Lock screen for Android auto units - Android Auto General

Hi all,
Quick question, does anyone know of a simple lock screen like PIN I can install on my joying android head unit ?
I have to take my car in for a service and leave it with the garage for a day, and I don't really fancy them having access to my email and all my google accounts.
I don't see any option to enable locking in the security settings on the head unit.
I would want to remove it afterwards too.
Thanks

No phone attached, no access. Aa is a second screen, nothing more.

it's an android head unit ... it's not using the AA launcher.
even without any data connection, then can still read previously downloaded emails on the unit.

Any answer on this?

Related

[Q] Mirrorlink

Is there any way to get mirrorlink working on the Nexus 6?
Not sure what mirrorlink is. Do you mean Miracast? If so, I don't believe it works. Chromecast works great for screen mirroring your Nexus 6 to a HDTV.
Found this searching for compatibility... One application for MirrorLink for those that didn't know is Pioneer head units like the AppRadio so you can mirror your phone's screen onto it...
any luck?
Is MIrrorlink compatible with the nexus 6? If so, anybody know how to enable it?
My understanding....
spillytime said:
Is MIrrorlink compatible with the nexus 6? If so, anybody know how to enable it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have been told neither Mirrorlink nor AppRadio are compatible with Lollipop in general and the nexus 6 specifically. Your only option at this point is Android Auto which works well if you have the supporting HU from Pioneer. However, at this time, not many developers have made their applications compatible with it. When the 2016 car models start rolling out with AA preinstalled in their HU, then I believe we will see a flood of apps moving into the platform.
Google needs to start supporting MirrorLink on Nexus phones. I have a Nexus 6 and the Pioneer AVH-4100NEX.
Android Auto has been a horrible experience so far. It worked at first, for a couple of months, and then I don't know why (Android update maybe?) but suddenly it stopped working and hasn't worked since.
Even when it did work, there were some VERY annoying things:
1) if your phone is plugged into the USB cable, Android Auto launches, and as long as you're still plugged in I couldn't find any way to temporarily get out of Android Auto (such as if I want to check my email or some other app on the phone). Or if I want to listen to a YouTube video (or watch it from my phone, lets say I'm the passenger ok?), then I'd have to un-plug the USB which means my phone isn't charging.
2) The other really annoying thing is that Android Auto limits developers in how many screen clicks user would need to do to get to content (including, clicking the down arrow to browse through a long list). Where this is a problem for me for example, is my Spotify playlists. Android Auto will only display about 10 or so of my playlists.
So I find myself disconnecting the phone from the cable and just streaming over bluetooth.
In fact at first I was really upset that my phone was no longer launching Android Auto at all and stopped working with my Pioneer AVH-4100NEX, but now that I am just able to leave the phone charging all the time and have full access to my phone apps, all my spotify playlists, and am just streaming over bluetooth I'm not really sure I want to fix Android Auto.
What I really want at this point is to just MIRROR my phone screen to my head unit. This way no matter what I want to watch or listen to, it doesn't matter if "Android Auto" supports it or not. I can put on YouTube videos, or anything I want.
So this gets me back to Mirror Link, I don't know why Google or Motorola is not supporting it, MirrorLink from what I've seen should be another viable option for Android users (and for now I think a better option than Android Auto)
I'll be posting this reply as a separate topic as well, here and in Google's forums because it needs some attention.
Thanks
Ill repost this here as well
You have to take into account the many laws in different places concerning cell phones and driving. In some places you can get a ticket just for having your phone in your hand while driving. And now they are cracking down even harder on it. Also some OEM have been known to block some cars from working with devices like that. It was found that one samsung device had a list built into the OS that blocked a number of different cars from working with Android Auto. This I can only assume came from the Car manufacturer.
If I had a nickel for all the distracted drivers around me, well, I'd have a lot of nickels!

