Will TomTom Mobile app ever work with Android Auto?
Jay76
Posts: 6 [Apprentice Traveler]
I have been checking for an update to the TomTom Go Mobile app to work with Android Auto for almost two years now. Alas still no movement from TomTom to jump into the future of built in car navigation.
As such, I have been using Google Maps and Waze via Android Auto on the built-in dash screen. This is a shame, for years I paid and used TomTom as this is a superior navigation system. Until TomTom makes a deal and updates their app to work with Android Auto, I cannot bring myself to pay and or use TomTom. Until such time, I will keep using the automatic connection convenience of Google Maps and Waze via Android Auto.
I no longer hear people talk about TomTom but often hear people speak about Waze. I think the above is the reason why. TomTom, I hope you take note and act fast to keep up.
As such, I have been using Google Maps and Waze via Android Auto on the built-in dash screen. This is a shame, for years I paid and used TomTom as this is a superior navigation system. Until TomTom makes a deal and updates their app to work with Android Auto, I cannot bring myself to pay and or use TomTom. Until such time, I will keep using the automatic connection convenience of Google Maps and Waze via Android Auto.
I no longer hear people talk about TomTom but often hear people speak about Waze. I think the above is the reason why. TomTom, I hope you take note and act fast to keep up.
1
Answers
Superuser
When TT announced and released the IOS CarPlay version of the GO Navigation App they did include in the announcement that they were working on an Android version to be released later in the year. I assume this is probably what you are looking for and as yet nothing has been released.
Doug
Community Manager
Surely TomTom can alter or patch their owned coding to accommodate the Android Auto or Apple IOS CarPlay platforms.
Tech is moving one way for vehicles. I do not understand why, a great navigation system like TomTom with the GO Mobile app does not work or a plan to get it working is in place. In this fast-moving market, users jump ship and do not look back. What’s the old saying, ‘if you snooze you lose!’.
TomTom and all the other GPS apps are in the same boat.
You need to ask yourself why would Google let other GPS apps in??
This thing about Android Auto keeps going on and on.
You want to make a difference then go to Google and knock on their doors.
TomTom and other GPS apps have their hands tied.
If you would like to see TomTom as a compatible app for this platform you can voice your remarks over the Android Auto menu.
See info below:
Send feedback about Android Auto
We're always looking for ways to improve Android Auto and would love to hear from you. Tell us what you like, what you don't like, or about bugs you've found.
To send feedback about Android Auto:
1. On your phone, open the Android Auto app Android Auto.
2. Select select Menu .
3. Select Help & feedback and then Send feedback.
It is up to user's to get the ball rolling.
There has to be enough user's sending feed back to get anything to change at Google.....
After this thing can go a lot quicker.
How about the same reason Apple allows other GPS apps in their Car Play system and allowed the iOS version of TomTom Go already four months ago... Let's see - to stay ahead of the competition or at least offer a product of the same quality?
Does that mean that the rumors about TomTom Go for Android coming with a Google Auto compatible version some time during 2019 (or whatever is left of this year) are just that - rumors?
And that version 2.x of TomTom Go for Android that should correspond to the 2.x version of this app for the iOS platform is not under development?
Community Manager
Once we have news to share on this subject we will post it here.
Superuser
Could you explain the logic of your suggestion that Tomtom will not adopt Android Auto as it will affect their other devices when the IOS App works in CarPlay.
What Jurgen said was that they need support from Android to enable them to provide the facility.
Doug
Mod edit: Machine translated from Dutch
So for my case, I wanted to use TomTom through android auto, exactly replicating a standalone device. My new car had no where suitable to attach (I'm really against having them on the windscreen), yet had a lovely big screen. I also find the stand alone units tediously slow, and the two 5100 I own regularly freeze up. It had to be plug and play and not distract from driving. I wanted to use the car radio and not interested in any other android auto features, so the below may not work for you, although there is no reason this couldn't be adapted to work for your normal phone.
With this in mind, I decided a dedicated phone was the best approach. I got a second hand Sony Z3 Compact - cheap (can leave in the car without worrying about theft), good standby, charges fine over my cars 1A USB, runs new enough android and has enough power. In the UK, I've paired this with a 3 SIM that gives 200mb free data a month. This sits in the glovebox and I've routed a USB cable so it's hidden.
This isn't an idiots guide and assumes technical knowledge. If you have no knowledge, you'll need to google each step for a how to guide.
1. One rooted android phone - stock firmware is fine.
2. Install android auto, TomTom, Tasker
3. Install AA Phenotype patcher (enables apps to work with Android Auto) and AAMirror (mirrors phone screen). Both are on github). Using AA Phenotype patcher, patch AAMirror (this enables you to use it in Android Auto).
4. Set the settings for AAMirror, for me I had to force rotation 90 degrees, set immersive mode, do not request sound focus (i.e. car radio will play, only interrupted for TomTom instructions) and screen brightness to 0 to preserve battery.
On a basic level, this will let you run TomTom (Android Auto --> Apps --> AAMirror), but effectively all this is currently doing is mirroring your phone. The trick is using Tasker to auto launch TomTom and also shut down the phone into airplane mode. My battery lasts ~4 weeks in this mode. This works for my Hyundai, but other models may engage android auto differently (e.g. keep the connection live when the ignition key is out).
These are logic steps:
Car mode profile - %UIMODE = car (i.e. car is on, android auto active)
Tasks:
- shell command (input keyevent 224) - bring up the lock screen
- wait 2 seconds (phone can lag from deep sleep), (input touchscreen swipe 350 1195 350 300) - swipe the unlock icon
- Input text <pin code>
- Turn airplane mode off, set location mode to high accuracy, turn wifi on
- Launch app "GO" (open tom tom)
Car off mode profile - %UIMODE != car
Tasks:
- Wait 20 minutes (quick pop to the shop, fill with petrol etc, I don't want TomTom to shut down and loose the route when I turn the car off immediately).
- If %UIMODE != Car, then
-- Kill App "GO"
-- Turn on airplane mode, turn wifi off, set battery saving mode, turn on staminamode (for sony phone)
-- Turn off screen, lock phone.
If you wish to go futher, I use AFWall+ to block internet access to every app but GPS & TomTom. This prevents a Google update breaking things, keep my 200mb free data for TomTom traffic, etc. As mentioned at the start, the aim is to replicate a stand-alone unit, but let me use the car interface to manage.
You'll note Tasker unlocks my phone when connected to android auto. This will likely be very device specific and this is obviously a seurity risk (anyone could access the phone by connecting to android auto), so I'd recommend using a different google account.
This is on the new app, but the old one works fine too.
Superusers
No chance,
Buuuut check out the android news, Google is finally opening up android auto to other navigation apps. Would be good to get an update from TT on when they hope to implement this by.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2020/08/android-for-cars.html?m=1
https://www.neowin.net/news/android-auto-will-soon-support-more-navigation-and-digital-parking-apps
Superusers
-- Teal'c