Android Auto’s restart trouble linked to hidden developer options

If you’ve heard about Android Auto acting up lately but haven’t faced any issues yourself, there’s a simple explanation. It looks like the trouble—where phones randomly restart while using Android Auto—might be tied to some tricky developer settings.

Last week, people started talking about a possible glitch with Android Auto. It came up in a Reddit post where five users said their phones would suddenly shut down and lock while connected to their car’s system. This wasn’t a full phone restart, just a “soft” one—meaning the app would stop, and the phone would lock up. They noticed it happened when they tapped certain features on the car screen.

Oddly, this problem didn’t pop up much on Google’s help pages or other usual spots where Android Auto complaints show up. That’s likely because it’s not a widespread bug. Instead, it seems connected to some lesser-known settings meant for developers.

One Reddit user figured it out on February 21st: turning off a developer option called “Force Desktop Mode” stopped the restarts. Some thought the new Android Auto 13.8 update fixed it, but the version doesn’t seem to matter. The issue first showed up with version 13.4, and switching back to 13.3 worked for a few people. So, while these hidden settings are the main culprit, a future update might clear things up for good.

On a different note, wireless Android Auto has had its headaches lately. Recent updates messed up the wireless connection for some users, and it’s not clear if version 13.8 fixes that yet. For now, if your phone’s restarting with Android Auto, check those developer settings. It’s a quirky fix, but it might save you some frustration until a proper solution rolls out.