Android Auto Not Working With Uconnect? Here's What to Do

These tips can make fixing the connection between your smartphone and your vehicle easier.

Benjamin Hunting | 

May 30, 2024 | 3 min read

Jeep

Android Auto is one of the most popular tools drivers use to pair their smartphones with a vehicle's infotainment system. In effect, it duplicates many of a personal device's entertainment, navigation, and communication apps and much of its user interface onto an automobile's touchscreen. Like all technologies, however, when used regularly, there can be issues.

Here's how to troubleshoot your Android Auto connection when using the Uconnect infotainment system found in many Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, and Ram vehicles.

Do You Have an Android Auto-Compatible Phone and Vehicle?

One of the first suggestions Google — the company behind the Android Auto software — makes to users who are having problems connecting is to ensure that both their vehicle and smartphone are compatible with the software.

Phones that use Android versions 6 through 9 can use the technology, but you'll need to download the Android Auto app first. From Android 10 and up, it's included as part of the device's operating system. Ensure your phone software is up to date to have the most seamless connection experience.

Vehicles such as the Dodge Challenger and Charger, the Chrysler 300, the Jeep Renegade and Compass, and the entire Fiat and Alfa Romeo lineups feature Uconnect compatible with Android Auto from the 2017 model year onward. For Ram trucks, the Dodge Durango, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, and the Chrysler Pacifica, it's 2018 and newer. Maserati vehicles also offer Uconnect (branded as Maserati Touch Control), with availability split between the 2017 and 2018 model years. All Jeep Wagoneer models offer Android Auto.

Check the Connection Between Your Phone and the Car

If your Android Auto connection is through a USB cable, it should be the next suspect in your troubleshooting. Swap in a different cable, then make sure that it's capable of carrying data and isn't just a charging cable.

There are several troubleshooting steps if your vehicle allows a wireless phone connection. First, turn your phone's Bluetooth off then on, and reconnect to Uconnect. If that doesn't help, you can restart the car (including opening and closing the vehicle's door). Finally, reboot your phone before attempting to connect again.

It might sound strange, but connecting your smartphone to more than one vehicle using Android Auto can sometimes make it difficult to establish a fresh connection. Google lists a series of steps you can take in the settings under Connected Devices in Android that will allow you to delete previously connected vehicles from Android Auto's memory. You can also clear your past Bluetooth connections if you have trouble getting Uconnect to link up with your device.

Uconnect-Specific Tips and Tricks

While the above advice will work on most Android Auto setups, there are some Uconnect-specific problem solvers you can try if all else fails.

On 2019 and older Chrysler Pacifica models, it may be possible to reboot the Uconnect system by pulling fuse 76 under the hood. This might be something that could help in more extreme cases where no other options have worked to pair a device with Android Auto.

You may also have issues connecting if the "only connect to known cars" setting is checked in the Android Auto app settings itself.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.