FP6 and Wireless Android Auto issues (inc FP5)

[hamgammon]

The Issue -

Unable to maintain a wireless connection with my head unit in my car. Will work from anywhere between 3 to 10 minutes, then the audio stutters and then connection is lost and can take up to a minute and a half to reconnect. Repeats. Phone reports that the wireless connection is ‘Low Quality’ even when right next to the headunit or wireless dongle for AA.

Using a wired connection works flawlessly. (I have to disable Wireless Android Auto in Dev options)

Fairphone 6 Android 15 (FP6.QREL.15.122.0)

Things checked -

Apple iPhones work flawlessly with my head unit.

Other Android Phones work flawlessly with my head unit (Samsung and TCL makes running Android 14/15).

Using a wireless carplay/aa dongle on the USB wireless - the above phones are flawless. FP6 does the same as a direct wireless connection to the headunit.

Other headunits with Wireless AA with FP6 - same as above issue.

Enabling dev options within Android Auto and changing what build I am using, limiting what audio codec is used and limiting screen resolutions.

Backstory - This was one of the main reasons why I returned my Fairphone 5 as it did the exact same thing with my headunit, however, I really like the battery life and build of the Fairphone 6 and really do not want to replace it as this is THE only issue I have at the moment or have a really hacky solution to this. The issue with always plugging in is that the USB port is low powered and only slows the rate in which the phone discharges. Also its annoying as that any other Android/iPhone (I am coming from and iPhone) just worked wirelessly with my car. Going on a long trip with naviagtion and music plugged in it one thing but if I am going to pop to a friends house, I want my music to play without having to plug my phone in.

I really like the idea of Android Auto/Apple Carplay as I dispise OEM Sat Nav Systems as they are slow and always out of date and normally far more locked down in the way of updates.

Has anyone had the same issues as me when it comes to Wireless Android Auto? I find it strange that I have this issue with FP5 and now the FP6.

[yvmuell]

I know not really the same issue maybe, however check that this is disabled

Android Auto and the new A15 build for Fp5

I can’t remember turning it on, but turning “Force Desktop Mode” off again does indeed seem to fix Android Auto resetting my FP5! Thanks

Here also a different desciption, showing it can work as long a screen is on.

Android Auto: Low framerate when phone display is turned off

So…Android Auto works perfectly while the Fairphone display is awake (turned on). Once I turn it off or it turns off itself after a while, the framerate of the car display drops below being usable (around 2-5 fps). When I turn the phone display back on, everything is back to being butter smooth and normal. This happens in both connection modes, wired and wireless. Is there any known solution to that? PS. Headunit is Ford Tourneo 2024 (same as Volkswagen Caddy 2024) and is known to work with a …

And for completeness: what OS in which Version do you have installed? Fairphone System or e/OS?

And even if FP5 and FP6 are affected, is the car system up to date? Which car (system) is it?

[hamgammon]

First off, Thanks for your reply. Stock FP6 Android (not e/OS) Android 15 (FP6.QREL.15.122.0).

I have tried this with my an aftermarket headunit for my Dacia Sandero, stock Jaguar F-Pace system and I think it was a Mazda system.

I will try above and report back

[yvmuell]

@hamgammon

First off, Thanks for your reply. Stock FP6 Android (not e/OS) Android 15 (FP6.QREL.15.122.0).

and you already wrote this in the initial Post, sorry

[hamgammon]

On this build the ‘Force Desktop Mode’ is already off.

[hamgammon]

So after some testing -

Screen on (30 min screen timeout) - No change, cut off randomly as usual

Force desktop mode was already disabled - Same as above

Force desktop mode toggled on then off - Same as above

[hamgammon]

Sorry to post about this again but to help me understand the issue can I get some infomation from the community please?

Reminder of my issue is that after a few mins (2 mins to 10 mins) the audio glitchs and then freezes Android Auto. This is followed by a disconnect and reconnect. This keeps repeating.

If you use stock Android 15 - do you have any issues using Wireless Android Auto? (Posting your make of car/headunit could be very helpful)

[nicos1]

I tried it once with a rental car and it worked perfectly. I’m on Android 15 with wireless Android Auto. The car was a Dacia Jogger Expression Hybrid 140. Have you tried with a cable?

[hamgammon]

Thanks for your reply. Thats good to hear!

Yes it works wired but my head unit doesnt supply enough power to charge the phone when wired plus shorter journeys dont always need me to take my phone out my pocket.

[yvmuell]

Kindly refrain from opening multiple topics for the same

[hamgammon]

I am looking at getting the “AA Wireless TWO” branded dongle for my head unit to see if this works, as according to a reddit user it worked for them. Not sure how long shipping will take but I will report my results back.

If anyone can confirm that they have used the above dongle with no issues or even any inbuilt head unit wirelessly that would be much appreciated so I know its not a wider issue and something to work towards resolving.

[hamgammon]

So far the ‘AA Wireless TWO’ adapter has been flawless when working with my Fairphone 6 and my head unit with about 30 mins of testing.

The build quality of the AA Wireless TWO adapter is far better and also as an app (no login or account required to use) has the ability to update the adapter and has some more advanced options to configure the adapter. E.G theres is a ‘VAG Group Fix’ you can enable and I am sure I have see someone in the forums having issues with Skoda and Android Auto.

Also thanks and apologies @yvmuell for your help and as I have a better understanding of how the forum works now, I understand why you moved that post.

[hamgammon]

Another update - FP6.QREL.15.148.0 seems to have solved all the issues I had with my inbuilt headunit. No dropouts with it so far and will continue to monitor it.

Edit: One or two drop outs vs the AA Wireless Two adapter so would still recommend the above solution for the quicker pain free solution.