How can I play music from my Android in my car with USB?

It’s becoming increasingly common for modern cars to come equipped with USB ports that allow drivers to play music directly from a connected smartphone. This is a very convenient feature, as it lets you access your entire music library on an Android phone and play it through your car’s speaker system.

According to research from Bloomberg, the number of vehicles sold in the U.S. with USB ports rose to about 14.6 million in 2016, up from just 3.3 million in 2012 (source). Many new cars now come standard with USB ports, making it easier than ever to connect your Android and access its features.

Benefits of Playing Android Music in Your Car

One of the biggest benefits of playing music from your Android phone in your car is the convenience of accessing your full music library, compared to relying on CDs or the radio. With all of your music and playlists on your phone, you can listen to exactly what you want without having to carry around a case of CDs or settle for whatever songs the radio decides to play.

Unlike CDs which hold a finite number of songs, your Android’s storage can hold thousands of songs from all your favorite artists and playlists. You aren’t limited by the physical media anymore. And unlike radio which plays whatever is in the rotation, you have full control over picking songs and customizing playlists when accessing music from your Android (Source).

Having instant access to your personalized music library allows you to enjoy your car rides so much more. You can easily cue up music based on your mood or activity. Going on a long road trip? Access your driving or road trip playlist. Picking up friends for a night out? DJ the perfect evening playlist. With your Android music just a USB connection away, you have endless options.

Requirements

In order to play music from an Android phone in a car via USB, there are a few key requirements:

First, you need an Android device that supports USB audio output. Most modern Android phones running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later have support for USB audio built-in. Older devices may need to be updated to enable this feature.

Second, your Android phone must have a music library with songs saved locally or downloaded for offline listening. Streaming apps that require an internet connection will not work over USB alone.

Finally, you need a car that is equipped with a USB port and supports USB audio input. Many cars built in the last 5-10 years have USB ports that allow devices to interface with the car’s infotainment system.

As long as your Android phone, car, and USB cable meet these requirements, you should be able to connect and play music directly from your Android device using the USB connection.

Enabling USB Audio on Your Android

In order to play music from your Android device through your car’s USB port, you first need to enable USB audio or USB media device mode on your Android. Here are the basic steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.

2. Navigate to the Storage or Battery section.

3. Look for an option to enable USB media device/audio modes. This may be called “USB controlled by” or “Enable USB audio routing.” On Samsung devices, this is located under Advanced Features.

4. Select the option to enable media device or audio modes. This will allow your Android device to send audio out through USB when connected.

If you don’t see these options, you may need to upgrade your version of Android. Most modern versions from Android 5.0 and above support USB audio routing. You can also try searching for “enable USB audio Android” for your specific device model.

Once enabled, your Android device will be able to route music playback through your car’s USB connection. Just make sure you are using a high quality USB cable for best results.

Connecting Your Android to Your Car

The first step is to physically connect your Android device to your car’s USB port. This will allow your car stereo to recognize your phone and access the music files stored on it.

Use a USB cable – often called a USB OTG (On-The-Go) cable – with a USB-A connector on one end and a micro-USB or USB-C connector on the other, depending on your Android phone’s charging port type. Plug the USB-A end into the USB port on your car’s dashboard or center console. Then plug the micro-USB or USB-C end into your phone’s charging port.

Some newer vehicles have USB ports specifically labeled for Android Auto or smartphone integration. Use these ports if available, as they are optimized for connecting phones. If not, use any standard USB port in your car.

According to CNET, you should see a USB connection notification pop up on your Android phone once successfully plugged into your car’s USB port.

Controlling Music Playback

Once your Android phone is properly connected to your car’s audio system via USB, you can control music playback using your car’s built-in media controls. Most modern cars have media playback buttons on the steering wheel or center console that allow you to play/pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, etc.

For example, if you have a car stereo from Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood, or other major brands, pressing the “mode” button on the car stereo should switch the audio source to USB/Android Auto which will enable media control from the steering wheel or touchscreen. From there, use the standard buttons to play/pause, skip to next/previous track, mute, and control volume (Source).

