Android Auto Keeps Crashing? (Don’t Panic, Easy Fix!)

If your Android Auto keeps crashing and you don’t know why, this guide can help you!

There are quite a few reasons for the unexpected crashing of Android Auto systems, including cache-related issues, outdated OS, and corrupted app data.

Fortunately, there are effective resolutions such as:

So, proceed with the comprehensive guide!

How to Fix Android Auto Keeps Crashing In Simple Steps?

Note: Have you tried turning the Android Auto off and on while the system hasn’t crashed?

1. Update Android Auto Firmware Version

The first step is to ensure your Android Auto is up-to-date. This is possible by updating the Android Auto mobile application on your smartphone to the most current firmware version.

Here’s how to check for newer Android Auto versions on your smartphone:

1. Open the Google Play Store on the Android smartphone.
2. Tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner of the page.
3. Tap “Manage apps & device” and press the “Manage” tile.
4. Scroll down and locate the Android Auto application below.
5. Next, tap the “Update” button next to the platform and wait.

Reminder: Ensure your Android smartphone sustains a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, before updating any applications.

2. Connect your Smartphone Over USB

Connecting your Android Auto and smartphone over USB is a reliable resolution against random crashes.

All you need is your smartphone’s charging cable, which is also compatible with USB input on your infotainment system.

Here’s how to connect your smartphone to the Android Auto over USB:

1. Connect one end of the USB cable to the smartphone.
2. Plug the other end into the USB 2.0/3.0 on the display.
3. Wait for a confirmation message on your smartphone.
4. Acknowledge that your device has connected properly.
5. After that, determine if the Android Auto will still crash.

Important: Verify the USB cable is in proper condition before testing it on your Android Auto!

3. Cycle the 12V Accessory Power Circuit

Well, most infotainment systems supporting Android Auto use a standard 12V power circuit to connect to your car’s battery.

In case of power insufficiency or recurring fluctuations, reseating the wire from the infotainment system’s A/C input could resolve crashing issues in the system.

Here’s how to access the Android Auto’s wire installation:

1. Loose any screws holding the Android Auto display in place.
2. Recommended: Temporarily disconnect your car’s battery.
3. Next, insert a sharp and thin removal trim to eject the display.
4. Carefully, pull out the display unit with all of the attached wires.
5. Search for a thicker wire, typically in a black or brown color.
6. Eject the 12V jack from the back of the Android Auto and wait.
7. After 25–30 seconds, reconnect the wire to your car’s panel.
8. Connect your car’s battery and test unit before placing it back.

Note: If you can’t recognize the 12V wire, disconnect all adapters from the back of the display unit and wait for 30 seconds.

4. Deactivate MirrorLink (Huawei Phones)

According to many sources, most users experiencing crashing issues with their Android Auto use Huawei smartphones.

Well, if you’re one of them, a solution has been found–deactivating the “MirrorLink” feature in the smartphone’s settings. 

The feature allows the driver to automatically sync the smartphone with the car’s entertainment system, which is not necessary with most Android Auto installments.

Here’s how to set “MirrorLink” to “Off” in your Huawei’s settings:

1. Open the settings of the Huawei smartphone.
2. Navigate to the “Apps” menu and scroll down.
3. Locate the “MirrorLink” app within the page.
4. Select “Disable” from the application’s menu.
5. Next, reconnect from the Android Auto to test.

Note: MirrorLink goes into full effect only if your phone is connected wirelessly to the panel.

5. Stop Android Auto’s “Manage Automatically”

The “Manage Automatically” feature could be influencing Android Auto’s connection relative to your smartphone’s current battery percentage.

So, changing the value of this setting requires accessing your phone’s “Battery” and “Application” settings for your Android Auto application.

Here’s how to disable “Manage Automatically” for Android Auto on your phone:

1. Open the “Settings” application on your Android smartphone.
2. Navigate to “Battery” and enter the “Battery Usage” section.
3. Go to “Software” and locate Android Auto within the section.
4. Enter App Launch and locate “Manage automatically” below.
5. Then, set the feature to OFF and exit the configuration menu.

Note: Before exiting, ensure all options under “Manage manually” are set to “Enabled.”

What to Do If Android Auto App Keeps Crashing?

If the Android Auto application seems to be running into issues instead of the display, there’s a lineup of solutions you may try.

1. Clear the App’s Cache & Data

The first and simplest task is to erase the cache data generated by the Android Auto application.

The excess data could pile up substantially over several months, which could lead to connection issues, crashing, and startup problems.

Here’s how to erase the Android Auto app’s cache and data easily:

1. Navigate to the Settings application and select “Apps.”
2. Scroll down and locate the “Android Auto” application.
3. Tap “Storage” and hit the “Clear cache” button below.
4. On the same page, select “Clear data” and then “OK.”

Note: Maintaining the proper functionality of all installed applications requires clearing the cache periodically, preferably once every 2–3 months.

2. Forget the Android Auto Connection

There’s a possibility that the crashing of your Android Auto app results from congested device connections.

If multiple separate smartphones are attempting to connect simultaneously over Bluetooth, your panel may freeze up or crash.

Here’s how to delete Android Auto from the connections of other devices:

1. Open the “Settings” app on a potentially connected smartphone.
2. Navigate to the “Bluetooth” options and scroll the connections.
3. Next, locate the connection name of your Android Auto system.
4. Tap the “Manage” or “Settings” button and forget the connection.
5. Repeat for all the suspected devices that may have been paired.

2.1 Test Android Auto on Another Smartphone!

It’s also recommended to determine if Android Auto’s behavior will change when connected to another smartphone.

If possible, borrow the mobile of a close friend or family member to pair with the panel and determine if the crashing would persist.

3. Cleanly Reinstall your Android Auto

One of the most potent solutions against application crashes is performing a clean reinstallation.

This will entirely remove the application data, and when you download a clean copy of the app from the dedicated app store, you should no longer face crashing problems.

Here are two ways of reinstalling apps on Android phones:

• From the Home screen: Press and hold the icon of the Android Auto app for roughly 2–3 seconds. Once the “Manage” menu appears, choose “Uninstall” to remove the app.
• From the Google Play Store: Launch the Google Play Store app and tap on your profile icon in the corner. Go to “Manage apps & devices” → “Manage” and reinstall the app.

Note: After the application is successfully uninstalled, start the download through the Google Play Store and test if the crashing continues.

Crashing Problems Are Still There?

If you still experience crashing issues with the Android Auto app, try installing it on a different smartphone, preferably not a Huawei.

If your Android Auto is still crashing after all the steps, it’s recommended to take your device to a specialized servicing or attempt to claim your warranty.