[discussion] Revoking cellular data permission for AA on the phone makes Native wireless AA not connect

[zd3sf]

Not a bug, but I would like to open the discussion on this

AA is known to be a big spyware for google, it needs access to phone permission (SIM card info), contacts, notifications, etc. AA doesn't actually need internet access on its own, the map is displayed by Google Maps (can be replaced by a fake stub to use another Nav app), Voice input is handled by google app (can operate offline based on downloaded language model). Which brings me to my issue:

I usually deny AA app (on the phone) Network access. For USB connection to HURev, no impact. Everything works. But for wireless Native, we can only deny Mobile data access (because it needs the Wi-Fi to make the wireless connection). When only mobile data is denied, AA wont connect to HURev. If mobile data access is allowed, but the mobile data was disable (from Quick settings tile), AA works.

I find it interesting that on USB direct to the phone everything works. But I think this not a HURevived problem, but rather an AA problem. I tried using a USB AA wireless dongle, it wouldn't even show up on HURevived until, mobile data access was enabled on the phone. weird.

HUR_Log_20260601_112046.txt

[andreknieriem]

Interesting. Do you think there is a workaround on that?

[zd3sf]

Not sure. I will test this on a car with OEM AA, if I can't get it to work unless mobile data is allowed, then it's an android app problem. I can toggle the mobile data off for the whole device and AA wirless work but not when just denying it alone mobile data.

[zd3sf]

I tested it with an OEM wired AA headunit on 2020 RAV4. With cellular permissions denied, it worked using USB cable, but it didnt work using a USB wireless AA dongle. I am currently looking for a car with native wireless AA to test ---no dongles.

[zd3sf]

This article implies that it could be car dependent
https://grapheneos.org/usage#android-auto

"For some cars, baseline permissions for wireless Android Auto are needed even when using wired Android Auto. Therefore, if wired Android Auto is unable to connect to the car with only wired permissions granted, try granting wireless permissions instead"

[zd3sf]

TCP and UDP dump (on the phone) show that Android auto isnt opening connections. Google app connections are for speech to Text, the map is obvious, MicroG connections should be somewhat anonymized and stripped of metadata.,