Most cars nowadays have advanced infotainment systems that can connect to your smartphone and allow you to use various apps while driving. You have probably heard about Android Auto and Apple CarPlay feature. Android smartphone users require Android Auto to connect their device to a compatible car stereo.
What is this Android Auto basically, how does it work and what are its features? If you are new to this technology then these are some basic questions that will come to your mind. Connecting your phone to Android Auto is no easy task and if you are not a tech-savvy person, you will face some problems on your first try. We come up with this article to help you make Android Auto setup easy.
Below we have shared two simple ways to connect Android Auto to your phone wirelessly via a wired USB cable or with a Bluetooth connection. If Android Auto isn't working or connecting to your device, we'll help you find and fix the exact problem through our troubleshooting guide. Without further ado, let's get started!
What is Android Auto?
Android Auto is a smart system developed by Google that helps you connect your Android phone to your car's infotainment system. Once connected, it can mirror certain apps on your car head unit. You can use these apps without any distractions when you are driving.
The Google Assistant is integrated into the Android Auto system which can be used to perform various tasks by giving voice commands. For example, you can ask the Google Assistant to play music, get directions, read your messages, send messages on WhatsApp, etc.
You can connect Android Auto to your car's infotainment system in two ways, either via a wired USB cable or via a Bluetooth connection.
Android Auto Compatibility Check
Android Auto will only work on compatible vehicles and car stereos. Before you can start connecting your phone and car's infotainment system to Android Auto, you'll need to follow some basic requirements. Below we have listed all these requirements -
- Your vehicle must support Android Auto.
- If you have installed a third-party stereo on your car from the aftermarket, you need to confirm whether it is compatible with Android Auto.
- You need a high-quality USB cable to connect your phone to the car head unit.
- Your car must have a USB port that supports Android Auto.
- Your smartphone must be running Android 8 (Oreo) or later.
- If your phone is running Android 10 or lower, you'll need to download and install the Android Auto app manually. New Android versions above 10 (Marshmallow) already have this app installed on their system.
- Make sure you have the latest version of the Android Auto app. If you are using an older version, update it from the Play Store.
- To use Wireless Android Auto, your smartphone must have an active data plan and 5 GHz Wi-Fi support. Please note that only smartphones running Android 11 or later are compatible for this. In addition, your car stereo must also support wireless Android Auto.
How to Connect Android Auto via USB Cable
Follow this step by step guide -
1. Make sure you have the Android Auto app installed on your phone. If you have Android 10 or later, it comes pre-installed on your system and you can find it in the Settings app. For Android versions older than 10, you'll need to download and install the Android Auto app manually from the Play Store. Also, you need to make sure that the app is updated to the latest version.
2. Next, you need to plug your phone into the USB port on your car stereo. We recommend using the original USB cable that came with your phone packaging box. If you are using a third-party local USB cable, it should meet the quality standards.
3. As soon as you connect your phone to the USB port, Android Auto will automatically pop up on your screen. If you're using it for the first time, you'll be asked to grant certain permissions on your phone to manage calls, access your location, record audio for Google Assistant, send messages, access notifications, and more. Just hit the Allow option through all those prompts.
4. Now go to your car's display and tap on Android Auto app. Here again, you will see a prompt message asking you to go through the setup guide. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. Once everything's done, you'll see Android Auto running on your car stereo.
How to Connect to Android Auto Wirelessly
The steps for the above method of wired USB connection are almost identical except for a few changes. Before moving on to the steps, it is important to check if your car stereo wireless supports Android Auto. Also, you must have an active data plan and 5GHz Wi-Fi support on your Android smartphone. After checking all the basic requirements, you can start with the following steps to set up your wireless Android Auto –
1. Pair your phone and car via Bluetooth - Turn on Bluetooth on your Android device and connect it to your car's infotainment system. Make sure your car head unit's Bluetooth visibility is turned on. If you are asked to provide a verification PIN, enter 0000. If you're having problems with the Bluetooth connection, remove some of the paired devices from the list and try again. It is also recommended to turn on Wi-Fi and Location Services for best results.
