Wireless Android Auto on Kia Carnival, how to connect

Kia Carnival supports Android Auto that lets you access your Android apps like YouTube Music, Google Maps, Waze and Spotify through the infotainment screen of your vehicle. You can also make phone calls, send messages or use navigation with voice commands using Google Assistant.

Kia Carnival – (photo by Kia)

Install Android Auto on your smartphone

You must have an Android device with 5.0 Lollipop or newer version to use Android Auto on Kia Carnival. Android 6.0 Marshmallow or higher version is recommended for optimal performance. If your device has Android 9 Pie or older operating system, you must first download Android Auto app from Google Play Store, otherwise the app is built-in.


If you want to use “Hey Google” service with Google Assistant in your Carnival, make sure the feature is enabled on your device. On your Android phone, open the Google app. At the bottom right, tap More. Then go to Settings > Voice > Voice Match and turn on Hey Google.

Wireless Android Auto in Carnival

If you have 2022 or later model year Kia Carnival, you can use wireless Android Auto. Currently, vehicles equipped with standard 8 inch infotainment system screen support wireless Android Auto functionality, vehicles with larger 12.3-inch screen support wired connection only.

Requirements for wireless Android Auto

You must have a compatible Android phone with an active data plan, 5 GHz Wi-Fi support, and the latest version of the Android Auto app in order to use wireless Android Auto feature on your Carnival. Wireless projection is compatible with these Android versions:

  • Any phone with Android 11.0
  • A Google or Samsung phone with Android 10.0
  • A Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, or Note 8, with Android 9.0

How to set up wireless Android Auto

  1. First make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your Android Device.
  2. Press Setup button on infotainment system in Carnival.
  3. Select Device Connections.
  4. Select Phone Projection.
  5. Select Add New.
  6. Select your vehicle name, which usually is “Kia Motors”, on your Android phone’s Bluetooth discovery list. The discovery list is usually located under Settings > Connections > Bluetooth, but it can differ depending on your device make and model.
  7. A Bluetooth pairing request pop-up will appear on your phone with a pin-code. Make sure it matches the code displayed on your Carnival’s infotainment screen (for safety reasons) and then press Pair in your vehicle, also press Pair on your phone.
  8. Then touch Yes on Message access request prompt on your phone if you want to access your phone messages via Android Auto in Carnival.
  9. Accept Android Auto terms and conditions in your vehicle, if any appear.
  10. You may be prompted to give certain permissions to Android Auto app on your phone, like managing phone calls and SMS messages. Grant all required permissions.
  11. After a few seconds Android Auto will launch on the infotainment display of your Kia Carnival. If it doesn’t launch automatically, touch the Android Auto icon on home screen.

Enable Android Auto in Carnival for USB connection

Android Auto must be enabled in your Carnival’s infotainment system settings before you can use it. To enable Android Auto, select SETUP, then Phone Projection (if you don’t see “Phone Projection”, select Device Connections). Then open Android Auto tab and make sure that “Enable Android Auto” option is activated.

Projection Settings on Kia

Connect phone to Carnival’s USB port

  1. Connect your Android phone to your Kia Carnival USB port using an original USB data cable.
  2. Accept Android Auto terms and conditions in your vehicle, if any appear.
  3. You may be prompted to give certain permissions to Android Auto app on your phone, like managing phone calls and SMS messages. Grant all required permissions.
  4. After a few seconds Android Auto will launch on your Carnival’s infotainment screen.
USB data port location in Kia Carnival.

If you’re unsure which USB port supports Android Auto on your particular Carnival variant, then consult your vehicle’s owners manual – or you can try plugging in the cable, one by one, in all the USB ports in dashboard and center console.

Android Auto interface in Kia.

To go back to the default multimedia display of the infotainment system, press the Exit button with Kia logo in Android Auto.


