FM Music + Android Auto

[Glamdring70]

OK, maybe it's just me finally moving into the 20th Century, but I finally started setting up Android Auto stuff.

I don't want to use a streaming music app. I just want to use the built in headunit. Is there an Auto compatible app that can interface with the Ford system and control the FM and take advantage of the RDS data? Or is that just asking too much? I am aware that I could cycle presets on the steering wheel, issue voice commands to the audio system, or display some audio info on the cluster optional screen. I don't want all of that. I would just like a facsimile of an FM tuner on the center screen that can alter the Ford hardware while Android Auto is running. Bonus points if that app can also utilize the Sirius channels. The Sirius app streams the data through the phone instead of using the built in receiver! Searching appstore or web is useless because it just finds FM tuner apps. I don't want to stream the data. I just want to control the existing system. The only option seems to be hit the Ford "app" to go back to the Sport screens. Klunky! Slow!

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[Dude]

You cannot control the FM Tuner that’s built into Sync from Android Auto

 

[Dude]

@Glamdring70 Sync 3.4 and Android Auto (AA) are two non-connected systems:

With FM Radio, you are running the Sync 3.4 system (‘21-‘24 Bronco Sports) or Sync 4 (‘25 Bronco Sports)

When you are in Sync (e.g. FM Radio or the native SiriusXM), everything is handled by Sync

When you are in AA, you can do things provided in AA which does include streaming that you don’t want. And as you noted, SiriusXM running under AA is a streaming App

 

[thomasm23]

I can stream music from my iPhone using Apple Music through Bluetooth with no wired connection. I am not using Car Play to do this. I am using SYNC 3.4 with no wireless adapter.

 

[Mark S.]

The only option seems to be hit the Ford "app" to go back to the Sport screens. Klunky! Slow!

Yup, that's your only option at this point.

 

[Glamdring70]

@Glamdring70 Sync 3.4 and Android Auto (AA) are two non-connected systems:

With FM Radio, you are running the Sync 3.4 system (‘21-‘24 Bronco Sports) or Sync 4 (‘25 Bronco Sports)

When you are in Sync (e.g. FM Radio or the native SiriusXM), everything is handled by Sync

When you are in AA, you can do things provided in AA which does include streaming that you don’t want. And as you noted, SiriusXM running under AA is a streaming App

Thank you for this summary. This explains the reason behind the function in a concise and understandable way. I think what I've learned is that I don't want to use the AA unless I am going to use the navigation function. That makes it handy to only have wired AA as an option because it will only function when I purposely plug it in.

I tried it out over the last few days and the connection is really finicky. I've found that if I leave some apps open, even in the background- notably some games, it won't perform the AA connection until I close the apps. It also has trouble maintaining the setup across ignition cycles. Example- I set a navigation using Google Maps. Then I drive, stop in at a 7-11 and leave the phone connected in the tray. Then I come out and start the car, it goes to Sync instead of resuming the AA. Google is still tracking the route. If I mess with everything eventually I can move it to AA and get the navigation screen back. Any way to improve that performance?

 

[Dude]

Thank you for this summary. This explains the reason behind the function in a concise and understandable way. I think what I've learned is that I don't want to use the AA unless I am going to use the navigation function. That makes it handy to only have wired AA as an option because it will only function when I purposely plug it in.

I tried it out over the last few days and the connection is really finicky. I've found that if I leave some apps open, even in the background- notably some games, it won't perform the AA connection until I close the apps. It also has trouble maintaining the setup across ignition cycles. Example- I set a navigation using Google Maps. Then I drive, stop in at a 7-11 and leave the phone connected in the tray. Then I come out and start the car, it goes to Sync instead of resuming the AA. Google is still tracking the route. If I mess with everything eventually I can move it to AA and get the navigation screen back. Any way to improve that performance?

Good thoughts on your part for how you would like to use AA

Shameless CarPlay plug: I’m on CarPlay which works seamlessly with none of the issues you experienced. Many AA users report no issues with their Bronco Sports so seems plausible the issues you saw are resolvable.