The Unofficial Android Auto Thread

Hi All,
I've been extremely excited about the integration of my smartphone with my car for a while. Almost anyone who would be in the market for a motor vehicle with an advanced head unit would also already own a smartphone with data access.
However, like any new use of technology, there are growing pains and Android Auto is no different. I have struggled through a few issues already and continue to grapple with others. A huge difficulty I had was simply finding discussion threads. Do I look on sites that focus on cars? On Android Auto? On Android OS?
So here it is. I'm starting a thread to pull together the most common problems and their solutions. Also, please note - I am not an expert in any of these things, just a user. I will give credit where I have a source but I am just gathering the info into one place and adding it to my own observations.
I haven't decided how this thread is going to look or if it will be small or big, so I will save the first few message placeholders in case and I will add known problems, work-arounds, and identified solutions as they come.
Hopefully this helps out some other users!
Troubleshooting:
I strongly suggest you make sure you have a good quality USB cable and confirm that you are able to connect your phone to your computer and transfer a file (some cables will allow charging but not data transfer).
1. Problem: Bluetooth won't pair, won't connect, etc.
Possible Solution:
It appears that Android Auto will attempt to create a BT profile. So
a) Delete the pairing on your cell phone
b) Delete the pairing on your car head unit
c) Turn OFF bluetooth on your phone
d) Plug your phone into your car's head unit. Depending on your settings, you may need to tell your car to launch Android Auto and you may need to select the device. If so, make sure you are selecting it in Android Auto (NOT Bluetooth pairing). Respond appropriately to any requests for authorization on your phone and car.
This should leave you with a properly paired device and car.
2. Problem: Every time I launch Android Auto, I have to pair my phone again!
Work-around: Once you have a working AA connection between the car and your device, go into the settings in the Android Auto app on your device and turn off the option to "Add new cars to Android Auto."
3. Problem: Android Auto notifies me of a new message but won't read it out loud/but starts to read it and cuts off.
It looks like there is a conflict between Google Now, Android Auto, and the Bluetooth handoff with the car head unit. Kudos to XDA member BuildaWall for discovering that turning off the BT headset option in Google Now fixed it for some people. I did a little more testing and found that forcing Android Auto to make your phone the primary source of audio seems to be the other piece.
UPDATE:I applied the August CM-13 Snapshot and this workaround no longer fixes the problem. I have reheaded it as a possible work-around as it might fix the issue for people on slightly older ROMs
UPDATE Sept 27/2016: I have upgraded to stock Nougat (Android 7). This issue still exists. However, after reading this XDA article, I tested an accessibility option. AA began reading the messages once again.
Possible Work-arounds:
A) Several people reported that their Media volume on their phone was being changed to zero when they plugged into AA. Some also reported that turning USB Debugging OFF fixed this issue. If you don't know what USB debugging is, don't worry about it; you would have to have intentionally turned it on. For volume, tap your volume rocker but then tap the drop down on the pop up volume notification.. It will expand to multiple volume sliders. For simplicity, make sure none are zero.
B) On your phone, go into Google Now, Options, Settings, Voice and then turn off Bluetooth Headset. This was reported to help by some but not didn't help for me.
C) On your car's head unit, in Android Auto, select a music option (I have Spotify and Google Play Music, but I think any audio source app within AA will work). If you don't want to listen to anything, just play and then pause/stop it but you CANNOT go back to the car as a primary source (eg radio or sirusXM).
D) On Nougat (Android 7) go to settings, accessibility, and enable one of the options (I have tested Voice Access, but in theory, activating any accessibility option should reactivate the message reading in AA.
4. Reported with work-around by @ReppinTheSouth - Android auto either being laggy or flat-out disconnecting
ReppinTheSouth observed this on a Pioneer avh 4100 and a galaxy s4 and reported August 7, 2016
Suggested Work-Around: Clearing the phone's cache periodically seems to help a lot. I also added a swap file which has seemed to help even more.
5. Reported by @ReppinTheSouth - When driving in maps with voice commands enabled, it will freeze sometimes right when a voice command is about to come on. My GPS will no longer track and my head unit at least an Android auto is completely unresponsive.
