How to Fix Android Auto Phone Calls Going Through the Phone Instead of the Car
Applies to
Android Auto, Android phones, Bluetooth calling, wired Android Auto, wireless Android Auto, compatible cars, and compatible infotainment systems
Last updated
10 July 2026
Problem
Android Auto is connected, but phone calls are coming through the phone speaker instead of the car speakers. You may also find that the car microphone is not being used, the call screen appears on the phone only, or you have to manually change the audio route during every call.
This usually happens because Bluetooth calling is not connected properly, call audio permissions are disabled, the phone and car pairing is faulty, or the car is not selected as the active call device.
Solution
Check that your phone is paired with the car for call audio, not just media or Android Auto. Then remove and re-pair the Bluetooth connection, approve call permissions, and confirm that the car is selected as the audio output during calls.
Step by step instructions
Check whether Bluetooth calling is connected
Open Settings on your Android phone.
Go to Bluetooth or Connected devices.
Find your car in the paired device list.
Tap the settings icon next to the car.
Check whether Phone calls, Call audio, or a similar option is enabled.
If call audio is turned off, calls may stay on the phone even when Android Auto is connected.
Check the car’s Bluetooth settings
Open the car infotainment system.
Go to phone, Bluetooth, connected devices, or smartphone settings.
Select your phone.
Check that it is connected for calls.
Some cars let you connect a phone for media only, calls only, or both.
Make sure your phone is set as the active calling device.
Switch audio during a call
Make or receive a call while parked.
On your phone call screen, look for the audio output button.
This may show options such as:
- Phone
- Speaker
- Bluetooth
- Car name
- Android Auto
Select your car or Bluetooth device.
If the call immediately moves to the car speakers, the issue is likely the default audio route or Bluetooth call setting.
Restart your phone and car
End any active call.
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.
Start the car again.
Reconnect Android Auto and test a call.
Remove the Bluetooth pairing from your phone
Open Settings on your phone.
Go to Bluetooth or Connected devices.
Find your car.
Choose Forget, Unpair, or Remove.
This clears the old Bluetooth profile from the phone.
A fresh pairing often fixes calls routing through the wrong device.
Remove the phone from the car
Open your car’s Bluetooth or connected devices menu.
Find your phone in the device list.
Delete or forget the phone.
If the car has several old phones stored, remove any you no longer use.
Too many saved devices can sometimes cause the car to choose the wrong phone for calls.
Pair the phone and car again
Put the car into Bluetooth pairing mode.
On your phone, search for nearby Bluetooth devices.
Select your car.
Confirm the pairing code on both screens.
Approve all prompts for calls, contacts, messages, and notifications.
When asked, allow the car to access call history and contacts if you want full hands-free calling.
Reconnect Android Auto
After pairing Bluetooth again, reconnect Android Auto.
For wired Android Auto, connect the USB cable.
For wireless Android Auto, keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on and wait for the car to connect.
Start a test call while parked.
Check that the call audio comes through the car speakers and that the other person can hear you through the car microphone.
Check app permissions
Open Settings on your phone.
Go to Apps.
Check permissions for:
- Phone
- Android Auto
- Contacts
- Messages
Make sure relevant permissions are allowed.
If the Phone app or Android Auto cannot access Bluetooth, contacts, or call features, hands-free calling may not work correctly.
Check the default phone app
If you use a third party phone or dialler app, test with the default Phone app.
Some alternative dialler apps may not work smoothly with Android Auto or your car’s Bluetooth system.
Set the standard Phone app as the default temporarily and test calls again.
Check if another device is taking the call
If you use earbuds, a smartwatch, or another Bluetooth device, the call may route there instead of the car.
Disconnect other Bluetooth audio devices while testing.
Then make a call through Android Auto again.
If calls work correctly after disconnecting another device, your phone may have been choosing the wrong Bluetooth output.
Check car volume during calls
Call volume is often separate from media or navigation volume.
Make a test call while parked.
Turn up the car volume while the call is active.
If you turn up the volume while music is playing instead, you may only be changing media volume.
Adjust the volume during the call itself.
Update Android Auto and phone apps
Open the Google Play Store.
Update:
- Android Auto
- Google Play services
- Phone
- Contacts
- Messages
Then check for Android system updates in your phone settings.
Restart the phone after updating.
Test with another phone
If calls still go through the phone instead of the car, test another Android phone with the same vehicle.
If another phone works, the issue is likely with your phone settings, Bluetooth profile, or apps.
If no phone works properly, the problem may be with the car’s Bluetooth system, microphone, or infotainment software.
Optional methods or tools
- Use the phone call screen to manually switch audio output to the car
- Remove and re-pair Bluetooth on both the phone and car
- Disconnect earbuds, watches, or other Bluetooth devices while testing
- Update Android Auto, Google Play services, and the Phone app
- Check whether your car manufacturer offers infotainment updates
Best practices or tips
- Pair the phone with the car for call audio as well as Android Auto
- Approve call, contact, and notification permissions during setup
- Keep only current phones saved in the car’s Bluetooth list
- Test hands-free calls while parked before starting a journey
- Adjust call volume during an active call, not while music is playing
When Android Auto calls go through the phone instead of the car, the issue is usually related to Bluetooth call audio rather than Android Auto alone. Even when Android Auto appears on the screen, calls still need the correct Bluetooth calling profile and permissions to use the car speakers and microphone.
The cleanest fix is to remove the phone from both the car and Android Bluetooth settings, then pair it again and approve all call permissions. Once the car is selected as the active call device, Android Auto should handle calls through the vehicle speakers and microphone as expected.
