Bluetooth/Media Connectivity issues?

[Yokaze]

I'm not entirely sure how the bluetooth on these vehicles works, but I tend to find that it will occasionally. How often is it supposed to disconnect? I was under the impression that it's because there are other frequencies on the road interfering with it but sometimes I think it disconnects too often - has anyone found a solution to this?

My other car had an aftermarket bluetooth receiver that would run into less problems.

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[jugauthi]

If you're physically plugged into the USB port, that's not Bluetooth. Bluetooth is wireless connectivity. I do agree that there are some issues on this end though. If I'm listening to FM while connected to Android auto, it will take over the audio selection on its own with no user input. I don't do much wireless to the car, so I haven't really tested that part.

 

[Yokaze]

If you're physically plugged into the USB port, that's not Bluetooth. Bluetooth is wireless connectivity. I do agree that there are some issues on this end though. If I'm listening to FM while connected to Android auto, it will take over the audio selection on its own with no user input. I don't do much wireless to the car, so I haven't really tested that part.

I was wondering if that had something to do with the infotainment system or my phone itself, because it would disconnect very often - especially in the midst of traffic. Never understood why.
My phone is old and kind of worn though (google pixel 5a) , kind of predates this technology to some extent.

 

[NOVABlueyITS]

I had this issue where AA from my Samsung S23 would disconnect/reconnect frequently - maybe 2-3 times on a 10 minute drive. Really annoying and this happened from either a wired or wireless connection. I tried a whole bunch of things including changing Bluetooth settings on the phone and the head unit. Nothing worked. AA still needs Bluetooth even when plugged in.

I just changed phones (Pixel 9) and no longer have the issue.

 

[Yokaze]

I had this issue where AA from my Samsung S23 would disconnect/reconnect frequently - maybe 2-3 times on a 10 minute drive. Really annoying and this happened from either a wired or wireless connection. I tried a whole bunch of things including changing Bluetooth settings on the phone and the head unit. Nothing worked. AA still needs Bluetooth even when plugged in.

I just changed phones (Pixel 9) and no longer have the issue.

So you're saying that the Pixel 9 worked with your car? Perhaps it has better synergy with Android Auto?

 

[NOVABlueyITS]

So you're saying that the Pixel 9 worked with your car? Perhaps it has better synergy with Android Auto?

Yeah, I've never experienced a disconnect wired or wirelessly since switching. I switched last November. Can't really explain why, but suspect it might be hardware related.

 

[Yokaze]

I had this issue where AA from my Samsung S23 would disconnect/reconnect frequently - maybe 2-3 times on a 10 minute drive. Really annoying and this happened from either a wired or wireless connection. I tried a whole bunch of things including changing Bluetooth settings on the phone and the head unit. Nothing worked. AA still needs Bluetooth even when plugged in.

I just changed phones (Pixel 9) and no longer have the issue.

I'll definitely consider this - btw how is the Pixel 9 like?
I'm currently on a Pixel 5a but my brother who's in the tech industry complains Google Phones aren't the way they used to be, lol.

 

[NOVABlueyITS]

I'll definitely consider this - btw how is the Pixel 9 like?
I'm currently on a Pixel 5a but my brother who's in the tech industry complains Google Phones aren't the way they used to be, lol.

Now that's interesting that you're on a Pixel and are having issues... I don't think I've seen others report issues with AA on this car with the Pixel phones.

In general, I can't really say the 9 is that much better than the 6 (what I had before the S23) or even the 5 to the point of needing to upgrade. Google touted Gemini but it really is not that good and messes up home assistant. I disabled it.... I really only got the 9 because of the AA issues since I was able to confirm it works using my wife's Pixel 9. And it takes awesome pictures.

 

[Yokaze]

Now that's interesting that you're on a Pixel and are having issues... I don't think I've seen others report issues with AA on this car with the Pixel phones.

