Android auto wired connectivity issues

I noticed sometime last week that the option to connect onto android auto via USB/WIRED has vanished on my android auto app. I prefer to have it wired due to some spotting areas around my city that causes the connection to be lost. i strictly had it set to only starting when connected via USB. now, it seems like it randomly chooses to be either connected via USB or wirelessly. Main reason why i prefer wired is so my music can start and stop when i connect or disconnect the cable + the reliability of it not losing connection.

does anyone know a fix around this? i've tried removing my truck from my phone's bluetooth option. i've tried removing my phone from toyota's bluetooth settings. i just cant get it to run like how i used to have it. thank you in advance!

below are the screenshots of my AA, showing no option to choose to be connected via wire.

 

Did you ever figure this out? I am new to Android Auto and my phone is not being detected at all. Any advice?

 

The USB connector in mine randomly stops working. I'll get a message telling me that my drive (USB stick) stopped working. If I unplug and replug it, it starts right back up. Yes, the drive is formatted correctly, and it worked flawlessly for three years in my 4Runner.

 

I just realized I've ventured off into the 3rd gen realm

I have a 2.5 gen, 2018 to be exact and not even sure if my truck has Android Auto capability at all

 

This site helps with what little issues I had at first. Maybe it can help you.

https://support.google.com/androidauto/community?hl=en

 

connecting directly through the android auto app with a cable should be the main way to configure and set up your phone.

what i've learned from trial/error and constant usage is that if i connect my phone via USB before my head unit auto-connects wirelessly, it'll be considered as connected via WIRE. from starting up my truck, i'd say i have about 8-10 seconds before it connects wirelessly, so i try to connect it as fast as i can. in doing so, i no longer have any issues losing connectivity while driving through certain areas that would typically disconnect my phone from my head unit. i can confirm that it is connected via USB because before i power down my truck, i disconnect my phone with the wire and my music stops.

i will mention that i recently purchased a new phone, so i'm not sure if having a newer android version also helped with my issues. i went from a galaxy note 10+ to a galaxy S23 ultra.

one last thing is i see you have a 2018 tundra? just know that i am referring to all of my issues and progress with my 2022 tundra.