I'm not listing this as a work-around, as it doesn't resolve the problem, but is still good to know: @ReppinTheSouth advises: This only happens when voice commands are enabled & Unplugging and replugging the phone gets the head unit out of its frozen state.
More to come!
Tips and Tricks:
I will use this page to list tips to improve performance or usability that don't fit under troubleshooting.
1. Keeping the phone screen alive and accessible.
Please exercise safe driving habits.
TL; DR:
Turn on Developer options
Turn on Stay Awake
Optional: if you have a security lock you may want to add your car Bluetooth as a trusted device for smart lock so it doesn't lock you out.
Details:
Android Auto changes your screen timeout to 15 seconds every time it is activated. When combined with its flaws with hangouts chat notification (no groups, can't initiate a new chat without certain contact book entries, can't access chats that began before connecting to AA) it is VERY frustrating.
Access the Developer Options menu
Settings >>> About Phone
Scroll to the bottom and tap the Build Number option seven times in a row. You will get some sort of message saying you have access to developer options. You only need to do this once.
Settings >>> Developer Options
Make sure they are turned on. Next turn on the Stay Awake option.
Your phone will now allow dimming but won't turn off the display.
Optional:
If you use a security lock on your device, you may want to authorize your car Bluetooth connection as a trusted device under smart lock so it won't lock while connected.
==============================
Links to Other Resources:
https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/...to-connected-to-the-cara-infotainment.488786/
Thanks for this thread Mad Medik.
However, I also have the same problem as number 3, but the workaround doesn't work.... I changed my phone Bluetooth Headset setting to off and I was playing my spotify music through Android Auto. Am I forgetting something here? what versions of AA and Whatsapp do you use?
Good thread and it is much needed as far as I am concerned. I have a Pioneer avh 4100 and a galaxy s4. One of the issues I have had is with Android auto either being laggy or flat-out disconnecting for no reason. One of the things I have noticed is Android auto seems to be a resource hog. Clearing the phone's cache periodically seems to help a lot. I also added a swap file which has seemed to help even more.
The other issue I'm having which I can't solve is when driving in maps with voice commands enabled, it will freeze sometimes right when a voice command is about to come on. My GPS will no longer track and my head unit at least an Android auto is completely unresponsive. I have to unplug my phone and then plug it back up to get it to work. This only happens when voice commands are enabled. I have not been able to resolve this issue.
Sent from my SPH-L720T using XDA-Developers mobile app
NLatuny said:
Thanks for this thread Mad Medik.
However, I also have the same problem as number 3, but the workaround doesn't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi NLatuny & ReppinTheSouth!
@NLatuny - Thanks for the info. I just updated my Nexus 6p to the latest (august 2016) CM13 Snapshot, and the work-around no longer fixes the problem for me either. I've updated the original post. I think your request for version numbers is probably a good idea moving forward. I will update the original post to suggest that people include that in their posts.
@ReppinTheSouth - Thanks! I will look at adding those problems and your possible solutions for the lag to the top of the thread
Might be good to add a list of things you can and cannot do. For example, I found the other day through just trying you could ask various questions.
How old is (enter famous person here). = Correct answer.
I need to remember some of the other ones I've done. Good thread.
---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 AM ----------
Perhaps also add how to get into Developer Mode, and what the settings in there do? The Force Day or Night mode thing is super useful.
I am not sure if this is the righjt place to ask, but I have been everywhere with no answer.
I Have a Galaxy s7 edge in a Mercedes a class. It connects just fine, but I cannot make calls saying "call >name>". Maps, Music, weather works just fine, but when I try to make a call, the woman just replies "not sure how to help you with "call..."". I can dial numbers as well BTW.
Making calls through Google Now works fine as well.
Any help would be much apiciated.
duze76 said:
I am not sure if this is the righjt place to ask, but I have been everywhere with no answer.
I Have a Galaxy s7 edge in a Mercedes a class. It connects just fine, but I cannot make calls saying "call >name>". Maps, Music, weather works just fine, but when I try to make a call, the woman just replies "not sure how to help you with "call..."". I can dial numbers as well BTW.
Making calls through Google Now works fine as well.
