Database Develop

[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!

Accessing SD card that is in the car from android auto

Hi all,
I'm thinking about buying a new car equipped with android auto. This car comes with an SD card slot where you can store music to use with the regular infotainment system. I was wondering if that SD card can also be accessed from android auto? I currently have a 16 GB Nexus 5X so it would be nice if I could use the SD card in the car, while driving.
I'm asking here because I'm sure the sales people don't even know what android auto is, so I don't really trust them.
Thanks.

My car stereo (Pioneer AVIC-F77DAB) has an SD card slot and I can't access it through android auto. I have to go into the stereos main screen to access music/video from SD card. Hope this helps

wallacerp said:
My car stereo (Pioneer AVIC-F77DAB) has an SD card slot and I can't access it through android auto. I have to go into the stereos main screen to access music/video from SD card. Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer, I was kind of expecting this but I wanted to make sure. If anybody has a different experience please let me know.

wallacerp is correct.
AA has no way at present to play audio sourced from the headunit, whether CDs, SDCard or AM/FM/HD/Sat etc.
Maybe in some future release 1-3 years from now.
There are strings within the AA code indicating Google might be experimenting with this. But it's in Googles interest to have us using Google Play Music. (Though deals with auto OEMs to share car data with Google could shift that interest.)

Hi,
Peharps, in the future a new release of the AA protocol will include this., However, HU manufacturers can implement this AT TIME:
* Share the SD content using DLNA over the WiFi. Typically, you mobile and your HU can be connected by WiFi, additionally to AA USB connection. On this wireless network you can use any PLAYER App compatible with AA that can play from DLNA sources... in this case the HU.
I found this solution quite complex but viable... I do something similar in my VW.

manos78 said:
Hi,
Peharps, in the future a new release of the AA protocol will include this., However, HU manufacturers can implement this AT TIME:
* Share the SD content using DLNA over the WiFi. Typically, you mobile and your HU can be connected by WiFi, additionally to AA USB connection. On this wireless network you can use any PLAYER App compatible with AA that can play from DLNA sources... in this case the HU.
I found this solution quite complex but viable... I do something similar in my VW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, OK. But a bit complicated and potentially fragile I think.
I am not aware of any aftermarket AA HU that supports Wifi, never mind DLNA on top.
I presume your VW HU does, but I'm not sure about others.
My first thought was using flash USB connected to the phone, but I think it goes the wrong direction to use a hub to share the USB needed for AA. In theory AA over Wifi (or USB hub'd ethernet ?) could free up the USB, but it's not clear that Google will support AA over IP officially any time soon.

mikereidis said:
wallacerp is correct.
AA has no way at present to play audio sourced from the headunit, whether CDs, SDCard or AM/FM/HD/Sat etc.
Maybe in some future release 1-3 years from now.
There are strings within the AA code indicating Google might be experimenting with this. But it's in Googles interest to have us using Google Play Music. (Though deals with auto OEMs to share car data with Google could shift that interest.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's kind of a no-brainer that people would want to listen to FM radio and use navigation at the same time. Same goes for an SD card or CD you might have in the car. As it is I'm leaning towards buying a cheaper car model and just using a mount for the phone when I need it. Especially since I have no guarantee that if Google does implement this in the future, it will work with my car.

This guy has a mode button on his device that allows him to switch between Android Auto and his normal infotainment system. That's at least an option, but I'm not sure if it works the same on the one that comes with VW cars.
https://youtu.be/Mw7BYxyC_3Q?t=13m31s

