Android Auto finally fixes a connection bug that made it nearly unusable

Are Android Auto users ever going to catch a break? It feels like we can’t go more than a few weeks between the latest Android Auto glitch causing headaches for users. Today we’ve got some good news, though, as Google comes through with a fix.

Google says it has fixed a frustrating Android Auto bug that caused some users’ connections to fail every few minutes. The issue appeared on some versions of Android Auto 17.1 and persisted through versions 17.2 and 17.3, affecting both wired and wireless connections on some cars. Android Auto 17.4 or newer now includes the fix.

A Google community specialist confirmed the fix earlier this week, asking affected users to update Android Auto to the latest version. The problem could make Android Auto unusable, with users reporting that audio would stop before the display froze and the connection dropped.

The problem consistently appeared after about three minutes with an aftermarket head unit, regardless of whether Android Auto was connected wirelessly or over USB. Rolling Android Auto back to earlier versions restored stability, but no one wants to remain on older software as a workaround. The issue was reported on multiple Pixel and Samsung phones, although not every car or receiver was affected.

Google also seems to have also resolved another Android Auto connection problem, but this one apparently requires action from car manufacturers rather than an app update. The issue, first reported last August, mostly affected Pixel 10 phones connecting to Volkswagen Group vehicles, including Škoda, Volkswagen and SEAT models.

Google says the car’s head unit was the root cause and that manufacturers now have a fix available. Owners are being told to contact their local dealership for the latest software update.

That may prove less straightforward than updating an app since dealerships may not know which firmware contains the fix. An over-the-air update would certainly make things easier for compatible vehicles. Still, these fixes only address reliability problems rather than the Android Auto feature gaps that some users actually want handled.

The new Android Auto 17.4 update is rolling out now, but the rollout seems to be gradual, so be sure to check the Play Store for the latest version.