Auto + Android: Pandora plays when connecting to Bluetooth

[surfer433]

I have the same problem with the Android version, connects to bluetooth and auto plays. Changing autostart setting does not change it. I am running version 4-11, cannot seen to get an update.

Moderator Edit: Changing title for clarity

[TannerPandora]

Hi @surfer433 

Welcome to community!

Try disabling Launch from Car from your Pandora settings - Profile > Settings > Advanced > Bluetooth Devices > Disable 'Enable Launch From Car'. 

[surfer433]

 The setting Launch from car is disabled, that is the problem, that setting does not function.. Thank you for trying to help.

I should further clarify, when connecting to any paired speaker, Pandora auto starts. Surely there must be an easy solution for this. As it is I unpaired my home speakers to prevent the auto playing.

Moderator Edit: Merged posts

[TannerPandora]

Hi @surfer433 

In most cases, your mobile OS controls Bluetooth playback to assist with launching your recently used media apps when connected. This is true with other music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. I've had the same experience when connecting in my car or speaker with Bluetooth, Apple Music will launch and begin playing. This is almost always true if I've played the app most recently. In these cases, I've found the best way to prevent Pandora or other streaming service from launching is to completely close the app. 

However, when in the vehicle, in most recent models that support SDL, disabling the 'Launch from car' feature should help to prevent Pandora from launching and playing in the car.

If this is not happening for you, I can report this experience for further investigation. Please let me know your OS and Pandora version. 

[FlyingDutchman]

Yes, it automatically starts every time I connect to any bluetooth device and I have "Launch from car" toggled off. It does it even when Pandora app is closed. It is often running in the background even when I haven't used it recently and app is closed.  I uninstalled it once because of this feature and it looks like I'll have to do it again.

[MariaPandora]

Hi @FlyingDutchman , welcome to the Pandora community!

We are sorry to hear your Pandora is launching automatically without you requesting it.

Can you send over a bit more info about your device and car?

• Make and Model of your car and phone:
  Year of your car: 
• Carrier:
• Android version (Settings > About Phone):
• Pandora version:
  • If you can open Pandora, go to Profile, then select Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the screen for the version number.
  • If you can't open Pandora: from Android Home screen > Android Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Find Pandora

Are you connected to cellular data when this is happening?

Have you identified any other patterns or notable information?

Let me know what you can find out.

[Missthing20]

Hi @MariaPandora I am having this problem too. Its a new issue. I have a 2023 Acura RDX and Samsung Galaxy 23. T-Mobile. Android 16. Version 2510.1.1 - Pandora version.  I am connected to cellular data when it occurs. As soon as I get turn on the car, Pandora comes on. I could have been listening to something on audible, it will automatically switch to Pandora. How do I turn this off.

[TannerPandora]

Hi @Missthing20 

Welcome to community! 

To clarify, Pandora will interrupt your stream with Audible and begin playing when connecting to your vehicle? Could you confirm if Pandora was playing before listening to Audible or in the background?

Do you only connect your mobile through Bluetooth or do you connected to Android Auto?

In the meantime, let's try disabling the Launch from Car feature to see if it help. From the Pandora app, visit Profile > Settings > Advanced > Under Bluetooth Devices > Ensure that Enable Launch From Car is toggled off

[FlyingDutchman]

Hi Maria. Thanks for responding!! 

1. Our vehicle is a 2019 Honda CR-V, and the device is connected through Android Auto
2. Our cell service is through Verizon
3. Cell phone is Galaxy A42 5G model SM-A-426U REV 1.0 One UI version 5.1, Android version 13
4. I've already uninstalled Pandora because it kept starting, so I don't know the version number, but I downloaded and installed it in December 2025.  About a year prior I uninstalled it for the same reason
5. Yes, I'm connected to cell data when it auto-starts
6. It also auto-starts when connecting to my ear buds: TRAUSI bluetooth IP7 (I27)
7. As soon as I connect to a bluetooth device, it would start playing

Thanks for your help!  If you get this resolved, we can re-install Pandora and start enjoying it again

[TannerPandora]

Hi @FlyingDutchman 

Thanks for following up and for sharing those details, I really appreciate it. (Also really enjoy your username 😊)

I had a quick clarifying questions about what you’re experiencing:

• When this happens, is Pandora already open in the background on your phone? For example, had you been listening earlier that day,
• Or does this happen even if it’s been a while since you last used Pandora?
• Also, when first connecting to Bluetooth, does Pandora start playing while another streaming service is already in use?

For a bit of context, on both Android and iPhone devices, this behavior can be expected when connecting to standard Bluetooth accessories like car systems or headphones. The phone’s operating system will often try to resume the most recent audio/media session, which can cause the last streaming app used to reopen and begin playback. This is intended to help listeners quickly get back to what they were previously listening to, especially in hands-free situations like driving.

You may notice similar behavior with other apps as well. I’ve personally seen this happen with services like Netflix and Apple Music when connecting to a Bluetooth speaker, where the last used app suddenly resumes playback.

That said, Pandora shouldn’t launch if it was fully closed (not in the background) and hasn’t been used recently, and it also shouldn’t interrupt another service that’s already actively playing. Though I should note, that if it was closed recently before connecting the OS may still pick up on the last media session.

Thanks for the additional details! 

[FlyingDutchman]

Thanks for following up!

Pandora is usually (or always) closed when this happens. Sometimes,
however, I will notice that my Android says it is running in the
background (even though I have closed the app).

Yes, Pandora will start playing over top of another app or streaming
that I'm listening to or watching at the time.

Hope you can get to the bottom of this!  It's made Pandora unusable from
my perspective.

Thank you!!

Dutch

Your questions:  is Pandora already open in the background on your
phone? For example, had you been listening earlier that day, Or does
this happen even if it’s been a while since you last used Pandora? Also,
when first connecting to Bluetooth, does Pandora start playing while
another streaming service is already in use?