Mark S and other Android issues would be your best bet for AA advice

Mark S did post the following on a different thread (I embellished this somewhat):

Android Auto issues with Bluetooth
Obvious things to try first..
1. Update Android software and Android Auto App to latest versions. Update SYNC software to latest version.
2. Purchase a high quality certified cable (or switch to Wireless 3rd party device).
3. Try a different Android phone with AA.
4. Unpair SYNC from the phone.
5. Clear the Android Auto cache and storage.
6. Perform a Master Reset on SYNC.
This will ensure that all data relating to SYNC is deleted from your phone and all data related to your phone is deleted from SYNC. Following the above, re-pair your phone with SYNC.

Awhile ago I found these hints but there might be more today found by googling:

Android Auto with Google Maps glitch #1:
Tries to use the vehicle’s WiFi even if you don't have hotspot enabled. Solution: change maps/phone settings to Turn OFF Data Saver for Maps even when connected then no pauses or disconnects will occur. Even if your Data Saver is turned off, you have to allow Maps.

Android Auto with Google Maps glitch #2:
Google Maps in satellite mode can cause Google Maps to freeze when navigation is enabled on Android Auto. Disabling satellite view prevents the freeze.

Android Auto with Google Maps glitch #3:
https://9to5google.com/2023/03/13/android-auto-gps/

 

[jkernitzki]

Good thoughts on your part for how you would like to use AA

Shameless CarPlay plug: I’m on CarPlay which works seamlessly with none of the issues you experienced

Mark S and other Android issues would be your best bet for AA advice

Mark S did post the following on a different thread (I embellished this somewhat):

Android Auto issues with Bluetooth
Obvious things to try first..
1. Update Android software and Android Auto App to latest versions. Update SYNC software to latest version.
2. Purchase a high quality certified cable (or switch to Wireless 3rd party device).
3. Try a different Android phone with AA.
4. Unpair SYNC from the phone.
5. Clear the Android Auto cache and storage.
6. Perform a Master Reset on SYNC.
This will ensure that all data relating to SYNC is deleted from your phone and all data related to your phone is deleted from SYNC. Following the above, re-pair your phone with SYNC.

Awhile ago I found these hints but there might be more today found by googling:

Android Auto with Google Maps glitch #1:
Tries to use the vehicle’s WiFi even if you don't have hotspot enabled. Solution: change maps/phone settings to Turn OFF Data Saver for Maps even when connected then no pauses or disconnects will occur. Even if your Data Saver is turned off, you have to allow Maps.

Android Auto with Google Maps glitch #2:
Google Maps in satellite mode can cause Google Maps to freeze when navigation is enabled on Android Auto. Disabling satellite view prevents the freeze.

Android Auto with Google Maps glitch #3:
https://9to5google.com/2023/03/13/android-auto-gps/

Several more reasons I won't go Android, and believe me, I've dabbled with it periodically since it's inception. I'm so not into tinkering with my phone anymore. It's just a tool that I need to perform reliably and predictably, play nice with my ecosystem, and well, just work. If I have to fight something to work the way I want, then into the bin it goes.

I have plenty of hobbies that I will never master as it is and my phone ain't one.

 

[Stircrazy]

androis auto is working on incorporating the factory audio sources into it, but it isn't ready yet. I just use the ford app and then set what I want then go back to my map. I'll be happy when the vehicle sources are finally incorporated

 

[Cursed Bronco]

If you go into your Android Auto Settings, you can turn off the "Auto-Play" Option. With this turned on, your music on the phone will automatically play when connected. If you turn this off and have FM pre selected on the head unit, then when you connect the phone you can still listen to the radio. You can only use the tuner knob to change individual stations one-by-one however.

You can not get the information to display within Android Auto showing that you are playing the radio, however. This is so far the only option I have discovered. If you pause your music for 5-10 minutes it will also default back to the radio even when Android Auto is running

 

[CletusVanDam]

You can listen to Am/Fm/Sirius while Android Auto is active, even without turning off auto-play (that's a good trick though, I'll try it out).

One you've got the phone connected and Android Auto starts up, you can change the audio source from steering wheel controls and switch it to radio/Sirius. Hit the menu button, the one with three lines, and scroll to the audio selection. From there you can switch the audio source.
-it looks complicated all written out, but once you do it a couple times it's actually quick and easy

And any stations you have saved as a presets, you can cycle through them using the steering wheel controls (the "next" and "back" buttons) . In fact, it will go from saved AM station to saved FM station to saved Sirius channel depending what you have saved in your presets.

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