Hi all, I've picked up a 67 plate Octavia vRS MK3 (FL) Diesel today. Coming from a bone stock base model Ford Focus I'm absolutely loving it. However, I can't get Android Auto to work. I've chosen the "App" options on the infotainment system, then opened Android Auto on my phone to connect. When I plug the cable in I see nothing on the phone, yet the infotainment system recognises it 

 

Please see attached images, anybody have any ideas? I've seen mention that only certain cables work, but I've tried 3 USB-C cables with no luck, and find it bizarre that the car recognises the phone if this were the case.

Most likely a setting on the phone as I have a 67 plate vRS which connects fine - but on my last phone I had to make sure the phone allowed the car to access it's storage (file transfer) and that USB debugging was turned off

Have you tried pressing the 'android auto' logo on the screen you pictured above?

Don't open AA on the phone. Just plug in from locked. That's how I've always done it.

I've tried enabling debugging, and setting the connection mode to Android Auto/Data transfer with no luck. I've also tried tapping "Android Auto" and no luck there either. Plugging in without Android Auto open doesn't seem to do anything.

 

I would do a restart on the radio by holding the power button down and keep it held till it resets. I would also reinstall android auto on your phone. Then see if it works after that.

I started having trouble with my phone when I used aftermarket and right angled usb cable. One minute all fine and the next it would disconnect. I swapped the cables round (aftermarket one as on my charger and the OEM one in the car) and I've not had an issue since.

 

I've also ensured android auto isn't apart of the power saving options on my phone.

Have you run through the setup process in AA on the phone. Do that then exit the app.

Along with a reset it should work. Also make sure the Bluetooth is connected to the car as this can help with the handshake.

9 hours ago, tunedude said:

I started having trouble with my phone when I used aftermarket and right angled usb cable. One minute all fine and the next it would disconnect. I swapped the cables round (aftermarket one as on my charger and the OEM one in the car) and I've not had an issue since.

 

I've also ensured android auto isn't apart of the power saving options on my phone.

 

I thought about that, but unfortunately the Pixel 4 is shipped with a USB-C to USB-C cable.

 

From Googling around on the subject it appears that the Pixel 4 is quite problematic with Android Auto, which blows my mind. I work in software and can't for the life of me work out why Googles software wouldn't work well on Google hardware but is apparently more stable on older Pixel devices and non Google phones!?

There is a setting in AA that allows it to pair with a new car. Its in the settings tab (somewhere) and it's off by default. 

15 hours ago, langers2k said:

Have you tried pressing the 'android auto' logo on the screen you pictured above?

 

I'm an absolute idiot, I was tapping the "Pixel 4" text instead of Android Auto... quite embarrassing!!

2 minutes ago, supercabbage said:

I'm an absolute idiot, I was tapping the "Pixel 4" text instead of Android Auto... quite embarrassing!!

 

Heh, happens to the best of us!

 

Does that mean it's working now?

13 minutes ago, langers2k said:

 

Heh, happens to the best of us!

 

Does that mean it's working now?

It is indeed! I work in software development and spend a lot of time digging around various user interfaces, bit of a foot in mouth moment.

To be fair the initial handshake is less than intuitive. Sometimes it works flawlessly, sometimes this thread happens.