Android Auto 17.8 Stable Update Appears to Fix Missing Cellular Signal Icon Bug

Google acknowledged the problem a few days before the stable release. A company representative posted on Reddit that Google was aware of reports about the missing cellular signal and was rolling out a fix that should address the issue, according to 9to5Google, which spotted the comment. The representative added that the fix was not widely available at the time and that users could enroll in the Android Auto beta to receive it sooner.

The stable version of Android Auto 17.8 is now available, and many users report that it addresses the problem, TechRadar reported. The report did not say how many users were affected or which phone models or regions were involved.

For users still seeing the bug, TechRadar recommends updating Android Auto through the Google Play Store. Open the Play Store, search for Android Auto, and tap update if the option appears. If no update is available, the phone may already have downloaded version 17.8 automatically.

To check the installed version, go to Settings > Apps or Apps & notifications, scroll to Android Auto, tap it, and look at the version number at the bottom of that screen. The version can also be seen at the bottom of the settings screen inside the Android Auto app, according to the report.

If the phone is running Android Auto 17.8 but the cellular signal icon is still missing, TechRadar suggests clearing Android Auto's cache. Users can return to Settings > Apps > Android Auto, tap Storage, and then tap Clear cache.

If the phone is not running Android Auto 17.8 and no update is available, the report says the best option is usually to wait and check again over the next few days. Users who do not want to wait can sideload the package from a legitimate site such as APKMirror, though TechRadar says it generally recommends waiting for the update to arrive through official channels.

The bug has been intermittent for some users, TechRadar reported. It has not affected every Android Auto user. The Reddit comment cited by 9to5Google did not explain what caused the missing icon.