How to stop auto playing music in car Bluetooth from Android?

When connecting an Android phone to a car’s Bluetooth system, many users experience an issue where music or media starts auto-playing from apps unintentionally. This can be frustrating and distracting, especially if you were planning to use Bluetooth for hands-free calling only. While car infotainment systems have become more advanced with seamless Bluetooth connectivity, problems still arise on certain Android device and car combinations.

According to research, Bluetooth adoption in vehicles is rapidly increasing, with 75% of all cars expected to have Bluetooth connectivity by 2024. As this growth continues, ensuring a smooth Android and in-car Bluetooth experience is important.

This guide will outline potential solutions and settings to disable auto-play when pairing your Android device to your car’s Bluetooth system. Troubleshooting steps will cover options in both the Android device settings as well as your car’s infotainment system. The goal is stop music and media from unexpectedly playing so you can use Bluetooth hands-free functionality without unwanted audio disruptions from your phone.

Check Bluetooth Settings on Android

The first step is to open the Bluetooth settings on your Android device. You can do this by going to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth [1].

In the Bluetooth settings, look for a “Media audio” or “Media volume” option. This controls whether Android uses Absolute Volume over Bluetooth, which can cause problems with volume control in some cars. If this option is enabled, toggle it off.

Disabling the media audio option in Bluetooth settings may stop Bluetooth from automatically playing music when connecting to your car. It hands back volume control to the car’s system instead. If music still auto-plays after disabling this, or volume is inconsistent, try some other fixes covered below.

Disable Bluetooth Media Audio in Developers Settings

You can disable media audio over Bluetooth in Android’s developer settings. Here are the steps:

1. Open Developers settings on your Android device. To access developers settings, go to Settings > System > About Phone. Then tap “Build number” 7 times.
2. In Developers settings, find the option called “Disable Bluetooth AVRCP absolute volume” under Networking settings.
3. Toggle the switch to enable this option. This will disable media audio over Bluetooth AVRCP and prevent music from auto playing.

As noted in this Reddit thread, changing the AVRCP version in developers settings can prevent unwanted auto playing of music over Bluetooth. Disabling absolute volume gives you more control over media playback.

Use a Third Party App

There are third party apps like AutoSilent that can automatically pause media playback when your Android device connects to your car’s Bluetooth.

AutoSilent has a setting to “Pause media on Bluetooth connect” which will stop any music or audio that is playing when your phone pairs with your car stereo over Bluetooth. This can prevent music or podcasts from autoplaying loudly and unexpectedly when you turn on your car.

Other apps like DriveMode offer similar functionality to automatically pause, mute, or silence media when a Bluetooth device is connected. These apps run in the background and require no input once properly configured.

The advantage of using a dedicated third party app is that you don’t have to constantly dig into settings to disable media auto play every time. The app handles it automatically so you never have to hear unexpected audio playing from your phone through the car stereo.

Clear Bluetooth Cache

Clearing the Bluetooth cache on your Android device can reset any auto-play settings that may have been saved, including for music playback over Bluetooth. According to this source, you can clear the Bluetooth cache by going to Settings, selecting “Apps”, displaying system apps, finding Bluetooth in the list, selecting Storage, and then tapping Clear Cache.

This forces the Bluetooth connection to be reset, which may clear any problematic auto-play settings that were causing music to start automatically. It’s worth trying if simpler troubleshooting steps don’t work. Just keep in mind it will make you re-pair Bluetooth devices and set permissions again. But that process could fix the auto-playing music issue.

