Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Android Auto wired comes with one major benefit compared to the wireless version, allowing users to also charge their mobile devices while driving.
My car comes with both wired and wireless support, but getting an extra charge during the time spent behind the wheel comes in handy, especially because the apps I run on Android Auto could impact the battery level when arriving at the destination.
Therefore, Android Auto wired is the preferred choice for people whose cars support both connectivity methods. However, installing the latest Android Auto updates seems to push more users back to a wireless connection.
An issue that was reported in April is still around in the Android Auto world, wreaking havoc on more devices. It causes the battery charging to be suspended when the app launches, though Android Auto continues to run correctly.
The issue is as mysterious as possible, as everything else runs properly. The same cable, mobile device, and head unit worked flawlessly, allowing the battery to recharge while Android Auto ran before the app update.
Based on user reports, the problem appeared in the first builds of Android Auto 10 and survived in the next updates, too. Android Auto 10.4 made matters work, bringing the glitch to more devices, while the latest releases didn't fix the error.
Users who tried the generic workarounds in the Android Auto world claim nothing worked, with the app still running correctly but without charging the phone's battery. Android Auto 10.7 is the latest stable update, while the beta channel has already reached version 10.8. It's unclear if they address the error.
The charging bug doesn't affect everybody, but Google Pixel owners seem to be primarily hit by this behavior. However, Android Auto is working correctly on my Google Pixel – I tried other cables and older Android Auto versions but couldn't reproduce the bug. Android Auto also allows the phone to charge correctly after I installed the latest beta.
A member of the Android Auto team asked for phone logs in May, but no information has been shared since then. The company allegedly started an investigation, though without any updates, it's unclear if the Android Auto team figured out what went wrong.
Meanwhile, if you too experience the glitch, the best option is to switch to the wireless mode and use a dedicated charger plugged into the cigarette lighter. You can also use a wireless charger if your phone offers such functionality, at least temporarily until Google releases a fix – if this will ever happen, considering the search giant has so far remained tight-lipped on the investigation.
If your car doesn't support Android Auto wireless, you can switch to an adapter that allows you to convert the wired mode into a cord-free experience.
Therefore, Android Auto wired is the preferred choice for people whose cars support both connectivity methods. However, installing the latest Android Auto updates seems to push more users back to a wireless connection.
An issue that was reported in April is still around in the Android Auto world, wreaking havoc on more devices. It causes the battery charging to be suspended when the app launches, though Android Auto continues to run correctly.
The issue is as mysterious as possible, as everything else runs properly. The same cable, mobile device, and head unit worked flawlessly, allowing the battery to recharge while Android Auto ran before the app update.
Based on user reports, the problem appeared in the first builds of Android Auto 10 and survived in the next updates, too. Android Auto 10.4 made matters work, bringing the glitch to more devices, while the latest releases didn't fix the error.
Users who tried the generic workarounds in the Android Auto world claim nothing worked, with the app still running correctly but without charging the phone's battery. Android Auto 10.7 is the latest stable update, while the beta channel has already reached version 10.8. It's unclear if they address the error.
The charging bug doesn't affect everybody, but Google Pixel owners seem to be primarily hit by this behavior. However, Android Auto is working correctly on my Google Pixel – I tried other cables and older Android Auto versions but couldn't reproduce the bug. Android Auto also allows the phone to charge correctly after I installed the latest beta.
A member of the Android Auto team asked for phone logs in May, but no information has been shared since then. The company allegedly started an investigation, though without any updates, it's unclear if the Android Auto team figured out what went wrong.
Meanwhile, if you too experience the glitch, the best option is to switch to the wireless mode and use a dedicated charger plugged into the cigarette lighter. You can also use a wireless charger if your phone offers such functionality, at least temporarily until Google releases a fix – if this will ever happen, considering the search giant has so far remained tight-lipped on the investigation.
If your car doesn't support Android Auto wireless, you can switch to an adapter that allows you to convert the wired mode into a cord-free experience.
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