[MrMusAddict]

2020 RAV4 Hybrid XSE here, Premium Audio package if that matters. Is there a way for the screen to automatically launch Android Audio when it detects that it's available?

I notice a little notification on the car's screen saying "Android Auto Connected", but then nothing happens. I only seem to be able to access Android Auto by pressing the "Audio" widget on the home screen, then pressing Android Auto. So, it's a bummer to need to plug in, and dig into a sub-menu every time I start driving.

 

[bigsky2]

I don't believe there is a way to have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay automatically launch when it detects a connection.

It seems to require manual input like the way you describe in order to launch Android Auto.

I've also got a 2020 Hybrid XSE Tech Package (Canada) and it also behaves this way.

Phone must be connected via USB, wait for connection to be established (Projection icon changes to Android Auto) and then manually select it to launch.

The Navigation and Multimedia System Manual (OM0R026U.PDF) doesn't have a setting for automatically launching Android Auto or CarPlay proper.
It does have a setting for Automatic Connection establishment (detecting connection) but it sounds like it won't go any further than that.

 

[Quickdtoo]

Carplay will launch automatically on mine if it was in use at vehicle shutdown, the phone has to be connected before you start up tho, doesn't seem to consistently auto start if the phone is connected after start up. I would expect AA to work the same. I always have Amazon Music app launched on the phone before I start up, so that may have something to do with it, have had Waze launched on the phone as well which will auto start CP too.

 

[Francesco]

On my Samsung S8 phone in the Android Auto App in the settings there is an option "Automatically resume media" that may help. Your phone may have the same option.

Frank 2015 XLE AWD Rav4 with almost 30K miles

 

[bigsky2]

Carplay will launch automatically on mine if it was in use at vehicle shutdown, the phone has to be connected before you start up tho, doesn't seem to consistently auto start if the phone is connected after start up. I would expect AA to work the same. I always have Amazon Music app launched on the phone before I start up, so that may have something to do with it, have had Waze launched on the phone as well which will auto start CP too.

I've observed this behaviour as well.

After I've initially connected and launched Android Auto manually via the head unit's touch menu, if I turn off the vehicle for a stop and keep the phone connected, upon next start Android Auto will automatically launch (resume).

 

[MrMusAddict]

On my Samsung S8 phone in the Android Auto App in the settings there is an option "Automatically resume media" that may help. Your phone may have the same option.

Frank 2015 XLE AWD Rav4 with almost 30K miles

The option's already ticked, unfortunately. Although so far, I haven't tried turning the car on while the phone was already plugged in. Maybe I'll try that, and see if it saves me a few clicks.

 

[MrMusAddict]

I just discovered that I can launch Android Auto with my voice (not even using the voice command button on the steering wheel)

"Ok Google, cancel" - simply saying this out loud should get picked up by your phone.

Saying "Ok Google" seems to force the interface to come up on the car screen.

Saying "Cancel" tells Google you want it to ignore what you were about to ask.

The result is that I am now in the Android Auto interface.

 

[bigsky2]

I just discovered that I can launch Android Auto with my voice (not even using the voice command button on the steering wheel)

"Ok Google, cancel" - simply saying this out loud should get picked up by your phone.

Saying "Ok Google" seems to force the interface to come up on the car screen.

Saying "Cancel" tells Google you want it to ignore what you were about to ask.

The result is that I am now in the Android Auto interface.

Neat tip!
Going to try this out.

 

[downunderthunder]

Plug your phone in before starting the car - it should launch straight into Android Auto.

 

[MrMusAddict]

Plug your phone in before starting the car - it should launch straight into Android Auto.

I've tried that. No luck, unfortunately.

Although as I mentioned above, I can launch it just by saying "OK Google, cancel". Apparently activating the Google assistant forces the AA signal to pass-through.

 

[bigsky2]

Plug your phone in before starting the car - it should launch straight into Android Auto.

I've tried that. No luck, unfortunately.

Although as I mentioned above, I can launch it just by saying "OK Google, cancel". Apparently activating the Google assistant forces the AA signal to pass-through.

I tried this a few times and it's been fairly consistent whenever I start the vehicle now.
I always connect the USB cable or header to the phone prior to applying the brakes and starting the car.

9 out of 10 times the head unit will launch straight into Android Auto.
I don't know if there's a particular setting I have on my phone or the head unit that allows this, but I can help compare settings in Android Auto and/or the head unit to rule anything out.

 

[MrMusAddict]

I discovered another alternative to launching AA.

Just hold the voice command button for 2-3 seconds. It seems to launch AA, and then if you do it again while AA is on it'll activate the Google Assistant.

 

[Curious George Jr]

On my Samsung S8 phone in the Android Auto App in the settings there is an option "Automatically resume media" that may help. Your phone may have the same option.

Frank 2015 XLE AWD Rav4 with almost 30K miles

I have the same setup for my 2020 hybrid XLE w/ audio plus, and Android Auto integration has been seamless for me with the "automatically resume media" checked. I just click on "Map" to go straight to Google Maps. I can also connect the phone before and after the vehicle starts without issues.

 

[acone06]

You can! When connected go to the settings in Android Auto in your apps on the dash. Go to "Start Android Auto Automatically" and switch to always or your preferred setting.