[curmugeon]

Having intermittent trouble connecting to Android Auto to the Projection Icon on the 2017 Volt Display. Most of the time it connects just fine when I follow the sequence: power on Volt, start Android Auto, connect Volt USB cable to smart phone. However, if I use a different sequence Android Auto will not connect. Nothing I do can persuade the Volt to accept the Android Auto app. I have tried to power down the Volt, power off the smart phone, and restart the sequence with no luck. If I shut down the Volt for a few hours, the Android Auto will connect. Bluetooth connection to the Android phone works fine all the time.

 

[Tomt]

The quality of the USB cable is very important. Try using a different high quality cable.

 

[obermd]

I dumped Android Auto after less than a week of ownership. I popped over to Google's Android Auto forums and it appears it works best with Google and Samsung devices. All other manufacturers are a crapshoot, even with good cables. This isn't a Volt issue - the problem is with Android itself.

 

[Gloster]

I regularly use Android Auto with my OnePlus 3T. I do think the Android operating system is often the culprit rather than the cable. What phone are you using? What version of Android is it running?

 

[ImStillaYankee]

What phone are you using & what version of Android? My Samsung S6 Edge+ worked flawlessly with Android Auto (other than the fact the stupid smartphone wants to ALWAYS be in Android Auto mode no matter my phone settings or where I am) until I recently updated to Nougat (Android 7.0). Now, no matter what cable I use it doesn't work. My situation is a known issue with Samsung that lots of Sammy users aren't happy about.

 

[stevenwm]

I've found the one thing needed to make sure Android auto connects every single time is to have your phone on and unlocked.

I've had 2 different Android phones since I got my 2017 Volt. With both of them, making sure the phone was on and unlocked meant it would connect the first time, every time. My newest phone actually requires it to be unlocked, it simply won't do anything at all without unlocking it first.

 

[hellsop]

I've found the one thing needed to make sure Android auto connects every single time is to have your phone on and unlocked.

I've had 2 different Android phones since I got my 2017 Volt. With both of them, making sure the phone was on and unlocked meant it would connect the first time, every time. My newest phone actually requires it to be unlocked, it simply won't do anything at all without unlocking it first.

Seems like something of a security exposure otherwise, to me. I like that decision.

 

[MarkMessinger]

Having intermittent trouble connecting to Android Auto to the Projection Icon on the 2017 Volt Display. Most of the time it connects just fine when I follow the sequence: power on Volt, start Android Auto, connect Volt USB cable to smart phone. However, if I use a different sequence Android Auto will not connect. Nothing I do can persuade the Volt to accept the Android Auto app. I have tried to power down the Volt, power off the smart phone, and restart the sequence with no luck. If I shut down the Volt for a few hours, the Android Auto will connect. Bluetooth connection to the Android phone works fine all the time.

Like you, I have experienced this less-than-reliable connection, via Android Auto. First with the LG G4 and now with the OnePlus 5. In the case of the OnePlus 5, have also experienced instances when the phone believes it was connected, but the Android Auto screen, on the Volt's infotainment center, was actually black.

I have also attempted to discipline myself into the same sequence you describe, curmugeon. And like you I have also found it sometimes necessary to disconnect the phone, even re-boot the phone, and power down the Volt.

I have found it is sometime useful to change the USB to the MTP connection type. That is, after the phone is connected to the Volt and Android Auto isn't behaving correctly, I swipe down on the phone's notification shade. I then tap the notification for the current USB connection type (probably it's the charging type). A dialog box is displayed and I select the radio button for the MTP protocol. When I then return to the Android Auto screen, on the Volt's infotainment center, I find I can sometimes successfully connect (and the USB connection type has returned to charging). If I do this, first, before I start rebooting everything, I sometimes find the connection can be made again.

All in all, I find almost a quarter of the time my car and phone fail to connect properly. That said, I agree the issue can sometimes be the USB cable itself. I should also note that I am using the same USB cable with the OnePlus that I originally purchased for use with the LG G4. I am now using an Aukey USB-to-USB-C converter. If I continue to experience especially the black screen, I'll probably see if I'm any more successful at connecting using a proper OnePlus Type C cable.

I should also point out that I have installed the little application called "Dock No-Op" (by Megagram). This allows me to more easily boot up, on the phone, Waze, after connecting the Android Auto. There are some instances when Android Auto pitches a fit about not being the default app, when the phone is "docked" to the Volt (Dock No-Op is made the default, to allow me to more easily access my phone's screen, while Android Auto is functioning). So, I admit I'm not making the Android Auto connection an easy one. But, on some drives, it's sure nice to have Google Maps on the Volt's infotainment center and Waze running, on the phone.

