How to Fix Android Auto After a Phone or Car Software Update
Applies to
Android Auto, Android phones, wired Android Auto, wireless Android Auto, phone system updates, car infotainment updates, and compatible car systems
Last updated
10 July 2026
Problem
Android Auto stopped working properly after a phone update, Android system update, app update, or car infotainment update. It may no longer connect, the screen may freeze, wireless Android Auto may fail, apps may be missing, or Bluetooth calls and voice commands may stop working.
Updates can change permissions, reset settings, replace connection profiles, or introduce compatibility issues between the phone and car.
Solution
Restart both the phone and car system, update Android Auto and Google apps, check permissions, then remove and reconnect the car from Android Auto settings. If the issue started after a car software update, also review the car’s phone projection and Bluetooth settings.
Step by step instructions
Restart the phone and car first
Disconnect your phone from the car.
Restart your Android phone.
Turn the car off fully.
Open and close the driver door if needed so the infotainment system powers down.
Wait briefly.
Start the car again.
Reconnect Android Auto.
After updates, a full restart can clear temporary problems and reload the connection properly.
Update Android Auto and Google apps
After a phone or system update, some related apps may also need updating.
Open the Google Play Store.
Update:
- Android Auto
- Google Maps
- Google Play services
- Phone
- Messages
- Spotify or your preferred music app
- Waze if used
Restart the phone after updating.
Android Auto depends on several Google services, so updating only one app may not be enough.
Check Android Auto permissions
Updates can sometimes reset or change app permissions.
Open Settings on your phone.
Go to Apps.
Find Android Auto.
Open Permissions.
Make sure the required permissions are allowed.
These may include:
- Location
- Microphone
- Phone
- Contacts
- Messages
- Notifications
- Nearby devices
- Bluetooth
Permission names vary depending on your phone and Android version.
Check permissions for Google Maps and other apps
If only one feature stopped working, check the related app.
For navigation, check Google Maps or Waze.
For voice commands, check Google.
For calls, check Phone and Contacts.
For messages, check Messages, WhatsApp, or your chosen messaging app.
For music, check Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or your preferred audio app.
Allow the permissions each app needs to work in Android Auto.
Check notification access
If messages are no longer appearing or being read aloud, check notification access.
Open Settings.
Search for Notification access.
Find Android Auto.
Make sure notification access is allowed.
Then check that notifications are enabled for your messaging apps.
Check Bluetooth after the update
Updates can affect Bluetooth pairings.
Open Bluetooth settings on your phone.
Find your car in the paired devices list.
Check that call audio and media audio are enabled if those options are shown.
If Bluetooth behaves strangely, remove the car from the phone and remove the phone from the car.
Pair them again from scratch.
Check Wi-Fi for wireless Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto needs Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth.
Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
Do not manually connect to another Wi-Fi network while trying to use wireless Android Auto.
If wireless Android Auto stopped after an update, remove old pairings and set up the wireless connection again.
Check the USB cable for wired Android Auto
If wired Android Auto stopped working after an update, do not assume the update is the only cause.
Try another USB data cable.
Use a short, good quality cable.
Avoid charging only cables, loose adapters, USB hubs, and extension leads.
A weak cable may become more noticeable after software changes because the connection process can behave differently.
Check car projection settings
After a car infotainment update, Android Auto settings may be reset.
Open the car’s infotainment settings.
Look for:
- Android Auto
- Smartphone projection
- Phone projection
- App projection
- Connected devices
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi projection
Make sure Android Auto is enabled.
Check that your phone has not been blocked, disabled, or set to a different connection mode.
Remove the car from Android Auto settings
Open Settings on your phone.
Search for Android Auto.
Open Android Auto settings.
Go to Previously connected cars.
Remove your car.
If the car appears more than once, remove all duplicate entries.
This clears the old Android Auto connection profile.
Remove the phone from the car
Open the car’s Bluetooth, connected devices, or phone projection menu.
Delete your phone from the car.
If there are several old phones listed, remove any that are no longer used.
Restart the car system.
This helps prevent the car from trying to use an old profile created before the update.
Reconnect Android Auto from the beginning
After removing the old connection from both sides, set up Android Auto again.
For wired Android Auto, connect the phone using a reliable USB data cable.
For wireless Android Auto, pair the phone with the car using Bluetooth and keep Wi-Fi enabled.
Unlock the phone during setup.
Approve all prompts on both the phone and car screen.
Clear the Android Auto cache
If Android Auto still behaves strangely, clear the cache.
Open Settings.
Go to Apps.
Find Android Auto.
Open Storage.
Select Clear cache.
Restart your phone.
Reconnect Android Auto.
This can fix problems left behind after an update without fully resetting all app data.
Check battery settings
Phone updates can change battery behaviour.
Open Settings.
Go to Battery.
Turn off battery saver while testing.
Then check battery settings for:
- Android Auto
- Google Maps
- Google Play services
- Music apps
- Messaging apps
Set important Android Auto related apps to unrestricted or not optimised if available.
Check for another update
If the problem began immediately after an update, there may already be a follow up update available.
Check the Google Play Store again for app updates.
Then check your phone’s system update menu.
If the problem began after a car infotainment update, check the manufacturer’s website, app, or dealer support page for newer guidance or another patch.
Test another phone
If Android Auto still does not work, test another compatible Android phone with the same car.
If another phone works, the problem is likely with your phone, apps, permissions, or settings.
If another phone has the same issue, the problem may be with the car infotainment update, USB port, or wireless Android Auto system.
Optional methods or tools
- Clear the Android Auto cache after major updates
- Remove and re-pair Bluetooth after phone or car updates
- Test wired Android Auto if wireless Android Auto stopped working
- Test wireless Android Auto if the USB connection stopped working
- Check your car manufacturer’s support page for infotainment update notes
- Test another phone to confirm whether the issue is phone or car related
Best practices or tips
- Restart your phone after Android Auto, Google, or system updates
- Keep Android Auto, Google Maps, Google, and Google Play services updated together
- Check permissions after major phone updates
- Remove old car profiles if Android Auto behaves differently after an update
- Complete reconnection while parked so prompts can be approved safely
Android Auto problems after an update are common because phone, app, and car software all need to work together. A phone update may change permissions, while a car update may reset Bluetooth, wireless projection, or Android Auto settings.
The best fix is usually to update all related apps, check permissions, delete the old car connection from both the phone and infotainment system, then set up Android Auto again. If more than one phone has the same issue after a car update, the vehicle infotainment system may need a further update or manufacturer support.