Any help would be much apiciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your permissions for Android Auto, you may have missed a few.
You can also uninstall and reinstall it.
I have tried all that, with no luck unfortunately
Having had a courtesy car for a few days that had an android auto system in I'm looking to purchase an android auto headunit for my car, probably after Christmas.
Until then I've been using my handsets connected to the aux input on my factory system. However since I got my Pixel handset last week I've encountered a couple of issues that weren't an issue on my m9 handset previously. I've reported then to the relevant support sites but as yet have received no response, so thought I would try you knowledgeable lot.
Firstly, when making or recurving phone calls with the aux cable connected the Pixel defaults to using the loudspeaker on the handset rather than putting through the aux to my car speakers.
Secondly, when receiving a message on WhatsApp i touch the screen too get it to read the message, it does so fine, then tells me I can press the mic soon symbol and say reply. When I do so I'm told "this chat app is not installed or needs an update". The app is installed and is up to date. I can send WhatsApp messages by saying "send a WhatsApp message to...." but can't reply.
Lastly, when I ask it to play specific tracks on Spotify it often comes back with no search results. Songs that I used to ask it to play regularly on my previous device come back as no search results found. Searching manually the tracks are there and can be played. And it isn't all tracks, some tracks are found without issue.
Thanks in advance.
Also hope this is in the right thread, I notice you seem to be taking mainly about the in car systems but as it can now be used on most android phones without a dedicated in car system I figured many would be doing so.
Hi folks, sorry for the absence. My N6P died on me in November and was sent away for warranty repair. Long story short, I'm very disappointed with Huawei and futuretel. Two months later, the process ended with me owning an unfixed Nexus 6P which is still under warranty until February 2017. It has a defective motherboard according the repair center but they will not repair it. So, after 2 months of making do with an iPhone 6 with a broken screen (wife's old phone), I have moved on to a One Plus 3T.
Irritatingly, Apple Carplay worked flawlessly for that time. Typical of Apple it was very locked down and had limited options. But in fairness, it executed those few features very well. Come on Google!
[/end rant]
I'm back and will try to get the thread up to date.
MM
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk
Hello, thank you very much for this information, is very useful.
In my case, I have a Le Pro 3 X720 and is nightmare with AA, when I plug the phone on my Hyundai car the phone only charge so I had to change their ROM to lineage is 14.1 (Android 7.1.2) and with this AA starts quickly but after 5 minutes the screen is freeze then change the cable but it doesn't work, I change the cable again with the same result, so I back to use the original leeco cable and change their ROM again, with the same result, after 5 minutes the screen is freeze, the last one is AICP 12.1 (Android 7.1.2).
Do you know how to fix this?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Hello everyone,
i found this thread and i hope that is the correct one for my problem.
In the first page i read that AA set the screen timeout to 15sec when activate, but in my case, the timeout remain also after when i unplug the phone from my car.
If i manually set the timeout to 5 minutes, after the first screen lock, it return to 15sec and this is so frustrating.
So i tried to set the stay awke mode in the developer options, but i see that the description of this setting is "when is on charge" (i'm italian, i don't know the english description, sorry), there is some walkaround to fix the 15sec also after the unplug ?
Thanks in advance
mikefavro said:
Hello everyone,
i found this thread and i hope that is the correct one for my problem.
In the first page i read that AA set the screen timeout to 15sec when activate, but in my case, the timeout remain also after when i unplug the phone from my car.
If i manually set the timeout to 5 minutes, after the first screen lock, it return to 15sec and this is so frustrating.
So i tried to set the stay awke mode in the developer options, but i see that the description of this setting is "when is on charge" (i'm italian, i don't know the english description, sorry), there is some walkaround to fix the 15sec also after the unplug ?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mike,
You should say what phone and android version you are using. I have used both a One Plus 3T on Oreo beta and an LG V30 on 7.1.2.
The screen timeout sets to 15 sec when I plug in, but returns to normal when I unplug.
Sent from my LG-H933 using Tapatalk

