OK - I give up. I watched a ton of videos, read the fancy manuals, and for the life of me, I cannot get Spotify Premium to be controlled by the audio controls on my car. This is using the latest Android Auto, wireless (BT) connection. What form of sorcery is needed, or is this impossible? All I want to do is pause and skip a track on my playlist.

 

My Android phone was only paired for a short time before we decided to only keep my wife's iPhone connected, so I can't comment on my RX experience, but if you don't figure it out, you can always try a small Bluetooth remote that is mounted in a hidden location on the steering column.

That's what I used on my GS and now on my Macan which don't have native Android Auto but use the CarPlay input for Android Auto and also lack those direct controls.

The presentation was slightly cleaner without the mount but when it was directly double-sided taped to the column, it made it more difficult for battery changes. Not perfect, but still much better than using the touch screen to advance tracks while driving.

 

Press the "talk" button on the steering wheel and hold it for a second. When the main screen changes color a bit
go ahead and command "Play Eric Clapton on Spotify". Same cadence for "Text Mary Smith mobile" and "Call
John Smith home" and "give me directions to the Costco in Bolingbrook".

 

But that is not the audio controls, just using Google Assistant. I want to be able to pause, skip tracks, etc. using the steering wheel controls.

 

Have zero issues with skipping tracks on Spotify in AA... Not sure what you've got going on but it sounds like a good one. Don't think it's a phone issue because I'm using OnePlus and they're normally so buggy...

 

The steering wheel "Mode" button will switch between audio sources when pressed briefly.
When you press and Hold the Mode button it will mute radio and pause playback of streams
and podcasts and CD's if equipped.

The side-to-side rocker switch (hidden on Heads Up Display cars) will command track skipping.

 

By skipping tracks, I mean stop playing the current track and skip to the next one. I can use voice assist to do this, but one would think ALL Spotify commands were avaialable from the steering wheel controls.

 

Bingo! We have a winner here folks! Not sure why I could not figure that out/find it on the Interwebs or manuals. THANKS!!

 

I'm pretty sure this is what is universally understood when presented with "skipping tracks"

 

Love my job as a Lexus Technology Specialist and the online queries are as interesting as the in-store visits.

 

HAHA! For gits and shiggles, where is this documented? Should I have RTFM'ed this?

 

Eagleboy: I attempted to discover how I came to know about this feature...
The Lexus Manuals only refer to the steering wheel side by side rocker as used for changing radio stations.
The Apple Help interwebsource ACP page refers to checking in your car's manual for controls.
This works on every current model Lexus I've tried and my brides Nissan as well.
Trial and error? Lots of errors!