Android Auto Confusion

[Xytsrm]

QUESTION: On Android 10; does Android-Auto require both a USB and Bluetooth connection simultaneously, or does it fully function with USB alone?

If this question is searched on the internet, two results are posted; Android-Auto requires both to fully function, and it only requires USB to fully function. There is also discussion about fully functionality using WiFi.

There seems to be a lot of confusion; what's the correct answer?

Thanks, X

 

[Dannydet]

Usb connection, along with either cellular data or wifi from your vehicle, if you have it. Bluetooth is a totally different connection that Android Auto does not use

 

[Xytsrm]

Usb connection, along with either cellular data or wifi from your vehicle, if you have it. Bluetooth is a totally different connection that Android Auto does not use

Thanks for the reply. I've seen posts suggesting that Android Auto required both; Bluetooth for phone operation, and USB for everything else. It's also posted that the vehicle Wifi can be used in place of USB for everything; is that true?

 

[Dannydet]

I've only gotten android auto to work being connected with the USB cable, period.
And when it does work, it completely screws up your phone, to a point of being utterly useless, with constant reboots or freezing up the phone.
I've tried it many times lately, and I'll never use it. It's that bad....
I'll just stick to using my cellular data and Bluetooth for the time being.

 

[Clementine_3]

I *think* the car/head unit has a lot to do with it too, not just AA. I have a Mazda and it doesn't support just BT only AA, if it's not plugged into the usb port it connects (via BT) to the mostly useless Mazda system.
I have very few minor complaints with AA, my sister hates it (Hyundai) and a friend (Chevy truck) loves it. Seems to run the gamut!

 

[Xytsrm]

I've done some testing with my Android-Auto equipped phone & vehicle. Apparently, when plugged into USB, it only connects if paired with Bluetooth.

Also found an article about Android-Auto that states: "it pairs the smartphone over Bluetooth and handles everything else over the USB connection".

Other articles I've read suggest this dual nature is due to the evolution of Android-Auto that initially connected the phone via Bluetooth.

 

[Clementine_3]

Also found an article about Android-Auto that states: "it pairs the smartphone over Bluetooth and handles everything else over the USB connection".

I've never pondered any of this before but this makes sense. My car infotainment system uses BT only and is limited - no maps etc. AA uses USB for maps but BT for calls etc. Oh. I don't know