Disconnect and Re-Pair Device

One solution to stop auto playing music from your Android phone to your car stereo over Bluetooth is to unpair the devices and then re-pair them. Here is how to try this fix:

1. On your Android phone, go to Bluetooth settings and select the option to forget or unpair the car stereo, such as “Forget This Device”. This will disconnect and remove any previous pairing information between your phone and car stereo system. According to Verizon, you can unpair Bluetooth devices from the Settings app.
2. Now go to your car’s Bluetooth settings menu, and select the option to delete or unpair devices. Remove your phone from the list of paired devices.
3. Once both device pairings have been removed, turn the Bluetooth off on both devices and back on again.
4. Re-pair the phone and car stereo as new Bluetooth devices following your owner’s manuals. You may need to enter a pairing code or confirm the devices.
5. Check if the auto music playback issue has stopped after the re-pair. If your Android device still automatically starts playing music in your car Bluetooth after this process, there may be an additional app or system setting that needs adjustment.

Sony recommends deleting Bluetooth device information when troubleshooting connectivity issues. Re-pairing the phone and car system can refresh the relationship and potentially fix bugs related to automatic media playback.

Update Android & Car Software

One way to stop auto playing music is by updating your Android OS and car software or firmware to the latest versions. Newer versions of Android and car software often include bug fixes and optimizations that could resolve auto playing music issues.

On your Android device, open Settings and go to System > System update to check for any available OS updates. Install the latest Android version on your phone or tablet to get the newest features and fixes.1

You’ll also want to check your car manufacturer’s website to see if any firmware updates are available for your vehicle’s infotainment system. Keeping the car software up to date can improve Bluetooth connectivity and audio issues. Consult your owner’s manual on how to install updates to the car’s firmware.2

Updating both devices to current software ensures maximum compatibility between your Android phone and car system. This will provide the best chance to stop unwanted auto playing from occurring when connecting your devices via Bluetooth.

Reset Network Settings

Resetting your network settings on Android is a simple troubleshooting step that can help repair and reconnect Bluetooth when auto playing music in your car. This essentially clears out all network settings and returns them to factory default, which often resolves Bluetooth and connectivity issues.

To reset network settings on Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap System.
3. Select Advanced.
4. Tap Reset Options.
5. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.
6. Tap Reset Settings.
7. Confirm by tapping Reset Settings again.

This will reset all network settings, disconnect Bluetooth devices, and delete all Wi-Fi networks and passwords. You’ll have to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and set up Bluetooth devices again after the reset.

Resetting network settings essentially gives your phone a fresh start for wireless connections. It clears out any problematic settings that may be causing connectivity issues with the car’s Bluetooth.

Once the reset is complete, try pairing your phone to your car’s Bluetooth again. In most cases, this resolves any auto playing music issues.

If the problem persists after resetting network settings, you may need to also update the software on your Android phone or car stereo.

Try a Different Music App

The issue of auto playing music when connecting your Android phone to your car’s Bluetooth may be specific to the music app you’re using. Try testing out a few different highly-rated Android music apps to see if one avoids triggering the auto play behavior.

Some top options to try include Spotify, AIMP, and the native Google Play Music app. See if connecting your phone to Bluetooth with these apps opens them but doesn’t immediately start playing music.

If you find an app that doesn’t auto play, you may want to make it your primary music player when driving with Bluetooth, at least as a workaround to the issue.

Conclusion

In summary, there are several effective ways to stop auto playing music through car Bluetooth when connecting from an Android device. The most effective solutions seem to be disabling Bluetooth Media Audio in Developer Settings or using a third party app like AutoSilent. Clearing the Bluetooth cache, disconnecting and re-pairing the device, and updating the Android OS and car software may also help in some cases. Resetting network settings and trying a different music app are other options to troubleshoot the issue.

The simplest approaches are adjusting the Bluetooth settings within Android and disabling media audio there. For users comfortable with Developer options, turning off Bluetooth Media Audio is a direct way to prevent media from auto playing. Apps like AutoSilent provide customizable controls too without system level changes.

In recalcitrant cases, clearing Bluetooth caches, re-pairing devices, software updates, and switching music apps can resolve any conflicts. But for most users, Android’s Bluetooth settings or an app will likely offer an easy solution to stop the auto playing music through car Bluetooth.