Unfortunately for some Galaxy S23 Ultra owners, it seems that some smartphones are affected by a bug that prevents them from using Android Auto, but fortunately there would be solutions to try.
Galaxy S23 Ultra owners, beware! The latest Android Auto update caused some compatibility issues with Samsung’s latest phone. Many users have reported that when they plug their device into their car’s Android Auto system, nothing happens, or the connection is brief before being interrupted. Some users even saw an error message that the USB device was not supported.
According to reports on Google’s support forums, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is having compatibility issues with the onboard OS. These issues appear to have been introduced by the latest Android Auto CoolWalk update. As a reminder, this introduces an all-new design that separates the screen into different tiles, allowing multiple apps to be used at once. This is not the first time that we have mentioned connection problems with Android Auto and the Galaxy S23. At the writing, our Galaxy S23 Ultra was also having some problems connecting to Android Auto, but this was fixed by an update from Samsung.
The cable would be the main culprit
For those who are still impacted, there would be several temporary solutions to try to fix the bug. The main cause of the problem seems to be the cable used to connect the phone to the car. Both the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Android Auto are very particular about the type of cable used, and many users have tried multiple cables without success. However, there are a few potential solutions that can help users get Android Auto to work with their Galaxy S23 Ultra.
One of the options is to switch to wireless Android Auto. This option completely eliminates the need for a cable and allows data to be transmitted via a Bluetooth wireless signal. While some vehicles support wireless Android Auto, most do not. Fortunately, there is third-party adapters that enable Android Auto wireless connectivity. The AAWireless dongle and the MA1 dongle from Motorola are two popular options, but their price is relatively high (89 euros).
There are also cheaper wireless adapters, but they may work less reliably. Switching to Bluetooth could therefore not only help you fix the connection bug, but also allow you to do without cables, which could greatly simplify your life. With Bluetooth, once your smartphone is paired for the first time, it will automatically reconnect each time you start your vehicle.
Another option is to replace the cable used to connect the phone to the car. Although the Galaxy S23 Ultra is notoriously picky about cables, some users have reporteda hit with the LDLrui 60W USB A to C Cable. This cable appears to be compatible with Android Auto and the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but there is no guarantee that other cables will work.
Google needs to update its OS to fix the problem
As always, it’s important to note that these solutions may not work for everyone. However, for those who are having issues with Android Auto and their Galaxy S23 Ultra, these fixes are worth trying before you completely drop functionality.
It’s unclear why the Galaxy S23 Ultra is having compatibility issues with Android Auto. Google has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix, but it’s unclear when it will be available.
