Why wont my Android Auto connect to my Subaru?
Your Android Auto connection to a Subaru infotainment system can fail for several reasons, but most issues come down to a faulty data cable, compatibility problems with the head unit, or software settings. Start with a high-quality data cable, verify Android Auto is enabled on the Subaru’s head unit, and ensure both phone and car software are up to date.
Android Auto can connect wired or wirelessly, and Subaru models vary by year and trim in terms of support. If wired, use the USB port designated for data transfer; if wireless, confirm the head unit supports wireless Android Auto and that your phone and car are properly paired. If problems persist, you may need a firmware update for the infotainment system or to contact a dealership for assistance.
Understanding the connection options and common causes
To approach the problem efficiently, it helps to understand whether your setup is wired or wireless and what Subaru features are available for your model year. Some older Subarus rely on firmware that doesn't fully support newer Android Auto features, while newer models tend to have smoother support but can still encounter cable or software glitches.
Quick checks you can perform before diving into deeper fixes:
- Confirm your Subaru model supports Android Auto (wired or wireless) and that the feature is enabled in the head unit’s settings.
- Make sure the phone’s Android Auto app and Google Play Services are up to date.
- Check for battery saver or data restrictions that might block USB data transfer or background activity for Android Auto.
- Try a different USB cable and a different USB port in the car (prefer a data-capable cable; some ports are charging-only).
If these quick checks don’t solve the issue, proceed with the more detailed troubleshooting steps below.
Wired connection troubleshooting
If you’re using a USB cable to connect Android Auto, the following steps cover the most common wiring problems and settings to verify.
- Use a high-quality data cable (not a charging-only cable) and connect directly to the phone’s port. Avoid USB hubs or adapters that may degrade data transfer.
- On the car, plug into the USB port labeled for Android Auto or data transfer. If your vehicle has multiple ports, try the other one as some ports are designated for charging only.
- Set the phone to a data-transfer mode if prompted (e.g., USB File Transfer or Android Auto). Ensure the phone isn’t in “Charge only” mode.
- Restart both devices: reboot the phone and power cycle the car’s infotainment system (turn off the car, wait a moment, and restart).
- On the phone, clear the Android Auto cache and data if needed: Settings > Apps > Android Auto > Storage > Clear Cache (and Clear Data if problems persist, noting you may need to reconfigure preferences).
- Ensure battery optimization or power-saving settings aren’t restricting Android Auto. Add Android Auto to the exception list if your device blocks background activity.
If you still can’t connect via USB after these steps, you may be dealing with a deeper software mismatch between the phone and the Subaru infotainment system, or a faulty cable/port that warrants service.
Wireless connection troubleshooting
Some Subaru models support Wireless Android Auto, which relies on Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth. If your setup uses wireless, try these steps to address common issues.
- Verify that your Subaru head unit supports Wireless Android Auto for your model year. Check the vehicle manual or Subaru’s official site for compatibility.
- On the phone, enable Wireless Android Auto (often found in Android Auto settings or Connected devices). Ensure Bluetooth is on and the car is in pairing mode.
- In the car, enable Wireless Android Auto in the infotainment settings, then pair the phone via Bluetooth as prompted. A secondary step may involve selecting the car’s Wi‑Fi Direct network or confirming the phone’s Wi‑Fi connection.
- Keep the phone within range and make sure both devices have the latest updates for Android Auto, Google Play Services, and the car’s infotainment firmware.
- If pairing fails, forget the car on the phone’s Bluetooth settings and re-pair, then re-run the wireless setup in Android Auto.
Wireless connections can be sensitive to signal interference and firmware mismatches, so if wireless still won’t connect after these steps, a wired connection is a reliable fallback while you seek a software update from Subaru.
Software updates and general settings
Across both wired and wireless setups, keeping software current and properly configured is essential. Review these recommendations to minimize repeat issues.
- Update your Android OS and Google Play Services to the latest versions, and ensure Android Auto itself is up to date via the Google Play Store.
- Check Android Auto and car settings for required permissions (location, notifications, contacts) and ensure they aren’t blocked by any security or privacy settings.
- Disable battery optimization for Android Auto (or set it to an allowed list) to prevent the app from being restricted in the background.
- If you’ve recently updated one device (phone or car), consider re-pairing or re-enabling Android Auto in the head unit to reflect the new software state.
- For older Subaru infotainment firmwares, confirm with a dealer whether a firmware update or a Starlink service update is available—some models require dealer-installed updates to restore full Android Auto compatibility.
Persistent issues after software updates may indicate a compatibility or hardware limitation either in the phone or the car’s head unit, in which case a dealership diagnostic may be necessary.
Summary
Most Android Auto connection problems with Subaru come down to a data-capable USB cable, correct port usage, and up-to-date software for both the phone and the car’s infotainment system. Start with the simple cable and port checks, then move to software updates and permissions, and finally test both wired and wireless setups if your model supports them. If issues persist after methodical troubleshooting, contact a Subaru dealer for a firmware check or diagnostic, as some compatibility gaps can only be resolved with a system update.
Why is my phone not connecting to my Subaru Outback?
To fix your Subaru Outback not connecting to your phone, first ensure Bluetooth is on for both devices, then try re-pairing them by deleting the old connection and creating a new one. If that doesn't work, check for system updates for both your phone and the Subaru's infotainment system.
