This is my first time with GrapheneOS (and a Pixel phone) although I have previous experience running custom ROMs (e.g. LineageOS) on Samsung devices and I've up until now had wonderfully smooth sailing making the switch.
However, now I've hit a road block with Android Auto. I followed the guide and it mostly works good. I usually use Android Auto with Waze and RiMusic player. I have those two things working fine and as they should. However, the issue comes when I try to use voice commands.

I don't use "Hey Google", I have always just tapped the Google microphone icon and then spoken whatever command I need e.g. "Navigate to 123 Example Street", or "Call home" since I can tap it without looking at my car's screen and I want to avoid having Google always listening.

The problem is that this isn't working with GrapheneOS. If I try the navigate command, Waze just sits there dumbly and does nothing.

If I try telling it to call someone, it says, "For that, you'll need to download the latest version of the Google app". Except I just installed the Google app from the sandboxed Play store by tapping on the option in the Android Auto settings (Settings -> Apps -> Sandboxed Google Play ->Android Auto -> Google app)

I installed Waze through the Play store as well. I can use it in Android Auto all fine so long as I manually input address. RiMusic didn't show up until I enabled AA developer options but is also working fine.

One other problem is that sometimes tapping the microphone icon does nothing, and I have to tap it again. Sometimes it chimes, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it chimes but still isn't listening. I don't have any idea why it's so inconsistent.

I have tried to make sure I've given correct permissions but maybe I'm missing some? Android Auto works (seemingly fine) with just Allow Permissions for wired Android Auto without also giving it wireless permissions (since I connect via USB cable) but I have also tried turning on Allow permissions for wireless too and it made zero difference. :/

What am I missing or what do I need to do to get voice commands working with Waze and to call or sms my contacts? TIA!

Here's the settings I have:

https://i.postimg.cc/zD7QV9Vw/Screenshot-20250202-190513.png

EDIT: In case you want to know why I use Waze, it's because I live in a country where maps often aren't very up to date, so my choices are Google Maps or Waze which are the most up to date and still have live traffic updates. I Waze over Maps because I prefer the interface but more importantly, I can use Waze without logging in and being in "invisible mode" AND send my live location to whomever I want (such as family so they can see my driving progress) whereas Maps will not let me share my drive if I'm in invisible mode.

7 days later

Update: I got the microphone -> Waze working. I missed giving Speech Recognition & Synthesis network permission, and I also went through it's settings and added English Language.

So I can now correctly give Waze the "Navigate to 123 Example Street" command and it works.

However, I still cannot make calls or send sms messages to anyone on my Contacts list as it still says "For that, you'll need to download the latest version of the Google app". I made sure the Google app has contacts, microphone, network, and phone permissions, but problem remains.

Being able to be handsfree is really important while driving (for example, not so long ago I had someone aggressively start following me in their car and needed to call police whilst driving, it would have been dangerous had I needed to stop to make a call or have to look at my car's screen to enter a phone number). :/

23 days later

Further update: I don't know if it was an update or fiddling around with permissions fixed the issue but voice commands now work. I will put what permissions I have given below. The only issue that now remains is that tapping the microphone icon doesn't always work the first time. However, this is liveable, albeit an annoying but not the end of the world problem.

Please use caution using the following permissions as I do not know which of these exactly got everything to work and I do not know the full privacy implications of giving Android Auto and Google Play Services these permissions, I am putting them here in case this is helpful to anyone else facing the same issues I did.

Android Auto Permissions: Call logs, Contacts, Location, Microphone, Nearby devices, Network, Notifications, Phone, Sensors, SMS (Not Allowed: Calendar).
AAuto battery usage: Allow background usage/Optimised
AA Mobile data use: Background data/Unrestricted mobile data usage

GO AA settings: Allow permissions for wired AA on/ Allow reroute audio from device to car on/ Allow permissions for handling phone calls on

AA Notification access settings: Allow notification access on. Realtime, Conversations, Notifications all ticked (silent unticked).

Google Maps not installed (because I use Waze)

Speech Recognition & Synthesis installed - Notifications off/ Microphone and Network permissions (sensors not allowed) / Mobile data usage is background and unrestricted on/App battery usage is allow background and unrestricted.

Google app installed
Notifications off/ Permissions are Call logs, Contacts, Microphone, Network, Phone, SMS.
Mobile data usage is set to allow background data (Unrestricted is off)
Manage app if unused is set to off

  • de0u replied to this.