sorin7486 said:
This guy has a mode button on his device that allows him to switch between Android Auto and his normal infotainment system. That's at least an option, but I'm not sure if it works the same on the one that comes with VW cars.
https://youtu.be/Mw7BYxyC_3Q?t=13m31s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a standard Pioneer AA HU feature. I would have thought other HUs can do the same, but maybe some don't.
sorin7486 said:
Well, it's kind of a no-brainer that people would want to listen to FM radio and use navigation at the same time. Same goes for an SD card or CD you might have in the car. As it is I'm leaning towards buying a cheaper car model and just using a mount for the phone when I need it. Especially since I have no guarantee that if Google does implement this in the future, it will work with my car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My negative reply was about not being able to control FM and other HU sourced audio from the Android Auto screen UI.
Pioneer HUs (at least) allow you to start FM (or whatever), then start AA and FM will continue playing. FM will pause or drop volume when using AA navigation, so that's a crude form of basic "integration".
But you have to leave the AA UI in order to deal with FM etc on the HU screen (buttons might work, I've never actually tried this.)
So there is no seamless integration that allows you to control FM etc on the HU screen while staying within the AA UI. And most of us find it a bit jarring to switch between UIs, so we try to stay within one UI, which effectively means the AA UI.
It may be a "no brainer" that we all want seamless integration, but that doesn't mean that Google will support it.
Google music services compete with FM radio. This is why Google has never supported FM on Nexus devices. Google also killed attempts to create standard FM radio APIs for Android (while pretending to support them).
Basically, Google wants us to use Google Play Music from within AA and purposely makes it difficult to access FM/HD/CD/etc... in a seamless manner.

Yah, I have a feeling that most HUs have AA as just another app of sorts instead of AA taking over completely. That was my impression because ever review only really shows the features of AA, not how you would use it day to day. And I get what you're saying about the radio but I think cars are a bit different: the people who listen to the radio on their phone have usually been a minority, while almost everyone uses it in the car. In any case, if AA doesn't take over completely I see no reason for them or the car companies to integrate other car functions into AA.
thanks for the reply

OBD2 fix

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brachcon.btautopair&pageId=106927232997763017217
I used this app to connect my OBD2 scanner on my Joying 5.1.1. unit. I dont know if this has already been found but I seen alot of people including myself having trouble connecting the bluetooth adapter to their head unit.

If the obd2 device name in the Bluetooth menu doesn't start with "obd2" it will not work eg. "obd2 bafx" will work as "bafx obd2"will not work
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Mine is labeled "obdii" and worked with this app. It wouldn't connect before

Found a simple solution, just create a "settings" widget from add widget option and then it will give u a list of settings to chose from select bluetooth. now through this new widget you can access a much normal android bluetooth interface and hence connect and pair easily. i did with mine and its working like a charm ever scince hope this helps.

joshluke said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brachcon.btautopair&pageId=106927232997763017217
I used this app to connect my OBD2 scanner on my Joying 5.1.1. unit. I dont know if this has already been found but I seen alot of people including myself having trouble connecting the bluetooth adapter to their head unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Saying "Joying 5.1.1. unit" doesn't mean much. There are multiple VERY DIFFERENT units that they've sold that run 5.1.
You need to specify whether this is for MTCD or Intel.
Also note that these units are NOT "Android Auto". They are **Android powered head units**, and should be discussed in the MTCD section.... where all of the bluetooth glitches are discussed, and all solutions needed are presented.

Android Auto for maps and Spotify, iPhone for calls

Hi, is there a chance to use two phones at the same time? Every day I use the iPhone, but I would like to be able to use Google Maps on the Discovery Pro screen in a VW Passat. Is it possible to connect an Android phone with Android Auto, which will display Google maps to me, at the same time be connected via bluetooth from the iPhone to be able to call from it? I am currently using MirrorLink, but this service works very poorly and slowly. Apple CarPlay is not an option, their maps are miserable. Thanks for help.

Ok, no one wrote back, but I found a solution.
I have Xperia Z5 Compact, on which I made root.
I have permanently turned off the Bluetooth sharing service. After installing Android Auto, I went through all the configuration steps. The service started working on the car screen without disconnecting the connected iPhone X via bluetooth.
The sound and picture are sent via a usb cable. When someone calls the music pauses, and when the conversation ends it plays again. It is a perfect combination if CarPlay is not enough, and we don't want to stop using the iPhone.

