I recently purchased a 2021 LC500 coupe in Nightfall-Mica with the black interior, HUD, All-weather, dynamic handling and the Mark Levinson audio system. Was looking around the country for one with the red interior, but it was not to be found and my dealer was not able to order one, so I "settled." It's a wonderful car, and I am very happy with my decision, except for one big thing... Android Auto fails to run.

I have a brand new OnePlus 9 pro phone with the latest version of Android 11 and the Auto app installed. When plugged into the car's USB port the phone and car go through this never-ending dance pairing and unpairing. Repeated attempts at connection always fail. I've tried different cables and various versions of clearing the phone's settings and memory; nothing has worked reliably. After looking at the various forums for Android Auto I find that this is not an uncommon problem when the phone and the car have different versions of the application installed. Many stories of folks with a Kia, Hyundai, or Volkswagen, etc. who have simply gone to the dealer for the latest update and they are good to go. Other cars appear to do some kind of over the air update; even better. No problem, I thought, when I got for my 1000 mile check I'll just get the car version updated.

Well, that appointment happened this week, and the news was not good. My phone would not pair, as expected. The head diagnostician's phone, an older Samsung (with old Android Auto app) paired just fine. The Lexus tech checked the code version internal to the car it shows a release date of 2019 (yes, well before the option was even available here in the US) and their system showed no updates available. The service manager filed a report with Lexus, his initial route to help me at this point.

So, now what? It's unconscionable to me that a brand new car that cost over $100K has not included a hook to update code provided to them by an external vendor like Google. What, they somehow thought the software was "right" the first time? Never happens.

Anyone have any additional insight or information that might get to a solution here? I can't be the only one.

Cheers.

 

Sorry to hear about the headache! I also have a '21, and an android phone, a google pixel 5. It works flawlessly with the car using android auto. I'm using Android 12 beta, but it worked with 11 also.

If there's something I can do/try with my phone and car to help you, let me know.

 

bitkahuna:

Thank you for that offer. Please confirm that you have the ML Audio system in your LC? If so, a good start here would be to know what version of Android Auto is running on your car. I did not see how the tech got to it; he only showed me the photo he took of the screen where my car showed it. If you know how or where it is displayed, great, please do so. In the meantime I will do a bit of research on how it's done.

I appreciate the assistance.

 

Yes, I have the ML audio. Will see if I can find car AA version.

 

This is what I found.





This is AA on the car screen.

 

Damn, I'm officially jealous. It looks pretty good on the screen. Getting a '21 is not worth it IMO JUST for AA. Unless some considerable updates and changes are made on the upcoming model years, I will prolly stick with my modded LC....

 

bitkahuna:

This is a huge help, thank you. My screen did not have a check for update tab, but did show install dates of the software versions. Odd.

Back to the dealer I go...

 

you're very welcome.

not sure how mine could check for update when it's also showing no cell signal, lol.

do you have a different version?
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The fundamental issue here likely isn't with the car or with Google, it is likely with your phone. Here's a thread from the OnePlus forums about Android Auto having problems on the OnePlus 9: https://forums.oneplus.com/threads/a...9-pro.1410394/

Has anyone been able to get Android Auto working on the Oneplus 9 Pro? I have 4 different vehicles and it doesn't work on any of them - a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, and a aftermarket Kenwood unit.

The simple fact of the matter is that not all Android phones are created equal, and Google has very little responsibility when it comes to making these phones work right. Google provides the OS then the phone maker customizes it to work with their phone. It sounds like, in the case of OnePlus, that there's an issue with the hardware on the phone that makes it not work well with Android Auto.

My advice, if you like Android as a phone OS: try to buy the Google Pixel brand phones. Google uses the Pixel phones to make sure that their updates work, then gives those updates to the other phone makers who deploy them...inconsistently. Samsung, LG etc realized a long time ago that they make a lot more money selling you a new phone than they do keeping the operating system updated on your old phone.

 

i agree but didn't want to rain on his 'brand new phone'.

agree 100%. I've had samsung and other brands in the past, but gave up waiting endlessly for android updates. went to the source, problem solved. i enjoyed my pixel 2xl, 3xl, and now 5, and will likely get the 6 pro coming out shortly.

 

Absolutely, that's the reality with open source software and having numerous hardware manufacturers implementing their own strategies.

I'm an Android user, fully accept the occasional glitch and compatibility issues. The ability to "tinker" outweighs the cons.

 

Guys... I have seen those posts as well. My particular phone does pair and work in the several cars I tried it in other than my LC. I have to assume, therefore, that it is capable of doing so. Most problems seem to occur when one or the other device has old code in it. The LC seems to be the culprit here, but if it's not I'll have to change phones because this integration is important to me.

The dealership is looking into the problem with Lexus. I'll report back when something changes.

 

Quick update that I have it all working now. In my case the phone must be plugged in prior to starting the car, in which case it works. If you plug in the phone once the car is started it will never pair up correctly.

Now to get the car software version updated to the most current and see what that breaks.

 

well that's good news and not too inconvenient! you might consider getting a wireless android auto 'dongle' - i have the indiegogo one and it works well. Not sure if it will work as it won't all be connected before you start the car.