How to Fix Android Auto Not Working on Samsung Galaxy S20

Android Auto allows you to access your smartphone’s apps, navigation, and music using your car’s dashboard. 

If Android Auto on your Samsung Galaxy S20 isn’t opening or working correctly when connected to your car, it could be due to compatibility issues with your vehicle, regional restrictions, faulty cables, misconfigurations, or software glitches and bugs.

Before you consider taking your Samsung Galaxy S20 to a repair center, there are 06 troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue, and in this guide, we will walk you through them

Fix 01: Check the USB Cable

The first thing to troubleshoot Android Auto is to check the cable you’re using to connect your Samsung Galaxy S20 to your car. 

This is because a faulty or incompatible cable is often the culprit behind connectivity issues.

Here’s how to check if your cable is the problem:

• Inspect the cable for any visible damage. Look for signs of wear, or fraying on the cable.
• Ensure the cable is properly connected to both your Galaxy S20 and the car’s USB port. A loose connection can cause problems.
• Try a different USB port in your car if available, as the issue could be with the car’s USB port rather than the cable.
• Use another cable to see if Android Auto works with it. If it does, your original cable is defective and needs to be replaced.

It’s worth noting that Android Auto works best with a USB 3.0 cable. These cables capable of faster data transfer and better performance.

Fix 02: Check If Android Auto is Available for You

Android Auto’s availability can vary, and changes in compatibility may occur, which could affect even users who have previously had no issues.

Therefore, it is really important to verify whether the service is supported in your region and by your car’s make and model. 

Android Auto’s availability can vary because of:

• Regional Restrictions: Android Auto is not supported in all countries or regions due to legal and operational constraints.
• Car Compatibility: Not all car models are equipped with the necessary hardware or software to support Android Auto.

To ensure that you’re not facing these fundamental obstacles, follow these steps:

1. Check for Car Compatibility:
   
   • Visit the official Android Auto compatibility page for vehicles at: https://www.android.com/auto/compatibility/#compatibility-vehicles.
   • Look for your car’s make, model, and year to see if it’s listed as compatible with Android Auto.
2. Check for Stereo Compatibility:
   
   • If your car doesn’t have a built-in system compatible with Android Auto, you might be using an aftermarket stereo.
   • Check compatibility for aftermarket stereos at https://www.android.com/auto/compatibility/#compatibility-stereos.
   • Find your stereo brand and model to confirm if it supports Android Auto.

By confirming that Android Auto is indeed available for your car and region, you can rule out these potential barriers and focus on troubleshooting other issues that preventing Android Auto from working on your Samsung Galaxy S20.

Fix 03: Clear Android Auto App Data

The Android Auto app on your Samsung Galaxy S20 may experience issues due to corrupted data or cache. Clearing the app’s data and cache will resolve these issues by resetting the app to its default state. 

Note: Clearing data will remove all personal settings in the Android Auto app. You’ll need to set these up again once you open the app after performing this action. 

If you’re not comfortable with clearing all app data, you can start by clearing the cache to see if that resolves the issue before proceeding to clear all data.

Here’s how you can clear the Android Auto app data:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Apps”.
3. In the list of apps, find and select “Android Auto”.

4. Tap on “Storage”.
5. First, tap on “Clear Cache” to remove temporary files.
6. Next, tap on “Clear Data” to reset the app completely. Keep in mind that this will erase all settings within the app.

Fix 04: Update Android Auto App

Keeping apps installed on your Samsung Galaxy S20 up to date is a good practice to ensure they run without issues. The Android Auto app is no exception. 

If Android Auto is still not working on your Samsung Galaxy S20, it could be due to an outdated version of the app that contains incompatibilities.

Here’s how to update the Android Auto app on your Galaxy S20:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Search for “Android Auto”.
3. Find “Android Auto” in the list of app results.
4. If an update is available, tap on the “Update” button next to Android Auto to start the updating process.

Fix 05: Update Your Samsung Galaxy S20

It is also possible that the issue with Android Auto on your Samsung Galaxy S20 is caused by the system software. 

Software updates include bug fixes and compatibility improvements that will resolve existing problems with Android Auto.

Here’s how you can check for and install a software update on your Samsung Galaxy S20:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Battery and device care”.

3. Tap on “Software update”.

4. Tap on “Download and install”.

If an update is available, your phone will start downloading it. Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi to avoid using your mobile data. Once the update is downloaded, you can head over to install it.

Fix 06: Do a Factory Data Reset

If you’ve tried all the previous fixes and Android Auto is still not working on your Samsung Galaxy S20, you need to do a factory data reset. 

Factory data reset will erase all data from your device and restore it to its original settings, which can resolve issues caused by data corruption, persistent software glitches, or system errors that other troubleshooting steps can’t fix.

Before proceeding with a factory reset, ensure to back up your Samsung Galaxy S20 to avoid losing important data such as contacts, photos, and messages. You can learn how to back up your Samsung Galaxy S20 by visiting this backup guide.

Here’s how to perform a factory data reset on your Samsung Galaxy S20:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General management”.
3. Tap on “Reset”.

4. Select “Factory data reset”.

5. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap on the “Reset” button.
6. Enter your PIN, password, or pattern if you have set up a screen lock.
7. Finally, tap on “Delete All” to confirm the reset.

Once you have confirmed the reset, your Galaxy S20 will begin the reset process, which may take a few minutes. Once completed, your device will restart, and you’ll be greeted with the initial setup screen. 

After the factory reset, you’ll need to reinstall Android Auto and set it up again to use with your car.