Alexa and Android Auto

marksandygill · 11-12-2021, 05:08 AM

Quick question, haven't finished setting Alexa up yet although every time I say my daughter Alex's name in the car she pipes up to tell me so!

Does Alexa work within Android Auto or does that revert to the google voice commands only?

jefferybond · 11-13-2021, 02:49 AM

Couldn't get it to work in mine when connected as android auto. Only works when connected in iDrive mode.

4monks · 11-13-2021, 03:38 AM

Didn't work for ages, tried everything, then worked once randomly, now packed in again. Android phone, with Android Auto but don't use that latter, but as it "available" might be clashing.

Keith_C · 11-22-2021, 08:31 AM

I don't use Android Auto but it works fine for me in the car and in the house, I sometime ask it if my car is locked, fuel range etc.

Funboy78 · 11-22-2021, 09:26 AM

Tried setting mine up on Android, shows connected and everything linked but never works. The command ‘Alexa’ works and the blue ring shows up but each time iDrive tells me I need to activate settings which are all turned on in the iDrive. Given up for now!

Have read similar issues and they suggest a system reset (hold in button on iDrive) and then upon a reboot it will suddenly make the link. Lots of people had this issue it appears. I’ll play again when I can be bothered to sit in the car and do so.

Keith_C · 11-22-2021, 09:41 AM

When I first set it up a while back I was having the same issue, what I found was it took a minute or so for it to fire up and run when you start the car up, sync with app etc. So I was sat in the car trying it out and it never worked so gave up. Then, whilst out driving it came to my mind and asked Alexa something and it worked a treat, can turn lights on at home, heating etc as well as car specific things when out of the car.

Charlie (Wessex) · 01-15-2022, 05:28 PM

Just picking up on this as tried again to get it to start....still failing. Wondering whether anyone had any tips or tricks to add to the above? As it is, if Android Auto running, Google works fine.

4monks · 01-16-2022, 02:12 AM

Seems to work for me now, but suspect if I am close to the house and my phone is connected to my house wifi it doesn't work. I enabled "Switch to mobile data" under "Wi-Fi->Advanced" (Samsung Note 10+) to ensure that mobile data could be used on my phone if it was connected to Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fi did not provide internet connection (as the car kept batting on about ensure the phone is connected to the car Wi-Fi even when android auto was working just fine). To be honest, not at all sure what made it work and it still fails from time to time, but in the main, not working.
For ages, the App icon on the idrive was grey - once this is white, all is well. Next time I head out I'll check the status of the icon and Alexa when a) on the drive b) later when I'm away from the house and c) when I return to the house.

Charlie (Wessex) · 01-16-2022, 08:52 AM

Yes, I think it dawned on me that I was in a very poor area for reception. It did briefly recognise my user details, before resorting to default not working

Charlie (Wessex) · 01-18-2022, 11:05 AM

Managed to get it working in an area with good signal today. Worked absolutely fine. However, when I was then in an area with poor signal, it said that I needed to set it up or set up wasn't complete. That's ridiculous IMO. It should just say that there isn't coverage, not that it hasn't been set up.

