Android Bluetooth Car Audio Bug Persists for Over a Year, Frustrating Users
More than a year after it was first reported, a persistent Bluetooth connectivity issue affecting Android smartphones and in-car infotainment systems remains unresolved, leaving many users frustrated by unreliable audio connections.
Bluetooth technology is designed to enable seamless short-range communication between devices, but numerous reports suggest that some high-end Android phones are struggling to maintain stable connections with car audio systems. The problem has lingered without a permanent fix from Google, despite repeated complaints.
According to affected users, the issue appears to stem from how Android manages Bluetooth connections that support multiple profiles. In many cases, phones automatically connect only for phone calls, while media audio fails to activate. Some users have found a temporary workaround by manually switching the Media Audio option off and back on, forcing the connection to refresh, though the fix is neither consistent nor permanent.
The earliest reports on Google’s public Android issue tracker linked the bug to fully updated Pixel 8 devices, with older Pixel models initially unaffected. However, newer complaints indicate that the problem has spread to Pixel 7 and Pixel 9 series devices, across both stable and beta versions of Android. A limited number of Samsung Galaxy phones have also been mentioned in user reports.
The issue appears to be particularly common in vehicles manufactured by Japanese automakers, including Mazda, Toyota and Honda. Some users have claimed that responses from Google staff offered little resolution, with suggestions such as testing the phone in a different vehicle. Others said they were told that older cars and newer smartphones may not be fully compatible, a claim that has drawn criticism given Bluetooth’s long-standing emphasis on backward compatibility.
Google has consistently promoted its Pixel line as premium Android devices offering a superior user experience, frequently highlighting strengths such as advanced camera systems and generative AI features. Pixel phones have even received approval for use by the US Department of Defense, reinforcing their reputation for quality and reliability.
In reality, however, Pixel devices have faced a series of notable hardware challenges in recent years. These include battery-related issues that led Google to intentionally limit performance on several models to address safety concerns.
With Bluetooth car audio problems now added to the list, affected users continue to wait for a firmware update that resolves the issue – hoping that a long-delayed fix will arrive sooner rather than later.
