Android Auto with the kenwood dnx775rvs

[steadfast-FRF]

I am curious of others success at using Android Auto with the kenwood dnx775rvs. We use phones made by Google (the creater of Android) and we have been unsuccessful at getting Android Auto to work. We currently have the Pixel 6 and have also tried our old Pixel 3 unsuccessfully.

If you were successful, what kind of phone were you using? Thanks.

 

[bclemens]

I seem to think that that the android stuff needed an app or something on the phone to work, but that could have been a while back.

 

[GravelRider]

While I don't have the Kenwood navigation system that you mentioned, I have used it with 5 different phones in three different vehicles, all with the same results. Android auto is finicky, buggy, clunky, and constantly disconnects. Same results with any combination of phones and vehicles. I gave up and uninstalled the app and just use my phone for navigation on a nice vehicle phone mount.

 

[bclemens]

YASSSSS!

iOS all the way.

One-of-US! One-of-US!

 

[steadfast-FRF]

While I don't have the Kenwood navigation system that you mentioned, I have used it with 5 different phones in three different vehicles, all with the same results. Android auto is finicky, buggy, clunky, and constantly disconnects. Same results with any combination of phones and vehicles. I gave up and uninstalled the app and just use my phone for navigation on a nice vehicle phone mount.

Our experience is different than yours. We have had good results with Android Auto with several GM vehicles that we have used including our current towed.

Brian, did you ever try Apple Car Play with your phone and the Kenwood? If so, did it work?

Thanks.

 

[GravelRider]

Our experience is different than yours. We have had good results with Android Auto with several GM vehicles that we have used including our current towed.

Brian, did you ever try Apple Car Play with your phone and the Kenwood? If so, did it work?

Thanks.

Interesting. I've used it with two Fords and a VW. Maybe they're optimized for GM?

 

[bclemens]

Our experience is different than yours. We have had good results with Android Auto with several GM vehicles that we have used including our current towed.

Brian, did you ever try Apple Car Play with your phone and the Kenwood? If so, did it work?

Thanks.

Yes. never had an issue. Plugs right in and works just like my car does.

Edit: Though I learned not to depend on google maps, unless you are in a Sprinter or 5 Series. M2....you better use the RV navigation.

 

[Larry-NC]

Fresh Download

I am curious of others success at using Android Auto with the kenwood dnx775rvs. We use phones made by Google (the creater of Android) and we have been unsuccessful at getting Android Auto to work. We currently have the Pixel 6 and have also tried our old Pixel 3 unsuccessfully.

If you were successful, what kind of phone were you using? Thanks.

Take a fresh download from here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.projection.gearhead and let us know how it works.

Some of the Android documentation refers to showing on an external screen as "projection". I seem to recall that the first time I used it, I had to select "Projection." Could you have been bypassing that option?

 

[MoJoe1003]

Yes. never had an issue. Plugs right in and works just like my car does.

Edit: Though I learned not to depend on google maps, unless you are in a Sprinter or 5 Series. M2....you better use the RV navigation.

Same experience here with Apple CarPlay! Easy peasy, works like a champ on my KENWOOD.

 

[CyberShanks-FRF]

Another vote for iOS, even though the new guy at the helm of Apple is nowhere near on par with Steve Jobs.


Jim

 

[steadfast-FRF]

Solved!

Every time I have tried connecting my phone to the Kenwood, it has been with the generator running and the key in the ACC position. All of the other functions of the Kenwood are available so it must be enough to connect to Android Auto right? Wrong.

I tried it with the engine running and it connected. It is now working just like in the car. Sometimes it is the simplest things.

 

[Rosedawgz]

I am curious of others success at using Android Auto with the kenwood dnx775rvs. We use phones made by Google (the creater of Android) and we have been unsuccessful at getting Android Auto to work. We currently have the Pixel 6 and have also tried our old Pixel 3 unsuccessfully.

If you were successful, what kind of phone were you using? Thanks.

My brand new 2025 DX3 doesn't work with Android auto. Keeps saying this is a commercial vehicle and doesn't work

 

[Hach]

Android auto worked great for me on my Isata 5 RAM screen from California to Newfoundland. It did require the app to be downloaded. As a matter of fact, it navigated more accurately in Canada than my IOS and Garmin travelling companions who were led on some circuitous routes away from our destination. They're all a little quirky and cell service dependent. I'm old school and still like paper local maps to orient me before setting out.

 

[MAC D]

A few years ago there was an app to download to your android. As I recall, you had to be on the same wifi as the 775 to use the app. Which meant I would have to have my hotspot on, with the app on my wife's phone and both on my hotspot. At any rate is wasn't worth it at the time. Haven't researched it since.

I do use my phone music on the Bluetooth and control the volume with the phone.

 

[alchalaa]

Android auto is blocked from the navigation on the new Kenwood on the M2. It's annoying but there's no way around it.

It's written into the software to not allow any navigational function. Calls work. But only way to use navigation is with an iPhone or the maps on the kenwood.

 

[cvd]

Android auto is blocked from the navigation on the new Kenwood on the M2. It's annoying but there's no way around it.

It's written into the software to not allow any navigational function. Calls work. But only way to use navigation is with an iPhone or the maps on the kenwood.

Correct, with a caveat. I've found I can use my android phone for Google Maps navigation if I, 1) disable the phone location, 2) disable the phone Bluetooth, 2) restart phone, 3) enable phone location, 4) start Google Maps (no Bluetooth). I do this when I need the better traffic recognition or updated maps that come with cloud based navigation (Google Maps).

Conversely, If I disable the phone location and enable Bluetooth, the phone will communicate with the Kenwood Android Auto for non-navigation features (e.g. streaming music, phone calls, etc.). This is my normal driving mode; navigate with the Kenwood, tunes via Android Auto streaming.

Edit - that is with the Kenwood DNR1008RVS (2025 Europa)

 

[alchalaa]

That's an interesting workaround. Thanks. I'll give that a try. My Europa does have the dnr1008rvs. I forgot the numbers on which one is which.

I have an rv life GPS navigation app where I can plot an rv safe route. I dont usually use Google maps unless it's a route I'm already familiar with. But I do like the option to use the rv life route that I usually preplot.

 

[Rosedawgz]

Correct, with a caveat. I've found I can use my android phone for Google Maps navigation if I, 1) disable the phone location, 2) disable the phone Bluetooth, 2) restart phone, 3) enable phone location, 4) start Google Maps (no Bluetooth). I do this when I need the better traffic recognition or updated maps that come with cloud based navigation (Google Maps).

Conversely, If I disable the phone location and enable Bluetooth, the phone will communicate with the Kenwood Android Auto for non-navigation features (e.g. streaming music, phone calls, etc.). This is my normal driving mode; navigate with the Kenwood, tunes via Android Auto streaming.

Edit - that is with the Kenwood DNR1008RVS (2025 Europa)

I bought a secondary screen for Google Android auto. So I can use both Garmin and AA.