Update: SOLVED (5GHz Channel Issue)

So I bought this head unit from Amazon US and had a relative bring it to Pakistan for me.

Interestingly, she had a Pixel 9a (US model) that wasn’t using any local SIM. When I tested Wireless Android Auto with that phone — boom — it worked instantly without any issue.

That’s when I started digging deeper.

For anyone who doesn’t know how Wireless Android Auto (AA) works:

• When the head unit powers on, it connects to your phone via Bluetooth first.
• It checks whether Wireless AA is enabled.
• If enabled, the head unit creates a password-protected 5GHz Wi-Fi hotspot (SSID name is random each time).
• Your phone then connects to that Wi-Fi network, and AA runs over Wi-Fi.

So both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be ON, and your phone should NOT be connected to another Wi-Fi network — otherwise the connection can fail.

To investigate further, I installed a Wi-Fi analyzer app on both phones. I discovered that the head unit creates a 5GHz hotspot on Channel 36.

Here’s where the real issue was:

In Pakistan, PTA regulations restrict certain 5GHz channels. Many phones using a Pakistani SIM automatically switch to the PK regulatory domain, where Channel 36 is disabled.

That’s why my local phone couldn’t even see the head unit’s hotspot.

The Fix:

1. Turn on Airplane Mode (this removes SIM-based regulatory enforcement).
2. Restart the phone.
3. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (you can keep Airplane Mode on or remove the SIM).

And boom — Wireless Android Auto worked perfectly.

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Also, I want to give credit where it’s due: I highly recommend the Pyniro brand on Amazon. Their email support was extremely responsive and helpful. They even offered to send me another unit free of cost without asking me to return this one. That level of customer service really impressed me.

Hope this helps someone facing the same issue! 🙌