How to turn Android Auto on Xiaomi phone: full instruction 2026

Why you need Android Auto on Xiaomi and how it works

Android Auto is Google’s official solution that converts the smartphone screen into an adapted interface for the car. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, the feature works as stable as on other brands’ flagships, but there are nuances with the MIUI setup. The main advantage is the safe management of navigation, music and calls through the car’s head unit or the touchscreen display of the phone fixed to the holder.

The system automatically optimizes apps for the car mode: increases buttons, simplifies menus and activates voice assistant. For example, Google Maps in Android Auto shows a simplified route with large icons, and Yandex Music allows you to switch tracks with swipes without being distracted from the road. However, not all Xiaomi models support the out-of-the-box function - sometimes manual activation or firmware updates are required.

In this article, we will examine:

• 📱 What Xiaomi smartphones are officially compatible with Android Auto
• 🚗 Requirements for the vehicle and head unit
• ⚙️ Step-by-step adjustment MIUI (including hidden options)
• ❌ Typical connection errors and how to fix them

Compatibility: Which Xiaomi phones support Android Auto

Google officially claims to support Android Auto for all Android 10 and newer devices, but in practice Xiaomi owners face limitations, the problem lies in the customized shell MIUI, which sometimes blocks the background work of the application.

If your model is not in the spreadsheet, it doesn’t mean complete incompatibility. For example, Redmi 10 or POCO M4 Pro can work with Android Auto after upgrading to Android 12 and activating the developer mode. Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable below version 12.5.4 Android Auto can shut down after restart.Solution - install MIUI EU (Unofficial firmware) or wait for the update.

Requirements for the car: what you need to connect

Android Auto works in two modes: wired (via USB) and wireless (via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).

• 🔌 Wired connection: the head unit must support Android Auto or MirrorLink. Most cars after 2018 are equipped with this connector.
• 📶 Wireless Connection: Requires a head unit with Android Auto Wireless support (e.g. Pioneer) AVH-Z5200BT) adaptor AAWireless/Carlinkit. The smartphone should support Wi-Fi 5 GHz (on Xiaomi, these are models with a Snapdragon processor) 7xx/8xx).
• 🔋 Charging: when wired, the phone will be charged from USB-Wirelessly, battery consumption increases by 15-20% per hour – it is recommended to use a holder with wireless charging.

If your car is released before 2016, you will most likely need a replacement tape recorder.

• 🎵 Pioneer SPH-DA130DAB (Support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto)
• 🎵 JVC KW-M560BT (Android Auto wireless, price ~15 000 ₽)
• 🎵 Xtrons PB75AND1025 (Chinese version of Chinese cars, ~8 000 ₽)

💡

Before buying a new radio, check for compatibility with your car's steering buttons. Some models require an additional adapter to control volume and tracks.

Step-by-step: how to enable Android Auto on Xiaomi

The setup process consists of three steps: installing the app, setting up the phone, and connecting to the car. Follow the instructions in strict order to avoid errors.

Step 1: Install and Update Android Auto

1. Download the official Android Auto app from Google Play.Please note: on some Xiaomi firmware, the app may be called Android Auto for Android 10+ phones.

2. Update the app to the latest version (at the time of writing, 10.1.6325). Check the version in Settings → Apps → Android Auto → Version.

3. Launch the application and accept the terms of use. If there is an error "Device not supported", proceed to the solution of the problems.

Step 2: Set up MIUI to work properly

The MIUI shell blocks background activity of Android Auto by default.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Android Auto.
2. Turn on the options: 🔄 Auto-start 🔒 Blocking in the background (turn off) 📱 Showing notifications

Settings → Battery and performance → Battery consumption management

Android Auto

"No limits"

Install/update Android Auto| Allow autorun | Turn off lock in the background | Set up Battery Mode "No Limits" |Reboot phone-->

Step 3: Connecting to the vehicle

For wired connection:

1. Connect the phone to USB-port of the tape recorder using high-quality cable (preferably original or certified) USB-IF). Cheap cables can cause an error "USB-device not identified".
2. On the radio screen, select the source of Android Auto (sometimes called Smartphone Link or MirrorLink).
3. On the phone, confirm permission to access notifications and contacts.

For wireless connection:

1. Make sure the radio supports Android Auto Wireless (or connect the AAWireless adapter).
2. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your phone.
3. In the Android Auto app, select Settings → Wireless connection to the car and follow the instructions on the screen.

Solving Errors: What to Do When Android Auto Doesn't Work

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi owners face typical problems, and here are the list of bugs and fixes that are relevant to MIUI 13/14.

A critical mistake for Xiaomi owners with MIUI 14: If the phone’s screen goes out and doesn’t respond to touch after you connect, turn off the Face Unlock feature in the security settings.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Android Auto stopped working, try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select the service package. Download the old version from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.

Additional settings: how to improve the Android Auto

Once you've successfully connected, you can optimize the interface to your needs, and here are some useful settings:

• 🎵 Change Start Screen: In the Android Auto app on your phone, select Settings → Start screen and install priority application (e.g. Google Maps or Yandex Maps).
• 📱 Set up voice commands: activate Settings → Voice assistant → Okay, Google for music control and voice navigation. Xiaomi may need to disable the built-in voice assistant Xiao AI In Settings → Xiaomi's voice assistant.
• 🔕 Disable notifications: if alerts from messengers interfere, go to Android Auto Settings → Notifications and select which apps can show Alerts.
• 🌙 Dark theme: Turn on dark mode in Android Auto settings to reduce eye strain at night. MIUI.

For owners of Xiaomi 13/14 and POCO F5, the wireless screen projection (Miracast) function is available.

1. Enable Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wireless display.
2. Select the tape recorder from the list of available devices.
3. Confirm the connection on both screens.

This mode allows you to duplicate the phone screen on the radio without USB, but consumes more battery.

💡

On Xiaomi with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), wireless Android Auto works more stable than on devices with MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro).

Android Auto Alternatives: What to Use When Nothing Works

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support Android Auto or you’re facing unsolvable bugs, consider alternative solutions:

• 📱 Mi Car Mode: Xiaomi's built-in driving mode activated via Settings → Special facilities → Driving mode. minus - limited functionality (only calls and navigation).
• 🚗 Car Launcher: third-party launchers such as Car Launcher AGAMA Or AutoMate, which mimics the Android Auto interface, requires manual tuning and doesn't integrate with the tape.
• 🔄 MirrorLink: If your tape recorder supports this protocol, try apps like MirrorLink Auto. MIUI.
• 📱 Don't disturb mode" + Holder: Enable Settings → Notifications → Do Not Disturb mode with an exception for the navigator and music, then fasten the phone to the holder.

For root-right Xiaomi owners, there is a radical solution: installing NikGApps’ Google Apps, which include full support for Android Auto even on uncertified devices, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions