topic Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing in Android

Android Auto not showing Now Playing

ryanfahy314 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:08:55 GMT

Plan

Premium

Country

United States of America

Device

Google Pixel 6

Operating System

GrapheneOS

My Question or Issue

I've been having an issue for the past couple of weeks where spotify almost never works properly with Android Auto. It does not appear to be an issue with permissions or setup. I'm unsure if this is a graphene specific issue. I've come across at least two other people experienecing the same thing on the GrapheneOS subreddit.

Basically, what's happening is when connecting my phone to my head unit via Android Auto, the "Now Playing" window is blank and doesn't show what song is currently playing, instead just a blank interface. Additionally, steering wheel media controls have no effect such as skipping to the next song, etc.

There's a temporary workaround where if I clear data for the Android Auto app, Spotify works normally on the first connection. However, after a few hours have passed, when connecting to my car again, it's back to the same blank interface.

One thing that I and another user have noticed is that, when the issue is occurring, if I disconnect, go into the Android Auto settings and uncheck "Spotify" from the list of available apps, then reconnect, the "Now Playing" feature starts working, even though it shouldn't. However, when clicking the Spotify app icon or trying to open Spotify on the Android Auto interface, nothing happens.

Picture attached to show what's happening (not my picture, taken from a user on the GrapheneOS subreddit, but I'm experiencing the same behavior)

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

OscarDC — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:45:59 GMT

Hey @ryanfahy314,

Thank you for reaching out to the Community and welcome.

Taking into account that GrapheneOS is not officially supported by the Spotify app, we cannot ensure the proper functionality of the app. Even if the GrapheneOS is Android based, it doesn't have Google services installed by default which may affect restrictions, permissions and access of the apps.

So in this case, since clearing the app data seems to work for a moment, we'd recommend performing a clean reinstall of the app on your phone to get rid of any stored cache that might be causing troubles. You can do it by following the steps mentioned in this article.

If the issue persists, we'd recommend connecting a different phone (with an officially supported OS) to your Android Auto to see if it makes any difference. If you don't have another one available, you can borrow one from a friend or family member to test it out. If it works properly with a different device, the issue is most likely device-related.

Hope this helps. If anything else comes up, the Community is just a post away.

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

Madermic — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 07:59:33 GMT

I have the exact same problem on my new fold 7.

So its not the OS.

I tried reinstalling the app but it would not fix the issue.

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

Ivelina — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 08:48:21 GMT

Hey @Madermic,

Thanks for joining the thread!

Could you let us know what other troubleshooting steps you've performed so far and if you noticed when this behavior occurred for the first time (was there a recent software or app update for example)? This will help with the investigation.

Since this is happening with your new phone, let us know:

Did it previously use to work with another mobile device?
What about if you connect another phone to the Android Auto?
What connection are you using between the car and phone (Bluetooth or wired)?

In the meantime make sure to disable any battery optimization options on your phone to make sure background activity is allowed for Spotify.

Lastly, it'd be great if you could send us a photo or two so we can take a look at how things look like from your end. You can attach them via the Insert Image option in the post editor.

We'll be on the lookout.

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

Madermic — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:02:29 GMT

I just got a new phone and set it up. So no update etc.
Just a clean set up and down laod from play store.

I tried reconnecting to sndroid auto, Rebooting the phone and car, reinstalling spotify several times.

But no luck still the same.

I can hear thw music but i cannot control the current playing song.

Device: Galaxy Fold 7
OS: One Ui 8
Car: Mustang Mach E.

Wireless Connection

It workrd fine with my old phone yesterday
Best regards

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

Ivelina — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 10:59:47 GMT

Really appreciate the cooperation and swift response @Madermic.

Since the screenshot shows you're in Liked Songs, does anything change in Spotify's Android Auto interface when you click the back arrow?

There is currently another thread here where other users are experiencing some similar issues with Spotify on Android Auto, even though they mention seeing "Getting your selection..." on the screen. You could still take a look and let us know if what's happening on your end sounds similar.

Since it worked with your previous phone, if possible test with a wired connection between the new mobile device and Android Auto and if possible, test with connecting another phone as well.

Lastly, make sure to disable any battery optimization options on the new phone as previously suggested here.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

Madermic — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 11:09:37 GMT

It really is just the now playing feature thats not working.

I can look at all my play lists and search for songs but after selecting one the now playing looks like in my photo and i cannot pause or skip the song from there i have to got to the phone app.

I will try it with a cable later today

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

Madermic — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 11:13:22 GMT

Clearing the Android Auto App cache and connecting it with a cable fixed it.

Now it works wired and wireless.

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

l0wfry — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:52:16 GMT

Does it still work for you? AFAIK everyone who cleared their cache got it working initially, but then later it stops working again (might take some hours of usage).

Re: Android Auto not showing Now Playing

Madermic — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:28:45 GMT

Yes, it still works flawlessly.