Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

This is the Connected NAV system.
Main Features: It is a fully integrated Telematics System featuring CarPlay, Android Auto, Real Time Services, Voice Commands, High-Res Display, 3D Navigation, Bluetooth Hands Free & USB. 2 versions of the system are available NAC (Navigation Audio Connectée) and RCC (Radio Couleur Connectée) or Connected Colour Radio, which does not have the Integrated Navigation or Live Services.

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wombat
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C3 2017

Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Hey guys, I have just got a C3 from 2017 and was very excited to try Android Auto with it, hower the option is somehow missing in my NAC unit...

There is an option for CarPlay and Mirrorlink (which is a legacy option for Android and does not work any more) - but no Android Auto for some reason (photo attached)
The car when I got it initially came with a pretty old (I think) 21.05.78.22_NAC-r0 firmware (which I believe is NAC Wave 2.1 unit?), I upgraded it to the latest 21.08.87.32 - but no AA still, even after the upgrade...

Digging through various forums and threads does not seem to bring any obvious conclusion - it looks like AA might have to be 'activated'(?) somehow, but it is unclear who exactly could do this and how. Citroen dealers I called do not seem to have any clue about it.

Any hints or ideas how to proceed would be very much appreciated.
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by GiveMeABreak »

There could be several possibilities.

1) Android Auto will only work with a wired USB Cable.
2) Make sure you are not using a cheap cable - poor quality cables are known not to work.
3) Make sure you do not have any sort of USB splitter or hub attached tot he USB port.
4) Make sure your phone is supported
5) Follow the exact instruction in the manual about how to connect. (it may involve some actions using the connectivity option first of all to initiate the connection).
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Thakn you for getting back to me!
It is not a cable issue for sure, the Android Auto 'app' is simply not present on the device at all (super weird, I know...)

The paper manual I got with the car does not metion it either (only CarPlay / MirrorLink), which makes me think it is some early release of the NAC unit, shipping without the AA feature?
I believe the car is one of the first 'next gen' 2017 C3s.

The VIN is as follows:
VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

Since the firmware is the same as for others Wave 2.1 NAC units, it feels like it should be possible to activate AA somehow?
wombat
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C3 2017

Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Also, found this video which seems to inidicate that in fact it is possible that certain features (like AA) can be disabled on NAC and there is some way to re-enable them:
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by GiveMeABreak »

What make and model of phone?
What version of OS are you running?
It shouldn't need any coding - these functions are enabled by default and are standard on the digital connected NAV, otherwise the dealerships would be flooded with customers wasting time getting these functions enabled.

Going back to my earlier point regarding the cable. It is essential that a decent quality cable is used as cheap cables are known not to work - hence why I asked. The connected devices like CarPlay take over the USB management and if you use a crappy cable the functionality won't work.
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Tried a bunch of phones, Samsung Galaxy S20/21, Huawei P20, OnePlus 8, with different relatively modern flavours of Android (10-12) - none of these do much when connected to the car (the Mirrorlink icon gets enabled once phone is connected - but I don't think it is possible to get the feature to work in modern phones).

It really looks like my car got 'nerfed' somehow and the AA feature is just not present for some weird reason. Woudl be amazing to be able to activate it somehow....
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Have you also downloaded the Android Auto App from the Google Store?
To use Android Auto *, you must have a vehicle or car stereo installed after purchase, compatible with Android Auto, and a phone with Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later.
Download the Android Auto app to your smartphone from the Google Play store.
When you connect your Android phone to the compatible vehicle or car stereo, your apps will be displayed on the vehicle screen using Android Auto.
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Correct - AA app is installed on all the phones I tested with.
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by GiveMeABreak »

The only other thing I can suggest is to reset it to the factory settings. This will remove any stored (and hidden) previous phone data connections.
  • From the main screen, press the cog wheel in the top right corner
  • Then press OPTIONS at the lower left
  • Then press SYSTEM SETTINGS
  • Then press FACTORY SETTINGS
  • Then press the RESET option
It will ask you to confirm, select YES.

You will lose all the radio stations and audio options / preferences that have been set, so be prepared to go through and set up all your options for navigation view, POIs etc., but this will remove any previous phone connections. Then try and connect again.
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Yep, thank you - factory reset is one of the first things I tried.
Also done another one after upgrade to the latest firmware, sadly no change...
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C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Ok so if you are sure you have tried another cable and can rule that out, I'm not sure what else to suggest. I checked the phone compatibility and the Samsungs are on the list.

Is the phone still pairing via Bluetooth?
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Indeed, tried quite a few cables, all have got this problem - it is like AA feature simply does not exist on NAC.
Bluetooth pairing works OK.

I am wondering if the VIN number I provided possibly shows any clues? Has anyone ever experienced a need for 'coding' / enabling CarPlay or AA on the NAC units (as per that youtube video)?
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C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by GiveMeABreak »

No, your VIN only clarifies that you have Digital Connected NAV. The specs never specify Carplay / Android features - just Mirrorlink. I have the Wave 2 on my Aircross and as soon as I connect my iPhone it triggers CarPlay. My specs also only indicate Mirror Link on the factory sheet, but that is normal.

Maybe you can check with a friend who has an Apple Device to see if CarPlay works - then if it doesn't, I would have to concede to it being deactivated or never enabled which should not be the case for the reason I gave. It was never an option - it is a standard feature of the Connected NAV (NAC) system.
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Thank you for looking into this and the clarification - much apprecaited!
Indeed, this entire situation is rather bizzare, my suspicion is that the car is some sort of OG / day-1 release unit, from the time when AA had not been yet available in Wave 2 NACs (since even manual I got does not mention anything about AA).

I will get iPhone connected to the car - and let's see what happens.
wombat
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Re: Android Auto option 'missing' from C3 2017 Wave 2.1 NAC

Post by wombat »

Just checked with iPhone - CarPlay works just fine on my unit, no issues whatsoever. Just Android Auto is missing for some super weird reason...
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