Display freezes - new smartphone

[andyn2001]

I've just swapped from an Apple 12 to an Android 13 smartphone and as soon as I connect with a USB cable the Multimedia display freezes. I can't connect my new phone, and I need the SAt Nav from it.

The van is only 6 years old, surely the system cannot be useless already? Is there a way to update it? I cannot find anything in the manual. I guess it needs a firmware upgrade or something, but how?

Any ideas?

[Sol]

Android screen mirroring is not supported on the multimedia display unit. 

Apple works for some I believe, but I know for sure that Android support was dropped a few years ago (I've always had an Android phone and have owned several Berlingos over the last 12 years, also used Berlingo work vans).

There is no Citroen head-unit update to resolve that.

I used a phone holder stuck to the windscreen, the phone in landscape mode and Google maps on the phone with the sound on the Aux input with a cable (or Bluetooth)

[andyn2001]

Android screen mirroring is not supported on the multimedia display unit. 

Apple works for some I believe, but I know for sure that Android support was dropped a few years ago (I've always had an Android phone and have owned several Berlingos over the last 12 years, also used Berlingo work vans).

There is no Citroen head-unit update to resolve that.

I used a phone holder stuck to the windscreen, the phone in landscape mode and Google maps on the phone with the sound on the Aux input with a cable (or Bluetooth)

that's really poor, a 6 year old van and I can't use the multimedia functions! Very bad of Citroen.

[Sol]

I think they couldn't keep up with the rate of Android version updates so they stopped supporting that functionality. Since Android is Google / Open-Source it would take a full time team of developers releasing constant updates to the head unit firmware to keep up. It's not practical.

Especially in a unit with a commercial life span of 10 years and no built in internet connectivity unlike a phone, so updates can't be pushed out over the air.

One update on a Citroen SMEG head unit can take 45 minutes or so to install and the engine needs to be running. Could take longer for some and needs to be installed from a USB stick. 

The updates are out there but still don't support Android mirroring.

[andyn2001]

I think they couldn't keep up with the rate of Android version updates so they stopped supporting that functionality. Since Android is Google / Open-Source it would take a full time team of developers releasing constant updates to the head unit firmware to keep up. It's not practical.

Especially in a unit with a commercial life span of 10 years and no built in internet connectivity unlike a phone, so updates can't be pushed out over the air.

One update on a Citroen SMEG head unit can take 45 minutes or so to install and the engine needs to be running. Could take longer for some and needs to be installed from a USB stick. 

The updates are out there but still don't support Android mirroring.

But they keep up with Apple......just think it's bad, I have a modern van with a a great display, that I can't use. I think it's time for me to email the dealer and let them know what I think!! They shouldn't put these things in if they only
 have a few years shelf life.

[Sol]

You can use it, just not the way you want to. It does all that it was made to do and Apple have not changed the underlying code in a way that makes it incompatible I guess.

Mirroring is not a core feature and you won't find a dealer who feels responsible for a manufacturer fitting a head unit display 6 years ago that can't communicate with the latest version of Android.

Can we run the latest Windows 10 apps on Windows 7, which was new less than 10 years ago? Nope.

Can you play a PS5 game on a PS4...nope.

Tech has to evolve and not everything can be backwards compatible. It's the Android phone which has moved on, and the 6 year old Citroen stereo which has not changed. I understand your frustration but it's the way of the world especially in tech terms.

[andyn2001]

I can't even connect the phone to charge it, it freezes the multimedia system, really poor from Citroen

[Sol]

That socket is for USB sticks, it's not for charging phones, that's why it freezes, as your phone doesn't respond like a media storage device to the head unit.

Put a USB charger in the 12V socket and it will charge fine. That USB socket is only worth 300mA and would take a year to charge a Samsung S20 for example.

An iPod can behave as if it was a USB stick when plugged in, that is also another valid use of the socket. It's in the handbook. I've attached a copy, hope this helps. Always disappointing when you get a new vehicle and the functions aren't what you expected. We've all been there.

[andyn2001]

The USB socket is most definitely for connecting phones, the manual says so and my iPhone was fine!

[Sol]

I did say that iPhones work, but Android does not. It used to until Citroen dropped support for Android a few years back.

I don't know how many different ways I can say it, and I know you aren't happy with it, but here goes:

Using the USB socket....IPHONES WORK, ANDROID DOESN'T! And it's NOT FOR CHARGING PHONES, ITS A MEDIA PLAYER SOCKET.