2. Plug your phone into a USB port - Even if we're connecting to Android Auto wirelessly, you'll need to plug your phone into your car's USB port for initial setup. Don't worry because you can remove it later once Android Auto is fully set up.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the setup process - if your phone already has the Android Auto app installed, it will launch automatically. Otherwise, you'll be prompted to download and install the Android Auto app or update it to the latest version.
4. Start the Android Auto app on your car stereo - Your car's infotainment system will launch Android Auto automatically. If it doesn't, you can tap on the Android Auto icon and launch it manually. Establishing a wireless connection may take a few seconds.
5. Disconnect your phone from the USB port - Once Android Auto starts working on your car stereo, you can unplug your phone from the USB port. Android Auto will continue to work wirelessly even after disconnecting the USB wired connection.
How to use Android Auto
Android Auto is very easy to use. Once you've connected everything successfully, you'll see some of your Android phone apps reflect on your car stereo display. Android Auto is primarily used for four purposes: achieving navigation, asking things from Google Assistant, making calls, and playing music.
When you're driving your car, you can press the voice command button on the steering control and it will activate Google Assistant. Alternatively, tap the microphone icon on your car display. You can then ask Google for anything like "Ok Google, show me gas stations nearby". Your favorite navigation app can help you receive real-time traffic alerts, find places along the way, reserve parking, and more.
Likewise, you can ask the Google Assistant to play any music for you, read your messages, make calls, and more. Android Auto can help you do all the necessary tasks while keeping all your focus on driving. Ask Google Assistant to message your friend on WhatsApp and you won't even have to take your eyes off the road. You can also interact with apps on your car's display. To listen to music, you can use Spotify and YouTube Music.
Troubleshooting: Fix Android Auto Not Working
Sometimes Android Auto won't connect to your car's infotainment system due to some technical issues. This problem can happen for a number of reasons, either from the end of your smartphone or from the car stereo. If Android Auto isn't working for you, here are a few things you can try:
- Make sure your vehicle or car stereo is compatible with Android Auto.
- Check the USB cable that you used to connect your smartphone to your car head unit. Try replacing it with a new one.
- Disconnect and reconnect. Unpair the Bluetooth connection and try again.
- Update the Android Auto app to the latest version.
- Uninstall and reinstall the Android Auto app. Alternatively, you can clear its cached data and force restart the app.
- Restart your phone and car stereo system.
- Make sure your Android phone is compatible. Check the compatibility criteria that you have shared initially.
- Update your Android system and stereo firmware.
- Try using a different Android phone.
- Contact your car dealer for troubleshooting.
Frequently asked questions
How to know if your vehicle or stereo is compatible with Android Auto?
You can check your car manual or ask your car dealer to find out. Alternatively, you can also check the specifications of your particular car model on Google. If you have an aftermarket stereo installed on your car, you can check the manufacturer's website to see if your system supports Android Auto. You can also find a list of compatible vehicles and stereos on Android's official website.
How to check if your smartphone is compatible with Android Auto?
Only phones running Android 8 (Oreo) or later are compatible. To check your software version, open the Settings app and go to the About section. Here you will find the Android OS version your phone is currently running on. If you have an iPhone, you can connect it to your car stereo with Apple CarPlay.
Can you connect multiple devices to Android Auto?
You can connect and pair multiple devices with your car stereo, but you can't use them all at once. Only one device can be connected to Android Auto at a time. If you need to use another, you must first disconnect the previous one and then connect another device.
So that’s pretty much everything you need to know about this topic. We shared a complete detailed guide on how to connect your phone to your car’s infotainment system with Android Auto through a wired USB cable or wireless Bluetooth connection. We also covered some troubleshooting tips to help you fix Android Auto if it is not working or connecting. If any of your questions are left, you can ask them in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family.
