Android Auto and hotspot
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 31
From: Fort Worth, TX
Android Auto and hotspot
I've been searching this forum and elsewhere and havent found a solution...
On my verizon/Samsung galaxy, the hotspot only works when wifi is OFF
Android auto needs wifi on to communicate with the truck
So not having the subscription to the onboard wifi, is there way people are getting around this?
Or is it just a constraint to work around?
The nav system on the truck is good, but I like having the google experience because the voice commands and address searching seems easier.
For longer trips when my kids want the wifi, I also would prefer to have the android auto nav.
We dont travel often enough to consider the hotspot on the truck...or honestly I know there is a free trial but havent looked into the price post-trial. Does anyone know what the subscription is assuming it wouldnt be bundled (I think its AT&T and I have a hard time moving away from verizon for past service reasons).
Thanks for your thoughts.
On my verizon/Samsung galaxy, the hotspot only works when wifi is OFF
Android auto needs wifi on to communicate with the truck
So not having the subscription to the onboard wifi, is there way people are getting around this?
Or is it just a constraint to work around?
The nav system on the truck is good, but I like having the google experience because the voice commands and address searching seems easier.
For longer trips when my kids want the wifi, I also would prefer to have the android auto nav.
We dont travel often enough to consider the hotspot on the truck...or honestly I know there is a free trial but havent looked into the price post-trial. Does anyone know what the subscription is assuming it wouldnt be bundled (I think its AT&T and I have a hard time moving away from verizon for past service reasons).
Thanks for your thoughts.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,477
Likes: 4,972
You can subscribe to the at&t onboard hotspot and keep your phone at verizon or any other phone provider, it is a totally separate deal.
That is what I did.
I use both my phone's cell signal and the wifi hotspot with wifi calling to double down on available signal availability.
And, I had thought that android auto used the bluetooth connection, not the wifi, to connect to SYNC.
I don't recall how much the at&t wifi subscription costs, think it was like $16 a month for unlimited service, but they have cheaper plans for lesser amounts of service.
But, I can tell you that the wifi sucks up available service fast, so almost a must have to get unlimited service.
That is what I did.
I use both my phone's cell signal and the wifi hotspot with wifi calling to double down on available signal availability.
And, I had thought that android auto used the bluetooth connection, not the wifi, to connect to SYNC.
I don't recall how much the at&t wifi subscription costs, think it was like $16 a month for unlimited service, but they have cheaper plans for lesser amounts of service.
But, I can tell you that the wifi sucks up available service fast, so almost a must have to get unlimited service.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
So you're saying that when you want to use your phone as a mobile Hotspot it requires you ro turn WiFi off in the phone?...and when you want to use Android Auto the truck asks you to turn WiFi on?
I have only used Android Auto with Sync3 and it did not require WiFi on. It did require the phone to be plugged into the USB port. The only thing necessary for any of the other apps to work is Bluetooth being on. I would expect wireless Android Auto to be the same.
I have only used Android Auto with Sync3 and it did not require WiFi on. It did require the phone to be plugged into the USB port. The only thing necessary for any of the other apps to work is Bluetooth being on. I would expect wireless Android Auto to be the same.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 368
Likes: 47
From: In a F 350 by the river
20 bux/mo unlimited
on my 2019 (sync 3) i never used the trial until almost a year ago.
i blew through data and got unlimited data for 20 bux a month.
it was worthwhile while doing contuining education on the trip.
ive been pleased with it and kept it since then. yes its with at&t
phone connects with bluetooth, but to use waze and other apps is usb (sync 3)
i blew through data and got unlimited data for 20 bux a month.
it was worthwhile while doing contuining education on the trip.
ive been pleased with it and kept it since then. yes its with at&t
phone connects with bluetooth, but to use waze and other apps is usb (sync 3)
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 31
From: Fort Worth, TX
Oh ok, for $20 a month I think thats probably worth it.
Could be something Im doing, but the truck needs bluetooth on to connect to the phone, and then for android auto it seems to turn on the wifi and use that. Maybe its a sync 4 thing? I dont plug it into the USB. Though I suppose that is the answer. I could plug in the usb to the phone and turn off the wifi.
Thank you!
Could be something Im doing, but the truck needs bluetooth on to connect to the phone, and then for android auto it seems to turn on the wifi and use that. Maybe its a sync 4 thing? I dont plug it into the USB. Though I suppose that is the answer. I could plug in the usb to the phone and turn off the wifi.
Thank you!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 269
From: Southwestern Pa.
Oh ok, for $20 a month I think thats probably worth it.
Could be something Im doing, but the truck needs bluetooth on to connect to the phone, and then for android auto it seems to turn on the wifi and use that. Maybe its a sync 4 thing? I dont plug it into the USB. Though I suppose that is the answer. I could plug in the usb to the phone and turn off the wifi.
Thank you!
Could be something Im doing, but the truck needs bluetooth on to connect to the phone, and then for android auto it seems to turn on the wifi and use that. Maybe its a sync 4 thing? I dont plug it into the USB. Though I suppose that is the answer. I could plug in the usb to the phone and turn off the wifi.
Thank you!
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
Oh ok, for $20 a month I think thats probably worth it.
Could be something Im doing, but the truck needs bluetooth on to connect to the phone, and then for android auto it seems to turn on the wifi and use that. Maybe its a sync 4 thing? I dont plug it into the USB. Though I suppose that is the answer. I could plug in the usb to the phone and turn off the wifi.
Thank you!
Could be something Im doing, but the truck needs bluetooth on to connect to the phone, and then for android auto it seems to turn on the wifi and use that. Maybe its a sync 4 thing? I dont plug it into the USB. Though I suppose that is the answer. I could plug in the usb to the phone and turn off the wifi.
Thank you!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 192
Likes: 59
Android auto and Apple carplay use your phone's wifi for Wireless projection. You cannot be connected to Android auto or Apple Carplay and the hotspot in your truck at the same time as you cannot connect to two separate wifi networks at the same time. You would have to connect your phone and use Android auto or Apple carplay with a cable (not wireless) and then you should be able to connect to your hotspot.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 173
Likes: 80
Have you tried using a USB cable between your phone and Sync-4 truck? Yes, you can connect to the Sync-4 truck wirelessly but you might not necessarily need to so you can have the option of activating your hotspot.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 31
From: Fort Worth, TX
Thank you all for the suggestions.
The USB solution seems the best. A little embarrassed I didnt think of that.
On a side note, my phone is around 3 years old and I use a wireless charger because the USB got a little unreliable. So havent tried it, but this looks to be the way to go.
The USB solution seems the best. A little embarrassed I didnt think of that.
On a side note, my phone is around 3 years old and I use a wireless charger because the USB got a little unreliable. So havent tried it, but this looks to be the way to go.
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