Android Auto is it rubbish?

[Walespete]

Hi,
Android Auto connects reliably and it comes up on my MG4's display. I select the app I want and it loads fine.
However, I have no control of whatever app is running. The steering wheel buttons do nothing, nor does tapping the controls on the display. If music is playing from my phone I can stop and start a track but I cannot change that track.
Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

 

[webhiker]

Surely doing something wrong
Android Auto is better than the invention of the wheel (self failing statement )

 

[Walespete]

Surely doing something wrong
Android Auto is better than the invention of the wheel (self failing statement )

I may get an Android Auto Ai box if I can't figure this out.

 

[siteguru]

If I'm playing music via Android Auto then the right joystick controls the media ... up/down for volume and right/left for Next Track/Previous Track. Press in for Play/Pause. (I use the Musicolet music player app). This works whether or not AA is actually using the screen ... if I'm at the Home screen then the Media panel shows the source as being Android Auto.

 

[Walespete]

If I'm playing music via Android Auto then the right joystick controls the media ... up/down for volume and right/left for Next Track/Previous Track. Press in for Play/Pause. (I use the Musicolet music player app). This works whether or not AA is actually using the screen ... if I'm at the Home screen then the Media panel shows the source as being Android Auto.

On my car the joystick controls do nowt. Nor does tapping the previous/next buttons on the car's screen. I can pause and play though.

 

[Walespete]

If I start Tomtom I cannot control the app on the car's screen, I have to use my phone.

 

[siteguru]

Something's wrong then ... I'd suggest deleting any AA profile on the phone, and deleting the Bluetooth connection with the car (on the phone and in the car), and starting over again with the AA setup.

 

[Rolfe]

I never even had a satnav before I got a phone with Android Auto on it and now I worship the thing. It works so well with my MG4 it's absolutely uncanny.

 

[Jamesrr]

AA (and Apple CP if you have an iPhone) are so superior to the car manufacturers* satnav systems it's bizarre to me why people even bother trying to use them.



*There's a few that use Android Automotive with the Google maps interface "natively" such as Polestar and the Tesla system is excellent, but otherwise forget it.

 

[siteguru]

If I start Tomtom I cannot control the app on the car's screen, I have to use my phone.

Which exact TomTom app? I know the Go app and the AmiGO app are AA-compatible, but maybe there's another version which isn't.

 

[Walespete]

9

Something's wrong then ... I'd suggest deleting any AA profile on the phone, and deleting the Bluetooth connection with the car (on the phone and in the car), and starting over again with the AA setup.

I have a wireless adapter arriving today which may make it a whole lot better

 

[siteguru]

That'll only change the interface method ... if there's a fundamental AA config issue on your phone then you might still encounter the same issues.

 

[dave99]

have you tried another cable or even the same cable inserted the other way around (if its USBC)? I had a cable that would often disconnect after 10 minutes, or sometimes not respond to screen touches, but a different cable fixed all those problems. The only issue I get now is if the fluff has built up in the phone's USB socket which causes a dodgy connection.

 

[ReintjeWA]

have you tried another cable or even the same cable inserted the other way around (if its USBC)?

Flipping the USB-C cable wouldn’t work because AA/CP only operates from the left port which is USB-A.

 

[Coulomb]

AA/CP only operates from the left port which is USB-A.

I think @dave99 meant flipping at the phone end.

 

[dave99]

I think @dave99 meant flipping at the phone end.

Yeah that's what I meant. Yesterday we had a phone that was going to take hours to charge from a power bank, I rotated the USB-C 180 degrees and it was now fast charging in an hour, so always worth a try.

 

[meandi]

9

I have a wireless adapter arriving today which may make it a whole lot better

I have a very cheap adapter (£5) Chinese and works absolutely fine, with easy setup. Just plugged in and paired with phone.

 

[Walespete]

Just installed a wireless dongle, it works as at should now. I am trying to decide if Android Auto is worth the bother though, I'm not impressed.

 

[siteguru]

What exactly are you not impressed with?

 

[Deepbluexl]

@Walespete I think you are doing something wrong or your Phone has issues. Android Auto does work fine with the MG4 (only volume drops while Car messages are played, but this is still an MG issue ). You need to understand that not all apps are compatible with Android Auto and this has nothing to do with the MG4.
This is something which only Google will control, so for example no Video apps while driving or not all navigation apps are compatible. Google Maps works quite decent for me. If you get disconnects: at first buy a decent high quality cable, I would recommend a short cable. Check on your phone for latest updates.
If using a wireless adapter check if startup delay is available for the used Adapter (min. 25sec) otherwise you will sometimes not get a connection while starting the car.

One big question would be.. which Software Version of the Infotainment is used?
And in addition: Which phone are you using?