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Hey all,
So, as promised (finally), how to get Android Auto to work consistently.
There are two major factors:
Here's a list of tested cables for Android Auto:
WORKED:
As mentioned above, start your car, let the Infotainment system boot to the Home screen, and THEN plug in your phone. Sometimes, plugging it in before then will work (because the Infotainment system is actually on, either because it didn't time out and shut off or because it was trying to update or do something else).
Once plugged in, you may or may not get a pop-up that tells you to check your phone. Just click "OK" or wait for it to disappear, if you're the patient type. In 10-45 seconds, the Android Auto icon will show (or un-grey, if you're on the apps screen) and Android Auto will start.
If you forget to wait before plugging it in (I have), and Android Auto does not work...
If you forget and plug it in first and it will not connect, then:
THEORETICALLY
The same applies for CarPlay. I have one ancient OEM cable that works fine with my iDevices, as long as I follow the "plugging it in" steps.
BONUS TIPS
So, as promised (finally), how to get Android Auto to work consistently.
There are two major factors:
- You MUST have a high quality data capable phone cable. I've had "OEM" (I think knock-offs) cables that do not work, btw, and one genuine OEM cable that doesn't as well (pretty sure it's just a charging cable).
- You must let the Infotainment System fully boot and start up before plugging in your phone. Wait until you see the Home screen, and then plug in your phone.
Here's a list of tested cables for Android Auto:
WORKED:
- https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07687MT58/ (the one in the image, 90° ends)
- https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C6WGFJ6/ (OEM Samsung data and charge cable)
- https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07517WPQB/ (10' cable with 90° ends)
- https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0746C244X/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ( @FoRealz cable suggestion 2yr warranty)
- ProClip mounts with built in cable (link: http://proclipusa.com/)
- https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0722DMYTN/
- https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B078KYJ9M2/
- OEM Samsung non-data charging cable (looks identical to 2nd one above)
As mentioned above, start your car, let the Infotainment system boot to the Home screen, and THEN plug in your phone. Sometimes, plugging it in before then will work (because the Infotainment system is actually on, either because it didn't time out and shut off or because it was trying to update or do something else).
Once plugged in, you may or may not get a pop-up that tells you to check your phone. Just click "OK" or wait for it to disappear, if you're the patient type. In 10-45 seconds, the Android Auto icon will show (or un-grey, if you're on the apps screen) and Android Auto will start.
If you forget to wait before plugging it in (I have), and Android Auto does not work...
If you forget and plug it in first and it will not connect, then:
- disconnect the car from your home wifi (assuming you're at home and you've previously connected the car) by turning off wifi (skip if you're not connected to your home wifi)
- turn off the car
- walk away from it with the FOB
- wait a minute past all your lights turning off
- walk back and start the car
- wait for the Infotainment system to boot, and THEN plug in the phone
THEORETICALLY
The same applies for CarPlay. I have one ancient OEM cable that works fine with my iDevices, as long as I follow the "plugging it in" steps.
BONUS TIPS
- "I am trying wireless Android Auto, but nothing is happening (or I am only getting audio)"
The 2019-2020 Ascent head units do NOT support wireless Android Auto. You must use a wired cable.
- "I hear voices/static"
Tune your radio to a valid radio station or XM channel. Your car turns the radio on whenever you start it - even if Android Auto is activated shortly after. The radio will KEEP playing until you choose to play something else or turn it off. So, if you don't have the radio tuned to something, you'll hear static or even voices in the distance (from a station that's not quite tuned in).
Also, there's a TSB related to static and noise, if it wasn't caused by being tuned between channels.
- "I hear no Android Auto music (Google Music, etc)"
If you can't hear your Android Auto Music (Google Play Music or whatever you use), go into the Infotainment System Settings, into the sound tab, and turn up "ENTERTAINMENT" volume, which is different from "Media" volume (which controls bluetooth music volume, USB drive volume, etc).
- For Google Nav Users
One other Android Auto tip, for those of you who like Googe Maps/Nav better than Waze... install Waze, log into Waze on your phone (one time thing), select all alerts you care about (cops, cameras, etc) and then...
Each time you get in the car, start AA as described in the first post, start Waze but don't select to navigate anywhere, and then start Google Maps.
"Why run Waze in the background, not navigating, when I am going to be using Google Nav to navigate?", you all ask?
Simple. You will now get speed camera warnings, traffic warnings, speed trap warnings, police warnings, etc, read out to you by Waze, while Google Maps displays and reads out your directions and delays.
So, now, you will basically get all the "Warnings and Alerts" benefits of Waze, while using the better integrated Google Maps/Nav for your navigation needs.
