Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Google has several long-standing and widespread Android Auto bugs to fix, but one issue that nobody can explain concerns Samsung phones.
Users have been complaining for years that their Samsung flagships can't run Android Auto, as the app fails to launch or their devices are not detected when connecting them to their vehicles to start Google's experience.
These reports have been around since the Galaxy S21 series, with users getting the Galaxy S24 complaining of similar connection issues. Google has already started an investigation, and despite some users claiming that their experience has improved, a patch has never been announced officially.
The issue is still around, causing frustration for customers who spend more than $1,000 on a high-end Android phone only to find out that Android Auto can't run correctly.
Fortunately, users have found two fixes that seem to resolve the connection issues with a Samsung Galaxy S24.
The first workaround involves users uninstalling all Android Auto updates and installing version 10.3. This is a super-old release—the latest stable Android Auto version is 12.3—but the trick is that once you install this outdated build, the app will prompt you to update it through the Google Play Store.
However, after you install Android Auto 10.3, you should connect your phone to the vehicle to let everything set up from scratch. The app should start correctly and require an update. While some users might worry that installing the latest update could break the app, everything should be completed correctly after getting the newest Android Auto version from the Google Play Store.
Someone says they fixed Android Auto with their Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra by removing all app updates and attempting to connect the phone to the vehicle. The first attempt failed, but their vehicle created a generic phone profile called "Samsung_Android." They edited the entry and renamed it to the phone's actual name. The next time they connected the smartphone to the car, Android Auto launched correctly.
Unfortunately, I'm also seeing users claiming that these two workarounds don't bring Android Auto back to running condition, so they aren't universal fixes to restore the app for everybody. Meanwhile, Google continues the investigation, and it's unknown if Samsung does the same.
The South Korean company is also working on new flagships, with its next foldable lineup due to see the light of day this month. The Galaxy Fold and Flip models also encountered Android Auto connection issues, albeit they aren't as widespread as those affecting the Samsung Galaxy S lineup—truth be told, the Galaxy S is also more popular than the foldable lineup.
Samsung has also remained tight-lipped on this issue despite its forums also being filled with complaints from users struggling to run Android Auto in their cars.
These reports have been around since the Galaxy S21 series, with users getting the Galaxy S24 complaining of similar connection issues. Google has already started an investigation, and despite some users claiming that their experience has improved, a patch has never been announced officially.
The issue is still around, causing frustration for customers who spend more than $1,000 on a high-end Android phone only to find out that Android Auto can't run correctly.
Fortunately, users have found two fixes that seem to resolve the connection issues with a Samsung Galaxy S24.
The first workaround involves users uninstalling all Android Auto updates and installing version 10.3. This is a super-old release—the latest stable Android Auto version is 12.3—but the trick is that once you install this outdated build, the app will prompt you to update it through the Google Play Store.
However, after you install Android Auto 10.3, you should connect your phone to the vehicle to let everything set up from scratch. The app should start correctly and require an update. While some users might worry that installing the latest update could break the app, everything should be completed correctly after getting the newest Android Auto version from the Google Play Store.
Someone says they fixed Android Auto with their Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra by removing all app updates and attempting to connect the phone to the vehicle. The first attempt failed, but their vehicle created a generic phone profile called "Samsung_Android." They edited the entry and renamed it to the phone's actual name. The next time they connected the smartphone to the car, Android Auto launched correctly.
Unfortunately, I'm also seeing users claiming that these two workarounds don't bring Android Auto back to running condition, so they aren't universal fixes to restore the app for everybody. Meanwhile, Google continues the investigation, and it's unknown if Samsung does the same.
The South Korean company is also working on new flagships, with its next foldable lineup due to see the light of day this month. The Galaxy Fold and Flip models also encountered Android Auto connection issues, albeit they aren't as widespread as those affecting the Samsung Galaxy S lineup—truth be told, the Galaxy S is also more popular than the foldable lineup.
Samsung has also remained tight-lipped on this issue despite its forums also being filled with complaints from users struggling to run Android Auto in their cars.
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