Man, I’m glad Android Auto exists, I’m glad it’s finally appearing in more new cars with wireless connectivity (although MANY new cars still only have wireless carplay and wired Android), and I’m glad we’re finally getting the ability to open Google Maps on our phones while it’s also open on the car’s display.
But damn it still does some dumb shit.
I’ll just drop this one for now: I find it weird and dumb that Google Maps in Android Auto will let you send a progress share to a contact’s email address but not to their phone number as a text message with a link.
An email address might send a notification to somebody’s Google Maps app, but it’s certainly never happened on my partner’s iPhone. She just gets a link via email, and she is not the checking email sort — so I usually follow up with a text message telling her to check her email. 😑 (I wish she’d just get a Samsung…)
The biggest issue I’ve had is random disconnects. Sometimes it’ll come back after a minute or so. Sometimes unplugging and plugging back in works. And other times I have to completely turn off my CX-5.
I’ve tried new cables and even a factory reset but nothing has prevented it from popping up about once a week. Not sure if it’s the car’s fault or Android Auto but boy is it annoying
This sums up my exact experience with Android Auto.
The moment Google or the car manufacturer or whoever is responsible fixes this Android Auto will become perfect for my use.
Try and source yourself the shortest USB-C cable that you can get whilst still reaching your phone holder.
Yeah I don’t even bother using it with a cable, it’s a shit experience. If the car I’m in doesn’t have wireless AA, I just take a cradle and use my phone display as my infotainment display.
Wireless AA is a bit crap in some cars, great in others. Often gets taken out or interrupted by overhead e-tag gantries too, but I find it reconnects/resumes quickly enough.