How do I fix Android phone internet and GPS that stopped working in the car after an update?
Answer
When car internet and GPS fail after a phone update, the usual causes are Airplane mode, a charge-only USB cable, Battery Saver limiting location, or a broken Android Auto connection. Restart the phone and car system, use a real data USB cable, turn Battery Saver off, then remove and reconnect Android Auto.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Do not change driving-related phone settings while the vehicle is moving.
Follow these steps
Restart the phone and car system
Restart the phone, then shut the car off fully and restart the infotainment system before reconnecting.
You should see: Both devices boot cleanly and are ready for a fresh connection.
Turn off Airplane mode and Battery Saver
Swipe down the quick settings, confirm Airplane mode is off, turn Mobile data and Location on, and turn Battery Saver off because Maps can lose or jump location with it enabled.
You should see: The phone shows normal signal icons and Battery Saver is disabled.
Use a data USB cable and another port
Connect with a USB data cable rather than a charge-only cable, and try a different USB port in the car if one is available.
You should see: The car prompts for Android Auto or file/data access instead of charge-only mode.
Remove and reconnect Android Auto
On the phone, forget or remove the car from Android Auto, then reconnect it from scratch and allow the prompted permissions.
You should see: Android Auto launches again and Maps can hold a stable location while driving.
Test GPS outside the car
Open Google Maps with Mobile data and Location on while away from the car to see whether the phone GPS works on its own.
You should see: You can tell whether the problem is the phone GPS itself or only the car connection.
Not sure this is the right page? Check here
0 of 5 checked
Extra tips
What to look for: Airplane mode status, whether the USB connection is for charging only, and whether Battery Saver is on.
Before you change anything: Park safely before changing phone or car settings. Note whether you connect by USB or wireless Android Auto. Confirm Mobile data and Location are available outside the car too. Do not factory-reset the phone as a first step.