Thx for the interesting post and especially to come back with a solution. A real strange thing that people actually do follow ups.
I am also interested in this. Having multiple phones I would leave 1 in the car just for Android Auto and the other one just as a phone. If Android wireless was active the use for me would be a bit less needy.
What some people forget is that your phone barely charges if you use Android Auto and that would make it better for me to really charge my other phone while driving. During Android Auto and connected to the USB of the car the phone is in data mode and will probably only output like 400 to 500mA . This is barely enough to keep the charge.
The S7 that I have goes to about 1.9 Amp(so 1900mA) when charging on a non QC charger so after lets say an hours drive it gets more than enough juice to keep you going.

Pixege said:
Ok, no one wrote back, but I found a solution.
I have Xperia Z5 Compact, on which I made root.
I have permanently turned off the Bluetooth sharing service. After installing Android Auto, I went through all the configuration steps. The service started working on the car screen without disconnecting the connected iPhone X via bluetooth.
The sound and picture are sent via a usb cable. When someone calls the music pauses, and when the conversation ends it plays again. It is a perfect combination if CarPlay is not enough, and we don't want to stop using the iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you manage to turn off bluetooth sharing service ?
I have a similar configuration, in witch i use a samsung phone connected thru mirrorlink hack (lg mirrordrive) and my own phone connected thru bluetooth.

ravest said:
How did you manage to turn off bluetooth sharing service ?
I have a similar configuration, in witch i use a samsung phone connected thru mirrorlink hack (lg mirrordrive) and my own phone connected thru bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed the Root Essentials app from Google Play and found the "Bluetooth Sharing" service in the Memory / Application Manager tab and turned it off. From the normal application settings, this can not be done. Thanks to this, the sound and image from Android Auto is transmitted via USB, and my iPhone is connected via bluetooth for calls.

Pixege said:
I installed the Root Essentials app from Google Play and found the "Bluetooth Sharing" service in the Memory / Application Manager tab and turned it off. From the normal application settings, this can not be done. Thanks to this, the sound and image from Android Auto is transmitted via USB, and my iPhone is connected via bluetooth for calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No joy unfortunately... Is it related to the usage of AA and not mirror link ?

DR400 said:
No joy unfortunately... Is it related to the usage of AA and not mirror link ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The steps I have described have helped in the operation of AA, so that the car does not disconnect my Bluetooth-connected iPhone. When I used MirrorLink, my iphone was not disconnected and I could use both phones without any modifications.
In my case, I turned off bluetooth first and then I installed and configured Android Auto with my car. As a result, the iPhone was not disconnected which made me happy. I would also like to add that the procedure was performed on the Discover Pro radio in the Passat B8 with the App-Connect service.

Pixege said:
The steps I have described have helped in the operation of AA, so that the car does not disconnect my Bluetooth-connected iPhone. When I used MirrorLink, my iphone was not disconnected and I could use both phones without any modifications.
In my case, I turned off bluetooth first and then I installed and configured Android Auto with my car. As a result, the iPhone was not disconnected which made me happy. I would also like to add that the procedure was performed on the Discover Pro radio in the Passat B8 with the App-Connect service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did try almost every configurations ... I erased previous telephone settings in head unit to start with a clean install. BT has been disabled on tablet (the one dedicated to AA). As soon as the tablet is connected through USB, the phone is deconnected from head unit, and the reason given is that BT is already engaged by another unit (the tablet 0-o). I did a hard reset of the tablet. No joy either... I don't know what to do next. I should stress the fact that AA is installed from APK, as the tablet is not eligible for having AA.

DR400 said:
I did try almost every configurations ... I erased previous telephone settings in head unit to start with a clean install. BT has been disabled on tablet (the one dedicated to AA). As soon as the tablet is connected through USB, the phone is deconnected from head unit, and the reason given is that BT is already engaged by another unit (the tablet 0-o). I did a hard reset of the tablet. No joy either... I don't know what to do next. I should stress the fact that AA is installed from APK, as the tablet is not eligible for having AA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Volkswagen cars, Android Auto connects via USB, however the phone connection is connected via bluetooth. Maybe your car is configured differently with AA. I also downloaded AA from the apk file.
Can your car simultaneously handle two phones connected by bluetooth? It is possible in the Passat. Maybe there is a problem here.

