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Hi all,
Didn't want my first post to be non bike related (will try and post a bike questions shortly), but here goes.
Have just bought an 18 plate Skoda Superb and have seemingly now come across an issue. I'm an iPhone user and the wife is currently on Huawei. When test driving any Skodas before buying I always took a lead with me and plugged in my iPhone to test the Smartlink gadgets and to navigate the test drive, all works seamlessly. Having now actually bought the car and the wife trying to use her phone with the Android Auto it has come to light that Huawei phones don't seem to connect! Some Googling looks to link it to a mix of EMUI operating system and Android Auto updates not talking to each other, doesn't sound like there is a fix for it.
This has driven her to maybe have to get a new phone. She is very clear she does NOT want to go Apple route. Some further Googling seems to show even a lot of new generation Samsung phones don't play well with Android Auto? Anyone here have experience with Android phones and Android Auto, in any make of car, this doesn't seem to be a Skoda thing but an Android thing.
Thanks
Stuart
Anyone here have experience with Android phones and Android Auto, in any make of car, this doesn’t seem to be a Skoda thing but an Android thing.
I have a 17 plate Superb. AA works really well with my OnePlus 8T
17 plate superb here too, no issues at all with my old Huawei mate 20 pro or my current pixel 6.
One thing, AA can be very finicky on cables, some work with no issues, some give all sorts of issues, so I'd try swapping the cable first.
I drive a Skoda Fabia (70 plate) and use a Nokia Android 6.2 phone. Auto seems to work fine. Previously had a Karoq (18 plate) and also worked fine with current and previous Nokia phones.
Not sure if that is a vote for Nokia but I'm happy with them.
I've got a Pixel 4a & my Wife has a Xioami something or other.
Both work on Android Auto in my 18 plate Leon.
+1 for changing the cable first. I've never had an issue with the various Motorola and Samsung phones we have in the family if you need to change the phone.
Thanks all.
We have tried 2 cables so far with no joy, will go through the almighty "random box of cables" and pull out all the options to try.
My brother has just got an S22 so next time I see him I'll get him to plug in and see what happens.
I had difficulties with a VW and Android Auto (Google Pixel) - it was v temperamental. Cables seemed to make a bit of a difference, but it's notable that my Toyota has no such problems with AA - it's just plug and play
The cable is key tbh my company had to send out different ones for Samsung's.
My pixel works with any ol crap Samsung notes not so much
Android and Android Auto should Just Work, though it requires sufficient grunt at the phone end to drive it. If there's specific issues with particular devices, Google likely knows that better than me.
As others have said, not all USB cables are equal. For what it costs I'd just buy a branded one rather than a parts drawer tombola.
I had an octavia 17 plate - it was quite flaky with my old Samsung S7. Changed to a OnePlus 7 and it was almost 100% reliable after that. I presume the important part is to get as new as possible android version.
I had a Motorola G6 that worked fine with Android Auto on an 68 plate Golf provided that I opened the phone with fingerprint recognition before opening the app on the car. If it was just plugged in AA wouldn’t recognise the phone or vice versa.
I currently use an iPhone with Car Play on the same car and that was flaky until I bit the bullet and bought a VW cable (at some expense) which has been faultless since.
A decent cable sorted my Pixel to AA flakiness out.
2018 Superb here. Samsung phone seems to connect ok. Hands free calls and playing podcasts from the phone are all I do though.
Got a pixel 4a, lack of bloatware gives me no issues connecting to AA. Sometimes I reset the connection by pressing and holding the on button but this rare.
Have ordered a "spendy" cable as a next step. 1st 3 reviews for it on Amazon went along the lines of "Finally my Android Auto works!"
Fingers crossed.
also check the charging port on the phone is not clogged up with fluff and debris
I would second/third the cable issue..
I don't geddit...surely the wires all line up whatever cable..??!!
but anyway... a standard USB to USB-C cable simply wouldn't work, but a fancy, braided anker one is flawless.
All on a S20.
I reckon the cable will fix it..
DrP
I would check the cable, but wouldn't be so sure it'll fix the problem. I've got a reasonable sony android auto headunit that works flawlessly with my samsung galaxy s20. My wife's motorola defy (2021 android phone from a big manufacturer) is flakey as f. Keeps disconnecting, randomly crashes, etc. Same physical cable, same physical HU, even during the same drive, swapping between them is like night and day
Very timely as I've just got a car that has AA but my Nokia's running 11 (connects but drops straight away) and 12 (doesn't work) have issues with Nokia's supplied cables so would also be interested if it starts working with a new cable that others have had success with.
You can now get plug in wireless adapters for AA which may get rid of the cable issues.
So, a Belker 20cm lead has just arrived via Prime and it now works straight away.
Stupid that this was the fix, but it's saved forking out for a new phone so I'll take it.
Nice, knew it would be the cable - cheapo ones just cause all sorts of issues or don't work, as you've found!
Just had a Belker 50cm arrive and works straight away.
Cheers Stuart_c, saved me a headache.