A modern car has ceased to be just a means of transportation, having turned into a complex gadget on wheels, and Hyundai Solaris here is no exception. Owners of a second-generation sedan (restyling 2017 and newer) often wonder about integrating their smartphone with the on-board multimedia system. Connection Android Auto gives access to navigation, music and calls directly on the head unit screen, making trips safer and more comfortable.
However, the synchronization process does not always go smoothly the first time. There are nuances related to the firmware version of the radio, the quality of the cable and the settings of the phone itself. In this article we will look in detail at how to set up the connection, what cables to use and what to do if the system does not see the device.
Checking compatibility and preparing equipment
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your equipment Hyundai Solaris technically supports the smartphone mirroring function. This option is usually available in versions with a 7-inch screen, but even the presence of a screen does not guarantee that Android Auto will work without first updating the software.
The USB cable is a critical element. Cheap cables that come in packages are often designed only for charging and do not transmit data. You will need a high-quality certified cable that supports high-speed data transfer.
- 📱 Make sure that Android 6.0 or higher is installed on your smartphone.
- 🔌 Use an original cable or a high-quality analogue marked Data Sync.
- ⚙️ Check the head unit firmware version in the car settings menu.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to use adapters or USB extension cables when connecting for the first time. Directly connecting the cable to the car port and the phone minimizes the risk of initialization errors.
It is also worth checking whether the USB debugging function is activated in the developer settings of your phone, although this is rarely required for stock Android Auto. The main focus should be on the physical condition of the Micro-USB or Type-C connector in your smartphone - the presence of dust or oxidation may interrupt the contact.
Setting up the Hyundai Solaris head unit
The multimedia system interface Hyundai is intuitive, but hidden settings can confuse a beginner. To activate the phone projection mode, you need to go to the main menu and find the section responsible for connecting external devices.
In some software versions, the function may be disabled by default. You will need to go to Setup → Connection → Projected Mode (or a similar path depending on the interface language) and select mode Android Auto. If this item is not present, you may need to update the map or firmware at the dealer.
After selecting the mode, the car screen will go into the connection waiting state. At this point, the system begins scanning ports for compatible devices. It is important not to press unnecessary buttons at this moment so as not to interrupt the protocol handshake process.
⚠️ Attention: If a message about a mode conflict appears on the screen (for example, with Apple CarPlay), make sure that your type of phone operating system is selected in the settings.
If the menu is in English, look for the "Projected Mode" section - this is the standard name for the smartphone projection mode in Hyundai and Kia systems.
Sometimes the system requires security confirmation. A warning may appear on the screen indicating that using phone functions while driving is prohibited. Confirm your consent by pressing the button OK or Agreeto unlock the functionality.
Connecting a smartphone and installing applications
Now we move on to setting up the phone itself. For correct operation, the application must be installed on your device Android Auto. On smartphones with Android 10 and above, it is built into the system, but on older versions it must be downloaded from the Google Play Market.
After installing the application, launch it and go through the initial setup. You'll need to grant permissions to contacts, messages, phone, and location. Without these permissions, the functionality will be severely limited.
| Permission | Why is it necessary | Consequences of refusal |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | To make calls by voice | It is impossible to dial a number by name |
| SMS | To read messages out loud | Messages will not be spoken |
| Location | For navigation to work | Maps will not build a route |
| Microphone | For voice assistant | Voice control does not work |
Connect the cable to your smartphone and insert it into the car’s USB port. Please note that often only one port (usually the bottom one or marked with a smartphone icon) supports data transfer. Connecting to the tablet charging port will not work. Hyundai Solaris often only one port (usually the bottom one or marked with a smartphone icon) supports data transfer. Plugging into the tablet charging port will not work.
The phone screen will ask you to allow connection to the car. You must select the option Always allow or Allow. If you accidentally click "Deny", you will have to delete the car profile in the Bluetooth and USB settings and start again.
