Android Auto Observations

[bunks12]

So I'm using a Samsung S5 with Marshmallow. I have an older Chevy Avalanche and had a Pioneer 4100 installed. Since getting the AA set up properly, I would say that about 99% of the time everything connects as it should. A lot of times I will pause the music and leave the phone connected when I'm out doing errands. When I come back and restart the truck, and touch a couple okays, I can start right where the music left off. Now, a little while ago, I purchased a 2016 Tahoe with the head unit built in. Just had to have the software downloaded. On initial set up everything seemed to work fine but now, when I leave the phone connected and pause my music, I will restart the vehicle and no Android Auto connection (infotainment screen displays "Projection" instead of Android Auto). The only way to get it connected is to disconnect everything, turn the vehicle off and start over. Since I'm using the same phone for both vehicles, I can maybe conclude? that the head unit or the connection process in the new vehicle is causing these issues.
Just wanted to share my observations/issues with Android Auto.

 

[Rukbat]

Since I'm using the same phone for both vehicles, I can maybe conclude? that the head unit or the connection process in the new vehicle is causing these issues.

That Bluetooth is only a method of connecting 2 devices together, not what data they'll share, or what format the data has to be in.

The "problem" is your expecting Bluetooth to be Bluetooth, and working the same no matter which equipment is on which end of the connection. It doesn't work that way yet.

 

[Andrew DeFaria]

Not really. The Bluetooth Media profile, for example, pretty much says that the data will be audio.

Regardless, the OP said nothing about BT and BT is not used by AA except for the phone profile which is used for making phone calls. The USB connection the OP speaks of is responsible for most data transfer between your phone and the car. When using AA you do not use the BT Media profile at all - rather the media goes through the USH. One immediate result is that the audio is much louder and better through USB wires as opposed to when you use BT Media profile.

AFAICT a "connect" of AA to the car means that you have the BT Phone profile connected as well as the USB connected. AA attempts to talk to the car. If it succeeds then your golden. But sometimes it fails, which is what the OP is reporting.

OP, some things to try:

1. When you return to your car and the phone is connected but you don't get AA to say connected, look at your BT settings. Is your phone connected via BT to your car? If not what happens when you tap it to connect.
2. You said in you past you had to tap a couple of OK's. What were they OKing? Did they ask for permission to access the phone?
3. Start up AA on your cell phone. Go into config devices. How many cars are listed? Delete all unwanted ones. I've noticed times when AA asks me for permission to access the data or whatever. It's at these times that I find a second car was added! BTW, it's not apparent but to delete additional cars simply swipe right.
4. When you re-enter your car, is it not sufficient to simply disconnect and reconnect the phone. IOW must you also turn off the car?

 

[bunks12]

Thanks for your insight and to answer the questions.
1. There has been no issues with BT. Whether AA works or not, my BT always connects.
2. Those are just the standard things which come up each time on the Pioneer head unit.
3. Currently in AA I have 3 devices listed. One is the Avalanche Pioneer, two is Mylink and three is the Tahoe. I'm pretty sure the Mylink and Tahoe are one and the same.
4. Sometime yes and other times have to turn off the vehicle and start over.

 

[Andrew DeFaria]

Yeah but which BT profile connects? I asked you what exactly you were OKing and you decided to be vague. Have you tried deleting and re-adding the cars?

 

[bako88fan]

Just got a 2016 Silverado. Only way the truck can connect to Android Auto is to connect via USB.

 

[Cant Miss]

While I love Android Auto, like many things Google it is a train wreck. Whatever APIs they provide and certification process that's in place, it doesn't provide near enough to ensure the experience is the same.

It's just a mess... but not totally Google's fault as stock head units are usually junk, and phone OEMs mess with Android with insufficient testing.

But my new Pixel is wonky with my Pioneer, and that is just shameful.

 

[bunks12]

I have a 2016 Tahoe...had the software downloaded...worked for me from the dealer to home...started working intermittingly... played with some settings....now can't get AA to boot up at all. If you know them, could you provide your phone settings?