Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Google has recently managed to resolve a widespread problem with Android Auto, and now the company has shared additional information to help users bring everything back to normal.
If you're a long-time Android Auto user, you certainly know that the taskbar is integral to the experience in the car, as it allows you to switch from one app to another, launch the Coolwalk UI, and start the microphone input.
In September, the taskbar suddenly disappeared for some users, making it impossible to switch apps. The experience is more frustrating than it seems at first, eventually rendering Android Auto almost useless, as people hitting the error couldn’t even launch another app on the infotainment screen.
They were stuck with Google Maps, which launches automatically when the mobile device is connected to the infotainment screen and Android Auto fires up. The missing taskbar, therefore, wreaked havoc on Android Auto, eventually becoming widespread and causing major issues for a growing number of users.
Google started the investigation shortly after the first reports were received, and now the company says it managed to correct the issue. I first spotted an update that brought things back to normal last week, and now Google confirms that my previous report was accurate and the taskbar should no longer disappear for Android Auto users.
The culprit was the Google app. The Google app powers the Google Assistant support on Android and Android Auto, so the voice command integration was buggy and somehow caused the taskbar to go missing. Google explains in a recent post that it introduced a fix in the latest Google app update, so users only need to download and install this new build to restore the expected behavior in their cars.
The version that fixes the taskbar bug is 14.40.33, but you can install any newer release, as the patch should be included in any build released at a later date. If you enabled automatic updates through the Google Play Store, the Google app should already be up-to-date, so chances are the fix is already there on your device.
Oddly enough, some users claim they installed the latest Google app update, but the taskbar is still missing. The company asked for proof that the Google app is up-to-date, as the broken experience should be gone after installing the latest Google app version.
If you, too, encounter problems with the taskbar on Android Auto, you must post in this discussion thread on the Google forums. If you did not receive the patched update or a newer version, you can also download the latest build with the dedicated APK file available online. You don't need to remove the existing version, as sideloading a newer APK automatically replaces the older files on your Android mobile device.
In September, the taskbar suddenly disappeared for some users, making it impossible to switch apps. The experience is more frustrating than it seems at first, eventually rendering Android Auto almost useless, as people hitting the error couldn’t even launch another app on the infotainment screen.
They were stuck with Google Maps, which launches automatically when the mobile device is connected to the infotainment screen and Android Auto fires up. The missing taskbar, therefore, wreaked havoc on Android Auto, eventually becoming widespread and causing major issues for a growing number of users.
Google started the investigation shortly after the first reports were received, and now the company says it managed to correct the issue. I first spotted an update that brought things back to normal last week, and now Google confirms that my previous report was accurate and the taskbar should no longer disappear for Android Auto users.
The culprit was the Google app. The Google app powers the Google Assistant support on Android and Android Auto, so the voice command integration was buggy and somehow caused the taskbar to go missing. Google explains in a recent post that it introduced a fix in the latest Google app update, so users only need to download and install this new build to restore the expected behavior in their cars.
The version that fixes the taskbar bug is 14.40.33, but you can install any newer release, as the patch should be included in any build released at a later date. If you enabled automatic updates through the Google Play Store, the Google app should already be up-to-date, so chances are the fix is already there on your device.
Oddly enough, some users claim they installed the latest Google app update, but the taskbar is still missing. The company asked for proof that the Google app is up-to-date, as the broken experience should be gone after installing the latest Google app version.
If you, too, encounter problems with the taskbar on Android Auto, you must post in this discussion thread on the Google forums. If you did not receive the patched update or a newer version, you can also download the latest build with the dedicated APK file available online. You don't need to remove the existing version, as sideloading a newer APK automatically replaces the older files on your Android mobile device.
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