How do I play music from my Android to my Kenwood?
In this article, we will walk through how to play music from an Android device to a Kenwood car stereo system wirelessly over Bluetooth. With the popularity of streaming music services, many people want to listen to music, playlists, and podcasts from their smartphone in their vehicle. There are a few different ways to get the audio from your Android phone into your car stereo, including auxiliary cables, USB connections, or connecting wirelessly via Bluetooth.
Bluetooth is often the most convenient option, since it allows you to stream music wirelessly without any cables to connect. We’ll cover how to pair your Android device with your Kenwood head unit over Bluetooth and start streaming your music. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
To connect your Android device to your Kenwood stereo system, you will need the following:
- An Android smartphone or tablet – This is the device you will use to play the music. Most Android devices from the past decade have Bluetooth connectivity. Be sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Android (see the next section).
- A Kenwood stereo system with Bluetooth capabilities – Most Kenwood car audio receivers produced in recent years have integrated Bluetooth. This allows you to wirelessly stream content from your phone. Models like the KDC-BT782HD, KDC-BT382U, and KDC-BT35 all offer Bluetooth connectivity.
- Potentially an auxiliary cable or USB cable – If for some reason you are unable to connect via Bluetooth, you can use a physical connection instead. Most Kenwood units come equipped with either an Aux input or USB input that will allow you to play audio.
The key requirements are having a compatible Android device and Kenwood stereo. As long as both have Bluetooth, you should be able to establish a wireless audio connection. With the proper equipment in place, you can move on to connecting the devices.
Enable Bluetooth on the Android Device
To connect your Android device to the Kenwood stereo via Bluetooth, you’ll first need to turn on Bluetooth on your Android phone or tablet. Here are the steps:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device. This is usually done by pulling down the notification shade and tapping the gear icon, or finding the Settings app in your list of installed apps.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Connections” or “Network & internet.”
3. Tap on Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is off, turn it on by toggling the switch next to Bluetooth to the “on” position. The switch will turn blue when Bluetooth is enabled.
4. Make sure your Android device is set to be discoverable to other Bluetooth devices. Tap on the cog icon next to your device’s name at the top of the Bluetooth settings screen. Check the box for “Make this device discoverable” if it is not already checked. This allows the Kenwood stereo to find your Android device.
5. You can now pair your Android phone or tablet with the Kenwood by selecting your car stereo’s name from the “Available devices” list in the Bluetooth menu. Accept the pairing request on both your Android and the Kenwood.
Once paired, your Android device will stay connected to your Kenwood stereo via Bluetooth automatically whenever you are in range. You are now ready to stream music and audio from your Android!
Enable Bluetooth on the Kenwood
To enable Bluetooth on your Kenwood car stereo, you’ll first need to access the Bluetooth menu. As per the Kenwood manuals, the process may vary across models but generally involves:
- Pressing the [Ú] button on your Kenwood stereo to bring up the main menu
- Navigating to the “SETTINGS” menu and selecting “PAIRING” (as per the Kenwood DPX500BT/DPX300U manual)
- Selecting Bluetooth pairing or connect mode – this enables other devices to find and connect to your Kenwood
If you’re having trouble locating the Bluetooth menu, consulting your Kenwood manual or quick start guide can help explain the specific menu options for your model. With Bluetooth activated on your stereo, you’ll then be ready to connect your Android device.
Connect the Android to the Kenwood
To connect your Android device to your Kenwood car stereo via Bluetooth, follow these steps:
On your Android device:
- Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth.
- Ensure Bluetooth is turned on. Your device will start scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices.
- In the list of available devices, select your Kenwood car stereo. The name may vary depending on the model. Common names include “Kenwood Audio,” “Kenwood Car Audio,” etc.
- You may need to enter a pairing code or confirm the connection on both devices. Refer to your stereo’s manual for specific instructions.
Once successfully paired and connected, you’ll be able to stream audio over Bluetooth from your Android device to the Kenwood stereo. Play a song on your Android and ensure the audio plays through your car speakers to confirm the connection.
If the devices don’t connect, refer to the troubleshooting tips section below.
