What you need to know
- The January 2023 security patch causes issues with Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series devices.
- After the latest update the phone is having issues connecting with the vehicle via Bluetooth.
- Users could not connect to Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, Infiniti, Volvo, Subaru, Mazda and Ford vehicles.
Two parts of Google’s ecosystem are at odds with the latest smartphone security update.
The past few days have been full of Reddit users creating threads voicing issues with the January 2023 security patch and Bluetooth connectivity in their cars (via Android Police). With the latest update, Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 series phones will refuse to pair with Android Auto for music playback and other features on the move.
One Reddit user said factory resetting the car’s system, resetting network settings, and restarting the phone to no avail. It is also found that paired and the user’s phone is paired with other vehicles.
Others in the thread commented that their phones connect easily before showing an error message and disconnecting. The user continues to join the conversation, stating that the issue appears to affect his Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, Infiniti, Volvo, and Subaru vehicles.
User reports mostly mention these vehicles (some also mention Mazda and Ford), but not all models from these automakers. Apparently, some 2012 Hyundai and 2015 Kia owners have had absolutely no issues with the January 2023 security patch and Pixel.
Google began rolling out to Pixel phones targeted for the January 2023 security patch three days ago. The update is light, but the patch brought some fixes, especially Bluetooth. The company was looking to fix issues with Bluetooth devices not receiving audio and some low power devices not pairing with mobile phones. Somewhere in these Bluetooth fixes there seems to be a current issue that the driver has been facing for the past few days.
This is most likely a software issue and will likely require another patch to address this. People have contacted Google Support about this issue and have yet to receive a response. If you haven’t yet updated your Pixel 6 series device or Pixel 7 series phone with the January 2023 patch, we recommend that you do not do so until Google takes appropriate action.
Android Central contacted Google about the latest issue caused by the latest security patch, but did not hear back in time for publication.
