How to Fix Android Auto Issues on Xiaomi Phones (MIUI Guide)

 Android Auto is a convenient system that allows you to mirror your smartphone on your car’s display, giving you easy access to navigation, music, and calls. However, if you’re a Xiaomi user, you might have noticed that Android Auto doesn’t always work perfectly. Many users report connection errors, such as Error 16, or issues where the system simply refuses to connect properly.

If your Xiaomi phone is not connecting to Android Auto, don’t worry. In most cases, the issue can be fixed with a few quick adjustments in your phone’s settings. Below, we’ll explain the most common Android Auto errors on Xiaomi devices and show you how to solve them step by step.

Common Android Auto Problems on Xiaomi Devices

While Android Auto is designed to work with most Android smartphones, some Xiaomi users — especially those running MIUI — encounter specific issues related to Xiaomi’s system customization. The two most frequent problems are:

1. Google Play Services not working properly

2. Connection Error 16 (Communication error)

Both problems usually prevent your Xiaomi from establishing a stable connection with your car’s head unit. Fortunately, both are easy to resolve once you understand what’s causing them.

Why Android Auto Fails on Xiaomi Phones

The main reason Android Auto fails to connect on Xiaomi devices has to do with MIUI’s dual apps and background restrictions.
MIUI offers advanced features such as Dual Apps (which lets you run two instances of the same app) and aggressive battery optimizations. Unfortunately, these sometimes conflict with Google Play Services — which Android Auto depends on heavily.

If you see messages like:

“It seems that Google Play Services are not currently working”
or
“Connection error 16 – Please reconnect your phone safely”

…it means the MIUI system is interfering with Android Auto’s permissions or its background services.

Fix #1: Clear Google Play Services Cache and Data

One of the most common fixes for Android Auto on Xiaomi is to reset the cache and data of Google Play Services. This helps refresh background connections that Android Auto relies on.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on your Xiaomi device.

2. Go to Apps → Manage Apps.

3. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the upper-right corner and select Show all apps.

4. Scroll down and find Google Play Services.

5. Tap Clear Data, then choose Clear Cache.

After that, restart your phone and try reconnecting it to your car again.

This method often resolves the “Google Play Services not working” message, allowing Android Auto to launch successfully.

Fix #2: Disable MIUI Dual Apps

If clearing Google Play Services didn’t fix the problem, the next culprit is likely Dual Apps.
This MIUI feature lets you duplicate applications like WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram for use with different accounts. However, it also causes Android Auto to misread internal permissions — leading to the Error 16 issue.

To disable Dual Apps completely:

1. Open Settings.

2. Go to Apps → Dual Apps.

3. Tap the gear icon ⚙️ in the upper-right corner to open options.

4. Select Delete Dual App Accounts.

5. Restart your phone.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Dual Apps will remove any cloned apps and their secondary accounts from your phone. You’ll need to log in again if you decide to recreate them later.

Once done, reconnect your Xiaomi to your car. In most cases, this will completely resolve Connection Error 16 and restore Android Auto functionality.

Additional Tips to Ensure Stable Android Auto Connection

If you’ve followed both fixes above but Android Auto still doesn’t connect, here are a few extra steps that can help improve compatibility:

1. Use an Original or High-Quality USB Cable

Low-quality or damaged cables can cause frequent disconnections. Always use the original USB cable that came with your Xiaomi phone, or a certified high-speed data cable.

2. Check for Software Updates

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and check for available updates. Xiaomi regularly releases MIUI patches that improve system stability and third-party app compatibility, including Android Auto.

3. Enable Permissions for Android Auto

Make sure Android Auto and Google Play Services have all necessary permissions enabled:

• Go to Settings → Apps → Manage Apps → Android Auto

• Tap App Permissions and grant access to Location, Phone, Storage, and Nearby Devices.

4. Disable Battery Optimization

MIUI’s power management can kill background apps like Android Auto. To prevent this:

• Go to Settings → Battery & Performance → Battery Saver

• Find Android Auto and set it to No Restrictions.

5. Try Wireless Android Auto (if supported)

Some Xiaomi phones, such as the Xiaomi 12, Mi 11 Ultra, and newer models, support Wireless Android Auto.
To use it:

1. Pair your phone with your car’s Bluetooth.

2. Follow on-screen instructions to connect Android Auto wirelessly.

3. Keep both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

This eliminates cable-related problems entirely.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Here’s a quick summary of what to check if Android Auto still doesn’t work on your Xiaomi:

Final Thoughts

While Android Auto is a powerful and convenient feature for safer driving, it sometimes clashes with Xiaomi’s MIUI customization. Thankfully, the fixes are simple and don’t require technical knowledge.

Most users can resolve Android Auto errors on their Xiaomi phones by:

• Clearing the cache of Google Play Services

• Disabling Dual Apps

• Adjusting permissions and power settings

Once you’ve done that, your Xiaomi should connect to Android Auto smoothly, allowing you to enjoy hands-free navigation, calls, and entertainment while driving.

✅ Quick Recap: How to Fix Android Auto on Xiaomi

1. Settings → Apps → Manage Apps → Google Play Services → Clear Cache

2. Settings → Apps → Dual Apps → Delete Dual App Accounts

3. Restart your phone and reconnect to Android Auto.

Following these steps should fix almost any Android Auto connection problem on your Xiaomi smartphone.