First pairing algorithm
The first start-up process may take up to a minute. The vehicle system and the phone exchange cryptographic keys to create a secure communication channel. At this moment, the smartphone screen may go dark or go into a special projection mode.
If the connection is successful, the Android Auto interface with large icons will appear on the display of the radio. You will see maps, a player and call buttons. Now control is carried out through the touch screen of the car or voice commands.
☑️ Checklist for successful connection
To break the connection, simply disconnect the cable. However, to completely reset communication settings, if errors occur, it is better to go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone, find the device Hyundai and press Forget this device.
⚠️ Attention: Do not disconnect the cable while updating maps or loading heavy applications on the car screen, this may cause the head unit to freeze.
After the first successful connection, subsequent connections will occur automatically when the cable is inserted. The system will remember your phone and will immediately load the interface without unnecessary confirmation.
Wireless connection via adapters
Standard Hyundai Solaris supports only wired Android Auto connection. However, many owners want to get rid of wires. For this, there are special external adapters (dongles) that emulate a wired connection.
Devices such as Carlinkit or similar brands plug into the car's USB port. They then create their own Wi-Fi network that your smartphone connects to. For the car system, this looks like a regular wired connection.
Disadvantages of wireless adapters
Using a wireless adapter leads to increased battery drain on the smartphone, since Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules operate simultaneously. In addition, there may be a slight audio delay when playing music or navigation tips.
Setting up the adapter is simple: connect it to USB, wait for it to boot (the indicator turns green), then find a new device in your phone's Bluetooth settings and pair. Next, follow the instructions on the phone screen to set up a Wi-Fi connection.
It is worth considering that the operation of the adapter depends on the stability of the power supply in the on-board network. When starting the engine, the voltage may sags, which sometimes leads to a temporary loss of communication and the need to reconnect.
Wireless adapters are a convenient solution, but they require additional budget and may work less stably in conditions of strong radio interference or with a weak phone battery.
Solving common problems and errors
Even with Following all instructions, users encounter problems. The most common one is that the phone is charging, but Android Auto does not start. In 90% of cases the cable is to blame. Try replacing it with another one, preferably a shorter and thicker one.
The second most popular problem is a black screen or constant reconnection. This may indicate an application conflict. Try clearing the Android Auto application cache on your phone through the menu Settings → Applications → Android Auto → Memory → Clear cache.
- 🔄 Reboot the car's head unit by holding down the power button for 10 seconds.
- 🗑️ Uninstall and reinstall the Android Auto application on your smartphone.
- 🔋 Check your phone's power saving settings - they should not limit the operation of the application.
If nothing helps, there may be a problem with the firmware version of the radio. Owners Solaris often solve this by updating the software from an official dealer or installing their own firmware via an SD card, downloading files from specialized forums.
Why does Android Auto turn off on bumps?
This is a classic sign of a faulty or low-quality USB cable. A contact inside the wire could break, and vibration would interrupt the connection. The problem may also be a loose USB socket in the car itself. Try to gently move the plug in the port - if the sound disappears, the problem is in the connector.
Is it possible to watch video via Android Auto on Solaris?
The standard functionality of Android Auto blocks video playback on the car screen while driving for safety reasons. Unlocking is only possible through third-party launchers or modified versions of the software, which may lead to loss of warranty for the multimedia system.
The navigator works, but there is no sound. What is the reason?
Check the sound settings in the maps application itself (Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps). Make sure the audio output is set to "Via Bluetooth" or "Automatic". Sometimes the sound goes into the phone speaker if the media audio transfer protocol is not activated in the Bluetooth pairing settings.
How to reset multimedia settings to factory settings?
Go to Settings → General → Reset. Confirm the action. This will delete all saved phone and radio settings, but often resolves software glitches that prevent Android Auto from connecting.
Does my 2017 Solaris support Android Auto?
Yes, all second-generation Hyundai Solaris models (starting from 2017) with a 7-inch radio support this function. However, on the earliest batches, a mandatory software update from the dealer may have been required to activate this option.