Has anyone encountered any difficulty connecting your phone to the head unit of the vehicle using a USB Type C cable via Android Auto? During the first year it works fine but after that the Head Unit can't seem to detect the phone after it's connected with the cable. I brought up the issue at the service centre and the service advisor advised to use the original USB cable. It worked fine after that but only for few months. Now the Head Unit can't detect any phone with all USB cables that are connected to it.

I hope the service centre can fix the issue when I bring the car for the scheduled service next month. Nevertheless, does anyone here know what might contribute to this issue and the solution? Perhaps a software issue which might need a reflash or something else.

what car?

last time i also same issue. the issue was my phone; the data pins rosak because i dropped it.

so try isolate see the source of the problem.

1. use original usb to see if previous usb is cheap shit.
2. connect phone to computer using usb to see if it's phone problem.
3. try connect usb c pendrive to see if it's car usb slot problem. if it is try use a brush to clean any dust.

if it's not a hardware issue then try reset the headunit and clear your phone android auto cache and data. android auto is damn flimsy. before i dropped my phone (was using a mi phone) already have issue connecting, worse after software update. now samseng no issue.

This post has been edited by FrogBlob: Jul 14 2025, 01:50 PM

Wired android auto is picky with cables, I have to use high quality cables and they only last for a while.

Sometimes I use contact cleaner on the end and then it works again but over time it stops working again.

Then I just reuse the cable for other purposes because it still works for data transfer and charging, just not for Android Auto.

Just to clarify when I say 'a while' its still many months, i change cables maybe once or twice a year.

This post has been edited by RViN: Jul 14 2025, 01:52 PM

Just turn into a wireless AA la. Get those Ottocast adaptor. Plug and play for any car or head unit.

u need high quality cable.
easier just convert to wireless, or just change the head unit

Thanks for all responses. As for original cables, I'm not sure which one is which as it's all mixed up. Anyway will retry with more USB cables when I manage to find some cables lying around on the floor later.

Connecting phone to laptop, no issue. Different phones also can't connect.

Nissan Almera.

I'm not sure if Google Drive can use wireless. Anyway using Spotify on wireless the sound quality is not good. The audio system of the vehicle has been upgraded and wired connection via USB cable gives the best sound quality. However, the wired connection is really a problem.

Don't forget that the ports will wear out quicker. Just make it wireless and done deal. Less headaches. AA will start up once BT connected to the Ottocast adaptor under 2 seconds.

I'll look into it to see if the negatives of wireless can be successfully overcome.

Ok will try to request the service centre to reset the head unit next time when I'm at the service centre which is end of next month. Will try to clear the auto cache and data and see later. Thanks.

My Sony XAV-AX3000 has wired AA and CP. I used wired for initially for several years and replaced 7 cables from Ugreen and Baseus. Mid last year, I bought the Ottocast adaptor and never looked back since.

I just placed order for an Ottocast device on Shopee. Hopefully it will work. In the meantime I'll try to salvage the situation and see if some other good quality USB cables will work. Thanks.

Update. Tried the same USB cable which didn't work yesterday and this morning it works. Weird. It's an aftermarket USB from Mcdodo Gorgeous series which is rather high quality

Looks like 99% it's a cable issue. After a successful connection, it will get disconnected again if I move the phone. The connection is sensitive. I have to slowly handle or move the phone after it's connected to the head unit via Android Auto so that it won't get disconnected again due to a slight movement at the connection point between the phone and the USB cable.

This post has been edited by SportyHandling: Jul 15 2025, 07:57 AM

Sounds like the phone port, not the cable. Does it happen with other cables?

The phone can't be connected at all with the other cable. Previously it's the same, slight movement and it will get disconnected, and adjusting the cable to the phone port or plugging and unplugging will get it reconnected to the system again.

using the cable that you know works, try on other phone if any.

if same issue, wiggle abit then will lose connection, means the usb port on the car not good dy.

if other phone no issue means your phone port connection not good.