At the end of my Tether with Tethering! (MG4/Samsung A12/Android auto)

[Alecfrank]

"Tethering" may not be the correct term, but I use it with Poetic Licence.

I week ago today, I took my perfectly working Android Auto phone (samsung A12 circa 5 years old) out of a Kona EV, walked across the road and plugged it into my Brand New MG Long range EV, (not the Trophy) and Nothing Happened.

After a week of research, alas, I need to give up, but giving it 1 last shot and posting this on Reddit, The MG communtity site, and the Reddit samsung site.
I have got a lot of help from all 3 over the week, and I thank all involved.

This is what I know. (repeating myself)

The Samsung A12 Phone is 5 years old.

The MG4 (not trophy) is a week old

The Software for the Phone, Android Auto, Google, and the car itself are all up to date.

I have a brand new 90cm (3ft) higher spec than needed cable, (and having plugged the phone into my PC, I know the Phones input socket is working and data is being transferred)

I know the car is not "seeing" the phone, via the left USB (the one with the Tablet/phone icon, because in the USB section on the InfoT screen, in the car, it shows no Input.

The car is not capable to connect AA via bluetooth or Wifi

The car and phone DO connect Via Bluetooth.

Now, this next bit is a Biggy!!!!

My wife has a brand new Samsung Galaxy Ao5, and when I plug it in, Android Auto fires up, within milliseconds.
I have had the 2 phones next to each other and replicated the Android Auto Settings.

So "thats all Folks" I have no idea what to try next?
To me, it HAS to be the phone???

Any ideas please?

(I will throw in a pretty please as well)

Pretty Please?

 

[siteguru]

To be honest, I gave up with cabled Android Auto long ago. I bought a wireless AA dongle off AliExpress (for about £12) and just use that ... no need to even take my phone out of my pocket. If I do want to also charge my phone, I have a short cable plugged into a USB adapter in the 12V socket (so giving more power) and plug the phone into that on the shelf.

What version of Android is your A12 running?

 

[Deepbluexl]

Hmm for Android Auto it is required to connect the phone to the left USB-A Connector. The USB Cable needs to be a Data capable cable.

Android Auto will pop up automatically on the Entertainment Screen.

If this will not work you could try to clear cache on your phone for Android Auto..

 

[Yorkshire Hillbilly]

Try a better cable into the USB A port, should fix the issues no problems.
I prefer the Anker PowerLine+ braided red cables myself.
*I think these were replaced by braided black/grey cables though

 

[Alecfrank]

To be honest, I gave up with cabled Android Auto long ago. I bought a wireless AA dongle off AliExpress (for about £12) and just use that ... no need to even take my phone out of my pocket. If I do want to also charge my phone, I have a short cable plugged into a USB adapter in the 12V socket (so giving more power) and plug the phone into that on the shelf.

What version of Android is your A12 running?

HI, I have ordered a dongle, after another chap from Brussels (on reddit), told me about the dongle idea as well, thanks for confirming, and my AA is V15.2

Hmm for Android Auto it is required to connect the phone to the left USB-A Connector. The USB Cable needs to be a Data capable cable.

Android Auto will pop up automatically on the Entertainment Screen.

If this will not work you could try to clear cache on your phone for Android Auto..

I did the cache clearing, and was using the left hand USB.
I have orderded a Dongle to try, 2 folks have told me this works well.
thanks

Try a better cable into the USB A port, should fix the issues no problems.
I prefer the Anker PowerLine+ braided red cables myself.
*I think these were replaced by braided black/grey cables though

Hi
I got a high spec cable, and it works with the Phone/PC connection
this one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NXJKNNL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Hi
I got a high spec cable, and it works with the Phone/PC connection
this one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NXJKNNL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I have gone for a dongle now.

 

[Kithmo]

Are there any different permissions settings on your phone compared to the wife's phone ?

 

[Alecfrank]

Are there any different permissions settings on your phone compared to the wife's phone ?

HI
No I compared everything that related to permissions, another note is that my wifes personal phone, which is a samsung older than mine, also did not work.

 

[ReintjeWA]

I don’t know how android deals with this stuff, but Apple only supports phones for about 5 years, so could there be a mismatch in software on the older phones and the MG4 AA software?

 

[siteguru]

HI, I have ordered a dongle, after another chap from Brussels (on reddit), told me about the dongle idea as well, thanks for confirming, and my AA is V15.2

What is your Android (OneUI) version? (Not your Android Auto version).

 

[Alecfrank]

What is your Android (OneUI) version? (Not your Android Auto version).

5.1 android 13..

 

[siteguru]

Should be OK then ... what's your car's Infotainment version?

 

[Alecfrank]

Hi
This is everything I think

Phone
Samsung A12 SM-A127F/DSN
one UI 5.1
Android 13

Car

Sofware Version
RFFFF_MCU_V2.2. 1_250107_SSS

Android auto Version
15.2

 

[decrep]

my Samsung phone
A 21s SM-A217F
one UI4.1
Android 12
And Android Auto works fine.
Just to add more confusion.

 

[Deepbluexl]

Hi
This is everything I think

Phone
Samsung A12 SM-A127F/DSN
one UI 5.1
Android 13

Car

Sofware Version
RFFFF_MCU_V2.2. 1_250107_SSS

Android auto Version
15.2

Hi,
Software Version of Car is not as we expect.
Should start with something like SWI69 or SWI133 and include RXX (Number).
Here for the Luxury for example:
SWI68-29958-1300R67
This info can be found in the settings of the Infotainment screen.

But I would guess the issue is linked to your phone, as other Phones seems to work, it should not be an issue of the Infotainment.

 

[Alecfrank]

I agree, interface Dongle on its way!

 

[Alecfrank]

I don’t know how android deals with this stuff, but Apple only supports phones for about 5 years, so could there be a mismatch in software on the older phones and the MG4 AA software?

I think that is the likely answer, I am not saying built in obsolecene is a fact, but at the same time possibly likely. Got an Interface donle on its way today. Cheers

 

[siteguru]

FWIW, the AA version on my phone is 15.2.653614-release (152653614)