Is there any way to use Android Auto without it taking complete control of my phone

[dzstoys]

I want to use Android Auto for Spotify and Google Maps (hopefully Waze someday), but it takes control of my phone and I can not use other apps I need to use wile driving. Most importantly the Escort Live app. The app needs to launch and connect to my radar detector via Bluetooth to work, but Android Auto prevents me from launching it and connecting it to my phone.

Ihave been able to fumble with the phone and get it back to the home screen, but before I can launch the Escort Live app and get the BlueTooth to connect, Android Auto pops back up on my screen and locks me out.

On Edit:
I am using a Samsung S8+ (AT&T) connected to the Ford Sync 3 system.

 

[foxbat121]

The whole idea behind Android Auto is to force you off the phone while driving. If you need to stare at your phone screen, it is better just mount the phone the old fashioned way, isn't it?

 

[dzstoys]

I don't need to stare at the phone, I need to be able to launch an app that will run in the background and connect to my radar detector. Android auto is preventing that from happening, and preventing me from using all of the features on my radar detector at the moment.

And to me, the point of Android Auto is to get my phone apps on the in dash screen, not to prevent me from safely interacting with my phone before I start driving to begin with.

 

[foxbat121]

Apps can be written to run on the background automatically without your intervention. Anything requires you to manually launch is considered needs user interactions. This interactive apps will typically be suspended if it is not on screen.

Google goes out of its way to prevent you from using the phone while AA is active. That's Google's clear intention. If you don't like it, switch to iPhone. Apple CarPlay runs on the background and you can use your phone as normal.

 

[hallux]

As noted - Android Auto is intended to present limited functionality while driving, to combat distracted driving problems.

My suggestion for @dzstoys is to contact Escort and suggest an enhancement to the app to add Android Auto compatibility. That may upset some users though, the app currently declares support for Android 4.3 and up while Android Auto requires 5.0 and newer. Reduced functionality could be available on those older devices I guess, but I'm not a developer.

 

[dzstoys]

I found a roundabout solution to my problem using Tasker Secure Settings and AutoInput. I have also set my phone to stay unlocked but allow the screen to timeout when connected to my car stereo and my Gear S3 watch.

When my phone connects via BlueTooth to my car, Android Auto automatically launches.

I have set a Tasker profile based on the BlueTooth connection to my stereo.

On connection to the car stereo, I have a multi-step task set in Tasker to:

1: Turn WiFi off (so that spotify will work faster as I drive away from home or work)
2: Wait 10 seconds for Android Auto to fully start
3: Use the AutoInput plugin to Tasker to turn my phone screen on
4: Use the Secure Settings plugin to Tasker to connect the phone BT to the Escort Max 360 detector
5: Launch the Escort Live app
6: Wait 1 minute (the detector seems to take some time to connect to the app)
7: Use the AutoInput plugin to Tasker to turn my phone screen on (this step may not be needed since the Escort app should keep the screen awake when it is front and center, but I am doing it again just in case the phone screen times out)
8: Use AutoInput to press the software button (via screen coordinates) in the Escort app to open the Bluetooth Connections
9: Une AutoInput to click the detector (via on screen text search)
10: Use the Tasker "go home" action to allow the phone to turn the screen off again and go back to the default Android Auto screen since the Escort app is supposed to keep the screen awake

I have an exit task set to turn the WiFi back on when the phone disconnects from the car stereo as well.

It is a major pain to have to do this, and it took a lot of trial and error, but it appears to be working now. I could probably pair down some of the wait times if I wanted to spend the time to mess with it, but since I really just plug my phone in to the stereo and put it in the center console while I am driving, I am not worried about saving any time on these tasks.

 

[dzstoys]

I guess it was too good to last. There was a recent update to the AutoInput app, and this task no longer works to unlock the screen.

Back to the drawing board...

 

[hallux]

Have you contacted Escort to request an enhancement to their app? The app could be considered a map app so it could slip into that functionality on AA.

 

[dzstoys]

I have contacted them, but I am not holding my breath.

 

[Andrew DeFaria]

When I use AA and it puts up the Android Auto screen I can simply hit the recents button and then choose an already running app that AA doesn't use (IOW you can choose Maps or something like that). Then use the back button until you get to the home screen or simply select your already running Escort Live app - which makes me think, can't you run this Escort Live app first, before you connect AA? Just tell AA not to automatically connect to your car when it connects Bluetooth, set up Escort Live then manually start AA.

