Galaxy S5 - How to get bluetooth to auto connect every time I get in the car?

[ScrapMaker]

The problem is with the Samsung bluetooth stack. The phone itself does NOT try to automatically reconnect to bluetooth devices. These phones rely on the accessory to initiate the connection instead. My HTC One M7 would ALSO try to initiate the connection, (IE if I tried to turn on the BT after my car was already on.)

I am noticing the same issue on my S5 with certain bluetooth devices. I have several bluetooth speakers, and if I have to reboot/etc, it will not automatically reconnect to the speakers. This happens sometimes with the apt-X dongle I have in my car as well.

On top of ALL that, I have stuttering audio issues with this S5. No one has a solid answer as to why this happens, but it has been documented on many forums. People have had issues since the S3 with identical stuttering. I think it's because I have 5 BT devices connected while I'm driving, but I never had an issue with the other HTC phones I've owned. I DID have a problem with my S3 and GN2, though.

I may have to return this phone, because even custom ROMs do not appear to fix this horrendous audio skipping issue. It's a shame because I really like the device otherwise, and the water resistance.

 

[tvklovesu]

anybody have a solution for this issue, i am one that has an s5 that wont connect automatically when i get into my car. I have to toggle bluetooth off then on everytime. I usually have bluetooth on constantly.

iPhone/widows phone, once my car is on, it auto connect, but not the s5. Anybody found a solution?

I have the same issue with my Galaxy s5 with my mini van sienna LTD 2011 model. Previously I don't have any issues with my iphone 4s. But with s5 I am able to solve my problem and now everytime I start the car the bluetooth in s5 connects automatically. you can try this process I did and might help you and any one else with similar problems.

Steps to resolve:
First I removed the phone from the car navigation system (i.e Unregister / delete phone details in cars NAV system)
Then in Galaxy s5 Reset the settings to factory default settings (under settings -> Backup and reset - >Reset settings) This will reset all the settings to factory default. You will not lose any data but if you have any settings preferred for any application you will lose that and you might need to do that again
After reset the system will restart
Now this is the main part you need to be more careful
If you car system has both phone and Bluetooth features like mine does then go the Setup in the car system select the phone settings, select manage phones add new phone once the connection wizard starts in you phone go to settings bluetooth and scan for devices.
This should now show your car device info.
Select the car info and this should start pair and connection.
Once the connection completes first you will see connected to phone audio and media audio then it will turn to connected to phone audio
Select the settings icon next to the car name
it will show 2 check boxes (one is selected)
in the car system now go to audio -> bluetooth and hit connect (now this will start looking to pair)
in your phone select the media audio check box after few sec both phone and media check boxes should be selected. Come out of the screen. try to play some music and see if the car system plays the music
Do the same with phone if you able to see the contacts
Now turn off the car and lock the phone (sleep mode)
try turning the car on and wait to see if your system shows bluetooth connected successfully. Now repeat above steps just playing music from phone and seeing contacts in car system

Sorry for long and lengthy process. Let me know if this resolved ur problem.

 

[fleckrj]

it works perfect in MY lexus GS350 and wife Infiniti FX35.. What you have to do is disconnect the phone earse the device from your car and start all over again. After you connect it for the 1st time a screen will come on that asks you if you would like to automatically connect to the car every time.. You have to check the box when you first connect the phone..

This is what fixed the problem in my Honda CRV and in my wife's Lexus RX 350. If you do not check the box to tell it to always connect and not ask again (I do not remember the exact wording of the prompt, but it is something along that line), the phone will ask you if you want to connect each time you get into the car. Unless you are looking at the phone, you do not see the message, and after about a minute, the message times out and disappears.

 

[bembol]

I guess it depends on the car. My 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5SE works flawlessly compared to my bother's 2010 Acura TSX.

Try deleting All Phones in the car. That's how I got my S5 to work on the TSX.

 

[ABOSWORTH007]

Mine works fine in my 2012 Mazda Speed3. As others have suggested, try deleting all paired devices from the car and then add your device again.

 

[PsychDoc]

A somewhat unrelated question but why have your BT on all the time? It's a HUGE battery hog. Why not just turn it on when you're actually in the car? Or install a battery saving app that turns BT on when you make or receive a phone call (Green Power does this).

 

[bembol]

It does? I didn't know I thought it only drains the battery when it's connected.

Pro S5

 

[PsychDoc]

It does? I didn't know I thought it only drains the battery when it's connected.

