[android] Android Phone crashes... when in car

[LeMarchand]

Nokia 7 Plus, Android 9.

 

No problems for a couple of months, but of late it will randomly restart itself. This seems to happen more frequently when using Android Auto (on phone - I can't afford a car that new!) plus Spotify + Waze and when on charge, but will happen when just on with no foreground apps and just in the cradle.

 

Have tried: removing/reconnecting Bluetooth, different chargers and leads, cutting down maximum background apps, setting wireless to off when in car.

 

Does not happen at home/work.

 

Gets annoying when using the Satnav!

 

Any ideas?

[FishCustard]

Does it happen when using GPS-intensive applications (e.g. Google Maps) while not in Auto mode?

[LeMarchand]

Does it happen when using GPS-intensive applications (e.g. Google Maps) while not in Auto mode?

 

Don't tend to use them outside of Auto Mode, but will experiment over the next couple of days. I think I tried G Maps rather that Waze and the same problem occurred in Auto Mode. Sounds like you have a cunning plan?

[FishCustard]

I'm wondering whether the GPS chip is failing (overheating?) and giving junk data sometimes, causing a crash.

[LeMarchand]

I'm wondering whether the GPS chip is failing (overheating?) and giving junk data sometimes, causing a crash.

 

Possibly, but it will crash without a GPS App running. Though thinking about it, Mme LeMarchand did insist on Life360 (aka The Stalking App) which presumably runs in the background. That said, it only seems to happen when I'm driving.

[FishCustard]

Possibly, but it will crash without a GPS App running. Though thinking about it, Mme LeMarchand did insist on Life360 (aka The Stalking App) which presumably runs in the background. That said, it only seems to happen when I'm driving.

 

My thinking is that perhaps the load of Google Maps/Waze/whatever plus Life360 is overloading the chip (because of a fault) or the GPS software subsystem, and you only notice it while driving because you don't use GPS-intensive apps at any other time.

 

Perhaps try having Google Maps open while going for a walk, see what happens.

[LeMarchand]

Perhaps try having Google Maps open while going for a walk, see what happens.

 

Walk? What is this?

[jessica]

In Life360 do you have Drive detection on? My iPhone used to freeze up when driving until i turned this off.

[LeMarchand]

In Life360 do you have Drive detection on? My iPhone used to freeze up when driving until i turned this off.

 

Oooh! That sounds promising. Turned off; will see how it goes.

@FishCustard, will also try your suggestion at the weekend if the above doesn't help.

[jmak]

The fact it's charging will also add to the heat.

 

I presume as you have a Nokia you're running the manufacturer's ROM, but the only time my Android phone had crashing problems was overheating. I was running a custom ROM, which made it run very quickly - but constantly overheating. Once I sorted out the overheating, it became stable again.

[LeMarchand]

The fact it's charging will also add to the heat.

 

Not sure it's overheating (never feels hot) but I guess it could be spiking. Also it does happen (but less frequently) when not charging.

[mukz]

My friend (2 in fact) had a similar issue and had to get the manufacturer, lexus and toyota to do a update on the cars software.

Not sure if this will help you.

[LeMarchand]

My friend (2 in fact) had a similar issue and had to get the manufacturer, lexus and toyota to do a update on the cars software.

Not sure if this will help you.

 

Thanks, but I can't afford the sort of car that has "software" - this is all on the phone!

[mukz]

Thanks, but I can't afford the sort of car that has "software" - this is all on the phone!

 

Ah in that case! Sorry ignore my advice. Hope you get it sorted out

[LeMarchand]

Just in case anyone finds this thread in the future, I think I've solved the problem.

 

Pretty sure that my car's cigarette lighter socket must have some sort of power fluctuation. Have been charging via the stereo for the last few weeks with no random restarts. Not sure why a sub-£20 unit has a better power output than the socket, but hey ho! Hopefully haven't jinxed it now!

[LeMarchand]

Well, I have now worked out what the problem is/was - just not got a cure. Open to more ideas!

 

It seems that the phone will keep restarting after a short period if plugged into any sort of Quick Charge supply, including the OEM charger. This seems to be a not uncommon problem with Nokias (and a few other phones). I think it's more likely software/firmware related as it was working fine for a few months, so I'm guessing it's a duff update.

 

So far I've tried:

 

 

• Resetting App preferences
  
• Clearing Google cache
  
• Setting USB to not transfer data
  

 

The last one seemed to fix it, but it's back. I suppose the next step is a hard reset, but I don't fancy hours of taking notes/screenshots just in case some stuff doesn't auto-restore (looking at you, Steam Authenticator) and then hours of getting stuff the way it was (hopefully without the power problem). Anyone got nything to save me from that?