Google released Android 14 during its annual “Made by Google” event on October 4 which also saw the launch of Google’s latest Pixel 8 series—Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Plus, and soon after the Pixel devices (Google Pixel 4a and later) were the first to receive the update, followed by key Android smartphone makers like Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, etc. The eligible device owners, including me, quickly installed the Android 14 update. However, things took a turn after I doubted if the Android 14 update broke Android Auto.
It doesn’t stop here. I looked for people reporting this issue on Reddit to find that it has also caused an annoying Spotify audio glitch, per a Pixel user report saying there’s no audio output when playing any song from Spotify on Android Auto. There could be a connection between this and Bluetooth issues after the OS update.
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Android 14 update broke Android Auto?
I’ve noticed that Android Auto isn’t functioning properly for many Google Pixel users who recently updated their phones to Android 14. From what I’ve read, some people are experiencing issues where the connection between their phone and the car is choppy or unreliable. In other cases, the connection doesn’t work at all.
People who are facing these problems have mentioned that after updating their phones to the latest Android version, Android Auto just stopped working for them. They’ve tried connecting both wirelessly and with a USB cable, but it didn’t make any difference.
Moreover, the problems are beyond Android Auto as one user suggested that Spotify doesn’t seem to work after the Android 14 update. It could be likely that the company hasn’t fully adapted it to the latest Android 14 yet. Major OS updates often require developers to optimize their apps, or there can be stability problems like the ones described earlier. While this isn’t confirmed, it’s a possibility.
Further, following the Android 14 release, reports of Bluetooth problems have surfaced among certain Google Pixel users. While it’s not confirmed, these issues may be connected.
Notably, the issue of broken Android Auto after the Android 14 update has gained prominence in recent weeks, with the initial complaint coming from a member of the Android Auto team. However, it’s important to note that, as of the present time, there haven’t been any official updates or announcements on the thread regarding a solution to the problem.
How to fix broken Android Auto after the Android 14 update?
There are two workarounds to fix this issue: the first method involves simply uninstalling the Android Auto app and re-installing it while the other involves minor tweaks like enabling Passthrough.
Android Auto app install-reinstall method
One may try uninstalling the Android Auto app from the phone and re-installing the app manually via an APK; you can download it safely from this link.
🔽 How to install APK on Android phones?
- 1. Go to your Android’s Settings.
- 2. Tap on “Apps.”
- 3. Choose “Special app access” or “Advanced” > “Special app access.”
- 4. Click on “Install unknown apps.”
- 5. Pick an app like your browser or file manager.
- 6. Turn on “Allow from this source” to install APK files through that app.
Now, comes the second workaround to fix broken Android Auto. This method via Reddit claims that it requires minimal effort and does the job brilliantly. The steps are below.
Passthrough Method
- Go to the AAWireless companion app and enable “Passthrough.”
- In your Android Auto settings, set “start Android Auto” to “always” instead of “car default.”
- If possible, try this in another car.
- If that doesn’t work, see if enabling the “GM fix” or “Start fix” resolves the problem.
- If this doesn’t work, here are additional tips.
- Clear Android Auto’s cache and files.
- Reset your AA Wireless dongle.
- Delete the connections on your phone.
- Set up the head unit with your phone connected directly via cable.
- Then, reconnect to AA Wireless and enable “Passthrough” again if needed.
Downgrade to Android 13
Opt for this alternative only if you are familiar with manually installing ROMs. Check with your smartphone’s manufacturer to see if a stable Android 13 build is available, and then proceed to manually install it on your device.
Bonus Tip: Clear the Android Auto app’s cache
- Open your phone’s “Settings.”
- Go to “Apps”
- Find and tap on “Android Auto.”
- Select “Storage.”
- Tap “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data.”
Summing It Up
Google Pixel users, myself included, encountered Android Auto issues after the recent Android 14 update. Problems ranged from choppy connections to complete failure of the phone-car link, possibly due to the update not yet being fully adapted by developers. This update also seemed to trigger a Spotify audio glitch for some users. Additionally, Bluetooth problems emerged post-update. While the connection between these issues remains speculative, users have found workarounds.
To address the Android Auto problem, two solutions exist: reinstalling the Android Auto app or making adjustments to enable “Passthrough.” The latter method has proven effective for many users. Hopefully, Google will release an update to address these issues, ensuring a smoother experience for all Android 14 users. If you find another method, make sure to share it with us. Users who are experiencing this issue may need to keep an eye on the thread for any future developments or fixes.
