Android Auto not working A54 5G

[Members_F1e8HpX]

NOT %$#& HAPPY SAMSUNG!!!

Purchased a Galaxy A54 5G phone in June 2023 and Android Auto failed to connect straight out of the box. Previous phone (Oppo Reno Z had no issues). Multiple Samsung updates along with Android Auto updates and it's still NOT WORKING!!!

Booked it in for a Service Call, took it to Robina centre and the onsite tech basically said, "well it doesn't work on my S22 either so there's nothing I can do, you'll have to live with it!" NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!

Surely Samsung would have worked out what the issue is and got a patch for Android Auto to actually work on their phones by now.

I think this might be the last Samsung phone I'll be buying, will be going back to Oppo for my next phone given the level of customer support from Samsung Australia.

SM-A546E (ZKBXSA), One UI 5.1, Android 13, Security Patch Level 1st Sept 23, AA 10.4.633624

[Troubadour]

Have a look at these links
https://screenrant.com/android-auto-phone-screens-app-nolonger-works-alternative/#:~:text=Android%20....

https://www.makeuseof.com/android-auto-not-working/#:~:text=Clear%20Cache%20and%20Storage%20for,and%....

[Members_F1e8HpX]

Thanks but neither are an option. I have tried ALL previous suggestions on getting AA to work with this phone but ALL fail. If I reconnect my previous phone (Oppo) AA works perfectly and connects to car. The A54 doesn't even recognise that it's connected to my vehicle expect for power.

I have even tried 6, YES SIX, different USB cables without success.

[Troubadour]

Could you please advise where you bought your phone? Yhanks.

[Members_F1e8HpX]

Purchased from local Officeworks store

[Troubadour]

I don't know whether this affects Android Auto but the model sold by Samsung Australia is A546 EZKBATS ,not ZKBXSA (if that is a model number). Samsung Australia try to stop grey market phones operating properly in Australia with updates that don't cater for overseas models.(Overeas models also have compatability issues which also cause problems, particularly with 5G amd listed frequencies).
Officeworks is an official Samsung Australia vendor.
I have confirmed Officeworks website quotes the correct model . One possibility is that a buyer has swapped a grey model for the Australian model. So, just in case check your original packaging and then check your phone, going to Settings, scroll down to About and search within that for model number. If different, go to Offoceworks to check the model themselves.
Back to Android Auto, I can't suggest anything more other than to mention that there are two versions of Android Auto, one installed in car manufacturers' GPS systems, the other designed for android phones. If you are familiar with VPNs explore english speaking countries and connect to that country's server and see if updates work better from there (Play Store is actually different in each country so when you use a VPN you access another country's Play Store).

[Members_F1e8HpX]

HI Troubadour,

Double checked Model number shown under settings, definitely states ZKBXSA but IMEI and serial number match the box. Will contact Samsung Australia Directly to see if they can explain why my phone purchased from an official supplier doesn't have the correct Model type for Australia.

Thanks

[9SannaS]

Original post is quite old and I hope you have  found a solution but incase anyone else has the same issue, here's what I did to get it work with my A54.

1. From android auto app settings in my phone I allowed connecting to new cars (it is set to charge only by default).

2. I connected my phone to a computer with USB-C and chose "file transfer/android auto" from phone's  USB settings that poped up.  Checked several times and the selected option stayed as by default each time I reconnected phone to the computer. I also changed my phone's USB settings in developer mode to file transfer. Not sure if it helped any way though. 

3. I got the connection with Android Auto using a USB-C 3.2 gen 1 cable.

Alter several days of searching for the solution I could not believe my eyes when it finaly worked. Before connecting to the computer my A54 did not show the USB options while connected to the car and was only charging. With some USB cables it wasn't even charging, including the cable I used with my previous phone for android auto. I hope the information above helpes somone with the same issue!

* I also deinstalled the latest android auto app update before connecting to the car but not sure if helped since the app asked for the update to be installed when it got the connection.

[DrShuli]

To all those who have a problem connecting the A54 5G (and other Samsung phones ) with Android Auto. If your phone doesn't detect your car, and the car tells you to connect a compatible phone. Take another USB cable, preferably an original one. Samsung messed with the USB-C port and only a compatible cable will work. I've tried other phones and USB cables and they worked with Android Auto, but Samsung didn't. Finally I plugged in some old cable and the A54 worked with Android Auto.