Pro S5

Yup. Leave it on all day and look at your battery usage stats, then disable it for a day and see the difference. When BT is enabled it turns on a radio signal that draws (a lot) of power.

Sent from my SM-G900V using AC Forums mobile app

 

[AndroidAmberina]

I have the same problem as you. I don't believe it's as isolated as others are saying. I even had issues pairing with my car, but it is paired now. I have to manually connect to bluetooth every time I'm in the car, and most times it takes several tries to get it to connect manually. Very frustrating!

 

[dorisirod]

It's not enough to "pair" the phone to the car's bluetooth system. The car also needs to be set up to be "hands-free" (terminology used by my Subaru). Once I read the Subaru's guide on the "hands-free" system and followed the instructions, my Galaxy S5 auto connected the next time I used the car.

 

[deke40]

I got mine paired the first time but each time it pairs on starting the car you get the popup on your phone about accessing your contacts I ticked the wrong one and then it quit pairing correctly.

I had to go to the app manager and find the Bluetooth Share app and clear the cache and data items. Then re-paired it to the car and all is fine now.

The only other anomaly was when the wife and I are both in the car it stays with the last paired device. After some research on my particular car found out this was normal.
On my last car you could set a default for this situation.

 

[sctbc2]

It's not enough to "pair" the phone to the car's bluetooth system. The car also needs to be set up to be "hands-free" (terminology used by my Subaru). Once I read the Subaru's guide on the "hands-free" system and followed the instructions, my Galaxy S5 auto connected the next time I used the car.

+1
This solved the issue I had with my outback.
Phone automatically pairs every time now.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[AndroidAmberina]

I finally found on another post here how to fix this!! Completely reinitialize your car bluetooth system so it is back to factory settings. Then reconnect the phone to the car using the controls on the STEERING WHEEL only, not the radio controls. I'm not sure why this works, but it did for my S5, and appears to work for the others who have tried it. It will now automatically connect to both my personal car and work car.

 

[Dukefrukem]

Same problem here.... Galaxy S5, bought a couple of days ago Android v 4.4.2 T-mobile... car: Subaru Forester 2014. Prior to this I have an older Windows Phone that works perfectly to reconnect by itself. It even remembers to replay the last Pandora music when I enter the car. Phone connected fine to Windows Phone. It did not work with Galaxy S5. I had to have one paired device (the car), then reconnect manually every time....

I've got a 2014 Subaru WRX and I'm also having the same issue. It worked fine for my Galaxy Nexus. But the Galaxy S5 doesn't seem to want to connect when I start the car. No idea why.

 

[Dukefrukem]

I finally found on another post here how to fix this!! Completely reinitialize your car bluetooth system so it is back to factory settings. Then reconnect the phone to the car using the controls on the STEERING WHEEL only, not the radio controls. I'm not sure why this works, but it did for my S5, and appears to work for the others who have tried it. It will now automatically connect to both my personal car and work car.

Will try this next.

 

[Dukefrukem]

Will try this next.

It works!!

 

[galbert]

S4 connected everytime in range
upgraded to S5 and had to connect to device etc. everytime got into car
removed S4 from device list on vehicle and now S5 connects everytime

 

[Fanackapants]

I had no problems with my Galaxy S3 and my 2013 Forrester but when I upgraded to the S5 It seems to connect and then disconnect straight away... So damn annoying. I'm sure I've got all the settings correct and it's the only device registered with the car!

 

[Chilly A Willy]

I just purchased my s5. I have an 07 Mazda CX9. I deleted all old phones, paired the s5. Car mode activates when I enter and key the car. It responds when I say "Hey Galaxy" with the microphone open and ready but behaves as if it can not hear me and does nothing. I said "play ___", "call home". After waiting a moment, S5 just reverts to car mode main screen.

The s5 does not automatically link to car audio system. My car is too old to do that. In order to use car BOSE system, I have to plug it in with a male to male aux cable. But even then, with car mode engaged, "Hey Galaxy" does not respond. Not even to switch to open microphone.

I've been using several iphones with complete success by plugging the phone in the aux port with the aux cables. But no luck yet with the Samsung.

Perhaps someone out there can give me some tips or tricks or advice. Keep at it or return the thing.

 

[RepairArtist]

I had the same problem. First phone connected automatically and new phone would not. It's not the phone. Paired to radio multiple times and wouldn't auto connect. Had to use the voice function of the radio to setup the new phone and connects automatically now just fine. Recap: phone is not problem, radio is the problem, use voice function like when setting up original phone. Fix applies to Subaru.