It seems like a lot of people have issues with the implementation in the cx-5. I suspect they have run too much cable between the deck and the USB port: a common cause of issues.
As the years have rolled on, Android Auto has improved in leaps and bounds. Newer decks and vehicles don't seem to suffer such issues. I use a Kenwood DMX820WS and a brand new phone and I don't get any of those issues at all.
My early experiences were much like yours.
I really wish I'd waited another year to buy a deck with a wireless implementation.
I've been using android auto with a 2017 Mazda cx-5 for like 4 years now, at first on a Samsung galaxy S8, and now on a pixel 5. It's useful, and don't get me wrong, waaaaaaaaaaaay better then what's built into the car. But holy fucking christ is it a buggy sack of shit. Here's a short selection of bugs i've had with this setup over the years:
And a bunch of other shit that I either can't be assed to write about or don't remember right now. PLUS, whenever anything breaks you never know if it's the car, the phone, or the connection. Sometimes just unpluging it works, sometimes I have to reboot the phone, and once in a while I've had to turn my fucking car off and back on....
Honestly the overwhelming emotions that are associated with android auto for me are "annoyance" and "again?". This is unfortunate as it is a really cool idea and a neat piece of tech. Maybe one day it won't be a flaming pile of garbage and actually pleasant to use.
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