Pixege said:
In Volkswagen cars, Android Auto connects via USB, however the phone connection is connected via bluetooth. Maybe your car is configured differently with AA. I also downloaded AA from the apk file.
Can your car simultaneously handle two phones connected by bluetooth? It is possible in the Passat. Maybe there is a problem here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That needs to be checked for sure, but I still cannot understand why, with BT completely removed from tablet, Head unit still maintains a kind-of BT link with it, thus disconnecting the phone ... It appears like once AA is running on tablet, all other BT connections are killed.

Not working for me! Please help
Pixege said:
The steps I have described have helped in the operation of AA, so that the car does not disconnect my Bluetooth-connected iPhone. When I used MirrorLink, my iphone was not disconnected and I could use both phones without any modifications.
In my case, I turned off bluetooth first and then I installed and configured Android Auto with my car. As a result, the iPhone was not disconnected which made me happy. I would also like to add that the procedure was performed on the Discover Pro radio in the Passat B8 with the App-Connect service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Pixege,
I have the exact same setup (Sony Xperia Z5 ROOTED + iPhone + VW Discover Pro on new Tiguan) and followed your instructions here but no luck.
Here's what I've done.
1. Made sure there is no pre-existing bluetooth pairing between Xperia and Discover Pro) - I reset the Discover Pro just to be sure
2. Paired iPhone with Discover Pro (this is the phone I want to keep connected via bluetooth for calls, etc.)
2. Permanently disable bluetooth sharing on Xperia using Root + App
3. Installed Android Auto on Xperia and connected device to Discover Pro - AA now works fine
This still caused the iPhone to be disconnected from bluetooth... when connected via AA, no other connection is allowed.
Did you do anything different from the steps above as it didn't work for me.
Thanks for helping out.
Bohs

use 2nd phone for Android Auto
I was able to root my LG V35 and turn off all BT using Link2SD. Now my old V35 is plugged into my car's USB in the center console and my new S20+ connects to the car on BT for calls. It took a lot of effort, but thanks to all the tips posted here, I was able to make it happen. Rooting the V35 was the hard part. Getting the boat loader to unlock took a lot and I bricked the phone twice trying. But rooting after that was somewhat easy, though frankly, I'm not sure how I did it exactly. I was able to unlock the boot loader using the instructions here, step 1 and 2. Though somehow, I bricked the phone (for a 2nd time) trying to get through step 3. I was able to get it to go into fastboot mode and I flashed the boot with an img that was labeled twrp and magist 7.5. I wish I could remember where I got that image from, but after that, magist was installed on the phone and a few clicks later, suddenly it was rooted. Then disabling BT with Link2SD only took a minute.

GREAT post - THANK YOU!!
I have a Note 20 Ultra and a 2020 Tiguan SE, and my 2 issues are (were):
1. I hated connecting and disconnecting the phone to cable for every damn time you enter the car.
2. Since I am spending a lot of time in the car, not necessary driving - I wanted more. Especially Video.
Knowing that AA uses BT and automatically pairing every devices it connected, I though to go to iOS, and get a cheap Iphone to run Carplay, while my Note will stay on BT.
The idea of disabling BT from system after root never crossed my mind. So once seeing that post, I ordered from Amazon a Pixel XL, rooted it and removed all the un-necessary crap out of it, disabled all APKs and services using BT - and it works like a charm.
I have my Note in and out from the car with me, working on BT, and the rooted Pixel juts sits in the car connected with the wire.
Thank you!

itamarbh said:
GREAT post - THANK YOU!!
I have a Note 20 Ultra and a 2020 Tiguan SE, and my 2 issues are (were):
1. I hated connecting and disconnecting the phone to cable for every damn time you enter the car.
2. Since I am spending a lot of time in the car, not necessary driving - I wanted more. Especially Video.
Knowing that AA uses BT and automatically pairing every devices it connected, I though to go to iOS, and get a cheap Iphone to run Carplay, while my Note will stay on BT.
The idea of disabling BT from system after root never crossed my mind. So once seeing that post, I ordered from Amazon a Pixel XL, rooted it and removed all the un-necessary crap out of it, disabled all APKs and services using BT - and it works like a charm.
I have my Note in and out from the car with me, working on BT, and the rooted Pixel juts sits in the car connected with the wire.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have the same problem. Disabling Bluetooth does not help.
Do you have a detailed guide?

