unuseable before they expire. Anyway this is a separate issue unrelated to android auto of course.

Still tossing up whether to use offline google maps for trips or use my existing aftermarket GPS which stores maps for all of Australia, has free lifetime updates but more importantly has a screen that can be placed in an optimal position for glancing at while driving. The screen in the PS, while nice and large, is fixed and faces the middle passenger in the back seat not the driver. It's a long way for the eyes to glance over when driving.

[bjdani]

I've also found that if I have the Android Auto app open on my phone before connecting via USB, AndroidAuto connects successfully every time in the car. If I don't, it takes a few plug in attempts before it is recognised.

[Heisenberg]

Android Auto is great when its working. Consistency of connectivity a real issue. No doubt caused by so many manufacturers and their different flavours of the OS. Its still software related so we should see these issues disappear over time.

[TFW]

Change to iPhone. You could also try flashing different versions of firmware. Google maps doesn't work offline even if you have it pre downloaded as the HU requires internet connection. Google has to step up android auto is a pile of junk atm.

These are strong words and in my view unjustified. Recent updates have resolved a volume issue I had with my note 4. In my experience, offline maps work fine, although not always necessary as data usage is not that high. Connection protocol can be a little fussy but shutting down AA after disconnection, then at next connection allow the HU to start up, open the apps screen, AA on the phone and connect - works almost all the time. I think it will only get better.

[Heisenberg]

Yeah, changing to iPhone is an extreme step. You might get rid of any connection issues with Android Auto but it also means you are stuck with an iPhone for everything else.

[ron2503]

I know this is an old thread but this may help someone else. I have found that if I set my Samsung s5 to usb midi mode it connects every time. Give it a try.

[woffleon]

I like to use the magnetic style connector cause its easier to plug in. Its ambidextrous for charging but not for android auto so you need to turn it round but its easy. Finds its connection magnetically

[MrTyno]

Looks like Google are fixing some of the issues in the Feb security patch, so you should get it in a couple of weeks if you've got a Pixel or Nexus phone. And ummm, eventually, if you've got something else, although I hear that Samsung is pretty quick with updates these days.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2018/01/22/google-fix-android-autos-intermittent-failure-start-february-security-patch/

[Poita]

We have a Kenwood head unit with has Android Auto and Apple Carplay. I have an Android and the wife has an Apple. Android Auto is so much better in my opinion. Never really had any real problems either though.