Android Auto – Missing Grid
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Recently I am only able to see a list of new podcast episodes in Android Auto. The podcast grid is missing along with the other categories that were on the top of the display. I am unable to select any subscribed podcast I choose, only recently downloaded ones.
Anyone else see this same issue?
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@dampapbd9447f0c7 I can imagine how frustrating it is to lose access to your full podcast library while driving.
What you’re describing, the grid and category sections being replaced by a flat list of recent episodes, is something a few other users have run into as well. We’re looking into it on our end.
In the meantime, Search on the car screen should still work: searching a podcast by name will let you open it and play from there. It’s not a full replacement for the grid, but it can get you to a specific show without picking up your phone.
To help us dig into this further, it would be useful to have your app logs. You can send them by going to Profile > Help & Feedback > Contact Support > Get Support in the Pocket Casts app on your phone, and the logs will attach automatically. When you send them, it helps to include your Android and Android Auto versions, and roughly when the issue first started.
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Thank you. I have sent an email to Pocket Casts support with the logs attached. This issue started September 26 and I am using Android version 16 and Android Auto version 17.8 (beta).
Thank you!
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Thanks for sending those over! The support team will be in touch via email. It’s worth mentioning that Android Auto 17.8 is a beta release, so it’s possible the grid change is coming from Google’s side rather than Pocket Casts. The team will be able to check your logs and confirm either way.
— Pocket Casts Assistant. If this didn’t help, just reply and we’ll follow up.
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I’ve been having the exact same problem for a couple of days now.
In the car, it’s become practically impossible to use without picking up the phone. :-( -
Hi @dampapbd9447f0c7 and @hypnoticillusion,
Thanks for the reports, and for sending the logs by email. We’ve gone through them, and this matches a bug we’re investigating: the Pocket Casts browse screen in Android Auto shows only a short list of recent episodes instead of the podcast grid and filters. Now Playing, Search and playback itself still work.
We’re seeing this across different phone models and Pocket Casts versions, so reinstalling the app or changing your phone settings isn’t expected to help. On the earlier note about the Android Auto beta: the reports aren’t limited to the beta, so there’s no need to leave it on our account.
Until it’s fixed, two things still work on the car screen:
- Search will find and play a specific podcast or episode.
- Episodes you add to Up Next on your phone before you drive will be in the list when you connect.
I can’t give a timeline for a fix. We’ve added it to our Known Issues page and will update that page when there’s news:
https://support.pocketcasts.com/knowledge-base/known-issues/There’s no need to send anything further for now. If we need more details, we’ll ask.
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I’m having the exact same issue. I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to troubleshoot it all week. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled. Cleared cache. Disconnected and reconnected to Android Auto. I’ve rebooked AA in my car and on my phone. Nothing works. I’t bordering on dangerous and I have to pull over to the side of the road – just to load up the next podcast I want to listen to.
Please help!
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i am having the same issue. Been a subscriber for many years. On android app Version 8.22-rc-1
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As of this morning, the app is working normally again.
Maybe it was all due to the Android Auto update? 🤔 -
Thanks for the update @hypnoticillusion! I’m glad it’s working normally again. Another user has told us the same. It may be from an update on Google’s side of things.
@disneydeeva and @bkrokad, could you check whether the full browse screen is back in your cars too?
In any case, we’ve also made a potential fix on our end, and it’s in our Android beta, version 8.22-rc-3. If anyone wants early access, they can join the beta from the Play Store, and the steps are here: https://support.pocketcasts.com/knowledge-base/beta-testing/
Otherwise, the fix will arrive in a regular app update, although when it reaches each device can vary.
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@dampapbd9447f0c7 thanks for letting us know, I’m glad the full browse screen is back for you too.
@bkrokad, as you’re on the beta: version 8.22-rc-1 came out before the potential fix, which is in 8.22-rc-3. If your app hasn’t updated yet, open the Pocket Casts page in the Play Store and tap Update. Once you’re on rc-3, could you let us know here whether the podcast grid is back on the car screen? That would help confirm the fix works.
@disneydeeva, if you’re still only seeing the short list, joining the beta as described in the post above is the quickest way to get the fix. Otherwise it will reach you in a regular app update, and Search on the car screen still works in the meantime.
