How to connect your phone to the radio via Bluetooth, AUX and USB

As we know, inexpensive car radios have a limited number of functions. You can expand their capabilities by connecting your smartphone using one of the available methods using AUX, Bluetooth or USB. New generation phones are equipped with modern devices that provide special options for connected equipment. Automakers, in turn, create models that can function in integration with phones, but in order to use useful functions, you need to be able to correctly connect and configure the device.

What is Bluetooth, AUX and USB

Budget car radios have a limited list of functions.
Usually they do not have special connectors that allow you to connect an external device and listen to music. To remedy the situation, you can purchase an adapter. What are Bluetooth, AUX and USB. At their core, these are technologies created to transfer data from one device to another.

Bluetooth is different in that it allows you to connect gadgets by wirelessly transmitting information.

Each method of transferring data from a phone to a car radio has its own technological features.

How to start music after connecting

The process of connecting music using the example of a Nissan X-Trail car radio:

To begin with, it is recommended to clear the memory of your mobile device and car radio from previously made Bluetooth connections. To do this, you need to erase all previous wireless connections on your mobile device;
Next, on the car radio, you need to press the “MENU” key and find the inscription “PHONE SETUP” on the panel, then the user must press the central button on “ENTER”;
Now you need to turn the tuning wheel to the right, setting the mode to DEL “PHONE” and also press the “ENTER” button;
The user must detect the previously made connection, which is usually displayed as the name of the smartphone model, and press the “ENTER” button again;
Next, you will need to activate the smartphone search on the car radio. To do this, you will need to press the “MENU” button again, scroll the wheel to the inscription “PHONE SETUP” and then scroll the wheel again until the inscription “PAIR PHONE”. Then you need to press the “ENTER” button;
The message “READY TO PAIR” should appear on the display, after which the user must activate the Bluetooth module on the mobile device;
As soon as synchronization with the car player is completed, the inscription “MY CAR” will be displayed on the smartphone, and the name of the smartphone will be displayed in the radio;
To confirm synchronization, you will need to enter a code that will be displayed on the car radio display;
Then the message “CONNECT OK” will appear on the player’s display, which will indicate that the connection between the devices was successful.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that during a call to a smartphone, the music will stop and the call sound will come from the speakers. After the driver presses the handset key, the connection will begin. During a call, the sound will come from the car speakers.

How to listen to music in the car via Bluetooth

The most profitable option for connecting a smartphone to a car radio via Bluetooth. The technology allows you to use the phone's options in full. The system allows you to synchronize the operation of the radio and audio transmitter.

The connection method is also advantageous because while using the phone, you can communicate remotely without using your hands. To make the connection, you can use the instructions from the car radio.

Such a device always has a manual in Russian, where all the steps are described in detail with pictures:

The required mode for receiving information is switched on on the sound-reproducing device;
Select Bluetooth from the phone menu;
A list of available devices appears on the screen, the one you need is selected from the list, and the connection is made.

One glance at the phone screen is enough to control the correct functioning of the connection. The Bluetooth icon should glow white or blue. If there is no connection, it remains gray.

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This method of transmitting information is advantageous because there are no wires. Several devices can connect to one phone and receive data at once.

The only disadvantage of Bluetooth transmission is that it quickly drains the phone's battery. After a short period of time it will have to be recharged; if there is no car charger in the car, the driver risks being left without communication.

Video connection instructions

How to properly connect your phone via Bluetooth in this video:

Features of standard audio systems

All car manufacturers currently equip their models with standard audio systems, or at least provide audio preparation, giving the car owner the choice of installing a radio.

And it seems that everything is simple - you installed the necessary equipment on the car, if it did not come with the car, and you enjoy the music.

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But this hides one problem - technology is constantly improving, music carriers are changing.

For example, just 15 years ago, radio tape recorders that read CDs were the most modern, but now they are hopelessly outdated and have given way to devices capable of reading music files from various types of memory cards and other media, one of which is a mobile phone or smartphone.

And if the car radio was purchased separately and installed independently, then you can periodically change it to a more modern model that can read music from different media, but this will not work with standard audio systems.

But you always have the opportunity to connect the same smartphone or another media file carrier and enjoy your favorite music.

We'll talk about this next.

Connecting a smartphone using AUX

This type of connection allows you to use the car radio as an amplifier, while the music is played back by the phone.

Audio information can be obtained:

From the Internet online;
On the radio;
From recorded and saved files.

To make the connection, you only need an AUX adapter with the appropriate connector.

This type of connection between the telephone and the car radio is not beneficial:

The energy reserve on your smartphone quickly disappears;
The phone cannot be recharged while playing music via the AUX connection;
Additional connected wires in the car create inconvenience.

Advantages of AUX connection:

Does not require complex settings, universal;
The selection of musical compositions is made from a mobile device;
The ability to create a playlist to your own taste;
Ease of Management;
The ability to organize a speakerphone through which everyone present in the car can communicate;
Works on the simplest devices.

During a call on the phone, the transfer of music to the radio stops. Some consider this an inconvenience, while others consider it a plus, since loud sounds do not interfere with hearing the interlocutor.

