Is a USB connection require for my Google Pixel

Is a USB connection require for my Google Pixel to have the maps displayed in the console screen? It does not work when I use just the bluetooth connection. Or am I doing something wrong. 2021 Tacoma TRD OffRoad 4x4.

 

As far as I've been able to tell my Pixel 5 will not do wireless Android auto. It will Bluetooth audio without a problem but requires a USB cord for anything more than that.

 

yes it is required

 

Thanks for the reply. OK. I wonder if it is just the Google phones. This limitation unto itself is not that big of a deal. My early attempts to use my tablet with its massive storage as the music player via Bluetooth seemed to conflict with having the phone plugged into the USB but I guess I will beat my head against that a bit more.

My Pixel is getting old so I may have to make sure the next phone has the ability to insert a microSD card so I can put more music on the phone.

 

For any phone?

 

Yes. The truck does not have the wireless ability.

 

yes, but you can buy a wireless USB dongle

 

It's specific to the truck, my Pixel 5 does wireless Android auto just fine in my Z4. It's a little strange that I have wireless charging for my phone in my Tacoma, but I need to plug it in to have Android auto. Typical Toyota in my experience.

 

..and an aftermarket Kenwood AA unit with wireless support works with my Pixel 4a flawlessly on my 2016 SR5. It' all about the HU support and a recent enough Android phone....my Pixel XL was mostly crap wirelessly....never connecting some times.

 

Toyota used to have connected gps which uses wireless connection for navigation. I think applied to most Toyota before 2017 or 2018, except for cars that is equipped with integrated navigation. Newer Toyota switch over to android auto (or carplay for apple) which need a usb connection. USB is much more reliable then wireless. This applies to all phone and not just the pixel. I personally like integrated navigation regardless of the pros/cons.

 

Check out AAWireless. Easy to add wireless Android auto to the truck. Plus it let me do split screen for AA.

 

Check out this thread for info about WirelessAA:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plug-n-play-wireless-androidauto.683867/

It plus into the Media USB port.
A bunch of us have it and it works great (minus a reboot every now and then)

 

Is Android Auto and Bluetooth connections mutually exclusive? I tried to plug my phone into the usb port to get my map/directions onto the screen and bluetooth no longer is an option for for accessing music from my tablet.

 

AA uses BT for the audio. I tried to do what you did when I first got my truck, but couldn't get it to work. Not sure of a work around unfortunately unless you buy something like this?

$17 Bluetooth 5.3 FM Transmitter for Car, 3.0 Wireless Bluetooth FM Radio Adapter Music Player FM Transmitter/Car Kit with Hands-Free Calling and 2 USB Ports Charger Support USB Drive

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-FM-Transmitter-Wireless-Adapter/dp/B07F2RTN5Z

 

I have one that I may have to dig out. AA is stupid. Has a wired connection and it still uses BT? I had bluetooth turned on in the phone I will try turning it off and see if AA can coexist with BT??? All of this will be unnecessary when I get a phone with more space. I only need this on long trips and I could always move music of and on the phone as needed.

I turned BT off on the phone but it was automatically turned on when I used AA. Oh well.

 

I just found out the WirelessAA device has an option called "Disable Audio Sink". Sounds like it's let you connect a BT device to your truck while connected over AA. Might be worth looking into, I haven't tried it

 

I will look into it. Thanks.