Sharing phone's internet while Android Auto running

P

PDrill

Joined
May 29, 2021
Posts
228
Likes collected
562
Location
Kotka, Finland
Funster No
81,581
MH
Hymer Van
My 2024 Ducato has this 10" uConnect with Android Auto, and as the AA works via WiFi the phone's WiFi can't be used for anything else at the same time. Anything else meaning mainly sharing the internet connection for the tablet in my case. I have noticed the is a WiFi network called something like AndroidAP_XXX while the Android Auto is running, and I've been wondering if the idea is to connect devices to that network (which would get internet from uConnect which gets internet from my phone)? If so, where do I get the password for that WiFi?

Feels a bit stupid to have another SIM/connection for the tablet as the need is only occasional and it would work just fine via the phone - if it just wasn't "fully hijacked" by Android Auto.
 
I Bluetooth the music to the head unit, so the phone can connect to the router, or in your case let the phone act as a hotspot.
 
I don’t bother with a wireless connection to the head unit as I’m also using an Alexa Auto and the multiple connections seemed to confuse everything. Instead I use the auxiliary input with a cable while the phone sits in the charging cradle just below the port.
 
I've been using Android Auto wirelessly for two or three years with a Sony head unit and a Pixel 7 phone. Everything works seamlessly and is a much better experience than I had had previously using a usb wired Android Auto connection between the phone and head unit.

However, as you had discovered, Android Auto requires both a Bluetooth connection (for audio) and a WiFi connection (for data) between the phone and head unit. This means a number of things.

Firstly that the phone has to be using it's own 4G / 5G and not a router or dongle for it's own data.

Secondly, that the phone cannot be used as a hotspot to provide data to other devices via WiFi. The phone's WiFi is being used exclusively for two-way data communication to the head unit.

Thirdly, because the phone is working hard continuously maintaining Bluetooth, WiFi and 4G / 5G connections it runs the phone battery down at quite a rate and/or runs the phone quite hot.

I think though, that that is just how it is for Android Auto to run wirelessly. I don't believe that there are any work arounds. If there are I'd be keen to hear them.
 
Landy Andy said:
As above. I use a wire to connect my phone to headunit. That way it charges, doesn’t use the WiFi, and allows other connections
Click to expand...
Yes, that's the only alternative if you want to still use your phone as a hotspot to share WiFi with other devices whilst also using Android Auto.

However, I really like the convenience of a wireless connection. And secondly, I used to find that a wired connection provided frequent drop outs, whilst (somewhat counter-intuitively), a wireless connection is rock solid. You really don't want to lose Android Auto functionality when trying to navigate around the centre of Valencia using Google Maps whilst also singing along to Talking Heads Road to Nowhere!
 
I’m not an Android user but looking around Reddit says people are doing what you want but you possibly need a relatively recent pixel or Samsung phone. It’s maybe headunit dependent too.

Then, it just works, hotspot and AA coexist. There’s no real technical reason why it shouldn’t either. Like other say, doing it is a good way to burn through batteries.
 
Glad I read the above as I was considering an android auto wifi dongle which I've just discounted.

But on the "unstable wired connection" - sounds silly, but get a GOOD usb cable. Mine was crashing quite a lot, freezing or just random stuff. Tried multiple cables I had lying around, same/similar issue.

Then bought a good cable and its been perfect since (4years!)

Also as an aside the port on the front of the OE uconnect 7 is into the unit but the wire then sticks out. You can get 90' adapters that plug in the front that means the cable is flush and not prone to knocks.
 
activecampers said:
Glad I read the above as I was considering an android auto wifi dongle which I've just discounted.

But on the "unstable wired connection" - sounds silly, but get a GOOD usb cable. Mine was crashing quite a lot, freezing or just random stuff. Tried multiple cables I had lying around, same/similar issue.

Then bought a good cable and its been perfect since (4years!)

