BT is not required when there's a nice fat-bandwidth USB cable to use. Calls and media will go over the cable instead.

For media, use an app such as PlexAmp or VLC or whatever to play off the phone.

 

Thanks, but it seems like you are saying that I would have to use the phone music app to play, which then does play through the car media, but this is different than the console media app in the car recognizing the music/audio files on the phone, as it does in BT connection mode. This later is quite different and better, as it uses the UI on the car instead of having to pick-up the phone and navigate on its screen.
I understand that from a Bandwidth view once USB is connected BT is not needed, but that is a different issue than switching the UI for audio and not offering it on the Media screen.
Did I understand you correctly?

 

Correct. Android Auto (and Car Play) effectively replace the in-car system when active.

You would need to change the USB setting of your phone to appear as a USB storage device, which isn't worth it in in this case IMO. Your phone is a far more capable and quality player than the native car player.

You can control your music track playback with the steering wheel controls for volume and previous/next track. The car touchscreen will still interact with the app if it's Android Auto enabled. You don't need to touch your phone to make this work.

 

Thanks, so basically one would start some music player on the phone, and then can use the steering wheel controls for some navigation. Good suggestion, thanks. Are you saying that there are apps that the console app can load, like PlexAmp? I'll have to learn about that. This is a good hint - thanks. More to learn here!
Google: how to load plexamp onto car console screen in Subaru outback

 

Are you saying that there are apps that the console app can load, like PlexAmp?

Yes that's right.

You run the app normally on your phone to login with your Plex account and establish the connection to your server, then start PlexAmp in AA to play your music. You can generate playlists to use or have it play randomly using presets.

From memory, PlexAmp no longer requires a Plex pass.

 

Hmm; I installed plexamp on my phone, and logged into Plex on it - it only gives media library selection options for my home Plex server.
Then in Android Auto, I don't see any way to connect to the phone to serve its audio files. I don't see any plex options in either apps or AA.
Not sure what I am missing.
If it is that using plexAmp requires a Plex pass - then I'll pass (!), at $70/year.
(Android Auto)
TIA.

 

Thanks, my local (home) Plex server is behind a firewall so I haven't (yet?) setup remote access so using the phone and PlexAmp as an intermediary for remote access to my local Plex server for media won't work for me..
Note that this is setup would still be quite different than my original goal of being able to access media on the phone via AA when connected by USB (as AA requires), and as I can do when instead connected via BT.
My conclusion is that if one wants to use AA and thus the required USB connection, then any media on the phone is not accessible.
Yes?
I guess I should just copy all Phone media onto another USB stick (I already have another one permanently in the car). Can the Subaru access multiple USB memory stick media sources?
PS: The Plex site says that remote access using PlexAmp does require a plex-pass.
(The Android Auto reference earlier...)

 

I checked and you are correct - a remote Plex pass is not required for remote streaming of music/audio, only for remote video streaming.

 

Thanks, my local (home) Plex server is behind a firewall so I haven't (yet?) setup remote access

In your server setup, if you have a green tick against Remote Access, then the server can be hit remotely via plex.tv/web - you do not necessarily have to make a specific exception in your firewall setup.

My conclusion is that if one wants to use AA and thus the required USB connection, then any media on the phone is not accessible.
Yes?

Media on your phone won't be directly accessible, no, but it will be accessible by any music player apps that work in AA.

 

In your server setup, if you have a green tick against Remote Access, then the server can be hit remotely via plex.tv/web - you do not necessarily have to make a specific exception in your firewall setup.


Media on your phone won't be directly accessible, no, but it will be accessible by any music player apps that work in AA.

Thanks. I've learned here about the possible Plex connection and am working to set that up, it does require some FW changes in my situation. Since home server is behind firewall, more is needed than just the checkbox in Plex - Lots of good information on it online, so I'm working through it. Thanks for the info and pointing to this.

RE: your second point, can you point to any example of such a music player that works in AA which could play from the phone while on USB? Or do you mean just playing from an app on the phone, and then it plays through the AA. I want the former, to do everything via the media screen in the car, not using the phone while driving if possible.

 

Here's a list of audio apps that work specifically with android auto, a few of them will play files from your phone.

10 best music players for Android Auto

Android Auto is a great way to get directions and listen to jams in the car. Get the most of it with the best Android Auto music players.

www.androidauthority.com