You can watch this video to learn how to troubleshoot the infotainment center in your Subaru: 1mAdventure SubaruYouTube · Feb 24, 2025
Basic connection checks
- Turn on Bluetooth: Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and that your car's system is set to pair.
- Check the connection: Ensure your phone is still selected as the connected device in your car's phone settings.
- Check USB connection: If you're using a wired connection for CarPlay or Android Auto, check that the USB cable is secure and try a different cable or port.
Re-pairing the devices
- Unpair devices: On your phone's Bluetooth settings and in your car's infotainment system, remove or "forget" the other device.
- Restart and re-pair: Restart both your phone and your car's infotainment system (if possible), then try the pairing process again.
Advanced troubleshooting
- Check for software updates: Outdated software can cause connectivity problems. Check for and install any available updates for both your smartphone and your Subaru's infotainment system.
- Reset Bluetooth cache: If available, try clearing the Bluetooth cache on your smartphone and in the car's system.
- Reset the infotainment system: As a last resort, you can try performing a factory reset on your car's infotainment system. You may need to consult your owner's manual for specific instructions.
You can also watch this video to learn how to reset the Subaru head unit: 52sDaniel's AutosYouTube · Apr 13, 2023
Why is my car not detecting Android Auto?
On your phone, clear the Android Auto app cache and data via Settings > Apps. Restart both devices and enable developer settings in Android Auto to reset connection preferences. Also, verify that Android Auto permissions are granted and that your phone's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are active for seamless pairing.
Why won't my phone automatically connect to my car anymore?
Your phone may not be automatically connecting to your car due to outdated software, a poor or incorrect cable, Bluetooth settings being turned off, or a faulty connection with the car's infotainment system. To fix this, try restarting both devices, re-pairing the Bluetooth connection, ensuring all software and apps are updated, and checking your Bluetooth and app settings.
This video demonstrates how to troubleshoot common Android Auto connection issues: 51sCars UnlockedYouTube · Feb 22, 2022
Basic troubleshooting
- Restart both devices: Turn off your phone and your car's infotainment system, then turn them back on. You may need to open and close the car door to ensure the system fully powers down.
- Toggle Bluetooth: Turn your phone's Bluetooth off and then back on. Do the same for your car's Bluetooth system if possible.
Re-establish the connection
- Delete and re-pair: On both your phone and your car, delete the other device from the list of paired devices. Then, initiate a new pairing process.
- Use the correct cable (for wired connections): If you're using a wired connection, try a high-quality USB cable that is under three feet long and is not a data-blocking charging cable.
- Check car settings: Go into your car's Bluetooth or connectivity settings and make sure your phone is set as the primary or a preferred device.
You can watch this video to see how to clear cache and data on Android Auto: 59sCars UnlockedYouTube · Apr 22, 2025
Check software and settings
- Update everything: Make sure your phone's operating system, the Android Auto app, and your car's infotainment system software are all updated to the latest version.
- Check Android Auto settings: On your phone, go to your Android Auto settings and ensure that "Start Android Auto automatically" is set to "Always" or "Default" and check that your car is not on the "Rejected cars" list.
- Check phone's Bluetooth settings: In your phone's Bluetooth settings, tap your car's device and make sure "Media audio" and "Phone calls" are both enabled.
- Clear app cache: On your phone, go to Settings > Apps > Android Auto > Storage & cache > Clear cache.
Other potential issues
- Compatibility: Ensure that both your phone and your car are compatible with each other for the specific type of connection you are trying to use (e.g., Android Auto Wireless).
- Multiple devices: If multiple phones are paired with the car, it may cause issues. Try turning off Bluetooth on any other phones in the vicinity.
How to setup Android Auto on Subaru?
To set up Android Auto in your Subaru, connect your phone to the USB port with a high-quality cable and follow the on-screen prompts to give it access to your phone's features. For models with wireless Android Auto (2023+), enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your phone, then follow the on-screen steps to connect wirelessly through the infotainment screen's Bluetooth settings.
For USB connection
- Park your car: and start the engine.
- Unlock your phone's screen: and plug it into a compatible USB port in your Subaru.
- Tap "Android Auto": on the infotainment screen when the pop-up appears, or select the Android Auto icon if it doesn't launch automatically.
- Follow the instructions: on your phone and car screen to grant permission and allow access to apps like Google Maps.
- Tap "Agree": to all prompts to complete the setup.
This video demonstrates how to connect Android Auto via USB in a Subaru: 57sOTTO'S SUBARUYouTube · Mar 11, 2024
For wireless connection (2023+ models)
- Park your car: and start the engine.
- Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: on your phone.
- On the Subaru's infotainment screen, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and select Manage Devices to Add a new device.
- On your phone, go to Bluetooth settings and select the name of your Subaru from the list of available devices.
- Confirm the PIN: that appears on both your phone and the car's screen.
- Allow access: to your contacts and messages when prompted.
- Tap "Yes" when the vehicle asks to start Android Auto.
This video shows how to connect to wireless Android Auto in a Subaru Outback: 58sWalser Subaru St. PaulYouTube · Nov 17, 2024
Best practices
- Use a high-quality USB-IF or MFI certified cable: if you are using the USB connection.
- Ensure your phone and apps are up to date: to avoid compatibility issues.
- Allow Android Auto to download or update: if prompted during the setup process.