Video instructions for connecting two devices

This video describes in detail how to connect two devices to listen to audio materials:

Open the Bluetooth section and try to remove your car from its settings

This method is quite common, since very often we have to resort to removing devices from the Bluetooth list of our mobile phone, in order to thus reboot its functionality and repeat the connection again. Perhaps the problem lies in the device being overloaded or the connection being poorly connected; this method helps to reboot the system and troubleshoot problems.

After removing our car from the Bluetooth settings, we must repeat the pairing of the devices and try to find a new signal, most likely this time the connection will be more stable, this is similar to interference and problems that happen to a mobile phone, and very often we just need to reboot it to update the work system. It is believed that this method works most effectively and is what users of Bluetooth devices often resort to. To test this method, you should use the following instructions:

Pairing your phone and radio via USB

The USB adapter is a universal tool; it can be used to connect various types of devices. To transfer audio from a phone to a car radio, certain connectors (sockets) are required through which the adapter is connected.

The USB connection allows you to control the phone through the radio and in the opposite direction.

While data is being transferred to the playback device, all other mobile phone applications remain available and can be used.

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To connect via an adapter, you do not need to perform complex manipulations or additional settings. Devices begin to “see” and perceive each other automatically. Some models ask the administrator for access permission, then no difficulties arise during operation.

The positive aspects of using a USB connection to connect a phone:

The phone's battery does not drain as quickly as when connected via Bluetooth.
The mobile phone requires recharging less often, since while transmitting information to the radio through the adapter, its battery is simultaneously recharged.
The phone can be controlled through the radio screen, and the playback device through a mobile phone.
During the transfer of information, all other applications and functions of the phone remain available and can be used. This is especially valuable when you need to make a call or use the navigator in your smartphone.

There are not many disadvantages to this method:

A constantly connected and hanging wire can get in the way;
Old radios do not see “audio files” in new phone models or cannot play them.

Video manual for connecting devices

When the user does not understand exactly how and into which socket the USB cable should be connected, they should study the manual, which clearly describes all the actions that need to be performed.

The video instructions describe how to connect your phone to the car radio:

How to connect your phone to a cassette player

Considering that for almost 1000 rubles you can buy a radio tape recorder with many modern functions, the age of cassette tape recorders is coming to an end. They are no longer produced, and those that exist are living out their life. But you can connect any, even the most modern, smartphone to them.

This is how the adapter from mini jack to audio cassette works

For this purpose, special adapters are sold on AliExpress. It is inserted into the cassette socket, and a wire with a mini jack at the end runs to it. This wire connects to the smartphone, from which you will need to play music. A special head in the “cassette” will deceive the magnetic receiver in the radio and you will hear the music. I have not used this method, but I assume that the quality loss will be simply hellish. If you have had experience with something similar, write in our Telegram chat.

Buy an adapter for a cassette recorder

What problems can you encounter?

Inexpensive car radios are rarely equipped with the devices necessary to connect to a telephone. Some models can be equipped with an adapter that allows you to receive data transmitted from your phone.

On the subject: What is a tachograph and why is it needed in a car

When transmitting data to the car radio via Bluetooth, AUX, the phone battery drains quickly. After a short period of time it will have to be recharged.

What can be concluded? Connecting a phone to a radio is possible in three available ways, however, despite the simplicity of this process, not every user is able to connect two devices without watching video materials and studying instructions.

Possibilities

Using Android Auto and connecting a mobile device to the car radio provides a number of possibilities. Let's highlight the main ones:

Voice control using Google Assistance - issuing commands to make a call, send messages, search for a place of interest, etc.
Navigation and access to many maps.
Ability to communicate with friends using supported applications.
Entertainment - watching videos, listening to music, etc.

If you connect your phone to Android Auto correctly, you can significantly expand the capabilities of the radio.

How to fix the error and turn on the flash drive

Basic methods for ensuring stable operation of the drive:

To check the contents of the drive, you need to turn on the device via a computer or laptop, and then view the list of documents using the file manager. It is recommended to set the mode to show hidden files that may cause malfunctions. Suspicious documents and files with the wrong extension must be deleted. If the user simultaneously uses the drive to store various documentation and musical compositions, then the purchase of an additional flash drive or memory card will be required.
If malfunctions continue, the cause may be files infected with computer viruses. At the same time, they are not able to damage the head acoustic device, but during switching they slow down reading, which leads to an error. You can fix the problem using computer anti-virus programs.
If the equipment continues to operate incorrectly, it is necessary to format the flash drive for the radio. It must be remembered that formatting irreversibly deletes all existing information. If the user stored important documentation on the drive, then it should first be saved to the computer’s hard drive. The compatible format of flash drives for the Pioneer radio is only FAT 16 or 32. When using the NTFC standard, the drive will not be readable.
A number of owners experience an error when connecting drives via an extension cable. The defect occurs due to the additional resistance of the cord; it is recommended to install the flash drive directly into the USB port.
Check the head equipment setup menu. In the parameters field for external USB drives, the value “memory” is entered. When using the "android" option, external devices are not recognized.