moare01 said:
Have the same problem. Disabling Bluetooth does not help.
Do you have a detailed guide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Not anything in particle, where are you stuck?
I just used any of "app disabler" app from Google Play and freeze every service you find for BT.
Other then that, once in car, make sure your phone is up and running the BT connection, before you plug the secondary device into the wired AA connection.
Good Luck.

itamarbh said:
Hi,
Not anything in particle, where are you stuck?
I just used any of "app disabler" app from Google Play and freeze every service you find for BT.
Other then that, once in car, make sure your phone is up and running the BT connection, before you plug the secondary device into the wired AA connection.
Good Luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
That's what I did.
I don't know why it doesn't work for me.
Have tried them all before.
New ROM, Call function disabled, Android Auto function disabled.
I don't know...
Maybe it's because of the VW firmware?

moare01 said:
Hi,
That's what I did.
I don't know why it doesn't work for me.
Have tried them all before.
New ROM, Call function disabled, Android Auto function disabled.
I don't know...
Maybe it's because of the VW firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a 2020 VW Tiguan SE (USA) if it helps.
Rooted with Magisk
I used "link2sd" and "servicedisabler" apps to do it, but their are plenty others out there who will do the same.
The 2 BT services I disabled in the Pixel XL which is connected now to AA by wire are:
com.androind.bluetooth
com.androind.bluetoothmidiservice
And once again, be sure to be paired and connected with your phone ti BT, before connecting the other device to the wired AA.

How to cancel bluetooth to use two phones in Android car

I wanted to share how to solve the problem of using bluetooth on a second phone having another mobile already connected to Android car.
The easiest solution would be to use a duplicate of the Sim card, but in my case my telephone company does not have that service and cannot be hired.
As you know, at the moment that a mobile phone connects to Android car, it no longer allows us to pair a second phone and use it to make calls via bluetooth, forcing us if we want to make calls to use the one that is connected by USB to Android car.
Well, using an application we can disable the sharing services by bluetooh and thus be able to use the 2nd phone. The negative part is that it is necessary that the mobile is broken.
The name of the application is: Service Disabler https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kunkunsoft.rootservicedisabler&hl=en
“IT DOES NOT HAVE THE PHONE WITH ROOT”
To deactivate all the services of sharing via bluetooth is easy, we open the application and type the word bluetooth in the search area and it will already be in the list, and now it is just click on it and we will leave the option to deactivate everything.
From this moment on, all audio from the connected phone will be through USB.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h77mkaUca0U

This isn't really an Android Auto issue. But I understand a workaround may be useful if you have a headunit with this limitation.
How many phones can be connected depends on the headunit. My Kenwood will allow two phones to be connected and both can answer and make calls. Usually, I have my Pixel connected via AA, and my wife's iPhone will connect via Bluetooth at the same time. I can even select Bluetooth on the headunit and play music from the iPhone. In fact, although only two phones can be connected for calls, it will allow up to 5 phones to be connected at the same time for music (I've never tried that many, though).

mike.s said:
This isn't really an Android Auto issue. But I understand a workaround may be useful if you have a headunit with this limitation.
How many phones can be connected depends on the headunit. My Kenwood will allow two phones to be connected and both can answer and make calls. Usually, I have my Pixel connected via AA, and my wife's iPhone will connect via Bluetooth at the same time. I can even select Bluetooth on the headunit and play music from the iPhone. In fact, although only two phones can be connected for calls, it will allow up to 5 phones to be connected at the same time for music (I've never tried that many, though).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The VAG group has this problem, I hope that the solution in some update.

juanmontequinto said:
The VAG group has this problem, I hope that the solution in some update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most cars have this problem. I think is very useful, i will implement it. It may be easiest solution. Phone has root to work mirroring so, probably with freeze bluetooth with titanium, could have the same, but havent try it yet..