Using Android Auto

dthatcher7

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I got a request on another thread to start a new one on the basics of using Android Auto. So here goes!

Here is what you will need in place to begin:
1. An Android phone running Android 5 (Lollipop) or higher.
2. A quality USB cable. Cheap-o cables won't cut it. Check out Monoprice if you aren't sure about the quality of your cable.

Before connecting to the car, go to the Play store and install Android Auto.

First time connecting with Android Auto, at the car:
1. Start the car, leave in park.
2. Launch Android Auto on your phone.
3. Connect to the 1.5 Amp port using the USB cable.
4. Follow the instructions on the car screen, then when you are through with that, then follow the instructions on your phone screen.
--You are prompted to enable Hondalink, if you enable it then it will try to use your phone to call 911 in the event of a crash.
5. Once you've completed all the steps you should be ready.

Starting with Android Auto:
If you are not on the Android Auto home screen, hit the Home button on the left and then choose Android Auto. If you don't see Android Auto, disconnect your phone, launch Android Auto on your phone, then reconnect your phone. This also works in the event of USB connection errors, unless your USB cable is the problem (crappy cable).

It helps to think of your infotainment system as a glorified tablet when in Android Auto. Along the bottom you have buttons for various function categories, from left to right:
1. Navigation
2. Phone
3. The Home button to take you back to the Home screen
4. Music
5. Car info

If there are multiple available apps for a function (for example, you have Pandora and Amazon MP3 on your phone) then you will be prompted to choose which app to use.

When you turn off your car you can unplug your phone and go.

Be aware that connecting an Android Auto-enabled phone will connect it via Bluetooth as well. If another phone is connected via Bluetooth already, it will prompt you about kicking that phone off and pairing with your phone instead. This is actually a nice feature; my wife and I can switch off easily just by plugging in whatever phone we want to use at the moment.

Your Android Auto experience will only be as fast as your phone, possibly a hair slower. If your phone is a dog, you will want to do something about that. Perhaps uninstall some apps, or even do a full reset of your phone. Of course you can always get a new phone!

Also note, that if your phone screen is off or if your phone is locked, this will not prevent the operation of Android Auto.

Voice commands:
When in Android Auto, you need to press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel for two seconds, then release. Wait for the chime (which may take a few more seconds), then speak your command. You can say "Navigate to..." and then an address or business name, or "Call..." and then a name or number, or "Stop Music" or "Stop Navigation". Check out https://support.google.com/androidauto/?hl=en#topic=6348027 under "Use Android Auto" for more ideas for voice commands.

If you just press and release the voice command button quickly you'll get launched back into the stock infotainment system, which is probably not what you want.

That's pretty much it. Half the fun is exploring what you can do. I would suggest going into Google Maps on your phone or computer under your Google account and setting up your Home and Work addresses. That way you can say "Navigate to Home" or "Navigate to Work" and it will know what you mean. I think you can also set up other places this way too. As time goes on expect more apps and more connectivity with Android Auto.
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Calibur

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Just to add to that. It also depends on the phone you use. My oneplus one with the latest cynogen OS. I have to go through all the step of going into developer option and changing the "select USB option" to the one that will connect to android auto which is midi, this will differ from phone to phone. I believed Samsung is MTP.

At times it won't work but you just have to keep trying. When i plugged in a nexus phone, it worked without having to go through the developer option.
 
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dthatcher7

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Just to add to that. It also depends on the phone you use. My oneplus one with the latest cynogen OS. I have to go through all the step of going into developer option and changing the "select USB option" to the one that will connect to android auto which is midi, this will differ from phone to phone. I believed Samsung is MTP.

At times it won't work but you just have to keep trying. When i plugged in a nexus phone, it worked without having to go through the developer option.
Yeah if you have an alternative version of Android loaded (Cyanogen, mainly), it may take some fiddling. I didn't think the OnePlus shipped from the factory with Cyanogen. Did you buy it secondhand?
 

Calibur

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Yeah if you have an alternative version of Android loaded (Cyanogen, mainly), it may take some fiddling. I didn't think the OnePlus shipped from the factory with Cyanogen. Did you buy it secondhand?
Nope. Bought the phone as is from oneplus them self. It was the very 1st phone from oneplus when they had a contract with cynogen. Now oneplus phones are shipped with their own OS, oxygen os.
 

zeradx

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Did you buy it secondhand?
The original 1+1 is CM based but anything after that (1+2 and 1+3) is going to be using their in-house Oxygen OS. I had the 1+1 and had trouble with getting it to connect (3/4 times would be connection issue) and multiple times it would just disconnect in the middle of a drive when I needed the directions...so I had to switch to another phone. Got the N5X and now it connects 99% of the time (not 100% of the time because one time it did just sit there and claim to have 'no device connected' but unplug-replug fixed it) and hasn't dropped off mid-drive.
 


timt

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When using Android Auto, when I am off-network, I am unable to use voice commands to request a new destination, for example. The infotainment system prompts me to use certain available offline commands (such as "Navigate to"), but none of those work as the system always responds by saying "Actually, you are offline" and announces other Google Now offline commands that would work (but never do). Have others experienced anything similar, or know of a fix?

PS: Certain commands such as "Call number" (for making a phone call) do work when offline, but none of the Google map commands work.
 

Dan198

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When using Android Auto, when I am off-network, I am unable to use voice commands to request a new destination, for example. The infotainment system prompts me to use certain available offline commands (such as "Navigate to"), but none of those work as the system always responds by saying "Actually, you are offline" and announces other Google Now offline commands that would work (but never do). Have others experienced anything similar, or know of a fix?

PS: Certain commands such as "Call number" (for making a phone call) do work when offline, but none of the Google map commands work.
Do you have any offline maps downloaded onto your phone? I wonder if it will work if you are offline and you have offline maps downloaded.
 

Blader

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I have offline maps downloaded and they work. I'm talking navigation. Since the map can be enlarged or shrunk, one is able to select a destination that is known to you. It'll likely be coordinates. I haven't tested allowance for alternate routes. That said, in my limited experience, it does recalculate when one deviates from the selected route.
 

Blader

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Do you have any offline maps downloaded onto your phone? I wonder if it will work if you are offline and you have offline maps downloaded.
Sorry for the repeat. I wanted to quote.

I have offline maps downloaded and they work. I'm talking navigation. Since the map can be enlarged or shrunk, one is able to select a destination that is known to you. It'll likely be coordinates. I haven't tested allowance for alternate routes. That said, in my limited experience, it does recalculate when one deviates from the selected route.
 

timt

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Do you have any offline maps downloaded onto your phone? I wonder if it will work if you are offline and you have offline maps downloaded.
Yes, I do have offline maps downloaded, which work fine. In fact, I think functionally offline Google Maps using Android Auto is mostly equivalent to using Maps on the phone when offline.

Question is why Google Maps *voice commands* meant for offline use do not work - e.g., "Navigate to (a new destination)" should work offline, but doesn't. So far, only phone commands by voice have successfully worked offline w/Android Auto. Which means I have to wait until network reception recovers or come to a stop (if typing in), before I can enter a new destination, for example.
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