- Drivers report that Gemini cannot run Google Home routines when the phone is connected to Android Auto.
- The assistant responds with random phrases or error messages, but it works correctly outside the car.
- The fault does not affect all users, suggesting a configuration problem or a phased rollout.
- Google has not yet officially acknowledged the error or offered a date for a fix.
The integration of Gemini into Android Auto continues to generate discussion, and not for good reasons. Just days after problems with Waze dominated forums, a new bug is now affecting Google Home routines , one of the most practical features of the smart home ecosystem. Drivers who rely on these automations to prepare their homes while traveling have encountered an unexpected obstacle.
According to complaints appearing on communities like Reddit and Google's official forums, Gemini fails to execute programmed routines when the phone is connected to the car . The odd thing is that if the phone is disconnected from the vehicle, the assistant performs the same commands without issue. This has generated a wave of frustration among users, who see how a tool designed to facilitate driving has become a real headache.
What exactly is happening with routines?
Google Home routines allow you to turn on lights, adjust the heating, play music, or perform any combination of actions with a single voice command. It's one of those features that, when it works, is incredibly convenient. But for the past few weeks, when activating a routine from Android Auto, Gemini responds with nonsensical phrases or simply with a generic message saying "something went wrong ." The action is never completed.
Those affected have tried the typical solutions: clearing the cache, reinstalling apps, updating software… but nothing has worked. The problem seems to lie in the communication between Gemini and Android Auto, and not with the smart home devices. In fact, if the phone isn't paired with the car, the routines run perfectly , ruling out a problem with the speakers or the Google Home setup.
Who is affected and what is known so far?
The most puzzling thing is that not all drivers are experiencing this error . Some users report that their routines continue to work flawlessly while driving. This suggests that the glitch could be related to a specific account configuration, a particular version of the apps, or a gradual rollout of the feature by Google. Whatever the cause, the lack of a clear pattern makes finding a quick fix difficult.
Google's support forums are filled with threads containing dozens of complaints, but the company has yet to officially acknowledge the problem or provide a date for a potential fix . This lack of official communication leaves those affected with no option but to wait or resort to manual methods, such as running the routines from their phones before starting the car.
The transition to Gemini in the car is in doubt.
Android Auto has become a key testing ground for Gemini, the assistant Google wants to replace the classic Google Assistant. The promise is to offer a more natural, hands-free interaction, but glitches like this one cast doubt on the system's maturity . If the basic connection to the smart home doesn't work, many drivers will prefer to return to the old tools, which at least responded without surprises.
The situation is especially delicate because Gemini, Android Auto, and Google Home are products within the same ecosystem . Their incompatibility breeds distrust and slows the adoption of the new artificial intelligence. Until Google releases an official solution, users will have to manage as best they can, whether by disabling routines or using manual commands before getting behind the wheel.
For now, the only certainty is that the problem exists and has been documented by dozens of drivers. The hope is that, since it's a bug affecting widely used services, Google will address it soon in an update. Until then, those who rely on Google Home routines while driving will have to find alternatives or simply wait for the assistant to learn how to avoid malfunctioning precisely when it's most needed.