Android Auto bug is breaking wireless phone connectivity

Google told The Verge that its team is “aware of the issue” and is “currently investigating a fix.” No ETA has been provided. We will update this story when more information or a solution is available.

In recent weeks, some phones have only worked with Android Auto using a wired connection, according to several complaints on Google’s Android Auto community forums spotted by 9to5Google. Users have reported Bluetooth connections will work briefly before dropping, or will only connect wirelessly once their phone has been rebooted. In some cases, Android Auto is randomly forcing connected phones to reboot without being prompted to do so.

“The reboots have happened when on a call, while listening to YouTube Music, and listening to Libby books,” said one Reddit user. “It has happened when both plugged in and unplugged, and when I have been using the gps and also not.”

It’s a jumble of different issues, but the timeline suggests the bugs may be tied to the v13.4 and v13.5 Android Auto updates that rolled out in January and February. It’s unclear if rolling back to a previous version of the software fixes the connectivity issues, and a viable workaround hasn’t been established.