11-12-2021, 05:08 AM	#1
marksandygill First Lieutenant 240 Rep 388 Posts Drives: G20 320d xDrive F22 M240i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Alexa and Android Auto Quick question, haven't finished setting Alexa up yet although every time I say my daughter Alex's name in the car she pipes up to tell me so! Does Alexa work within Android Auto or does that revert to the google voice commands only? __________________ Current: G20 320d xDrive F22 M240i Previous: Many, many boring BMWs, 116d (F20), 220d, M240i (F22), 318d (F30), 320d (F30 and G20), 330e (G20), 420i (F32), 420d (F32), 435d GC (F36)
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-13-2021, 02:49 AM	#2
jefferybond Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: Audi A3 Join Date: May 2021 Location: Wales iTrader: (0)	Couldn't get it to work in mine when connected as android auto. Only works when connected in iDrive mode.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-13-2021, 03:38 AM	#3
4monks Second Lieutenant 95 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW M340i xDrive MHT G20 Join Date: May 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Didn't work for ages, tried everything, then worked once randomly, now packed in again. Android phone, with Android Auto but don't use that latter, but as it "available" might be clashing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-22-2021, 08:31 AM	#4
Keith_C First Lieutenant 179 Rep 326 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport Plus Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I don't use Android Auto but it works fine for me in the car and in the house, I sometime ask it if my car is locked, fuel range etc. __________________ M240i - Thundernight Metallic - Cognac Interior - M Technology Pack - Technology Plus Pack - Comfort Pack - HK - Driving Assistant - M Adaptive Suspension - 19" 893 M Double-spoke Bicolour Alloy Wheels - Aluminium Rhombicle Interior Trim
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-22-2021, 09:26 AM	#5
Funboy78 Second Lieutenant 88 Rep 274 Posts Drives: ‘72’ BMW M340d G20 LCI Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Tried setting mine up on Android, shows connected and everything linked but never works. The command ‘Alexa’ works and the blue ring shows up but each time iDrive tells me I need to activate settings which are all turned on in the iDrive. Given up for now! Have read similar issues and they suggest a system reset (hold in button on iDrive) and then upon a reboot it will suddenly make the link. Lots of people had this issue it appears. I’ll play again when I can be bothered to sit in the car and do so.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-22-2021, 09:41 AM	#6
Keith_C First Lieutenant 179 Rep 326 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport Plus Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	When I first set it up a while back I was having the same issue, what I found was it took a minute or so for it to fire up and run when you start the car up, sync with app etc. So I was sat in the car trying it out and it never worked so gave up. Then, whilst out driving it came to my mind and asked Alexa something and it worked a treat, can turn lights on at home, heating etc as well as car specific things when out of the car. __________________ M240i - Thundernight Metallic - Cognac Interior - M Technology Pack - Technology Plus Pack - Comfort Pack - HK - Driving Assistant - M Adaptive Suspension - 19" 893 M Double-spoke Bicolour Alloy Wheels - Aluminium Rhombicle Interior Trim
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2022, 05:28 PM	#7
Charlie (Wessex) Captain 287 Rep 922 Posts Drives: G21 M340i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: New Forest, UK iTrader: (0)	Just picking up on this as tried again to get it to start....still failing. Wondering whether anyone had any tips or tricks to add to the above? As it is, if Android Auto running, Google works fine. __________________ e36 325tds (1996-2001), e39 530d Touring (2001-2011), e61 535d (2011-2018), Golf 7.5R Estate (2018-2021), g21 M340i (2021- )
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2022, 02:12 AM	#8
4monks Second Lieutenant 95 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW M340i xDrive MHT G20 Join Date: May 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Seems to work for me now, but suspect if I am close to the house and my phone is connected to my house wifi it doesn't work. I enabled "Switch to mobile data" under "Wi-Fi->Advanced" (Samsung Note 10+) to ensure that mobile data could be used on my phone if it was connected to Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fi did not provide internet connection (as the car kept batting on about ensure the phone is connected to the car Wi-Fi even when android auto was working just fine). To be honest, not at all sure what made it work and it still fails from time to time, but in the main, not working. For ages, the App icon on the idrive was grey - once this is white, all is well. Next time I head out I'll check the status of the icon and Alexa when a) on the drive b) later when I'm away from the house and c) when I return to the house.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2022, 08:52 AM	#9
Charlie (Wessex) Captain 287 Rep 922 Posts Drives: G21 M340i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: New Forest, UK iTrader: (0)	Yes, I think it dawned on me that I was in a very poor area for reception. It did briefly recognise my user details, before resorting to default not working
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-18-2022, 11:05 AM	#10
Charlie (Wessex) Captain 287 Rep 922 Posts Drives: G21 M340i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: New Forest, UK iTrader: (0)	Managed to get it working in an area with good signal today. Worked absolutely fine. However, when I was then in an area with poor signal, it said that I needed to set it up or set up wasn't complete. That's ridiculous IMO. It should just say that there isn't coverage, not that it hasn't been set up. __________________ e36 325tds (1996-2001), e39 530d Touring (2001-2011), e61 535d (2011-2018), Golf 7.5R Estate (2018-2021), g21 M340i (2021- )
	Appreciate 0 Quote