Ensure Android supports USB connections for your aftermarket stereo.
Ensure Android supports USB connections for your aftermarket stereo.
You own a Pioneer DEH-80PRS stereo system but are using multiple Android devices. Your phone works with the aux cable, while your speakers sound distorted when you connect via USB. On your friend’s iPhone, it plays clearly over USB. You’re looking for a way to make your Android device compatible without buying another phone or spending more on an upgrade. You’re considering using an attaching device or modifying your phone, and you’re worried about rooting it. You prefer Spotify and don’t want to use a thumb drive due to data limits. The issue seems to be compatibility with iOS devices over USB.
Android doesn’t natively allow audio over USB. You could purchase an OTG adapter and a standard USB A cable to connect, which might work. For streaming services like Spotify, you can use any inexpensive iPhone model such as a 4s or 5, and you won’t need a large storage device.
I've tested Bluetooth, but it's not as good as aux and significantly worse than USB. With the expensive speakers and amplifiers you own, it's clear you can spot the difference. I'm just worried about wasting another $300 on a refurbished iPhone 6 or iPod 6.
With my modest plan of using car radios and USB drives, storage limits often appear (my radio capped at 8GB) and file types are restricted (fat32 format). It seems the issue comes from Android relying on an MTProto setup for storage instead of the older USB method. Switching to a USB output helped users with iOS devices or infotainment systems play their Android music. Note: Your manual lists only WAV, MP3 and another unspecified format via USB, excluding formats like WMA. Even if you download Spotify offline, format mismatches will prevent playback. Generally, Nexus phones support USB audio but only for files already on the device, which could be added via rooting. Updated April 5, 2017 by Scruffy90