Frequent Crashes for Android Auto Users After Latest Preview Update

Android Auto has started crashing the smartphones of a growing number of users right after the latest updates. Reports gathered on Reddit and Google’s official forums are mainly focused on version 17.2, although some users are also complaining about similar issues with version 17.1. This phenomenon has spread rapidly in recent weeks, affecting different vehicle profiles and devices.

The behavior described by users is always the same: the app freezes shortly after launch, the vehicle’s native infotainment system briefly reappears, and then Android Auto reactivates by itself. Disconnections occur every few minutes and seem to be triggered almost with every interaction, whether it’s opening the map or changing a music track.

New Issue on Android Auto, Especially Affects Beta Users

Users who are more significantly affected are those enrolled in the Android Auto beta program. The stable channel, where version 17.0 primarily circulates, does not show the same symptoms. Version 17.1, although already available on the stable branch, seems to carry some instability, albeit to a lesser extent than 17.2.

Google has not yet communicated an official cause or timeline for a fix. In the meantime, those encountering the issue have some temporary solutions documented by 9to5Google: opt-out of the beta program in the Play Store, use the system function 'uninstall updates' to revert to a previous release, or manually upload the APK of a tested stable version.

This case confirms a recurring problem for Android Auto: beta updates continue to introduce regressions that, in a delicate context like driving, are not exactly negligible. A crash like this during navigation or music listening is not just annoying; it can distract the driver at the wrong moment. For those who do not need to test the latest features, sticking to the stable channel remains the most prudent choice for now, at least until a corrective patch arrives from Mountain View.