Android Auto connection issues hit Pixel and Samsung phones

Key Points:

• A growing number of Android users, particularly those with Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones, are experiencing frequent failures to connect or maintain connections with Android Auto, especially via wired connections.
• Users report that Android Auto often fails to launch or stay connected, with wired connections being more unreliable than wireless ones, and issues are also noted when starting Android Auto while phones are locked.
• Some users suspect that Android 16’s Advanced Protection Mode, which blocks USB connections unless the phone is unlocked, may be contributing to the problem, with disabling this mode potentially improving connectivity.
• The problem appears to have emerged after recent Android updates, notably the March update for Pixel devices, and affects multiple phone models, including Samsung Galaxy S23 to S26 and some Motorola devices.
• Google has not yet officially acknowledged or fixed the issue, leaving users to rely on inconsistent troubleshooting methods like factory resets, highlighting the need for an official solution.