Samsung started releasing the November 2024 update on Galaxy smartphones, which enhances security by blocking all USB connections except for charging, which disables wired Android Auto on affected Galaxy devices without noticing.
The latest November 2024 patch doesn’t bring major changes, but it brings a notable feature that adjusts how Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature works. It will block all unauthorized USB connections except for changing. This significantly prevents Android Auto from working on Samsung Galaxy devices with the feature enabled at least over a wider connection.
The latest update improves security, which could disrupt wired Android Auto functionality for users who have enabled the “Maximum restrictions” setting in Auto Blocker. However, this setting is not enabled by default, so users can set it at their convenience and easily change it by navigating a few steps:
- Settings >> Security and Privacy >> Auto Blocker >> Maximize restrictions and ensure these are turned off.
This update should only have an impact on Android Auto, in case you already have Auto Blocker enabled and you had it set to its highest settings too, similar to what a user on Reddit ran into already. Users can still have Auto Blocker enabled to continue using Android Auto on a Samsung Galaxy device, but “Maximum restrictions” should be disabled.
Noticeably, once users disable Auto Blocker completely, then they will be prompted to enter their PIN. In case they face any sudden issues with Android Auto, users should check whether the recent update is not the cause.