 

[lunarx]

Just got the AA update on my 16 about 2 weeks ago.
I'm using a Verizon Asus Zenpad Z8, because I want my phone free.
Had to "sideload" AA to the Z8.

I just plug the Z8 in and then wait for the AA Icon to show up on the MyLink Display.
Sometimes, I also see a pop-up message (on My-Link) about my device connecting.
Other times, the MyLink automatically displays the AA Home Screen.
It's not exactly consistent, but seems to only need me to plug-in the USB cable.

I have 75% success rate connecting.
Sometimes no AA Icon, & others no sound (plays via tablet speakers).
In all cases; unplugging and re-plugging the USB cable got it to connect properly.
There was only (1) time where I had to power off/on the MyLink and then it connected.

BTW - I dis-allowed Contact-Sync & Text-Display, so maybe that simplifies the connection?

FYI - the same Z8 was not able to connect on a Mercedes GLA.
So MB is doing much worse than Chevy in AA support.

 

[Dgcan75]

AA always works for me. The odd time the icon stays as Projection instead of AA on the infotainment screen but if you still press Projection is still connects. There were 2 times when my phone froze while in AA and to get to to take again I had to go to Settings - AA in MyLink and press the "-" beside my device to make it "+" and it would connect again. I found the only time AA got buggy was when you had on your phone the setting to autolaunch AA when connected to Bluetooth. This is meant for people without AA as part of their cars infotainment system.

 

[irev210]

I agree on the cable quality comment.

Android auto is VERY sensitive to cable quality. Stick with a short (3ft or less) cable that's very high quality (OEM samsung, google, etc). No cheap aftermarket cables!

 

[tjkenny15]

I've also had poor performance using AA with my 2017 Volt and my 2017 Bolt. I believe it has something to do with the cable and the GPS signal not being able to be found.

I don't want to blame the AA software (the few times its worked, its been amazing). I really wish AA could work over Bluetooth, though it would probably kill the phone's battery quick.

Once I figure this out, I'll reach back with my conclusions.

 

[ripegraph]

I have found it is sometime useful to change the USB to the MTP connection type. That is, after the phone is connected to the Volt and Android Auto isn't behaving correctly, I swipe down on the phone's notification shade. I then tap the notification for the current USB connection type (probably it's the charging type). A dialog box is displayed and I select the radio button for the MTP protocol.

That said, I agree the issue can sometimes be the USB cable itself. ... I am now using an Aukey USB-to-USB-C converter.

The above instructions worked for me almost every time if AA doesn't connect automatically on its own. I'm also using an Aukey USB-to-USB-C cable. On my phone, there are five USB connection types as shown in the image, only the one marked red works to bring AA back.

 

[tjkenny15]

UPDATE

A couple observations regarding this matter:
1) a quality cable makes a big difference
2) if i have my Samsung Galaxy S7 in a battery saving mode, the GPS signal does not appear to hold location services as well
3) Download 'GPS Status'. This app while running in the background uses a bit of battery and computing power but keeps the GPS signal current and seems to improve the location service for AA.

Just my thoughts. Hope this helps.
-tim

 

[klondikejimbo]

I have had my 2017 only 2 days, but with my Samsung S8 plus have had zero issues. It connects in any order I choose. Have had a couple audio issues, only momentarily I think when xm traffic tries to tell an update and it speaks over Google nav. I like it quite a bit and Google nav so much better than stock nav.

 

[radiovan7]

New Android Auto Version - Intermittent Connection to Android Pie v9

I'm going to try this. I usually had my phone set to charge only when I connect it to my computer. The new Android Auto is awesome when it puts Google Maps on the screen of my 2017 Volt, and for Amazon or Google Music when I have an LTE connection.

I usually connect the phone first with the cable and then start the car. BT on the phone is on. The Android Auto icon usually shows up on the Home screen at Projection and works. If I stop the car and restart it I lose the Android Auto connection every time.

My phone is an Android One (motoX4) running version 9 Android Pie. My 3 ft. cable is from Ebay and one of the more expensive higher-quality flexible ones I could find. The really rock bottom cheap cables don't last long even for charging only.

 

[broadstone]

My Samsung also does not handle being in battery saver mode at all. It seems to prevent GPS from properly running or something and Waze does not behave well. The screen rarely updates if at all.

 

[radarjones]

I would only add, iPhone 13.1, my Volts USB ports have always felt.....'flimsy', IE less than a 'tight/snug fit'.....I always say I'll judiciously bend the central 'electrode' a little, one day, to see if that helps with my ( sometimes) on-off connection......