Problems with Android Auto, especially with device connections, are quite common. While some of these issues are caused by using the wrong USB cable for Android Auto, others, like the Android Auto connection issues affecting the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Google Pixel devices, can be blamed on Google’s software. Although Google released a fix for some of these device connection issues in April this year as part of Play Services v26.15, it appears that it didn’t work. The company has now rolled out even more bug fixes for device connection issues in Google Play Services v26.22.
The official changelog for Play Services v26.22 doesn’t detail exactly what was fixed. It also doesn’t indicate whether the update targets the issues that caused March’s issues for Google and Samsung devices or a larger underlying bug. It simply says: “(Auto)Bug fixes for services related to device connections.”
When will you get Android Auto connection fixes?
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The updated version of Google Play Services with Android Auto bug fixes is probably already on your Android phone, as its rollout began on June 8, and the company has since released another version in the form of version 26.23. To confirm that you are running version 26.22 or newer, open the Settings app on your phone and go to Google > All Services > System Services. You will see which of the system services are running on the latest version, including Google Play Services, and which have updates available. If Google Play Services has a pending update, you can trigger it by tapping the service name and tapping the “Update” button.
Besides bug fixes for device connection issues, Google Play Services version 26.22 does not include any other Android Auto-related changes. However, the new version 26.23, which, as mentioned, is also already rolling out, brings device performance improvements and bug fixes for system management and diagnostics-related services.
Connection issues aside, 2026 is turning out to be a pretty good year for Android Auto. It received a major update that changes the way you use the dashboard, as well as support for Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. Additionally, Google revealed four features coming to Android Auto this year, including broader widget support.