Also as an aside the port on the front of the OE uconnect 7 is into the unit but the wire then sticks out. You can get 90' adapters that plug in the front that means the cable is flush and not prone to knocks.
Click to expand...
I tried all manner of cable swapping to try and solve the random disconnections with wired Android Auto - short cables / braided cables / branded cables / latest spec USB 3.2 cables - all to no avail. Only changing to a wireless dongle sorted things out for good.

Certain wired phone and head unit combinations seem to work reliably for some people, but others seem to have endless disconnection problems, including me. Forums are full of people in the same situation. Wireless Android Auto just seems more reliable (and convenient).

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
activecampers said:
Glad I read the above as I was considering an android auto wifi dongle which I've just discounted.

But on the "unstable wired connection" - sounds silly, but get a GOOD usb cable. Mine was crashing quite a lot, freezing or just random stuff. Tried multiple cables I had lying around, same/similar issue.

Then bought a good cable and its been perfect since (4years!)

Also as an aside the port on the front of the OE uconnect 7 is into the unit but the wire then sticks out. You can get 90' adapters that plug in the front that means the cable is flush and not prone to knocks.
Click to expand...
You can also get usb cables terminated with 90 degree plugs. I used these to connect my iPhone to the car head unit , much tidier and less likely to get displaced or strain on the plug/socket
 
Scottish Scrutineer said:
You can also get usb cables terminated with 90 degree plugs. I used these to connect my iPhone to the car head unit , much tidier and less likely to get displaced or strain on the plug/socket
Click to expand...
Yeah, but after trying 42* different cables and getting the gem that worked, I wasn't going to change it :D :D

(* not 42 really, obvs)
 
My feeling is that with USB cables you get what you pay for. That Apple £30 cable really is better than the £5 no-name crap. That said, I still buy the cheap crap 🤣

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Barti Ddu said:
I tried all manner of cable swapping to try and solve the random disconnections with wired Android Auto - short cables / braided cables / branded cables / latest spec USB 3.2 cables - all to no avail. Only changing to a wireless dongle sorted things out for good.

Certain wired phone and head unit combinations seem to work reliably for some people, but others seem to have endless disconnection problems, including me. Forums are full of people in the same situation. Wireless Android Auto just seems more reliable (and convenient).
Click to expand...

You may already have done this, but also worth updating firmware to latest version on head unit. Fixed random drop out issue for us.
 
On a closely related matter. I'm very happy with my recently installed aftermarket Pioneer Head unit, but so far have failed to get it to work properly when wireless, especially for navigation? For instance it shows Magic Earth (my preferred Navigation software), but only when wired.
In addition, I can only seem to access a selection of apps from the phone even when wired. I've tried settings on both the Pioneer and the phone (Pixel 9a) but still just a small range of apps are recognised. Excluded are things like Victron Connect, OS Maps, Eurowag Navi, What3Words, the levelling app, S4S and Camping Car Parks.
Am I missing something?
 
Bucket said:
On a closely related matter. I'm very happy with my recently installed aftermarket Pioneer Head unit, but so far have failed to get it to work properly when wireless, especially for navigation? For instance it shows Magic Earth (my preferred Navigation software), but only when wired.
In addition, I can only seem to access a selection of apps from the phone even when wired. I've tried settings on both the Pioneer and the phone (Pixel 9a) but still just a small range of apps are recognised. Excluded are things like Victron Connect, OS Maps, Eurowag Navi, What3Words, the levelling app, S4S and Camping Car Parks.
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Android Auto is only designed to work with selected apps deemed not to provide a distraction whilst driving - mainly music or navigation related, although there are others like WhatsApp that read out any messages received as they come in.

I'm not sure what the approval process is, and it's hard to find a definitive list of Android Auto apps, but many niche ones are not on there.

The ones that matter to me - Google Maps, Spotify, BBC Sounds are all present and correct.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Forum posts reflect the views of individual users and not MotorhomeFun.
MotorhomeFun does not endorse or verify user-generated content.

Back
Top