How to play mp3 audio files from phone in MG4 Long Range

[Rah]

Hi, I've been looking through the threads but not been able to find this... I have a bunch of audio files - voice recordings that I need to listen to - which are in mp3 format, recorded directly onto my phone.
How do I get to play these, or any other audio files currently on my phone, in the car?
Many thansks!

 

[Bam Bam]

If you connect using Bluetooth/android auto/apple car play will this not play via an app on your phone?

I play podcasts that are on my podcast app without an issue.

 

[Jamesrr]

Make sure you connect your phone to the car via a USB cable that plugs into the USB-A port and not the USB-C port.
The USB-C port only provides charging power.
The USB-A port supports data as well.
You need that for Android Auto or Apple Car Play to function.
You also need a good cable. That is another source of problems for some.

 

[Rah]

Thanks guys. I have just about got Android Auto working, after having to faff around for ages buying the right (expensive) cable, and everything is plugged into the USB-A port.... but it doesn't automatically just play what's on my phone in my files, and or what's on the Voice Recorder app. I guess I'm saying Android Auto doesn't act as a speaker for my phone, which is annoying. Is there a way around this?

 

[Bam Bam]

Thanks guys. I have just about got Android Auto working, after having to faff around for ages buying the right (expensive) cable, and everything is plugged into the USB-A port.... but it doesn't automatically just play what's on my phone in my files, and or what's on the Voice Recorder app. I guess I'm saying Android Auto doesn't act as a speaker for my phone, which is annoying. Is there a way around this?

If I'm listening to something on my phone (I use castbox for podcasts, audible for audiobooks and VLC player for music) then these apps switch to playing over the car speakers once it it connected.

I think the car might be able to play files on a USB drive, and there are threads about doing that in a convenient way (it sounds like it isn't as convenient as using a player app on a phone, but maybe more files can be saved on a USB drive).

 

[Rah]

Thank you Bam Bam.... this does seem crazy complicated when I just want to play audio files. I'll keep trying!

 

[Jamesrr]

Thank you Bam Bam.... this does seem crazy complicated when I just want to play audio files. I'll keep trying!

I'm not sure I'd class it as complicated at all but hey, everyone's different

You have two choices. Do you want to use Android Auto or not?

If not, don't connect via the USB-A port and just pair the phone via Bluetooth. The car will support "phone calls" and also provide the audio device for the phone so whatever you play from it will come over the cars speakers as long as your phone is configured to use the Bluetooth audio.

Personally I wouldn't use it this way as you have to directly interact with the phone to play your audio files and I don't like that idea whilst driving. Maybe you can launch your audio via voice commands only?

Personally I would use Android Auto (AA), not least because I'm using it already as my main car UI for maps, media et al...

So you need a media app installed on your phone that is supported in AA and that plays MP3s. There's heaps of them and most are free.

our AI Overlords suggest the following: -

Several MP3 player apps are compatible with Android Auto, allowing you to play music stored on your phone through your car's speakers while driving. Some popular options include Pulsar, Poweramp, Musicolet, and USB Audio Player PRO, according to XDA Forums and Reddit. These apps provide a user-friendly interface for browsing and playing your music library within the Android Auto environment.

Here's a more detailed look at some compatible options:

• Pulsar:
  A well-regarded MP3 player known for its ease of use and compatibility with smartwatches and various Android versions.
  
  
• Poweramp:
  A powerful and versatile music player with features like Google Assistant integration for voice control of music playback.
  
  
• Musicolet:
  A free, ad-free MP3 player that also offers Android Auto compatibility.
  
  
• USB Audio Player PRO:
  A high-quality audio player that supports Android Auto and allows users to browse their music library within the Android Auto interface.
  
  
• Other Options:
  Other apps like AIMP, CloudPlayer, and JetAudio also offer Android Auto integration for playing music.

To use these apps with Android Auto, you'll typically connect your phone to your car via USB or Bluetooth (depending on your car's setup). Once connected, the app's interface should appear on your car's display, allowing you to navigate your music library and control playback. You can also use voice commands through Google Assistant to play specific songs or playlists, as some of these players support that functionality.