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I have an android headunit in the car which i use for google maps and spotify/podcasts etc. every time i get in the car i have to manually enable my phone as a hotspot so the headunit can access the world. I've not been able to find a way of either setting a schedule on the phone for this or (probably better) have it switch on the hotspot whenever its on charge. I cant be the only person who regularly uses a hotspot surely?
Is your phone NFC enabled? If so, you can get cheap NFC tag stickers, then you just wake the phone up, touch it to the sticker (mine is on the sub visor) and it will toggle various functions.
If not NFC, I think you can get Apps that will toggle things in response to charging etc, Tasked comes to mind but it might be something else entirely!
P.S What unit? I'm waiting for Sony's to come out as I didn't get on with the Chinese model I tried...
Ahhh, just reread...
I bet Apple don't allow you to use the NFC functions?
For security reasons you need to have the hotspot screen open to allow new connections.
Yes, it's a bit annoying that you can't have "trusted" machines connect automatically.
spooky_b329 - Member
P.S What unit? I'm waiting for Sony's to come out as I didn't get on with the Chinese model I tried...
a cheap chinese one - its a bit frustrating a lot of the time but it fits the T5 dash perfectly and looks factory. worth the money i'd say.
Android lets you do this.it's a bit annoying that you can't have "trusted" machines connect automatically.
Does it?
I've not managed to get it to do it.
What exactly are you doing then? I've just checked the hotspot on my Android phone and as standard it just lets other devices connect automatically when it's switched on. The security paranoid might be bothered as there doesn't even appear to be a concept of trusted devices - anything with the correct password can connect (admittedly this is 5.1, so not the most up to date).
For automation check out Tasker which is very powerful but can be a bit complex, or the more basic tools such as AutomateIt or MacroDroid. All allow actions to be taken when certain conditions are met, eg set time or your phone see the car bluetooth (if it has bluetooth).
Just checked and MacroDroid has the option to enable/disable hotspot, but it does say there are issues with the API on some devices. Worth a try. Trigger can be on charging if that is what you want.
Edit: Works fine on my S5 Neo with Android 5.1.1, using charging as the trigger to enable hotspot.
Don't forget to also create a rule to disable when the condition changes.
Trusted devices join my iPhone automatically afaik. No there is no hotspot scheduler. It's either or or off.
the car Android connects automatically, but the iPhone has to be unlocked and on the hotspot screen to do so. looks like there's no way round it then. annoying.
Sorry, read the OP but completely missed iPhone in the title 😳
Anyway the obvious answer is to get an android phone to go with your android head unit 🙂
With Android, once the Hotspot is toggled (manually or via a task app or NFC tag), any device that knows the Wifi details of the hotspot will auto connect.
Just watch the settings on the headunit, things like Spotify will need to be told to always stream in standard quality as they will treat your mobile connection as a Wifi connection, also things like updating playlists. I changed it to offline mode.