Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Bugs aren't something unusual in the Android Auto world, as features break down occasionally, making it a serious challenge to stick with the app in the long term.
While some people claim Android Auto works as well as any other app on their Android smartphone, others struggle with a frustratingly increasing number of issues.
The latest affects phone calls, hitting only Android Auto wired users.
If you run Android Auto with a cable, the chances are that you might know what I'm talking about. Making or receiving phone calls works correctly, but talking to the person at the other end of the line is impossible due to the distorted audio.
Someone on Google's forums says the voice is now "loud and robotic," while another user claims the only thing they hear is a cracking noise. It only happens when the mobile device is connected to the head unit and Android Auto runs on the navigation screen. Otherwise, if they disconnect the mobile device, even if they do it during an active call, the audio works correctly, with no cracking sounds affecting the call.
All signs suggest the problem resides in Android Auto, but it looks like the bug could also come down to a compatibility error with Skoda cars.
Based on posts from users who turned to Google's forums and social media to report the buggy audio during phone calls, I could determine the common bit in every report: the car brand. The issue mainly affects Skoda cars, regardless of the phone model used to run Android Auto – I'm seeing similar reports from Google Pixel, Samsung, and Xiaomi owners.
It's unclear if the bug was introduced by an Android Auto update or by a firmware release from Skoda, but downgrading to a previous app release doesn't seem to restore the expected behavior. This could be a suggestion that Skoda's software causes the issue, though a confirmation does not exist.
A member of the Android Auto team has already joined the conversation and is contacting the affected users via email to ask for more information. Android Auto developers need additional bug data to figure out what happens, but considering the signs that Skoda's firmware updates might also be involved, the carmaker should begin an investigation, too.
Meanwhile, users couldn't find a workaround, so the only way to talk on the phone without struggling with cracking noises is to disconnect Android Auto. Some users claim they prefer keeping the mobile device connected to the car via Bluetooth and launching Android Auto when they end the call. However, if you receive a call when Android Auto is already running on the screen, you'll experience the same broken audio during the conversation unless you shut down Android Auto again.
The latest affects phone calls, hitting only Android Auto wired users.
If you run Android Auto with a cable, the chances are that you might know what I'm talking about. Making or receiving phone calls works correctly, but talking to the person at the other end of the line is impossible due to the distorted audio.
Someone on Google's forums says the voice is now "loud and robotic," while another user claims the only thing they hear is a cracking noise. It only happens when the mobile device is connected to the head unit and Android Auto runs on the navigation screen. Otherwise, if they disconnect the mobile device, even if they do it during an active call, the audio works correctly, with no cracking sounds affecting the call.
All signs suggest the problem resides in Android Auto, but it looks like the bug could also come down to a compatibility error with Skoda cars.
Based on posts from users who turned to Google's forums and social media to report the buggy audio during phone calls, I could determine the common bit in every report: the car brand. The issue mainly affects Skoda cars, regardless of the phone model used to run Android Auto – I'm seeing similar reports from Google Pixel, Samsung, and Xiaomi owners.
It's unclear if the bug was introduced by an Android Auto update or by a firmware release from Skoda, but downgrading to a previous app release doesn't seem to restore the expected behavior. This could be a suggestion that Skoda's software causes the issue, though a confirmation does not exist.
A member of the Android Auto team has already joined the conversation and is contacting the affected users via email to ask for more information. Android Auto developers need additional bug data to figure out what happens, but considering the signs that Skoda's firmware updates might also be involved, the carmaker should begin an investigation, too.
Meanwhile, users couldn't find a workaround, so the only way to talk on the phone without struggling with cracking noises is to disconnect Android Auto. Some users claim they prefer keeping the mobile device connected to the car via Bluetooth and launching Android Auto when they end the call. However, if you receive a call when Android Auto is already running on the screen, you'll experience the same broken audio during the conversation unless you shut down Android Auto again.
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