List of Android phones that work >99% of the time

[gearchruncher]

As someone with a Model 3, and an Android user, the phone-as-key has been the only frustrating part of ownership. My Nexus 5X and wife's Moto X Pure are only about 50% reliable even with the tasker workaround. I shouldn't have to, but I'm considering buying phones that will just work.

So, who here has an Andoid phone that just works? If you do, please list what it is, and what OS you're on. Let's try and keep this informative and just a list of phones that people have had great experiences with.

 

[doubleatheman]

Not the Moto G5 or Pixel 2XL. My pixel 2xl works 85% of the time. The Moto G5 fails almost every time.

 

[insaneoctane]

You may want to just use this db....
Spreadsheet of smartphones ability to work with Model 3

 

[nvx1977]

My Google Pixel was failing 25-50% of the time, but then I disabled the default battery optimization on the Tesla app and now it's working 100% of the time. Give that a try and see if it fixes. Theoretically this fix will help for anyone on Android v6 (Marshmallow) or newer.

Instructions here:
Android users: phone-as-key FIX

 

[SDKoala]

My Google Pixel was failing 25-50% of the time, but then I disabled the default battery optimization on the Tesla app and now it's working 100% of the time. Give that a try and see if it fixes. Theoretically this fix will help for anyone on Android v6 (Marshmallow) or newer.

Instructions here:
Android users: phone-as-key FIX

I also have a Pixel and tried again to disable the battery optimization since you've been touting it so much for the past few days. (This was one of the first things I did when I realized the phone and car weren't playing well together.) I even did a factory reset to start brand new. I'm not getting anywhere close to 100%. I'm getting prompted to use the key card probably about 1 out of every 5 times if i'm not using my Tasker workaround.

 

[nvx1977]

I also have a Pixel and tried again to disable the battery optimization since you've been touting it so much for the past few days. (This was one of the first things I did when I realized the phone and car weren't playing well together.) I even did a factory reset to start brand new. I'm not getting anywhere close to 100%. I'm getting prompted to use the key card probably about 1 out of every 5 times if i'm not using my Tasker workaround.

what's the Tasker workaround?

Are you also connecting your phone to the car for music (A2DP)? Does that work flawlessly even when BLE doesn't?

I assume you've ruled out signal loss from being in a pocket?

 

[SDKoala]

what's the Tasker workaround?

Are you also connecting your phone to the car for music (A2DP)? Does that work flawlessly even when BLE doesn't?

I assume you've ruled out signal loss from being in a pocket?

Android phone key work around with Tasker?

You've must not be following all the different phone key threads as I've done as much posting on this as anyone else over the past few weeks.

 

[slipnslider]

Your car should not determine your phone. That is not "innovation." Where's the BRING BACK THE FOB petition?

 

[nvx1977]

caught up now.

Interesting. It's been about 5years since I felt like I needed Tasker. I redownloaded it last week to set up a recurring Airplane mode toggle to workaround the BLE disconnection problems. I was going to exempt the task when A2DP connection was established so it doesn't cut my phone's music stream. I may still set that up if I start to see disconnections again. Wonder what's the difference between our phones.

 

[mwenn1]

have had no issues with my Pixel 2 XL

 

[pipplo]

I had issues with my Pixel 2. But it's much more reliable if I don't have my other Bluetooth LE device (fitbit versa) connected. So for me it seems to be high 90s-100% with no versa attached and battery optimization disabled.

 

[SDKoala]

caught up now.

Interesting. It's been about 5years since I felt like I needed Tasker. I redownloaded it last week to set up a recurring Airplane mode toggle to workaround the BLE disconnection problems. I was going to exempt the task when A2DP connection was established so it doesn't cut my phone's music stream. I may still set that up if I start to see disconnections again. Wonder what's the difference between our phones.

Yep, I hadn't used Tasker in about 3-4 years also, or whenever priority notifications / do not disturb was built in to Lollipop. I might try automatically toggling airplane mode to reconnect after walking out of Bluetooth range since toggling Bluetooth alone isn't cutting it. There'd have exclusion for talking on the phone and other things I can't think of right now.

 

[ranova]

worked 99% of the time on my Galaxy S8.

I did do the stuff to not battery optimize the app

 

[Pkmmte]

My Pixel XL (Android Oreo) has worked exactly 100% of the time. I also tried using my Nexus 6P, LG G5, LG G4, and LG G3 a few times (5 to 15 times each) as a test and it worked perfectly each time. It also works well on my iPhone 7 Plus.

Meanwhile, my boss has a Pixel 2 XL (also Android Oreo) which fails most of the time on his Model 3. I really think it has more to do with the car than the phone.

 

[deonb]

An Android phone that works 99% of the time is called an iPhone...

 

[karmamule]

An Android phone that works 99% of the time is called an iPhone...

That joke may have had some merit a few years ago, but as a gadget fan who has had 2 lines, one Android and one iPhone for the last few years I don't think it's true any more. (My two current phones are a Galaxy S9+ and iPhone X) In my experience the number of oddities and quirks on my iPhones have increased and Android has steadily improved to the point they feel close to parity.

 

[SDKoala]

My Pixel XL (Android Oreo) has worked exactly 100% of the time. I also tried using my Nexus 6P, LG G5, LG G4, and LG G3 a few times (5 to 15 times each) as a test and it worked perfectly each time. It also works well on my iPhone 7 Plus.

Meanwhile, my boss has a Pixel 2 XL (also Android Oreo) which fails most of the time on his Model 3. I really think it has more to do with the car than the phone.

But according to some people here, there's no way it can be the car and it has to be our phones...

 

[Henchman]

Galaxy 8 99%

 

[Fallenone]

I'm using Google Pixel and it works 90% of the time. It was working 100% the time before the recent Tesla mobile app update. Then stopped working entirely until I re-paired it. Then worked maybe 50% of the time but has been steadily picking up.

 

[itsnotyou]

I had a Motorola g7 worked all the time. I just upgraded my phone to a Huawei p30 lite I am locked out till I use the card. My friends iphone does not work either