10:48 01-08-2026

Android Auto: Gemini Can’t Complete Calls on Folded Galaxy Z Flip and Razr Phones

Foldable phone owners report Gemini in Android Auto recognizes call commands but never connects — unless the phone is opened and unlocked first.

Owners of Samsung and Motorola foldable phones have run into a Gemini glitch in Android Auto: the assistant recognizes the command, finds the right contact, and announces the call is starting — but the connection never goes through. In some cases the feature only starts working once the driver opens and unlocks the phone, the exact action voice control is supposed to make unnecessary.

The first detailed complaints surfaced in the official Android Auto community on April 17, 2026. A Galaxy Z Flip 7 owner reported that calls won’t go through while the phone stays closed, even though messages and other commands keep working. Owners of the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Motorola Razr 2025, and Razr Ultra later confirmed the same problem. An Android Auto team member said on May 7 that the report had been passed to developers, but complaints about the same glitch kept showing up through July.

That doesn’t prove every foldable is affected. So far this is a string of user reports, not an officially confirmed list of devices. The pattern repeating across two manufacturers’ models points to a possible conflict between Android Auto, Gemini, and the folded state of the phone, though Google hasn’t disclosed a technical cause.

According to Google’s own support pages, Gemini is supposed to be able to place calls even from a locked device. That requires granting the Google app “Phone” permission, and turning on calls and messages without unlocking in Gemini’s settings. The trouble is that some owners have already checked these settings, and the call still won’t start.

Before heading out, it’s worth checking Gemini’s access to the Phone app, Google permissions, contact sync, and the locked-screen setting. Updating Gemini, Google, and Android Auto is also worth doing. If none of that helps, it’s safer to place calls through the infotainment system’s phone menu or a standard Bluetooth connection rather than opening the phone while driving.

The Android Auto 17.1 release was aimed at fixing Gemini and voice-command glitches, but the update didn’t resolve every scenario. Version 17.2 later brought its own dropped connections and music stutter — a good sign the system depends on several Google components, not just the Android Auto app itself.

There’s no official patch specifically for foldables yet, and no timeline for one. Until it’s fixed, a hands-free call from a closed Galaxy Flip or Motorola Razr shouldn’t be counted on as a reliable feature.