Pixel XL issues with Android Auto

I recently purchased a new VW car and have been using Android Auto on the built in display. The first time I used it it all worked perfectly, since then it hasn't. My Android Auto no longer gives me notifications when I receive texts. And if they do show up on the home screen and I click the play button to read them, it shows the four dots as if its thinking but nothing happens and I have to cancel out of it.
Additionally, I've noticed that my bluetooth smart lock doesn't seem to be working at all. Every time I connect it asks if I want to add my car to my trusted devices. Each time I say yes but it NEVER seems to save it. It will then later sometimes prompt for permission to read my messages. To this I again say yes but it doesn't seem to make the message issue go away even after I do this. I am not sure if these two issues are related (I'm hoping they are).
Can anyone tell me why the hell my smart lock can't seem to register and remember my car? And why wont android auto read my messages properly? (Pixel XL. Phone calls and navigation all are working properly)
Same issue here
You have to give Android Auto all permissions it asks for at the first start. And be sure to use a very good cable. There are many USB C cables on market which are not fully supporting USB C features and the system do expect them.
I'm in the same situation with my VW Atlas. Problem is with both my Pixel (running Android O) and my wife's Nexus 6p (running Nougat). I have given it all permissions, including some that it didn't ask for. I also have been using the little 4 inch cord that came with the 6p, so the cable or its length should not be an issue. In addition to the above, my car also forgets its bluetooth pairings if I try to connect the AA cable before the bluetooth has connected. I've been learning to do that but sometimes I forget. It's got to be an issue with the VW software.
I have come across these issues myself in a Golf Mk7 both with a Motorola Droid Turbo and now with a Google Pixel 3 XL.
In the case of getting Android Auto to read/send messages where you just get the four dots bouncing up and down and doing nothing else, that's a setting with the Google Assistant app. Go into that app on your phone (the round G icon) and drill into settings and under Voice >> Voice Match, make sure "OK Google" detection is turned on. Even though you might not be actually using it, it has to be turned on for this to work. Totally lame and non-intuitive, but that's what fixed that for me.
As for the car falling out of your Smart Lock and for repeatedly prompting you for permission to access your text messages, I have only had this issue with AA in my VW and not in other cars, so it's a VW-specific issue and something to do with the bluetooth hardware. I do not have a fix for it but the workaround is you must have BT turned on on your phone first and let it connect fully to your car OUTSIDE of AA. Make sure at that point you permit text message access (if prompted) and check your Smart Lock and add your car to it if needed. Then going forward whenever you connect to your car you MUST let BT connect fully first before you plug in and fire up AA. It's unfortunate that you can't just plug in and go w/o waiting for BT first but that's the only way I've gotten this to work without re-prompting me for SMS access permissions and Smart Lock.
Good luck!

I know my phone is cheap but????

I want to know why it won't run AA it says the phone has ANdroid 10, phone will work with steering wheel conrols, even messages will play on my car, BUT google maps will not load I get "no apps found" Then I llok and my and 10 shows no AA app. Soooooo I email maker we go back and forth finally they say phone not set up for AA, ok can someone answer why this is? Everything you expect from the phone works in car except GPS even screen mirror won't d/l on this phone I have. ok WHY??? what causes this? Is there a walk around? Will toto survive the trip home? he has no ruby slippers!!
Are you running AA on a head unit, or trying to run it only on the phone? What phone are you using? You are connected by USB?

Android Auto thinks I'm driving when parked!

This one is really annoying me - with my new Dacia Jogger, I've found that Android Auto always thinks I'm driving, even when parked, with the engine off. The problem with this is some navigation apps completely disable the ability to search for a destination, so I can't progam in a route once I'm connected! Also Gameshack is disabled because AA thinks I'm driving too.
There any way to fix this or stop AA from disabling interactions?
Your headunit has a wire connected to the handbrake sensor in your car, and this way it knows if you're parked and can't restrict some activities. This information is passed from the headunit's firmware to Android Auto internally, and this way Android Auto can restrict or allow you to do some stuff like use the touchpad, use certain buttons, etc.
In order to save money (or due to a bad Android Auto implementation), some headunits don't send handbrake status information to Android Auto. This way you can use the onscreen voice button all the time (in the lower corner of Android Auto) even if the car is moving, but the downside is that some Android Features get broken, like Gamesnacks or alphabetic search in lists. They can do this for a number of reasons, like not having a dedicated voice button in the steering wheel or headunit, but it's not the ideal case.
I suggest you to find other people with the same car model and see if their cars behave in the same way. If so, then this is a headunit problem and the carmaker should release a fix. If this only happens in your car, I would check if there's a wiring issue in the handbrake or something similar is happening.
you might also want to check if there's some settings menu in your headunit with some option to check this.
You can also try to sync a new phone over bluetooth to your car headunit while parked. If it refuses because the car is moving (even if is not) then it could be a wiring issue.

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