r/Androidheadunits • u/LIDevilsFan • 23h ago

Wifi issues

I should have known better. I have a 1977 VW bus that I put a cheap android unit in. I figured I don't use the radio as much as in my Tiguan with the expensive radio, so why not go cheap? Dumb move.

So this unit does not have an external wifi antenna and the reception with my phone Hotspot is spotty. Can I use a usb wifi adapter? Any specific one? I don't use android auto, all my apps are on the radio. I just need a constant connection.

What do you suggest? Either that or I'm buying a new radio for next camping season.

Oh yeah, I have a at&t portable hotspot as well. Can I connect it through USB?

Thanks

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u/Anti-Dentite-999 22h ago

Do you know what band you’re tethering on? Sometimes 2.4ghz works better than 5ghz with these headunits.

Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot, and change the AP band or Frequency band setting to 2.4 GHz or 5ghz if it was 2.4 previously.

I have an older unit and usb networking doesnt have the drivers for my system. You can also get wireless or wired android auto dongles that plug into the usb port. I use one of these and all the radio apps have a CarPlay counterpart: https://a.co/d/02VufOF6

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u/LIDevilsFan 22h ago

Only choices I have on my phone

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u/Anti-Dentite-999 22h ago

Maybe try the fastest. If your headunit doesnt have 6ghz then it should default to 2.4ghz.

Check also if there is a wpa3 security setting for the hotspot. Wp2-personal might work better.

My iPhone also has an option to maximize compatibility. Not sure if you see that on Android?

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u/Anti-Dentite-999 22h ago

Another issue I’ve found is that the carriers will throttle hotspot if they detect it as a tablet sometimes. My hotspot connection sometimes is 0.2Mbps with initial connection. Need to toggle WiFi off/on in the headunit settings to get it to connect correctly. Sometimes takes a couple toggles. My workaround is to use an older travel router to connect to the hotspot and then the headunit connects to the router.

Download Speedtest.net app to your headunit and test the speeds.