Robert Triggs / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google’s January software update for its Pixel phones has gone live.
- Reports are coming in suggesting that the recent update has broken auto Bluetooth pairing.
- The issue appears to be affecting a few auto brands including Kia, Hyundai, Infinity, Honda, and more.
Google has pushed out its latest software update for the Pixel 4a and newer Pixel models. But you may want to wait before installing it. Reports are coming in claiming that the update has broken auto Bluetooth pairing.
Two days ago, Google released its January monthly software update for select Pixel phones. Google says the update fixes a number of security concerns plus adds “support for static spatial audio, which will provide surround sound for any connected headset.”
Sometime after installing the new update on his Pixel 6 Pro, Anthony Eales noticed that the Bluetooth in his Kia Cerato was no longer working. Eventually resorting to using an FM Bluetooth transmitter instead.
Well it seems the @Google Pixel January 2023 security update for my Google Pixel 6 Pro borked my Bluetooth connection to my @kiaaustralia Cerato 2015 model. I had to bust out a FM Bluetooth transmitter into my cigarette lighter port. Hopefully the February update fixed things. 🚗
After tweeting and creating a Reddit post about the issue, a number of other Pixel owners started to chime in claiming to have experienced the same issue.
In response to Eales’s tweet, the Made by Google team tweeted back asking if Eales had tried its troubleshooting steps.
We certainly understand how important this must be for you. Just to confirm, have you tried the troubleshooting steps in this guide? https://t.co/QaVtlZFtWx Let us know. ^Tina
According to Eales, none of the troubleshooting steps on Google’s side seemed to work. Even trying to go into the developer options didn’t have any effect.
The bug appears to be affecting not just Kia vehicles, but a variety of car brands. As of this moment, there have been reports of the issue affecting Hyundai, Toyota, Infiniti, Honda, Volvo, Subaru, and Kia vehicles.
At the time of this writing, Google has yet to announce a fix for this issue.