Stream Music from the Android
Once your Android device and Kenwood stereo are connected over Bluetooth, you can easily stream music from your phone to your car speakers:
- Open one of your preferred Android music apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or another streaming service.
- Play a song or begin a playlist.
- The audio should come out over the Kenwood stereo speakers or head unit rather than your phone’s speakers. You may have to set the audio output on your phone to Bluetooth, but this generally happens automatically when connected.
- Adjust the volume and playback controls either from your Android device or using the volume knob and playback buttons on the Kenwood system.
Streaming music from your phone over Bluetooth provides a convenient hands-free listening experience while driving, with your favorite music and audio apps now accessible on your vehicle’s sound system.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are having issues getting your Android device to connect or stream music to your Kenwood system, there are some troubleshooting tips you can try:
Try reenabling Bluetooth on both your Android device and your Kenwood system:
- On your Android, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth off and back on
- On your Kenwood system, refer to the owner’s manual on how to toggle Bluetooth off and on
Also make sure both devices have Bluetooth pairing/discovery mode enabled. Putting your Kenwood system into pairing mode allows your Android device to find it and connect. For specific steps, reference your Kenwood manual.
Try moving the devices closer together to rule out distance and interference issues. Though Bluetooth has a typical range around 30 feet, certain conditions can reduce this. Place the Android and Kenwood side by side and try connecting.
If other devices like microwaves, cordless phones, or wireless speakers are too close, they can produce interference. Turn off nearby electronics during the pairing process or move the car outside.
Consult your owner manuals or device manufacturers for additional troubleshooting tips. They may have specific guidance:
Using Alternate Connections
If you are unable to connect your Android device to your Kenwood stereo via Bluetooth, there are a couple wired connection options you can try:
Auxiliary Cable
You can connect your Android device to your Kenwood stereo using a 3.5mm auxiliary cable. Simply plug one end of the aux cable into your Android’s headphone jack and plug the other end into the “AUX” input on your Kenwood stereo. This will allow you to play audio from your Android through your car speakers.
The benefit of using an aux cable is that it provides a simple, direct wired connection. The downside is that you will lose some convenience – your music playback won’t be controllable from the stereo and you’ll need to operate it directly from your phone instead.
USB Cable
Many Kenwood stereos have a USB input that will allow you to connect your Android device. This essentially turns your stereo into a USB drive that can access files stored on your phone. To do this:
- Connect your phone to your stereo’s USB port using a USB cable
- Access the USB menu on your Kenwood stereo
- Navigate to the folder on your Android device containing your audio files
- Select and play music as you normally would
The benefit of USB is that you’ll be able to control playback directly from the stereo. The downside is that setup can be a bit more complex compared to Bluetooth or auxiliary.
Overall, both wired connection methods provide reliable audio quality. However, Bluetooth delivers the most seamless, hands-free experience if you’re able to get it working properly.
Final Review
Connecting your Android device to your Kenwood car stereo system via Bluetooth only takes a few simple steps. To recap, you just need to enable Bluetooth on both your Android device and your Kenwood head unit, connect and pair the devices, and then you can start streaming music wirelessly.
Once set up, enjoying your favorite tunes from Spotify, Pandora, and other Android music apps through your car speakers is seamless. The sound quality is excellent over Bluetooth given its wireless and hands-free nature.
If you have any further questions on the streaming process or are running into any hiccups, please let us know in the comments section below. We’re happy to help get the music playing smoothly from your phone through the Kenwood stereo!
Conclusion
Streaming music wirelessly from your Android phone to your Kenwood car audio system is incredibly useful, allowing you to bring your digital playlists with you wherever you drive. As outlined in this guide, connecting your devices with Bluetooth offers crisp wireless audio with a range of up to 30 feet from your car.
Key benefits include playing music from apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube without draining your phone’s battery life. Bluetooth also helps save cellular data compared to streaming over mobile networks for long trips. Other perks involve hands-free calling and voice commands thanks to built-in microphones.
We hope this step-by-step tutorial helped you successfully connect your Android device to your Kenwood system. Please share this guide if you found it useful so others can enjoy wireless music streaming in their cars as well. For further help connecting other devices or troubleshooting issues, check out these additional resources: