Question Audi MMI and Android Auto

[Mel_L]

I hope this community could help me because Audi Canada is useless at this point.
I own a 2024 Audi SQ5 and Samsung S23+. The Audi has what's called an MMI and it is essentially the brain of the car, which allows me to access settings, vehicle information, wiper position, radio, etc.
My phone automatically connects via Android Auto to the vehicle - whether I plug it in or not. When it does this, the MMI displays Waze and Spotify (basically my phone via Android Auto). When I click the radio icon on the MMI screen to access the radio, the screen will go blank. I lose all access to my MMI functions. This could happen right away, or after switching back and forth from Android Auto to radio (because sometimes I'm good with my Spotify for the duration of the drive, sometimes I flip back and forth to radio).

In order to get my MMI function back, I need to hard reset my radio (which is a good 30-seconds), disconnect the phone from Android Auto and the process restarts. However, this is not possible while being the driver and renders the use of the MMI and Android Auto useless and therefore I panic when I need my map to get somewhere.

I've attached a photo of the blank screen. I have videos too, but the forum won't allow that.

Has anyone run into this issue? It just seems like Android Auto and the Audi MMI don't talk to each other.

I hope someone can help!

Mel

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! My wife has a 2018 Audi A3 e-tron, and I don't recall encountering that issue, but that's probably because the version is a lot older. MMI is not a very well-designed system, though, so I can't say I'm entirely surprised by this glitch.

Have you spoken to the dealer's service center about this? It sounds more like a glitch. Maybe all they need to do is reset the system and maybe reload it?

 

[Mel_L]

Welcome to Android Central! My wife has a 2018 Audi A3 e-tron, and I don't recall encountering that issue, but that's probably because the version is a lot older. MMI is not a very well-designed system, though, so I can't say I'm entirely surprised by this glitch.

Have you spoken to the dealer's service center about this? It sounds more like a glitch. Maybe all they need to do is reset the system and maybe reload it?

I have gone to my dealer 4 or 5 times now. They've done a factory reset, involved Audi Canada and Germany, but because my vehicle shows no faults when scanned, they don't have a fix for it. We have multiple tickets with Audi Canada. This is stumping everyone!

To make matters worse, my whole instrument screen (the one in front of the steering wheel) needed to be replaced. It went white.

I'm having issues wish technology in this vehicle and no one seems to know what the heck is going on.

 

[B. Diddy]

Ugh, that sounds super-frustrating! Your car has wireless Android Auto built-in, or are you using a 3rd party wireless dongle (which is what my wife uses)?

 

[Mel_L]

Ugh, that sounds super-frustrating! Your car has wireless Android Auto built-in, or are you using a 3rd party wireless dongle (which is what my wife uses)?

It is beyond frustrating, especially when head office won't help. There's obviously a problem if I keep coming in and complaining about it. The issue was reproduced at my dealer, too. They're trying everything so they don't have to keep seeing me, haha!

It (Android Auto) automatically connects as soon as I get in. So, I can be wireless or wired (to charge, since I dislike the wireless charging they have). The issue occurs whether in plugged in or wireless.

 

[B. Diddy]

Is there an MMI setting to turn off the wireless Android Auto connection (i.e., to force USB connection for Android Auto)? This might help to narrow the issue down to the wireless connection.

If there's no setting for that, maybe test by turning off Bluetooth AND wi-fi (because wireless Android Auto can utilize both for connection) and then connect via USB. Then see if the display blanks out again when switching to radio

 

[Mel_L]

Is there an MMI setting to turn off the wireless Android Auto connection (i.e., to force USB connection for Android Auto)? This might help to narrow the issue down to the wireless connection.

If there's no setting for that, maybe test by turning off Bluetooth AND wi-fi (because wireless Android Auto can utilize both for connection) and then connect via USB. Then see if the display blanks out again when switching to radio think they've

I believe they've tried this if it's an option. They had my vehicle for 3 days and tinkered with it.
There's no WiFi available in the vehicle, so that eliminates that.

When it's warm enough to sit in the car and play with settings, I'll try this. Worth a try!