{
  "id": 180708,
  "title": "How to use Android Auto without turning off your VPN",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/how-to-use-android-auto-without-turning-off-your-vpn",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-05T15:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Engadget",
    "slug": "engadget",
    "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2226444/how-to-use-vpn-android-auto/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "You are planning a long drive and plan to use Android Auto for navigation and music. However, when you insert the USB cable, Android Auto displays a red error stating \"Communication error 21 — Being connected to a VPN may prevent Android Auto from starting.\" Many people utilize VPNs to secure their online privacy, yet Android Auto automatically blocks VPN connections. This can be frustrating for privacy-conscious drivers. The good news is resolving the issue is straightforward.\n\nTraditional apps function well with VPNs, but Android Auto operates differently. It functions as an extension of your phone, routing data through predefined APIs to provide a distraction-free driving experience. Since a wireless connection requires a direct Wi-Fi link between the phone and the car, VPNs interfere with Android Auto's operation. Split tunneling is a VPN feature allowing you to choose which apps use the encrypted tunnel and which apps connect directly to the internet. By excluding Android Auto from the VPN tunnel, the car can establish a direct connection while the rest of your apps remain secure.\n\nThe process to set up split tunneling varies depending on your VPN provider, but the general steps are as follows: locate the split tunneling option in your VPN settings and enable it. Then, add Android Auto to the exclusion list. Some VPNs, like NordVPN, even automatically exclude incompatible apps. If Android Auto doesn't show up in the app list, try enabling the \"Show system apps\" option in your VPN or Android settings. If that doesn't work, consider disabling the VPN kill switch temporarily. As an alternative, you can connect your phone to the car via USB, allowing both Android Auto and your VPN to function simultaneously. Ultimately, the issue arises due to Android Auto's reliance on a direct local connection, but split tunneling provides a simple and effective solution.",
  "summary": "A VPN might compromise your Android Auto experience at first, but there are some easy workarounds.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Android Authority",
        "title": "Android Auto is coming to boats, because why not",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/android-auto-is-coming-to-boats-because-why-not",
        "published": "2026-08-05T07:46:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "XDA Developers",
        "title": "Changing this one simple setting solved all of my Android Auto disconnection issues",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/changing-this-one-simple-setting-solved-all-of-my-android-auto",
        "published": "2026-08-05T19:00:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}