Facing Android Auto Communication Error 8? And, are you struggling to connect your Android phone to the car’s unit? Getting Android Auto communication error 8 while connecting is common.

Don’t worry, you arrived at the right place for solutions. Today in this guide, we will discuss some simple and unique solutions to fix Android Auto communication error 8. But before proceeding straight to the solution, let’s discuss the issue in detail.

What Is An Android Auto App?

An Android Auto app is the best driving companion for car entertainment units. After downloading the app from the Google Play Store and connecting it to the car using a USB cable, you get a working entertainment system.

The app allows you to perform multiple tasks using Google Assistant. It keeps you focused, entertained, and connected with your favorite music player apps and navigation tools while driving a car.

The Google Assistant is there to perform any task while traveling on the road. It is specially designed to reduce user interaction while on the road. You can activate the assistant anytime you need, either from the assistant button or the car’s steering wheel.

What Is Android Auto Communication Error 8?

The app is developed for user ease, but most people complain that they are not able to connect their Android phones to the car’s infotainment system. They face communication error 8 while connecting. Many users think that the error happens because of an old or dead USB cable, but it is not a cable error; it is an authentication error.

The communication error happens if time and date-related settings are different. The error can also occur due to the outdated version of the app or connection loss. But these are not only the reasons; there are several other reasons responsible for this error. Don’t waste your time finding other reasons; let’s quickly dive into the solutions in the section below.

A Guide To Fix Android Auto Communication Error 8

Change The Connecting Cable

If the connecting cable between the car unit or your phone is broken/damaged or does not exchange data, it causes a communication error.

JSAUX USB Type C Cable

To solve the issue, use the new cable to connect the devices. We recommend you always use original cables for a better experience. After replacing the cable, try to launch Auto Android to check if the problem is fixed or not.

Change The Date And Time Settings

If the date and time settings of your phone and car’s head-up unit are different, the communication error 8 problem occurs.

So, make sure the date and time settings of both devices are the same. Also, check the daylight and time zone settings for convenience. To fix this error, change the date and time settings on both devices. Here are the steps to follow:

On Phone

Change The Date And Time Settings on Android

Step 1: Go ahead and open “Settings Menu” on your device.

Step 2: From the list, go for the “General Management” option and select “Change Date and Time.”

Step 3: Enable the “Use Network Provided Time And Network Provided Time Zone ” toggle bar and check whether your phone date and time is correct.

On Car Unit

Adjust the exact date and time as per your device in the care unit.

Step 1: Check if the car unit is using GPS sync. If yes, “Disable” it. If the settings are already disabled, enable it.

Step 2: After enabling and disabling GPS sync time, disconnect the car battery for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Check whether the car unit is using the same time zone as your phone.

Step 4: If yes, launch the Android Auto app and check whether it works fine.

Update The Android Auto App

Update The Android Auto App on Android

Like other applications, Android Auto also comes with new technologies and development. To grab this feature, you need to update the Android Auto app. Communication error 8 occurs because you are using an older version of the app.

To fix this issue, updating the Android Auto app is an excellent solution. Here are the steps to update the app.

Step 1: Open the “Settings Menu” of your device from the notification panel.

Step 2: Go ahead towards the “Apps” section and search for the Android Auto app.

Step 3: Click on it, and tap on the “Storage” option from the list.

Step 4: Now click on “Clear Cache and Clear Data” and go back to the previous screen.

Step 5: Now click on “Force Stop” and tap on “Uninstall.”

Step 6: Confirm your action and “Restart” your phone.

Step 7: Once done, again install Android Auto and check whether it operates fine.

Update Google Play Services

Update Google Play Services

Google Play services are the king of applications and the hub for the apps in Android. Like any other application, Google Play services need an update to remove unknown bugs.

If you are using the older version of the Google Play services, it is the root cause of the current communication error. To fix the communication error 8 problem, you need to update the Google Play services to their latest version.

Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1: Go ahead to the notification panel and open “Settings Menu.”

Step 2: Go to the “Apps” section and search for “Google Play services.”

Step 3: Click on it and tap on the “Storage” option.

Step 4: From the list, click on “Clear Cache” and select “Manage Space.”

Step 5: After that, click on “Clear All Data” and search for “Google Play Services” in the Chrome browser.

Step 6: Now, open the first result in the next window and check if there is any update available.

Step 7: If no, tap on “Deactivate” and wait for seconds.

Step 8: After a few seconds, click on “Activate.” It will refresh the entire module.

Step 9: Once done, launch Android Auto and check whether it works fine.

Update Google Play Store

Update Google Play Store on Android

Google Play Store is the hub of applications through which you can easily download any application in minutes. But if you are using a former version of the Google Play Store, it may cause communication error 8.

Here are the steps to update the Google Play Store.

Step 1: Open “Google Play Store” on your phone and click on” Profile Icon” at the top right corner of the screen.

Step 2: From the list, click on “Settings.” (image 7)

Step 3: Scroll down until you “Play Store Version” on the screen. (image 8)

Step 4: Tap on it and see if there is any update available.

Step 5: If yes, update the Google Play Store, and if not, a pop-up message “Google Play Store is up to date” will appear on the screen.

Step 6: After updating, launch Android Auto and check whether it works fine.

Update Android to the Latest Version

Update Android to the Latest Version

It is essential to update the device operating system because it improves performance and fixes unknown bugs. If your device software is not updated, communication errors and glitches arise.

To fix the issue, update the device OS to its latest version. Here are the quick steps to follow.

Step 1: Open the “Settings Menu” and scroll down the list until you see the “About Phone” option.

Step 2: Click on “System Update” and check for updates.

Step 3: If there is any update available, tap on “Update” and wait until the process is completed.

Step 4: Download and install the update and launch the auto Android app once completed.

Turn On USB Debugging

Enable USB Debugging

If all the above solutions fail, USB debugging is the final solution to solve communication error 8.

With USB debugging, android devices can easily communicate with other intelligent devices. If USB debugging is disabled in your device, it may cause communication error 8. Here are the steps to enable USB debugging.

Step 1: First, you need to disconnect your phone from the car’s unit, and Force Stop the Android Auto app.

Step 2: Now go to the “Settings Menu” and scroll until you see the “About Phone” section.

Step 3: In the About section, scroll down until you see “Build Number.”

Step 4: Tap on build number “Seven Times” and wait until you see a pop-up “You Are Now Developer.”

Step 5: Back to the phone settings and click on “Developer Option.”

Step 6: Again, scroll down until you see “USB Debugging.”

Step 7: “Enable” USB debugging and confirm the action.

Step 8: Now launch the Android Auto and connect both devices again.

Final Words

So, this was all about how to fix Android Auto communication error 8. If you face the same issues, try the above solutions and start using the Android Auto app again.

See also: Best Wireless Android Auto Adapters

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Ravi Kumar
Ravi is currently associated with TheAndroidPortal. He really likes to test out android gadgets, devices, smartphones and give unbiased opinions. Finding the affordable, and best value option in today's market is what he get up every day for.