Many of us learned the hard way that installing a new Android version on our devices does provide us with lots of goodies and new features, but it could also lead to all kinds of issues behind the wheel. As if Android Auto didn’t have too many problems to handle, new Android releases cause more headaches, including mission options and occasional freezes.
Android 15 is no exception, and the issue I highlight today plagues Google’s very own Pixel lineup of phones.
I know what you think, and you are right. A Google Pixel phone should provide the most refined experience on Android Auto, as it’s an experience based entirely on Google products, but this doesn’t seem to matter much after the update to Android 15.
Users have been complaining of various issues, including a missing language button, but what’s happening now is much worse. Google customers who installed Android 15 on their Pixels claim Android Auto doesn’t launch at all, and while the phone seems to be charging when plugged in, the app refuses to load.
This isn’t new behavior in the Android Auto world, as connection problems have been around for a long time, but it’s the first time I see Pixel owners reporting it after the update to Android 15. The issue mainly plagues the wireless connection method, so the workaround is to switch to a wired connection. However, some users claim that not even using a cable fixes the error, as nothing seems to restore Android Auto after the update to Android 15.
The bug behavior is slightly different, and this means Google must investigate what happens on each device, making the release of a patch more difficult. However, everybody blames Android 15 for the mess, as the only thing that changed on their devices between the moment Android Auto was working correctly and the debut of the connection problem was the operating system version.
Downgrading Android is not an option, as the process is more complex and isn’t a convenient workaround for users who only want a straightforward experience on their mobile devices and in the car. However, I see users claiming they will refrain from updating their devices to Android 15 until Google comes up with a patch.
The Android Auto version doesn’t seem to make a difference, as users claim that not even the last beta build fixes the error. The first report indicating a connection problem on Google Pixels after the update to Android 15 landed on Google’s forums in the second half of November, and the number of comments and upvotes increased regularly. The thread has 83 “me too” votes at the time of press, with several posts published in the last days, confirming the issue is still a thing on up-to-date devices.