What is blocking my cars access to messages

[NMatt]

I have an Xperia XZ2 running Android 10 and I cannot access text messages on my car without having to restart my phone. Everything else (calls, contacts, media) connects and reconnects perfectly everytime but messages will not reconnect unless I restarty phone in the car. There is obviously something that blocks the phone connecting messages that runs later in the start up process but I have no idea what. My wife has exactly the same phone but no issue connecting to the car. Please can someone help with this issue

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Which car? Does it have the factory-installed stereo, or an aftermarket?

Please register on this forum, which will allow you to engage in discussion more easily, as well as post images. https://forums.androidcentral.com/ask-question/409154-join-android-central-community.html

 

[NMatt]

It's a 2022 Hyundai Tuscon Hybrid. It has to be my phone as both my wife's XZ2 and my work Samsung connect every time without issue. My phone connected fine to previous car (Nissan Juke) but there is something that stops messages connecting unless I sit in the car and restart my phone.

 

[B. Diddy]

That car supports Android Auto, right? Have you made sure Android Auto is up to date on your phone (as well as any other related app, like the Messages app)? Also make sure your Google Play system update is up to date -- look in Settings>Security for that.

Also try forgetting the phone from the car (and vice-versa), and then set it back up again.

I made you the owner of the original guest post to make it easier for you to find.

 

[NMatt]

Hi, sorry it is not an Android Auto issue, that works just fine, I just don't use it for short journeys. My issue is with the standard Bluetooth connection. I have tried forgetting and repairing, removing other apps access to sms. Reset the network settings, reset app preferences and everything is up to date. The issue makes no sense as it works and connects if I restart my phone but won't reconnect once the initial Bluetooth connection is broken so something has to be blocking the access request/response and so messages won't connect

 

[B. Diddy]

See if it also happens in Safe Mode: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/SX673501. If the problem goes away, then something you installed is probably interfering.

Also, go to Settings>Bluetooth​ and tap the gear icon next to the car stereo. Is there a toggle for Text Messages there?

 

[NMatt]

I will give safe mode a go and see what happens.

There is a toggle for text messages and it is on.

 

[NMatt]

Ok, so I tried in safe mode and have the same issue. Again if I restart the phone in the car again into safe mode) then it connects ok but if I disconnect bluetooth then try to reconnect to the car it will not allow access to messages.

In safe mode all Google apps, Amazon apps (photos, Prime and shopping ) and preinstalled Xperia apps are still available but none of the others so it looks like it is something within one of these that is causing the issue (at least to my non technical brain). I assume that this is likely to be a Google app as none of the others have access to sms/messages

 

[B. Diddy]

Hmm. It might be time to try a factory reset.

 

[NMatt]

I must admit I couldn't think of anything else but I am reluctant to go with a factory reset as that will involve potential data loss and all my backups are in Google which may be part of the problem. Guess I am between a rock and a hard place!

 

[VidJunky]

With everything except messages working I would look at the app a bit more. Have you cleared the cache or data for the app? Whatever app you're using go to Settings>Apps>insert your messaging app>Storage>Clear Cache/Clear Data.

I don't believe you've mentioned what app you're using for messaging but clearing the cache shouldn't result any loss. I'm not sure if there will be loss if you clear data this way. There are tons of apps to help you backup messages like MyBackUp Pro, which used to have a free trial period. People used to download it for a day, use the features and then uninstall it. This explanation works with why it works after a restart and why it doesn't work in Safe Mode. Restarting a device usually clears caches and properly stops processes. On the other side it opens needed processes and reinitializes connections.

If your app is not one that came preinstalled on the device and you have permission to uninstall it, a fresh install of the app might work. This is similar to clearing the data but on a more extreme level. Typically if you can uninstall the SMS app no data will be lost. The messages are stored in another location and 3rd party SMS apps are more like fancy viewers that allow you interact with the messages, is the best way I can think to describe it. This method gives you a fresh clean slate hopefully without bugs and should be the best bet to get something working.

It also might be worth trying a different app all together. Again not knowing what app you're using I can't say, well 90% of people just use the preinstalled apps on their devices so that one you have should be working or that's an app I've never heard of try one of these more popular apps and let us know, but trying a different app is cheap, fun and easy. OK it'll be at least one of those, at least one. This one works even if you're using the stock SMS app and really couldn't hurt anything except if it works but you really love the app you're using.

Let us know what you find.

 

[NMatt]

I have the Messages app from Google LLC, it was the one that was installed on the phone when I bought it. I have cleared the cache but this makes no difference. Not tried clearing the actual stored data - I will look at getting an app to back up messages and give your suggestions a go

 

[NMatt]

So, I have tried all the options suggested so far (new app, delete and reinstall original app, (it would only let me uninstall updates) deleted stored data) and, sadly, none have resolved the issue. On the plus side the SMS Back Up app is great

I am now convinced that the issue lies with a Google app that loads after bluetooth and sms on a restart. How to solve it is another matter entirely.

Thanks for all the advice, it is greatly appreciated and I am more than happy to pursue any other suggestions/advice

 

[B. Diddy]

Are there any updates for the car's firmware?

 

[VidJunky]

Thank you for giving such good feedback first of all. It is rare thing. In the meantime, I have one more for you and then I'm spent but if you're correct and its being caused by another app because of the way Android works everything needs permission to access this and that. So we can take this permission away and see what happens.

Settings>Apps>3 dots in the upper right corner>Permission Manager>SMS>remove all apps from this list. You may also find the permission manager by typing it in the search bar in settings.

Taking away permissions like this is not permanent. It is more like a reset. So the next time an app without this permission runs it will ask if it can have permission like it did when the app was installed or ran for the first time. If things clear up and start working after taking the permission away that's when you'll have to be vigilant. As apps begin to request their lost permission the issue may return that is when you will need to know what the last one or two apps where that were granted permission. Then you can take it away again, replace the bad app or get rid of it.

The reason I didn't recommend this earlier is because you said you tried in Safe Mode and it still acted up. Usually in Safe Mode is how we troubleshoot app interference vs system issue but in this case it is the last thing I have that fits with what we're seeing.

Let us know what you find.

 

[NMatt]

Ok, the cars firmware is up to date. I removed all the SMS permissions that i could (it would not let me deny permission to the following system files:- bluetooth, call management, com.sonymobile.assist.persistent, device monitor, location services, MmsService, OMA Client Provisioning, Phone and Messaging Storage, Phone Services, Shell and Xperia Assist) and, sadly this has no effect. Think I am either going to have to try a factory reset or learn to live with it!

Thanks again for all the help

 

[mustang7757]

Is AA done wireless or by cable?

 

[NMatt]

Hi Mustang7757. It's not an AA issue, it's a problem with the basic Bluetooth connection.

 

[VidJunky]

I've never tried to take SMS permission away from all of my apps so I am a bit surprised at how many apps were not able to be removed, however those all sound like system apps and if a system app is causing your issue you have bigger fish to fry with this problem. I was hopeful, sorry it didn't work out.

If you're committed to factory resetting your device doing it once is as easy as doing it twice. The first time you FR you will be tempted to auto install your apps, if it is an app problem reinstalling everything will likely bring it back so if the issue returns after your first FR, I would try again and say no to auto app installation. This latter option also gives you the cleanest fresh start possible. It takes the closest to right out of the box.

 

[NMatt]

Thanks VidJunky, sadly I think you may be right about it being a system app causing the problem. I going to take some time to weigh up the FR verses "living with it" conundrum. If I manage to resolve it I will let you know.

Thanks again to everyone for the advice