Is this a Sync or Android Auto problem: Can't connect to Android Auto (** SOLVED **}

[Chuck]

Suddenly, out of the blue, I can't get Android Auto to connect. When I try to start AA I get a popup message asking me if I want to enable Wireless App Project (see photo). I press enable and just get a forever spinning wheel.

After I stopped the car I went into the connectivity settings and, sure enough, wireless app projection is turned off (see second photo). But nothing I do will turn it on again.

I've restarted the car a number of times. I tried it after charging the car. I've removed my phone and re-added it. Nothing changes.

And, it seems to not longer work even when connected by a USB cable. What gives? Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[WildfireOne]

If you can't get Android Auto (AA) to work WIRED, you've got no shot at getting it to work WIRELESS...

So get it going wired first, then proceed to wireless.

Basic steps:
- On your phone: update AA via the Play store to the latest version available for your device
- Reboot your phone
- On your car: Reboot Sync by holding down the VolDown and NextTrack steering wheel controls, together, for 10 seconds. Sync infotainment will reboot.
Note that this reboot can be done even when you're driving (though that's obviously not recommended, but sometimes necessary).

Once Sync is done booting, connect your phone to the car via USB and see if you can get wired AA to work.

My guess is that your issue is on the car side and not your phone, so a Sync reboot is all you likely need, either by turning off the car and turning it back on again or the manual key sequence outlined above... though even then, rebooting your phone can also be helpful in AA pairing.

Good luck!

 

[Chuck]

If you can't get Android Auto (AA) to work WIRED, you've got no shot at getting it to work WIRELESS...

So get it going wired first, then proceed to wireless.

Basic steps:
- On your phone: update AA via the Play store to the latest version available for your device
- Reboot your phone
- On your car: Reboot Sync by holding down the VolDown and NextTrack steering wheel controls, together, for 10 seconds. Sync infotainment will reboot.
Note that this reboot can be done even when you're driving (though that's obviously not recommended, but sometimes necessary).

Once Sync is done booting, connect your phone to the car via USB and see if you can get wired AA to work.

My guess is that your issue is on the car side and not your phone, so a Sync reboot is all you likely need, either by turning off the car and turning it back on again or the manual key sequence outlined above... though even then, rebooting your phone can also be helpful in AA pairing.

Good luck!

Thanks. It cleared up the next day on its own.

I did notice a 'X' next to the Mustang icon in the upper left corner of the screen while this was occurring. That
'X' is gone now and everything is fine. I believe that Android Auto was doing an update while this was happening.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Thanks. It cleared up the next day on its own.

I did notice a 'X' next to the Mustang icon in the upper left corner of the screen while this was occurring. That
'X' is gone now and everything is fine. I believe that Android Auto was doing an update while this was happening.

The X is present whenever the vehicle "drawer" is open/shown. It's a hint to the user that tapping on the vehicle icon in the upper left is a way to close that drawer.

 

[Chuck]

The X is present whenever the vehicle "drawer" is open/shown. It's a hint to the user that tapping on the vehicle icon in the upper left is a way to close that drawer.

During the time that I had this problem the X never went away. In fact, the car icon didn't turn inward like it normally does when I went into settings.

 

[macchiaz-o]

During the time that I had this problem the X never went away. In fact, the car icon didn't turn inward like it normally does when I went into settings.

Ah. Yeah definitely something screwy going on in SYNC-land then.

Restarting SYNC using the steering wheel buttons would the right thing to do, should you see this happen again.

 

[BigHandHandyMan]

If you can't get Android Auto (AA) to work WIRED, you've got no shot at getting it to work WIRELESS...

So get it going wired first, then proceed to wireless.

Basic steps:
- On your phone: update AA via the Play store to the latest version available for your device
- Reboot your phone
- On your car: Reboot Sync by holding down the VolDown and NextTrack steering wheel controls, together, for 10 seconds. Sync infotainment will reboot.
Note that this reboot can be done even when you're driving (though that's obviously not recommended, but sometimes necessary).

Once Sync is done booting, connect your phone to the car via USB and see if you can get wired AA to work.

My guess is that your issue is on the car side and not your phone, so a Sync reboot is all you likely need, either by turning off the car and turning it back on again or the manual key sequence outlined above... though even then, rebooting your phone can also be helpful in AA pairing.

Good luck!

I have noticed that wired AA cannot connect while my phone is still within range of my home wifi. I don't know if this was a phone update, interwebs, or what, but as soon as I drive away out of range of my wifi, it works fine. Drives me nuts. Your mileage may vary. And I may or may not reboot SYNC while I'm driving 70mph on the freeway for good measure. Please note, still do not have the version of SYNC with the full screen AA.

 

[MOSTLMachE]

Android Auto uses WiFi between sync4a and your phone. I've got all kinds of fun issues with this system including the phone call to nowhere that seemingly can't be stopped.... . Only repeatable solution is to turn Bluetooth off and wifi off on my phone...you know, rendering all modern convenience and safety features useless.....so frustrating. @Ford Motor Company , please figure this out.

 

[Chuck]

Android Auto uses WiFi between sync4a and your phone. I've got all kinds of fun issues with this system including the phone call to nowhere that seemingly can't be stopped.... . Only repeatable solution is to turn Bluetooth off and wifi off on my phone...you know, rendering all modern convenience and safety features useless.....so frustrating. @Ford Motor Company , please figure t
his out.

This is probably not a Ford issue. More likely it's a phone or Android issue.

 

[MOSTLMachE]

As a technologist, in the mobile industry, the average user / owner would not know how to go about troubleshooting this situation. There are many reports of this behavior and I've not been able to identify the common factors when it happens. It would be of benefit to the average Mach E owner to have a FAQ doc on Ford site or user manual to check various things (OS version, sleep modes, WiFi networks, etc etc....all contributing factors) to ensure the best user experience. In the software world, this is common practice. And since this vehicle is primarily a compute system on wheels, there's a lot to be desired. That said, we take delivery of our 2nd Mach E in a couple of weeks (fingers crossed). Other than these irritating bugs, I'm really enjoying the car. I know that sounds like double speak....

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