Android Auto Update Causes Crashes and Disconnections for Drivers

A recent update to Android Auto, version 17.2.662404, has caused repeated crashes and disconnections according to user reports. The issue affects various devices, including Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models, and occurs with both wireless and wired connections to vehicles. Users experience a cycle where Android Auto connects to the car, disconnects shortly after, and then attempts to reconnect, disrupting navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps.

The problem is particularly noticeable when audio playback starts, such as when Spotify begins playing or navigation voice prompts are issued, leading to system crashes. Wireless Android Auto users report that even brief disconnections severely impact navigation and audio continuity. Google is aware of the problem and has opened a tracking thread on IssueTracker but has not announced a timeline for an official fix.

Until a corrected update is released, affected users are advised to revert to earlier, more stable versions like 17.0 or 17.1 and disable automatic updates in Google Play to avoid reinstalling the faulty version. Another suggested workaround is setting battery consumption settings for Android Auto and Google Play Services to "unrestricted," which may prevent background service shutdowns and improve connection stability. However, these temporary solutions do not guarantee a full fix, especially for those experiencing crashes during audio playback. The definitive resolution will come with a future Google update.