In addition, many cars now come with large touchscreen displays that provide additional options for music playback control when a phone is connected via USB. You can access playlists, albums, artists and more right from the car’s display screen. Touchscreen controls allow you to easily select music without handling your phone. Refer to your car display screen’s manual for instructions on controlling music playback (Source).

Lastly, voice commands can be a convenient hands-free way to control your music in the car. Many newer cars have integrated voice assistants or you can use your phone’s voice assistant via Bluetooth. Just press the voice command button and say something like “Play rock music” or “Play my driving playlist.” This allows you to access your music library and playlists without ever touching your phone.

Troubleshooting Issues

If you encounter problems getting your Android phone to play music in your car via USB, here are some common issues and solutions:

Music doesn’t play or starts and stops

This is likely a connection problem. First, check that the USB cable is securely plugged into both your phone and car. Try unplugging and reconnecting it. If that doesn’t work, try a different USB cable, as some are for charging only.

Also check the USB settings on your phone. Make sure USB audio and/or USB debugging is enabled in the developer options. Finally, check for obstructions in the car’s USB port that could be interfering with the connection.

Sound is distorted or too quiet

The volume on your phone may be low or conflicting with your car’s volume. Try adjusting the volume in your music app and/or car stereo.

Check the audio quality settings on your phone’s music app. Lower quality streaming can lead to distortion. Switch to a higher quality playback option if available.

Your car stereo may also have an EQ setting that is muffling certain frequencies. Adjust the EQ to reduce bass or treble until the sound is clear.

Playback controls aren’t working

If your car stereo buttons aren’t controlling playback, the issue may be compatibility between your phone and car stereo. Check if your car manufacturer supports USB audio control for your specific Android model.

Alternatively, try a different music app on your phone. Some have better integration and allow your car stereo to control playback.

Music App Recommendations

To get the best experience playing music from your Android device in your car, choose a music app designed for automotive use. Here are some top recommendations:

Google Play Music

Google Play Music works seamlessly with Android Auto, allowing you to access your library hands-free using your car’s dashboard interface. It has voice control for playback, playlists, and navigation. You can also download playlists for offline listening.

Spotify

Spotify is one of the most popular streaming services, with a huge music catalog. The mobile app is optimized for the car, with a driving mode that simplifies the interface. Spotify also works with Android Auto. Upgrade to Spotify Premium for ad-free listening.

Pandora

Pandora internet radio lets you listen to stations based on your favorite artists and songs. It works with Android Auto and has voice control capability. Pandora syncs stations across devices and learns your preferences over time.

Amazon Music

For Amazon Prime members, Amazon Music gives access to a library of 2 million songs. The mobile app features Car Mode for easy in-vehicle control. Amazon Music also integrates with Android Auto for listening on the go.

Focus on apps made to enhance the in-car listening experience. Avoid complex interfaces and prefer voice control for safer driving. With the right app, you can enjoy your Android music library seamlessly in your vehicle.

Limitations

There are important limitations to keep in mind when using your Android device to play music in the car, primarily related to driver distraction and safety.

Most modern cars have restrictions built into Android Auto and car software systems to prevent distracting activities while driving. According to Google’s Android Auto documentation, your ability to interact with apps and content on your Android device will be limited based on whether the car is in park, idling, or moving.

For example, while the car is in motion, you may only be able to control music playback through voice commands or hardware buttons on your steering wheel or console. Manual phone interaction is also heavily restricted. This is an important safety feature, but it can frustrate some users, as noted in this Android Auto review.

In most regions, it is illegal to manipulate your phone manually while driving, beyond tapping basic controls. Attempting to override your car software’s safety protocols may also violate telematics laws. Only interact with your Android device when safely parked, and avoid distractions that could impact your driving.

Conclusion

In summary, playing music from your Android device through your car’s USB input is a convenient and personalized way to enjoy your music library on the go. By following the simple steps of enabling USB audio on your device, connecting it properly, and using a quality music app, you can easily access playlists, podcasts, and more through your car’s sound system. Doing so allows you to customize your in-drive listening experience and access extensive libraries you may have built up on your phone or tablet. As long as your car stereo supports USB audio input, it’s a handy feature worth utilizing. Just be sure to mind safety and avoid distraction when queued up with your favorite tunes on the road.