Android Auto Connection Issue

[negie]

Once the USB cable is connected to OP6 first and then car ignition is turned on, Android Auto is not coming up on head unit screen. If the ignition is turned on first, and if I insert the USB, it gets recognized properly and AA comes up. It seems OP6 with Pie relies on USB connection broadcast for kicking off AA. I verified that this is not an issue with car's head unit because my Samsung phone running Android Oreo behaves properly with the same head unit. This is either an OP/OxigenOs-specific or Pie-specific issue. The expected behavior is that AA should appear on head unit screen when car is turned on even if the USB cable is already connected. Also, this is a safety concern as well. Right now, you can't expect me to insert USB cable after I have started driving. Even if a I manage to do it initially, if I stop the car somewhere and turn it off and on again, I have to unplug and plug the USB cable back again now to make it work. Any help is appreciated. Device details are given below

Head unit: Alpine stock unit on Honda Jazz VX 2018.
Phone: OP6 with latest Pie, not rooted, USB debugging off
AA: 3.5

Already tried AA cache/storage reset, uninstall, etc.

 

[iElvis]

Likely an issue with your phone or cable. I've never had any issues getting AA to activate no matter how I connect.

Try using a different cable, or a factory reset.

 

[negie]

Likely an issue with your phone or cable. I've never had any issues getting AA to activate no matter how I connect.

Try using a different cable, or a factory reset.

Thanks. Already tried 3 different cables including original OnePlus cable. Only thing remaining is factory reset, which I will try today. If that doesn't work, thinking of downgrading to Oreo. Then that doesn't work, thinking of switching to Samsung. Already have had a couple of bitter experiences with OP6 despite its other great features.

 

[negie]

Likely an issue with your phone or cable. I've never had any issues getting AA to activate no matter how I connect.

Try using a different cable, or a factory reset.

Tried factory reset and downgrade to Oreo today, but the issue persists. Samsung J7 Max works beautifully

 

[iElvis]

Tried factory reset and downgrade to Oreo today, but the issue persists. Samsung J7 Max works beautifully

May just be a conflict between your phone and head unit. AA can be weird. My HTC M9 was a huge pita with my VW, but when I switched to OP all the issues went away. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