Android Auto. Absolutely useless

Steve F

Hi Everyone
Coming on here to vent and also hopefully someone can provide help as Google can't.
About a month ago AA was updated,worked well for about a week,then became flakey and was very hit and miss now the last week phone won't connect to car and it is behaving erratically.
Obviously I visited the site and did all the troubleshooting (they blamed the USB cable at one point ha ha)
Seems that A LOT of car owners are having issues and Google haven't a clue what to do
Anyone techie on here know of fix I would be grateful
Phone Nokia 7 Plus
Car Vauxhall Astra 162
Cheers
Steve

tossy

I use car play any time i've had a problem with connection/play back issues etc it has been down to crap quality cables - cables that would work one day wouldn't work the next. Food for thought.

Steve F

tossy wrote: »

I use car play any time i've had a problem with connection/play back issues etc it has been down to crap quality cables - cables that would work one day wouldn't work the next. Food for thought.

Thanks for the reply
Must have tried 6 or 7 different cables inc the one that came with the phone
Something thats cropped up since my post is it could be the Firmware on the head that needs updating see below


If you have 2015 firmware, there are plenty bugfixes and function upgrades.

1. Black screen when connecting phone, most times.
2. Volume for radio, navigation and phone call is combined, in the new version they are all seperate so you can turn down music but still have navigation voice guideance.
3. FM radio memory buttons in the bottom of the radio screen constantly forget the RDS name of the saved channel and reverts to showing frequency.

Just remember to specificly ask for firmware "1.36.2.5 - December 28 2017" or newer if there is one (This was the latest, when i got it done 4 months ago, so doubt there are newer versions now).

There are basically 5 firmware versions i know of, i had "version 1", the latest is "version 5" and at first the garage that i had, do mine, flashed "version 2" which i complained about as i had specifically stated that i wanted the latest version available.

See this thread for versions for the R4.0

https://www.astrakforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5593

Guy:Incognito

Steve F wrote: »

(they blamed the USB cable at one point ha ha)

While it may not be the case this time, I wouldn't be so quick to ridicule things like that. I've had loads of cables that ended up doing funky crap or just flat out not working with some devices.

EDIt, beaten to it.

Steve F

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

While it may not be the case this time, I wouldn't be so quick to ridicule things like that. I've had loads of cables that ended up doing funky crap or just flat out not working with some devices.

EDIt, beaten to it.

Yes...seems our posts crossed
After lots of investigations it seems SOME Vauxhall and Opel cars need a firmware update its the 1.36.2.5 - December 28 2017 version or newer to fix this connectivity problem
Mine is booked in for this Saturday
Regards

Steve F

Latest update installed this week 1.36.2.5 - December 28 2017
Working like a dream so far

ShauntaMetzel

Its strange because I am using Android Auto and didn't find such issue. Mayhap, it could be an issue with your Nokia phone. Honestly, I am not a big fan of Nokia. Though it was great in the beginning years but not a very good smartphone nowadays.

Steve F

ShauntaMetzel wrote: »

Its strange because I am using Android Auto and didn't find such issue. Mayhap, it could be an issue with your Nokia phone. Honestly, I am not a big fan of Nokia. Though it was great in the beginning years but not a very good smartphone nowadays.

Hi ShauntaMetzel;111982110
Since this thread was started it's been discovered that the head unit on the car needed a software update.(See my post above)
My local Opel dealer did it for me...now working perfectly
As for Nokia phones...The Nokia 7 Plus is one of the best handsets I have ever owned and I have owned a lot.
Anyone else having problems with the Android Auto in their car I would urge them to check to see if a software update is required

ShauntaMetzel

Steve F wrote: »

Hi ShauntaMetzel;111982110
Since this thread was started it's been discovered that the head unit on the car needed a software update.(See my post above)
My local Opel dealer did it for me...now working perfectly
As for Nokia phones...The Nokia 7 Plus is one of the best handsets I have ever owned and I have owned a lot.
Anyone else having problems with the Android Auto in their car I would urge them to check to see if a software update is required

Its great if it is working fine after head unit software update. Also accept my apology for not understanding the thread properly. Next time, I would try to read all threads of OP.

toby2111

Just got a car with Smart Link. Connected phone up via USB, android auto on my phone. But when I press android auto on infotainment, it says "Android connection will be established via Android Auto. The device can no longer be used as a source in Media"
Am I doing something wrong?

NIMAN

Recently bought a 2018 SEAT and was disappointed to see a "contact the dealer" message when I tried to use Android Auto.

Contacted them and told I'd have to pay €180 to get it downloaded.

Won't be bothering at that price.

Steve F

NIMAN wrote: »

Recently bought a 2018 SEAT and was disappointed to see a "contact the dealer" message when I tried to use Android Auto.

Contacted them and told I'd have to pay €180 to get it downloaded.

Won't be bothering at that price.

Hi
I bought a 162 Astra August last year
Initially AA worked then in October the app was updated causing it to pack up.
I researched and found that I needed Opel dealer to upgrade the head unit to latest firmware.Initially they wanted to charge me but I refused saying the car wasn't functioning as advertised and they did it for me for free
AA now works flawlessly.
I buy all my cars from this dealer so eventually he will get his money back anyway
Customer service is lacking in some places

shanec1928

NIMAN wrote: »

Recently bought a 2018 SEAT and was disappointed to see a "contact the dealer" message when I tried to use Android Auto.

Contacted them and told I'd have to pay €180 to get it downloaded.

Won't be bothering at that price.

its well worth it, imo. the first person who bought the car didn't bargain it into the deal.

Steve F

shanec1928 wrote: »

its well worth it, imo. the first person who bought the car didn't bargain it into the deal.

Agree about it being worth it
Because my car has Android Auto there is no CD player.
I can't listen to Irish Radio...it drives me mad.
With AA you stream whatever you like,Music,news,Podcasts..skys the limit.
Plus built in Sat Nav

dazed+confused

NIMAN wrote: »

Recently bought a 2018 SEAT and was disappointed to see a "contact the dealer" message when I tried to use Android Auto.

Contacted them and told I'd have to pay €180 to get it downloaded.

Won't be bothering at that price.

I had the same with my Skoda.

You can buy the disc online, but have to plug the car in to upload it. Well worth it though.

NIMAN

dazed+confused wrote: »

I had the same with my Skoda.

You can buy the disc online, but have to plug the car in to upload it. Well worth it though.

Is this a cheaper way of doing it?

dazed+confused

NIMAN wrote: »

Is this a cheaper way of doing it?

Depends if the garage is charging you an hour's labour for loading it up for you or not.

I thought I would be able to load it myself, but the garage did it for me as part of a service and didn't charge for doing so.

NIMAN

I might wait until my service and ask nicely!

Del2005

NIMAN wrote: »

Recently bought a 2018 SEAT and was disappointed to see a "contact the dealer" message when I tried to use Android Auto.

Contacted them and told I'd have to pay €180 to get it downloaded.

Won't be bothering at that price.

Was the car advertised as having Android Auto?

Skatedude

Might want to wait a bit.
I tried the new beta of android auto which is due to be released on the 21st and it is completely ruined. lot of anger on the android auto forums.
It won't allow you to use third party apps such as mediamonkey for music etc

The google play music app has been gutted and will not even allow you to view your our music library for safety reasons, even when parked.
you must use playlists,recent or voice. providing you know the name of every album and track in your collection off the top of your head to ask it to play them.

Really hoping they change it back before the release.