Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Viber mysteriously vanished from Android Auto in October, making it impossible for users to handle their calls from the infotainment screen.
Many blamed an Android Auto bug, especially as the problem occurred after they updated the application. However, Viber recently confirmed that the company removed the Android Auto support due to technical reasons.
Viber is a top Android Auto app that allows users to make calls over the Internet. The application also offered Android Auto support, so the phone calls could be made from the infotainment screen. Incoming calls were directed to the vehicle's speakers, with Viber calls benefitting from the same integration as other popular solutions and the native phone app available on Android.
Viber going dark took many by surprise, especially because it's an app they use regularly in the car. Making calls still worked correctly from the mobile device, but the application was no longer available once the phone was connected to the head unit to run Android Auto.
One of the users who encountered the glitch revealed a few hours ago that they received a response from the Viber team after reporting the error. The culprit is indeed a bug, but Viber removed the Android Auto support in the latest update specifically to avoid the problem hitting users.
It doesn't mean Viber dropped Android Auto support completely. It's just a temporary solution, as the company is already working on bringing back the feature, likely in the next update. However, Viber did not share an ETA when the fix could roll out to users.
Meanwhile, the only way to use Viber is to disconnect the mobile device from the head unit. It's not the most convenient solution, but you can connect the smartphone to the car using Bluetooth, so the Viber calls would still be routed to the stereo system in the car.
Considering Viber removed the Android Auto support on purpose, none of the generic workarounds available in the Android world helps bring it back.
Google has also launched its own investigation, though the company wants users to send their phone logs to help the Android Auto team diagnose the problem. It looks like Google wasn't aware of Viber's decision, so the only option is to wait for the app to regain the feature in a future update.
Google is also working on several notable Android Auto improvements, including support for custom wallpapers. The feature will allow Android Auto to mirror the mobile device background, creating more consistency when switching from smartphones to the infotainment screen. The feature is still in the works, with the search giant remaining tight-lipped on its plans. The latest beta build – Android Auto 10.8 – only includes references to the upcoming wallpaper feature without any means of enabling it.
Viber is a top Android Auto app that allows users to make calls over the Internet. The application also offered Android Auto support, so the phone calls could be made from the infotainment screen. Incoming calls were directed to the vehicle's speakers, with Viber calls benefitting from the same integration as other popular solutions and the native phone app available on Android.
Viber going dark took many by surprise, especially because it's an app they use regularly in the car. Making calls still worked correctly from the mobile device, but the application was no longer available once the phone was connected to the head unit to run Android Auto.
One of the users who encountered the glitch revealed a few hours ago that they received a response from the Viber team after reporting the error. The culprit is indeed a bug, but Viber removed the Android Auto support in the latest update specifically to avoid the problem hitting users.
It doesn't mean Viber dropped Android Auto support completely. It's just a temporary solution, as the company is already working on bringing back the feature, likely in the next update. However, Viber did not share an ETA when the fix could roll out to users.
Meanwhile, the only way to use Viber is to disconnect the mobile device from the head unit. It's not the most convenient solution, but you can connect the smartphone to the car using Bluetooth, so the Viber calls would still be routed to the stereo system in the car.
Considering Viber removed the Android Auto support on purpose, none of the generic workarounds available in the Android world helps bring it back.
Google has also launched its own investigation, though the company wants users to send their phone logs to help the Android Auto team diagnose the problem. It looks like Google wasn't aware of Viber's decision, so the only option is to wait for the app to regain the feature in a future update.
Google is also working on several notable Android Auto improvements, including support for custom wallpapers. The feature will allow Android Auto to mirror the mobile device background, creating more consistency when switching from smartphones to the infotainment screen. The feature is still in the works, with the search giant remaining tight-lipped on its plans. The latest beta build – Android Auto 10.8 – only includes references to the upcoming wallpaper feature without any means of enabling it.
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