How to Use Tidal on Android Auto: Full Guide with Fixes

By Dave Henry Updated on May 12, 2025

Listening to Tidal on the road through Android Auto is a game-changer for audiophiles who value high-quality sound. With Tidal integrated into Android Auto, you can stream playlists, albums, and podcasts directly from your car's touchscreen or via voice commands, making your ride more joyful. But, how do you get and play Tidal on Android Auto?  This guide will show you exactly how to get Tidal on Android Auto and troubleshoot common issues so you can keep the music playing, no matter where the road takes you.

tidal on android auto

Part 1. Does Tidal Work with Android Auto?

Yes, Tidal is fully compatible with Android Auto. This means you can listen to your favorite Tidal music from the Tidal app while driving. Tidal is committed to making its service available on multiple devices. Tidal stated in March 2018 that Tidal will be compatible with Android auto vehicles. Now, Tidal is compatible with over 400 car models.

To use Tidal with Android Auto, your car must support the Android Auto system (available in most vehicles manufactured after 2016), and you need a device running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher. Once connected, the Tidal app will appear on your car's dashboard interface, where you can browse through your collection, discover new music, and enjoy Tidal's Hi-Fi audio quality while on the go.

Tidal Features on Android Auto:

  • Streamed playback: You can stream songs, playlists, and albums directly from your account.
  • High-quality audio: If you're a Tidal subscriber, you can enjoy superior sound quality compared to other streaming services.
  • Voice control: You can manage playback hands-free using Google Assistant, keeping your focus on driving while controlling your music with simple commands.

If your vehicle and Android device meet the requirements, getting Tidal up and running on Android Auto is a smooth and hassle-free experience. You can follow the steps provided below to start streaming Tidal on Android Auto.

However, if your car's infotainment system doesn't support Android Auto, or your phone is incompatible or lacks a stable connection while driving, you can still enjoy Tidal with the help of ViWizard Tidal Music Converter. It is a professional converter that downloads Tidal music onto your device for offline playback on any device you like, including on your car.

Part 2. How to Use Tidal on Android Auto Online

What You Need:


  • A smartphone device running Android 6.0 or higher.
  • A car manufactured after 2016 with a touchscreen display.
  • Good signal and network.

When you're all set, you can start setting up Tidal on Android Auto by following these steps:

Step 1 Install the Android Auto app on your phone

Open Google Play Store, and search for the Android Auto app. Download and install the app on your phone. If you've already installed it before, make sure it's updated to the latest version.

install android auto app

Step 2 Connect your phone to Android Auto

Connect the Android device to Android Auto via Bluetooth or a proper USB cord that comes with your device.

connect android device to android auto via usb

Step 3 Enable Android Auto

  1. open Bluetooth on both your phone and car. Pair them up via a code that shows up on your phone, and click on 'Yes' that appears on the car display.
  2. connect to android auto via bluetooth

  3. plug one end of the USB cord to your phone and the other to the car display. When your phone is plugged in, Android Auto should launch automatically. If it doesn't, ensure that Android Auto is enabled by going to your phone's settings. Find USB Preferences, and then click on 'File Transfer/Android Auto'.
  4. usb preferences on android

Step 4 Open the Tidal app on your phone

Launch the Tidal app on your phone. If you haven't downloaded it, you can access it in Google Play Store.

Step 5 Start playing Tidal on Android Auto

Now, you can log into your Tidal account and select any tracks, playlists, albums, or podcasts you want to stream on Tidal using Android Auto.

Helpful Reminders for Tidal and Android Auto Users

  1. There's no Tidal Android Auto shuffle button on the car's interface. You should use the shuffle function from your phone before plugging in.
  2. tidal android auto playback interface

  3. In most cases, the Tidal Android Auto quality may be somewhat lost if you choose a wireless connection. However, the car stereo system is also another factor that affects the quality of Tide's audio output. But either way, a wired USB connection usually delivers more stable audio and higher bit rates.

Part 3. How to Play Tidal on Android Auto Offline

While Tidal is known for its excellent streaming service, there are many users complain that Tidal can't connect to Android Auto, Tidal not showing on Android Auto, or the online playback takes up too much time loading. Whether you're running an errand or going on a road trip, stopping the car and reconnecting the devices while driving is quite dangerous. Especially when you're driving through areas with poor connectivity, the signal and network are not always stable. But don't worry, there's an easy workaround.

With ViWizard Tidal Music Converter, you can download Tidal music to your computer and transfer it to your Android device for offline listening. This tool lets you convert Tidal songs into formats like AAC, MP3, FLAC, WAV, and more, so you can enjoy your downloaded tracks in Tidal's highest audio quality, up to 192 kHz.

Once the songs are saved, you can access them through Android Auto without network, ensuring uninterrupted listening even in areas with no signal. Here's how to use Tidal offline with Android Auto.

tidal music converter

Key Features of ViWizard Tidal Music Converter

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* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.

