Many users have reported encountering the Android Auto Communication Error 8 while using the Android Auto App. This error may occur when you fail to update your Android Auto app and Google Play Services app in due time.

It could also be a result of incorrect date and time settings on your devices. This error can ruin your experience while using the Android Auto app. However, no matter the cause of this error, you can fix it. In this article, I will be giving you some troubleshooting tips to fix this error.

What is Android Auto Communication Error 8?

Android auto communication error 8 occurs when you connect your mobile to the car’s head-up unit.  It can also happen when you bring up Google Maps after connecting successfully. 

The error message reads; “Android Auto encountered an error Communication error 8 – Your car’s software didn’t pass the android Auto security checks. Make sure the car’s date and time are set correctly, and that Google play services have been updated.”

Once this error message pops up on your screen, you need to look for a solution immediately.

What Causes This Android Auto Communication Error 8

The Android Auto Communication Error 8 is usually caused by the following:

Broken connecting cable
Incorrect date and time settings
Outdated Android Auto app
Outdated Google play services app
Outdated Google play store

Nonetheless, once you see this error on your screen, you need to fix it with the steps I detailed within the next section.

How to Fix Error 8

You can fix the Android communication error 8 by following the detailed steps below.

Solution 1: Change the Connecting Cable

If the cable connecting your car unit and your device is damaged, it can cause this communication error. When this happens, you can use a different cable to solve the problem by following the steps below.

Step 1: Get a new cable and use it to connect the devices. For instance, if you are using OEM cable, try to use the original cable that came with the phone’s charger.
Step 2: Launch the Android Auto and check if you have solved the problem.

If the problem persists, move down to the next potential solution below.

Solution 2: Changing the Date and Time Settings

If the car’s head-up unit or mobile device’s date and time settings are not correct, you will encounter a communication error. In this scenario, you should change the date and time settings to solve the problem by following the steps below.

Step 1: Open Settings on your phone.
Step 2: Tap on Date and Time settings.
Step 3: Check if the date and time are correct. 
Step 4: On the car’s unit, adjust the date and time to match your device.
Step 5: If your car’s unit is using Sync time, disable it. If it is disabled, enable it.
Step 6: Disconnect your car’s battery for 30 minutes.
Step 7: Ensure the car’s unit is using the same time zone as your mobile phone.
Step 8: Launch the Android Auto and check if you have solved the problem.

Solution 3: Updating the Android Auto App

When your Android Auto app is outdated, you are likely to encounter this communication error. If this happens, you need to uninstall the older version and reinstall the latest version to solve it. Just follow these few steps:

Step 1: Open Settings on your phone.
Step 2: Tap on Applications, find and tap on Android Auto.
Step 3: Tap Storage.
Step 4:  Click Clear Cache and Clear data from the front window.
Step 5: Tap on the back button, and in the Android Auto setting window, tap on Force Stop.
Step 6: Tap on Uninstall and confirm to uninstall the app.
Step 7: Power off your phone and wait for 60 seconds before restarting it.
Step 8: Launch Google Play and type “Android Auto” in the search bar.
Step 9: Tap on Android Auto, and Install.
Step 10: Launch the Android Auto app and pair it with your car’s head unit to check if you have solved it.

Solution 4: Updating Google Play Services App

When your Google play services app is outdated, you are likely to encounter this communication error. When this happens, updating these services may solve the problem. But you cannot update these services as a regular Android app. The instructions may vary depending on the model of your device. Follow the steps below to update Google play services.

Step 1: Open the Settings of your phone and tap on Applications.
Step 2: Then, find and click on Google Play Services.
Step 3: Tap on Storage and click Clear cache.
Step 4: Now, select Manage Space and then click Clear All Data.
Step 5: Launch the Chrome browser on your phone. Type “Google Play Services” In the search bar.
Step 6: Now, tap on three vertical dots at the top right corner of the window. Tap on the Checkbox of Desktop Site.
Step 7: Now tap on the search result shown from Google Play.
Step 8: A Google Play Store Window will show up with two Google Play Services options to deactivate or update. If any is update available, then tap Update.
Step 9: If there is no update available, tap on Deactivate. Now, tap on Activate again. This operation will refresh the entire module.
Step 10: Then launch Android Auto and check if it is working fine.

Solution 5: Update Google Play Store

When your Google play store is outdated, you are likely to encounter this communication error. When this happens, updating the Google play store may solve the problem. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Play Store app and open its menu and click on Settings.
Step 2: Then, scroll down till the end and tap on Play Store Version.
Step 3: If an update available, update the Play Store. If not, Google Play Store is up to date pop up will show.
Step 4: Once you are done updating the Play Store, launch Android Auto, and see if it is clear of the error. Ensure that you restart your PC after updating it.

Conclusion

Android Auto Communication Error 8 is a common error encountered by many users of the Android Auto App. This error is not difficult to fix. Sometimes you would have to update the Google play store to fix it. In this article, I have provided you with the solutions to help you fix it. Now it’s your turn to perform these solutions and tackle this error. You may want to check out other android error codes. 

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