Google’s Android Auto app detects bad USB cables

• The Android Auto update added a diagnostic function.
• This tool helps to check if the USB or port is working properly.
• A support page provides helpful recommendations for getting the right cable.

The recent Android Auto update added a diagnostic feature that allows users to check if their USB port or port is working as expected, The edge reported.

If the phone is not connecting to the car or another device, for example, the tool can identify whether the USB connection is the problem or not.

Images that former XDA Developers editor Mishaal Rehman shared on Twitter show the tool being called “USB Startup Diagnostics”.

A support page provides helpful recommendations for getting the right cable.

It’s not an easy task, however. There is a wide range of USB cables available over-the-counter, making it difficult to find a compatible cable that supports Android Auto.

It cannot be assumed that the cable that comes with the phone will work with Android Auto. However, the tool helps determine if you need a different cable.