Something convenient doesn't always mean it's better in quality. I see this especially in technology, though there is always a workaround, and you are free to choose one over the other.
I stopped expecting to get both, so I think rationally and choose based on my needs and preferences in specific scenarios. For Android Auto, I took the longest time to decide which one was most important to me.
It's been a few months since I made that decision, and I can say it's the right call. However, it wasn't easy, as I had to experiment multiple times to find out what worked for me.
My experiment isn't anything special, but it's worth sharing with every Android Auto user why I chose what I chose.
After 100 round trips, I finally found which Android Auto setup works for me, and here is why I'll stick with it.
I've finally ditched wireless Android Auto
And I couldn't be happier
Wireless Android Auto is convenient, and I don't think any car owner would disagree.
When I started driving cars, I didn't know that this wired vs. wireless debate existed, because I was more into discovering handy Android Auto featuresthan anything else.
However, as I drove more, I started noticing some of its lackluster flaws. Google has addressed many of them over the years, but it's still nowhere near perfect.
The wireless Android Auto still feels unreliable, especially on a long drive. The longer the drive, the greater the chance of multiple connection failures.
The navigation freezes, the music stops, and the car's display goes back to its native menu. This is a major distraction and endangers road safety, especially when I drive to a new location.
It has happened to me multiple times, but I didn't immediately conclude that wireless Android Auto is unreliable. I searched online and found several Reddit threads where many people were voicing the same concerns. This was worrying.
Since wireless Android Auto depends on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, these two technologies may also be at fault, not just Google. Whatever the case, I couldn't risk my road safety anymore and decided to ditch the wireless setup for good.
Several months have passed since then, and I don't regret switching.
A wired Android Auto connection has more benefits than better reliability
I'm sticking with a wired Android Auto connection instead
My car supports both. A wired connection came to mind first, and I had no hesitation connecting my Android handset to my car using a USB cable.
However, before I tell my story about how it changed my Android Auto experience, I want to mention that keeping the setup in tiptop condition may cost you more money. If this is an issue, a wired Android Auto setup isn't for you.
I discovered this after months of driving using a wired setup. But there is more, and they are all unexpected benefits, not drawbacks.
I haven't had any connection issues since switching to the wired setup, and that's a major relief for me. In addition, a wired connection keeps my phone charged, so I don't need to think about the phone battery separately.
This is a huge advantage if you often drive long distances.
While I admit a wired setup is more suited for people who travel long distances, users on the other end of the spectrum can also benefit from it.
After spending months with it, I can spell out at least one advantage that every Android Auto user will appreciate. Even one of my friends, who is a staunch supporter of wireless connection, loved how my wired setup made Android Auto start almost instantly.
That wasn't enough to make him a convert, but a faster startup is something everyone wants. It connects to my car instantly on the first attempt, every time.
One unexpected downside of this setup is the repeated plugging and unplugging, which can damage your phone's USB port. This is where you need to spend some money.
If you have a USB cable, you'll need a magnetic USB adapter to prevent damage.
This is everything I have in my wired Android Auto setup.
Wired Android Auto setup isn't for everyone
You can't place your phone anywhere in the car. I know people who don't like that, so I would count it as a major limitation.
Many of my friends also point out cable clutter as the other downside, but I'm more worried about how it'll impact my phone's batteryin the long run.
I'll know the answer in the coming months, but until then, I'm sticking with wired Android Auto because it works better for me than the wireless setup. Hopefully, it'll keep working smoothly.