Note, if you're using the recents trick do not hit the home button on your phone. AA detects that and puts up is Android Auto screen.

My problem is worse since I'm using the Valentine One app which insists on being in the foreground to operate. If, for any reason you make some other app the foreground app the V1 app disconnects from the Bluetooth dongle connected to the V1. It's dumb and I've complained many times via email but have yet to receive a response. Gotta love a company that totally ignores you!

 

[gipper69]

Isn't the root cause the lack of compatibility between AA and the apps in question? AA requires the app design to be compatible, and play nice in the relatively limited AA sandbox. The developers for the apps that are car centered need to get their act together.

 

[dzstoys]

When I use AA and it puts up the Android Auto screen I can simply hit the recents button and then choose an already running app that AA doesn't use (IOW you can choose Maps or something like that).

On my Galaxy S8, the on screen recents button gets deactivated as soon as AA launches.

I had to set up a Tasker shortcut to launch the recents from the notifications drop down. I had hoped to automate this to make it do all of this without me having to press buttons, but so far I have had little to no success.

 

[MiketyMike]

The whole idea behind Android Auto is to force you off the phone while driving. If you need to stare at your phone screen, it is better just mount the phone the old fashioned way, isn't it?

Aren't answers like this just the absolute worst. They don't answer you question, and preach to you. Here's a working solution that I use:

Get a good launcher (I use Nova prime)
Add a link to Nova prime in your side bar (which is accessible during AA connection.
When you click Nova prime it takes you to your home screen and you can do anything from there.

 

[dzstoys]

Aren't answers like this just the absolute worst. They don't answer you question, and preach to you. Here's a working solution that I use:

Get a good launcher (I use Nova prime)
Add a link to Nova prime in your side bar (which is accessible during AA connection.
When you click Nova prime it takes you to your home screen and you can do anything from there.

Awesome, that did what I wanted it to do. It never even crossed my mind since I had disabled the side bar since I never used it. I have added the radar detector app to the side bar so I can establish the bluetooth connection while using Android Auto.

Much easier and faster than using Bixby Voice to launch the app which became my work around once Bixby Voice became available here.

 

[rodg2061]

Aren't answers like this just the absolute worst. They don't answer you question, and preach to you. Here's a working solution that I use:

Get a good launcher (I use Nova prime)
Add a link to Nova prime in your side bar (which is accessible during AA connection.
When you click Nova prime it takes you to your home screen and you can do anything from there.

Hi Mike, I'm trying to implement this solution but can't figure out the second step, adding a link in the side bar. Can you please elaborate ? I'm running Android 6.0 on a Moto G. Many thanks, Rod.

 

[socal_nana]

Then they should fix it so that there are more useful apps at our fingertips on the dash at eye level- I have had my car for 3 days and I already HATE AA- my 4 year old Ford Focus was WAY more user friendly...

 

[cfclay]

Aren't answers like this just the absolute worst. They don't answer you question, and preach to you. Here's a working solution that I use:

Get a good launcher (I use Nova prime)
Add a link to Nova prime in your side bar (which is accessible during AA connection.
When you click Nova prime it takes you to your home screen and you can do anything from there.

Sounds like you saying Nova works different than other launchers and it will hold the home screen without going to Android Auto? I have the Essential Ph-1 and it uses launcher 3. When connected to Android Auto, I can choose a recent app, then the home button, then I have about 1 full second to choose an app. If I wait longer than a second, the Android Auto screen comes up. Annoying, but it works for me.

 

[cfclay]

I just validated that is correct, Nova Launcher does not activate the Android auto.perfect!

 

[JohnCitizen]

Aren't answers like this just the absolute worst. They don't answer you question, and preach to you. Here's a working solution that I use:

Get a good launcher (I use Nova prime)
Add a link to Nova prime in your side bar (which is accessible during AA connection.
When you click Nova prime it takes you to your home screen and you can do anything from there.

How brilliant of you. Nova launcher works perfectly. I have it on my edge screen. It's been a massive headache that you solved. Thx bro

 

[gazuga6176]

Hi Mike, I'm trying to implement this solution but can't figure out the second step, adding a link in the side bar. Can you please elaborate ? I'm running Android 6.0 on a Moto G. Many thanks, Rod.

the edge bar is exclusive to Samsung phones