  • Download full songs, albums, playlists, and artists from Tidal without ads offline
  • Convert Tidal tracks in bulk at up to 40x faster speed
  • Export Tidal music to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B
  • Support various quality options up to a maximum of 24-bit, 192 kHz

Step 1 Add Tidal Tracks

Open ViWizard Tidal Music Converter on your computer. Use the built-in Tidal web player and choose the tracks, playlists, and albums you'd like to download. Then, click the 'Add Music' button to add them to the download list.

add playlist to converting list

Step 2 Set up the Output Preferences

Click the 'memu' icon in the top-right corner. In the pop-up window under the Conversion tab, you can configure the audio output format, sample rate, bit rate, channel, and codec. Remember to convert the tracks into a format compatible with Android Auto, such as AAC. Once your settings are in place, click the OK button to save them.

select output format

Step 3 Download and Convert Tidal Tracks

After setting your preferences, click the Convert button in the bottom-right corner to begin downloading your selected tracks. When the process is finished, a red dot will appear on the list icon below. By clicking it, you can view the downloaded tracks in your local output folder.

conversion

Step 4 Play Tidal Tracks on Android Auto

Lastly, transfer the converted Tidal music files from computer to a USB flash drive. Next, plug the USB flash drive into the USB port of the car – like on Tesla. Additionally, you can also transfer the converted tracks to your Android device, and connect it to Android Auto with a USB cord like the ways mentioned in Part 2.

Part 4. How to Fix Tidal Android Auto Not Working

If you encounter issues while trying to connect and use Tidal on Android Auto, don't panic, there are several common issues and solutions you can try:

  1. Restart your phone: Minor glitches can sometimes cause Android Auto or Tidal to malfunction. A simple restart often resolves the issue.
  2. Uninstall and reinstall Android Auto: Uninstalling and then reinstalling the Android Auto app can clear up app-related bugs. Be sure to download the latest version of Android Auto from the Play Store.
  3. Check the connection on both your phone and Android Auto: If you connect your Android device with Android Auto via a USB cord, and it's not connecting, try to check the connection settings on both of your phone and Android Auto.

    • On your Android device, go to Settings > USB Preferences > click on 'File Transfer/Android Auto'.
    • On Android Auto, go to Settings, and try to navigate to and click 'Apps' (the name may differ, it'd be 'Phone Pairing' or 'Screen Mirror' for different cars). Then, select 'Android Auto', tap on 'Enable after USB Connection', and change the option from 'Never' to 'Always'.
  4. Check USB cable: If your phone isn't connecting properly, ensure you're using a quality USB cable. In many cases, third-party or damaged cables can interfere with Android Auto's functionality.
  5. Play Tidal music on your phone before connecting: Before connecting your phone to Android Auto, open the Tidal app on your phone and start playing music. Sometimes this helps to sync better when launching the app in the car.
  6. Use ViWizard Tidal Music Converter as a backup: If none of the above fixes solve the problem, please consider switching to a more reliable solution: using ViWizard Tidal Music Converter for offline playback. Through this method, you take the full control of your Tidal music and play it when you want, how you want, without any interruptions.

Part 5. FAQs about Tidal on Android Auto

Q1.How do you use voice commands to control Tidal on Android Auto?

A1.To make your rides with Tidal music safer and easier, it is recommended that you use voice commands to control Tidal playback. A few quick steps can help you do that:

  1. Open Google Assistant on your Android phone.
  2. Find the 'Settings' in the app and click on 'OK Google'.
  3. Toggle the 'Access with voice match' option.

Now all you have to do is say "OK Google" to wake up Google Assistant's voice commands and control Tidal playback on Android Auto. For example, if you want to play a song by a singer or an artist on Andriod Auto, you can say "Play [artist name] on Tidal", and if you want to play a specific song by that artist, you can say "Play [song title] by [artisit name] on Tidal".

Q2.Why is Tidal not connecting to Android Auto?

A2.If Tidal is not connecting to Android Auto, the issue could be Network problems, App issues, and Connection issues. The easiest way to identify which part has an issue is to bring another phone and test it out.

Try connecting a friend's phone to your car. If their phone connects without problems, the issue may be with your phone. If it's still not connected, the issue may be with Android Auto. To resolve the problem, Part 4 has already given a detailed one, try those steps one by one. If the problem still exists, it's time to go to the dealership and troubleshoot.

Q3.Does Tidal support Android Auto wireless?

A3.Yes, Tidal supports Android Auto wireless. To use it, please ensure that Bluetooth and Wi Fi are enabled, and that both Tidal and Android Auto apps are updated. After connection, you can play Tidal and listen through the car's speakers without the need for cables.

Part 6. Conclusion

Tidal and Android Auto together create an ideal driving experience, allowing you to stream high-quality music or play it offline. Whether you're streaming high-quality tracks or using the ViWizard Tidal Music Converter to play offline, this guide covers everything you need to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience. Follow the steps and troubleshooting tips outlined here to get the most out of your Tidal subscription, wherever your journey takes you.

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