Android Auto not working on Kia Carnival

If Android Auto does not start on your Carnival when you plug in the USB cable and there is no Android Auto icon in the list of apps in the infotainment system, it can be due to a number of reasons:

  • Android Auto is disabled in the infotainment system settings of your Carnival.
  • Android Auto is not installed on your phone, make sure its installed and have necessary permissions.
  • The USB data cable you’re using is defective or off-brand. Try a different cable, preferably original cable.
  • The connected USB port on your Carnival does not support Android Auto. Try other USB ports.
  • A software glitch is responsible for the Android Auto problem. Try resetting the Carnival’s infotainment system to its factory settings. Also, delete data and cache for Android Auto on your phone by going to Settings> Apps > Android Auto > Storage.
  • You’ve an older model of Carnival (Sedona) that does not support Android Auto. Only 2015 and later model year Kia Sedona vehicles are compatible with Android Auto.

If you still can’t connect Android Auto in your Carnival, then you should get your vehicle checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

Using Google Assistant on Kia Carnival

Google Assistant is an artificial intelligence–powered voice recognition feature by Google that helps you to concentrate on the road while driving your Carnival as you can control the functions of your Android device with voice commands.

The virtual assistant allows you to place phone calls, listen to and send text messages, play music, get directions and use other functions of your Android phone hands-free. You can even ask Google Assistant for current weather conditions, stock prices or upcoming events on your calendar.

To access Google Assistant, press and hold the talk button on the steering wheel of your Carnival until you hear an audible alert.

Voice command button on the steering wheel of Kia Carnival – press and hold the button to launch Google’s virtual assistant when Android Auto is active in the infotainment system.

You can also access Google Assistant by pressing the mic button in the Android Auto app.

Press mic button to start Google Assistant.

If “Hey Google” function is enabled in your Android device under Voice Match settings, you can also just simply say: “Hey Google”. After hearing the audible alert, you can begin asking for assistance.

For best results when using Google Assistant, speak clearly and reduce background noise by closing the windows. Also, direct the air vents on dashboard so that they are not pointing towards the vehicle’s microphone.


Which Carnival models support Android Auto?

2015 and later model year Kia Sedona vehicles are compatible with Android Auto. Wireless Android Auto is available in 2022 and later Carnival models.

Using Waze navigation on Kia Carnival with Android Auto

Waze is based on a combination of the Android Location Service and real-time information from the 100 million user database. It is one of the best apps in the world when it comes to including construction work and traffic in the route suggestions. Waze can also provide updated information on accidents and unexpected delays. The app is fully compatible with Android Auto. Just download Waze app from Google Play Store on your phone and press its icon in Android Auto app in your Carnival’s infotainment screen.

Using Google Maps on Kia Carnival with Android Auto

There’s no list of the best Android car apps without including the top dog in sat-nav apps, Google Maps. Maps is an important part of the Android ecosystem and will likely be the app that you use the most when you’re driving your Carnival. For many people, choosing between Waze and Google Maps is a matter of personal preference. We think: Both are great. You do not need to download Google Maps app as its a built-in feature in Android devices.

Using Spotify on Carnival

You can use Spotify to stream music on your Carnival. Just install the Spotify app from Google Play Store and its icon will appear in the infotainment display when Android Auto is active.

You can use voice commands to play music hands-free on Spotify with Google Assistant. Just add “on Spotify” at the end so that Google Assistant knows which service you’re referring to (e.g. “Hey Google, play my ‘Your Mix of the Week’ playlist on Spotify”).

Google Assistant can play songs, artists, albums, playlists, podcasts, and more. You can also “like” music, ask what’s playing, and control playback (e.g. volume, skip song, play / pause).

Not all apps are compatible with Android Auto

If you think you can use all your Android apps in your Kia Carnival with Android Auto, then you’re wrong. The selection of compatible applications is limited, and you have to live with restrictions, especially with messenger apps. SMS messages and WhatsApp can be controlled almost exclusively via Google Assistant. That means you cannot see your message history, but only have new messages read out to you or even dictate messages yourself.

The following apps can be used with Android Auto on your Carnival, among others: Phone, Whatsapp, Messages, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Telegram, Calendar, News, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Waze and TomTom GO.

Video Demonstration (Wireless Android Auto)

Watch this video to see how to connect and use Android Auto in Kia vehicles wirelessly.

Video Demonstration (USB)

Watch this video to see how to connect and use Android Auto in Kia vehicles via USB.
Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com