To ensure reliable operation of the drive, it is necessary to safely shut down the product. To do this, you need to switch the radio to the mode of receiving radio station signals, and then remove the flash drive from the USB connector.

If the user removes the drive while reading or writing information, there is a risk of file damage. When switching again, the radio will try to read the damaged document, which can cause the system to freeze and error 19 to appear on the display.

Algorithm for restoring the drive's functionality:

Connect the device to the computer and copy all information to a separate folder previously created on your hard drive.
Proceed to format the connected flash drive, turn on the dialog box by right-clicking.
In the window that appears, you need to set the file system standard to FAT 32. Additionally, you need to change the cluster size parameter to standard. The computer operating system offers a value of 4096 bytes, which is not recommended. You also need to remove the confirmation icon from the “quick format” field.
Start formatting, processing time depends on the size of the drive.
After processing is completed, a new formatting process must be started. In this case, you need to check the confirmation box for the “quick format” operation; the cluster size remains standard.
Carry out reformatting, which is started by clicking on the “start” button.
After completing the procedure, you need to clean the surface of the drive a third time. It is necessary to unconfirm the “quick format” operation; other parameters do not need to be adjusted.
After the third formatting, you need to transfer back the music compositions.
Disconnect the drive from the computer using the safe removal procedure. The procedure allows you to restore the operation of only some drives; it does not work for all modifications of Pioneer radios.
Test the connections to the radio.

If you are going to use Android Auto

Android Auto is a pre-installed tool on a large number of Android smartphones and can be used by many vehicles. In this case, we will need a smartphone compatible with Android 6 and higher. However, we must take into account the following questions, such as whether it is compatible with the car's screen and, above all, how to install this software. In addition, thanks to this software we can make calls while driving or listen to music from our mobile phone in the car.

Is it compatible with car screen?

This option allows you to connect your mobile phone to the car via Bluetooth and also adapts the Android Auto interface to the car's screen. In this case, we must make sure that our machine is compatible with the Android Auto screen. Then we connect one end of the USB cable to the car's USB port and connect the other end to our Android phone. We just need to take the steps that appear on the screen. This phone connection is activated automatically when Android Auto is connected to the car via a USB cable.

How to install it

If we have already paired the phone with the car previously via Bluetooth, we will only have to select it to enable Android Auto to start automatically . The command "Hey Google" will allow us to make calls, answer them, play songs on various services such as Spotify or start a certain navigation using Google Maps. But, if you do not have this application, you can download it from the following link:

Android Auto

Developer: Google LLC

Although, if in your case you have a smartphone with Android 10 or higher, this is not necessary because it will be stock. Also, if your car has an Android infotainment device but without Android Auto, we can download it by connecting to the internet and get this app. via .APK. In this way we can listen to calls as well as music from the mobile phone.

Troubleshooting

Why doesn't the radio see the phone via USB? We have looked at the main reasons. Now we present to your attention a list of actions that may help you fix the problem:

First, restart your phone: turn it off and on. Perhaps it was just a system glitch;
“Random” your flash device in the USB or AUX pass;
Use another USB;
As a last resort, you can reset the GU to factory settings;
There are numerous firmware for radio tape recorders, which can be found and downloaded in the public domain on the Internet. By updating the software of your radio, you may get rid of the problem;
It is possible that when using Bluetooth you will need to enter your phone PIN code in both places. Do this by making sure the PIN you entered is correct (usually 0000 or 1111).

What does error 19 mean?

Error 19 code is displayed on Pioneer radios if executable files or documents are detected on the drive, the decoding of which is not supported by the built-in controller. Also, an information message appears when the head unit does not see the flash drive installed in the USB connector.

A malfunction that appears means that the files on the drive have been damaged, accompanied by an error being recorded in the radio's memory.

If the Pioneer radio does not read the flash drive, then it is recommended to do the following:

Turn off the ignition system while simultaneously cutting off the power supply to the head unit.
With the radio turned off, you need to disconnect the external storage device.
Turn on the ignition system and the player that you want to switch to radio reception mode.
Connect the equipment to the reading connector.

A similar error removal technique is offered by the manufacturer, but it allows you to correct the situation only in the event of a single failure. Many users note that rebooting and reinstalling the drives allows the radio to operate for 2-3 minutes, after which the malfunction occurs again.

The cause of the defect is a design problem with USB, or more precisely, with an electronic voltage stabilizer. The device chip does not have a cooling radiator; an additional layer of paste that removes heat is not applied. The device is located in the far corner of the radio casing, where air stagnation is observed. All these reasons lead to overheating of the controller and failures when reading external drives.

A similar error is displayed when connecting a phone or smartphones based on Android. The manufacturer claims the permissible current for a USB port is up to 1 A; on budget Pioneer equipment, the front connector is designed for a current of no higher than 0.5 A.

The operating instructions indicate that the port can be used to charge the batteries of smartphones and cellular devices. But the charging current (with a severely discharged battery) reaches 2.0 A and higher, which leads to an overload of the circuit. To reduce the likelihood of a defect occurring, it is recommended to use equipment with a battery charged 50% or more. A failure also occurs if the user connected equipment via USB that is not compatible with the head unit (for example, external CD players).