Android Auto won’t start when using the Samsung Galaxy S23, and the problem is becoming more common as more customers get the smartphone.
Launched last month, the Galaxy S23 is currently Samsung’s flagship device. The top-of-the-line version is priced at $1,500, so buyers expect nothing but a smooth experience on all fronts. This doesn’t seem to be the case with Android Auto, as the Galaxy S23 seems to suffer from the same connectivity issues as its predecessor.
The Galaxy S22, released in early 2022, also struggled to use Android Auto. Samsung finally delivered a fix several months later, but connection errors continue to plague some devices to this day.
Galaxy S23 error
The problem faced by the Samsung Galaxy S23 is caused by the same behavior in almost every case.
When the device is connected to the Android Auto head unit, the application does not start, so the connection is not detected.
In some cases, the mobile device starts charging, which is a sign that the connection between the phone and the main unit is active. Android Auto does not appear on the screen and the app icon is not available on head units that require manual start.
Typical workarounds that include clearing cache and data in Android Auto will not bring any improvement for users.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Repair
Fixing Android Auto on Samsung Galaxy S23 involves several steps recommended by Samsung itself. The buyer of the Galaxy S23 says they asked Samsung support for help, and the recommended steps got things back to normal.
It starts by deleting all existing profiles from the Android Auto app settings. If you previously used the mobile device with another car, make sure that there are no settings saved in Android Auto. Here’s how to start over with Android Auto in your car.
The next step is painful to say the least. Samsung apparently advises users to factory reset the car’s head unit. The goal is also to remove all available configurations from the media receiver so that no potentially corrupted files are left behind. If you don’t want to reset the head unit, you can also try to reset the car Bluetooth system. Apparently removing paired devices isn’t enough, so reset as much as you can on the receiver.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
The reset process continues on the Samsung Galaxy S23. This is because users also need to reset the mobile device’s network settings. Fortunately, you don’t need to reset the entire device, and since Android has its own settings for deleting network settings, this mode should do it.
After completing all these steps, restart both the car head unit and the media receiver. Connecting the Samsung Galaxy S23 to the car with the cable in the package. In theory, this should provide the mobile device with a fast connection option that prevents possible connection interruptions. However, once the mobile device is connected, you need to perform all the settings of the main unit.
When Android Auto loads on the receiver, tap its icon to launch the app. In some cases, the application may start automatically, so you don’t need to do anything yet. When Android Auto starts the initial installation interface, you need to follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app.
The expected Android Auto behavior should be restored at this point. You don’t have to follow a specific Android Auto configuration, so users can configure the app according to their own preferences.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Additional recommendations
If this still doesn’t restore Android Auto to your car, make sure you’re already running the latest version of the app. If you are part of the beta program, installing the stable build is the recommended way to proceed. As such, you can reduce the likelihood of connection issues due to issues with test builds.
At the same time, you need to make sure that your Samsung Galaxy S23 has the latest version of Android with the latest monthly updates installed. Samsung doesn’t usually include fixes for the Android Auto experience, but if the company decides to make improvements in this area, you’ll want them.
If you have already received the Coolwalk UI on your Samsung Galaxy S23, following the above steps may result in the removal of the new design. This means that when you enable Android Auto, you can see the old layout. In theory, Google should return the Coolwalk to your car within days, as the company has to revalidate the hardware configuration using the server-driven model it uses in the redesign process.