Android Auto broken on Pixel 9 running latest Android 15 beta

Android Auto appears to be broken on Google Pixel 9 smartphones that are running the latest Android 15 beta version. The platform fails to start, connect, or work as expected.

Latest Android 15 breaking Android Auto on some Pixel 9 devices

Google launched the Pixel 9 series of flagship Android smartphones a few days ago. The lineup includes the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. All of these devices run Android 14 out of the box.

Google is readying the Android 15 OS update. Needless to say, Google’s Pixel series of smartphones would be one of the first to get the new version.

Google allows Pixel users to download and install a beta version of Android 15. Some of the early adopters of these flagship smartphones have dared to install the Android 15 QPR 1.1. Now, a few have reportedly realized that Android Auto is broken in Android 15.

Several Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL users indicated that Android Auto doesn’t function and displays erratic behavior. Some of the common symptoms include failing to latch on to a wired or wireless connection. If it succeeds, Android Auto disconnects frequently, and eventually just fails.

Android Auto working fine on Android 14 and earlier iterations

Although all the Pixel 9 series are flagship smartphones, Google chose Android 14 as their operating system. The search giant isn’t shipping any Pixel 9 device that boots Android 15 out of the box.

Android Auto appears to be working fine on Android 14 and earlier iterations of the OS. Hence, reverting to Android 14 would be the best course of action to get back a fully functional Android Auto on a Pixel 9 smartphone. This step, however, will require a factory reset.

Google is expected to start sending out the stable version of Android 15 to the Pixel 9 series smartphones as early as next month. This version should have a reliably working Android Auto platform. Nonetheless, a malfunctioning Android Auto is a strong reminder about not installing beta software on a primary device.