Android Auto / Pixel 3XL Not Working

[Shhkoda]

Have picked up a 2019 Skoda Fabia MKIII (estate) second hand from a Skoda dealer - one of the biggest selling points for me was Android Auto on the head unit (standard Skoda head unit) though I can't for the life of me get it to work with my Pixel 3XL! I have read a few forums which suggests it could be the cable - I've gone through about 6 USB-C cables including the one that came from Google with the phone itself - my phone connects with all of them, starts charging, on my phone I can tap a USB notification and select "use USB for File Transfer / Android Auto", then ... nothing! I have the Android Auto app downloaded on my phone, that doesn't appear to help; my phone is updated to the latest OS version as are all apps; I even went into the Android Auto phone app and chose the 'connect a car' function (picture attached) which tells me to 'connect via USB to an AA device to continue' - but obviously I already am ... my phone is connected, I can play music files over the USB cable and when I click the 'App' button on the head unit itself, it's shows the "Android Auto" logo next to "Mirror Link", but the head unit itself has not changed user interface at all.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm quite tech-savvy but this has absolutely stumped me. All forums suggest AA should work with my head unit and my phone.

 

For further context - a friend plugged his iPhone XR in - immediately Apple CarPlay sprung on the screen as I would have expected Android Auto to, so I know the head unit works ...

[AGFalco]

Try this in this order. 

 

Turn phone on.

Turn Bluetooth and Location on.

Open Android Auto on phone.

 

Turn Car on.

Turn infotainment system on.

Turn Bluetooth on in car.

 

Then connect Phone to car via Cable.

 

Then select:-

Menu,

Smartlink,

Android Auto

Select ( Your ) Phone.

 

You also need to do this without the car moving and with the handbrake on.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

Edited 30 June, 2021 by AGFalco
added:- You also need to do this without the car moving.

[TerFar]

Not a great help, but if you search Google for Android Auto on Pixel III, there are  bucket loads of the same observation, but it's unclear if it's the Pixel or latest Android that has the problem. 

[AGFalco]

I am on Android Auto Version 6.5.612124.

I have no problems connecting with the car but I don't use a Pixel phone.

For me every new phone / Android version / Android Auto version have brought improvements.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

[steevs]

My phone would only work after enabling USB debugging followed by setting the default USB settings in the developer options to File Transfer or MTP.

 

1. From a Home screen, swipe up to display all apps.
2. Navigate: Settings > System > Advanced.
3. Developer options. If Developer options isn't available, navigate: Settings > About phone then tap Build number 7 times. Tap the Back icon to Settings then select System > Advanced > Developer options.
4. Ensure that the Developer options switch (upper-right) is turned on .
5. Tap USB debugging to turn on or off .
6. If prompted with 'Allow USB debugging?', tap OK to confirm.

[Shhkoda]

Thanks all! I couldn't follow your steps AG Falco as there is no 'Menu' button on my headunit - it's exactly what I have been struggling with watching all tutorials; I'm unsure whether mine is a new version of the headunit (as the car is late 2019), but there are only 3x buttons on each side (see photo) whereas all tutorials have 4, including a physical 'Menu' button where you can select Android Auto from. Anyway, will leave this as a legacy post for any future people struggling as I have eventually found the answer - Steevs I followed your steps and still no Android Auto was appearing on the screen, in truth at that stage I got a little frustrated and ended up tapping everywhere on the screen - much to my amazement you have to touch the Android Auto logo (see photo) after pressing the 'app' physical button, and voila - Android Auto connects and the user interface changes ....

 

Feel pretty stupid, but I would argue it's not clear at all that you have to touch the unassuming AA logo, particularly when an iPhone connects automatically on plugging in the USB.

 

Anway, thanks for the help guys - all works fine now.

[AGFalco]

Yes mine has the 4 buttons each side.

But in my defence I suggested you select Android Auto. ( the other choice you have is Mirrorlink. )

 

So for others with the same problem you:-

 

Turn phone on.

Turn Bluetooth and Location on.

Open Android Auto on phone.

 

Turn Car on.

Turn infotainment system on.

Turn Bluetooth on in car.

 

Then connect Phone to car via Cable.

 

Select:-

App/( head talking symbol) button

Android Auto logo on touch screen

Select ( your ) phone.

 

Thanks, AG Falco