In general, I can't really say the 9 is that much better than the 6 (what I had before the S23) or even the 5 to the point of needing to upgrade. Google touted Gemini but it really is not that good and messes up home assistant. I disabled it.... I really only got the 9 because of the AA issues since I was able to confirm it works using my wife's Pixel 9. And it takes awesome pictures.

Tbf I think it's just that my phone has water damage. It slipped on accident in a sink that was flowing with water and it definitely got submerged in it. Though the phone works fine still I think it may have definitely effected the bluetooth components via the audio jack... possibly.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Also to note, android auto uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi both. With newer phones the bandwidth and recovery is much better, as is the power stability for wifi. Pixel a phones are notorious for poorer wifi stability and aggressive battery tactics.

My s22 would randomly disconnect. My s24 has been flawless.

 

[Yokaze]

Also to note, android auto uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi both. With newer phones the bandwidth and recovery is much better, as is the power stability for wifi. Pixel a phones are notorious for poorer wifi stability and aggressive battery tactics.

My s22 would randomly disconnect. My s24 has been flawless.

Surprisingly after comparing my phone to your phone, I find that my phone still has better battery-life because I think Google was trying to really improve its quality after its previous iterations. That being said though, did you get rid of your Pixel 9 for an S24 or do you have multiple phones?

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Surprisingly after comparing my phone to your phone, I find that my phone still has better battery-life because I think Google was trying to really improve its quality after its previous iterations. That being said though, did you get rid of your Pixel 9 for an S24 or do you have multiple phones?

Better battery life is often the culprit of a lot of issues. Google gets aggressive about killing background tasks to save battery. You MUST make android auto and any apps you use with it (maps, Spotify, dialer, messages, etc) not battery saving or sleep capable.

I've had a variety of phones and I change sometimes frequently. Several in my family also rotate based on new release deals find for them. Android auto with Samsung seems to be fairly stable since the s22 days. Current pixel is so so from my experience, but it could easily change from year to year with them. The nexus days were great. I still miss my galaxy nexus and I wish Google and Samsung would partner closely again.

 

[Yokaze]

Hmm... maybe I should lean more towards a new Galaxy phone then while Black Friday steals are still on - do you have a recommendation? But I thought they throttled their phone ever since they found out iPhones did or that just hearsay?

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Hmm... maybe I should lean more towards a new Galaxy phone then while Black Friday steals are still on - do you have a recommendation? But I thought they throttled their phone ever since they found out iPhones did or that just hearsay?

I'm running an s24 ultra and pretty happy with it.

Honestly, I use my phone for a lot... I have multiple mfa apps for my day job and moonlighting, as well as for some personal stuff. I run teams and slack on it for work. On track I aggregate GPS, timing, tracking, and sometimes ecu data to it. It runs into all of my home automation stuff and fitness stuff. It's also frequently being used for wireless android auto (wired on longer trips) while playing music and so on. Not to mention it's also a kid toy on occasion because giving a 6yo a giant phablet with a stylus is basically necessary sometimes...

I'm a "heavy" user by some measures and this phone has more processing power than I need. Battery is also outrageously good. It also thankfully (barely) fits into the type s and X7 wireless chargers. On both the only downside is if you go wired it won't sit comfortably in the spot so it puts pressure on the USB c connector.

I've always enjoyed my pixel phones in the past (except for the stripper a series stuff), but I went s22u before because I wanted a higher end device. Jumping from a pixel 6 to s22u was fairly huge. The pixel 8 pro I've had experience with was a downgrade stability wise. S24u has been reliable and I hear the pixel 10 is okay, but a tad heavy on software/Ai stuff. That's been the trend with Google pixel stuff though... They're relying a lot more on software tricks over hardware power and for certain functions and operations that's great, while others it's terrible. For example, if you take photos and print them from an s24u in a 3x5 or 4x6 format, they look okay (as long as it wasn't dim lighting). If you print from a pixel 8 or 9 it comes out blotchy and awful. Phone display they look fine, and even some scaling on screens is fine, but raw print makes a huge difference. The software enhanced end just doesn't look right. 20 year old dslr from a flea market will blow the s24u and any pixel phone out of the water .

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