[Updated] Android Auto bug preventing phones from pairing persists despite Google 'fixing' it

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on October 7, 2022) follows:

Android Auto is more of an alternate solution to control an Android phone via Google Assistant while you’re driving. You can control features like navigation, maps, calls, text messages, and music.

Initially, you need to plug a USB cable into your vehicle’s USB port and plug the other end of the cable into your Android phone in order to connect it to Android Auto.

It is very convenient for users as they don’t have to glance at their phones to do various activities (calling, music) and can instead focus on driving.

But lately, many Android Auto users are facing an issue (1, 2, 3) where a bug is preventing phones from pairing.

When one connects their phone with a USB, Android Connect is displayed on the car screen. After tapping it, it prompts them to connect via the phone, which indicates that Android Auto is available.

However, when you tap on the update button, the app instead closes and a message that says ‘reconnect the Android Auto device’ appears on the screen. This keeps happening over and over again.

In other instances, some claim that it doesn’t even connect over Bluetooth, or that it’s totally unstable, constantly disconnecting and reconnecting on its own.

I drive a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. Android Auto has worked pretty well since 2019. Within the last 2 weeks or so, it stopped connecting. I’ve tried 3 different cables, and I can not get it to connect either cabled or wirelessly. When I plug it in, my phone indicates that it is charging. I assume that something was updates – either the phone or the car.
Source

I connect my phone with a USB and Android Connect displays on the car screen. I tap it and it asks me to connect via my phone which says Android Auto available and to update. When I tap Update the app closes and car display says to reconnect Android Auto device. This goes round and round.
Source

Some have tried troubleshooting methods like clearing the cache, restarting the phone, changing the USB cable, and even updating their car’s software but still, it didn’t work.

It’s worth pointing out that a similar issue with Android Auto not pairing with some phones, primarily Samsung Galaxy models, was previously in mid-August.

But a few weeks later, Google confirmed that it had released an update to address this issue, which was then confirmed to have been ‘fixed’:

Yet, reports have continued to come in even after installing the patched version of Android Auto, indicating that the problem has not been resolved.

Having said that, we hope the developers over at Google listen and address the annoying Android Auto bug that is preventing phones from pairing in a future update.

As always, we will be keeping an eye out for more information and update this article as and when required so make sure you stay tuned to PiunikaWeb.

04:08 pm (IST): It seems that this issue still persists as some OnePlus 11 users are reporting (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) that they are unable to connect their device to Android Auto via USB cable.

A community specialist has confirmed that this issue has been escalated to the team. Moreover, some of those affected have managed to find workarounds that can help you fix this problem.

Workaround 1:

However I found a workaround and tested it 3 times in my 2020 Mercedes GLB. Just plug you phone via the USB cable when the central screen is completely off and start your car ( maybe you have to reopen the driver’s door to shut it down completely). Hope this trick works for you on the other cars. (Source)

Workaround 2:

Workaround 3:

I contacted OnePlus support. This is what solved my Android Auto issues so far.

1. Enable Developer Options
2. enable USB Debugging.
3. Change default USB configuration to “File Transfer/ Android Auto” (Source)

12:18 pm (IST): Google has fixed an Android Auto bug with the March update 2023 that was preventing some Pixel users from connecting wirelessly to certain vehicle head units.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Google sections so be sure to follow them as well.

Featured image: Android Auto

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