Question My S25 doesn't seem to connect to car for outgoing calls.

alyssadrysdale

New member
Sep 18, 2025
3
0
1
I have had the car since July and only noticed this issue today when trying to make a call on the way home from work today.

Bluetooth works for Spotify and answering calls absolutely fine, no issues at all. However, when trying to make a call myself, it cuts off and goes back to the radio home screen. When I look at my phone when trying to make a call via my car, it ends the call with the messaging saying it "cannot connect". I have tried different phone numbers and same issue.

I have tried turning Bluetooth off and on via both car and phone, I have switched car off and on and did a reset of the infotainment system and it doesn't seem to work either.

Is there anything else I can try?
 
Welcome to Android Central forums. It is odd that this works incoming and not outgoing. Let's see if we can help.

Just a few questions before attempting any advice.

How do you answer incoming calls? Touch something on your wheel, touch the phone, touch the radio, something else?

How do you attempt to make outgoing calls? Touch something on the wheel, ask assistant to place the call, use the voice system in the radio/car, open the phone app and tap something?

Have you verified that the settings for your car BT connection are set to Calls and Media?

Does your phone connect to your stereo as Android Auto, or are you pure BT?

I know some of the questions seem simple maybe even obvious but if we don't ask and get the answer we're left guessing and assuming. Anyway, given that it works for outgoing calls it almost seems like it would have to be an issue of technique. If your phone's connection wasn't set to calls and media you shouldn't get the incoming calls but I can imagine this glitching if the connection was media only, letting incoming through but diverting when attempting to originate a call. To check this connection go to Settings>Connections>Bluetooth (the word not the toggle)>your stereo (touch the cog)>verify options. You may have to be connected to the stereo to see the connection options.

I'll be curious to see the answers to the questions above.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Laura Knotek
Welcome to Android Central forums. It is odd that this works incoming and not outgoing. Let's see if we can help.

Just a few questions before attempting any advice.

How do you answer incoming calls? Touch something on your wheel, touch the phone, touch the radio, something else?

How do you attempt to make outgoing calls? Touch something on the wheel, ask assistant to place the call, use the voice system in the radio/car, open the phone app and tap something?

Have you verified that the settings for your car BT connection are set to Calls and Media?

Does your phone connect to your stereo as Android Auto, or are you pure BT?

I know some of the questions seem simple maybe even obvious but if we don't ask and get the answer we're left guessing and assuming. Anyway, given that it works for outgoing calls it almost seems like it would have to be an issue of technique. If your phone's connection wasn't set to calls and media you shouldn't get the incoming calls but I can imagine this glitching if the connection was media only, letting incoming through but diverting when attempting to originate a call. To check this connection go to Settings>Connections>Bluetooth (the word not the toggle)>your stereo (touch the cog)>verify options. You may have to be connected to the stereo to see the connection options.

I'll be curious to see the answers to the questions above.
Hey,

So, it is connected to primarily via BT. My car is the base spec so it does not have Android Auto.

I have checked my call settings for BT and all permissions allow audio and calls - I think that there must be something with the phone then as incoming calls are fine. The car system is also set for "telephone" and "streaming".

I often accept calls via the wheel or by touching the infotainment system. I also have tried making calls via the car infotainment system, by voice (which works normally) and by also trying my phone as well. I tried again this morning, when the car was stationary, by trying to make the call via my phone and immediately was met with the same message.
 
You 've done the basic thing of checking the settings for both the stereo and the phone, but you haven't really mentioned too many other things that you've tried.

Forgive me if I repeat things you may have tried.

Another basic thing would be to forget the connection and re-pair the phone to your stereo. Updates and patches can create bugs and it could be as simple as pairing the two again.

Clear the cache. Clear the cache for your BT app and for your device. Go to Settings>Apps>at the top of the list tap the 3 lines to the right Show system apps & OK>Bluetooth Agent>Storage>Clear cache/Clear data. I also have a Sammy so like you I have 3 "Bluetooth" apps. The first one just called Bluetooth, the cache and data option are greyed out and cannot be selected. The 3rd option has no cache. Only the second one has a cache or data that can be cleared.

Safe Mode can be a useful tool that can point to the cause of some issues. To enter Safe Mode, Press and hold the power button until the 4 options appear (shutdown, restart, etc)>tap Restart in Safe Mode and wait for the reboot. Once in SM test if you get the message. If you don't get it during this test that would be a strong argument for the issue being caused by bad app. If it still happens... in this case I'm not 100% sure. Usually it points to the OS or the device but we can cross that bridge when we get to it. We'll see what your experience is and work from there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Laura Knotek