Troubleshoot Android Auto and CarPlay connection issues
Directions not showing on your car display? Check that Android Auto or CarPlay is connected, your navigation app is set in Upper, and your phone and apps are up to date.
When you tap Navigate on a stop, Upper hands the address to the navigation app you've chosen. That app is what shows directions on your car's Android Auto or CarPlay display. So if directions aren't appearing on the car screen, the cause is almost always one of three things: the car isn't connected, the wrong navigation app is set in Upper, or your phone or apps need updating. Work through the checks below in order.
This article uses the default driver and delivery labels. If your workspace is set up for technicians and service work, you'll see labels like Technician and Service instead — the steps are the same.
Before you start
- Your phone is set up for the car display — Android Auto on an Android phone, or CarPlay on an iPhone, configured and working with your vehicle or head unit.
- Your navigation app is installed and updated — for example Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze.
- A working connection to the car — a USB cable, or a wireless pairing if your vehicle supports it.
Quick checks
Confirm the car display is connected
Make sure Android Auto or CarPlay is active on the dashboard before you tap Navigate. If only your phone screen shows directions, the car isn't connected — check the cable or re-pair the wireless connection.
Check your navigation app in Upper
In Upper, go to Settings > General > User Settings and confirm your Default Navigation Map is set to an app your car display supports, such as Google, Apple, or Waze. Then tap Navigate on a stop again.
Update your phone and apps
Make sure your phone's operating system and your navigation app are up to date, then try again.
Upper hands navigation off to a separate map app for the car display — it's that app, not Upper, that draws on the Android Auto or CarPlay screen. Upper also offers its own in-app navigation as an optional add-on, but for the car display, choose a map app your car supports. See Switch between navigation apps.
Common issues and fixes
If it still isn't working
Disconnect and reconnect
Unplug the cable, or end the wireless pairing, then reconnect and confirm the car display is active.
Restart Upper
Close the Upper app fully and reopen it, then start your route again.
Restart your phone
If the issue continues, restart your phone and try once more.
Try a different cable
For wired connections, a worn or low-quality USB cable is a common cause — swap it for a known-good one.
Wireless connections drop more often than wired ones. If you rely on the car display all day, a good-quality USB cable is usually the most reliable setup.
If none of these steps fix it, reach out to your dispatcher or email support@upperinc.com with your phone model and car make so the team can help.
Related
Switch between navigation apps
Set your Default Navigation Map in the Upper driver app to choose which mapping app opens for turn-by-turn directions: Google, Apple, Waze, and more.
Troubleshoot offline mode issues
Offline work not showing for dispatch? Reconnect to a stable network and reopen the Upper driver app. Held work usually syncs within moments once signal returns.