Gemini AI loop prevents users from calling contacts on Android Auto

The Gemini loop bug

Users of Android Auto are encountering a frustrating software loop when trying to make phone calls using Google's Gemini AI. While the assistant is designed to handle voice commands seamlessly, it is currently getting stuck in a repetitive cycle during contact selection. Even when a user clearly states a person's name, the AI fails to proceed with the call.

As reported by autoevolution, the assistant will respond with the prompt, "Who do you want to call?" and then repeat that exact same question no matter what name is spoken next. This happens even if the user provides names like Jessica, Tom, or Alex in rapid succession. The system seems to recognize the input but fails to trigger the actual dialing action.

This behavior is particularly jarring because the initial part of the conversation often works as intended. Users can wake the assistant and prompt it to start a call, but the process breaks down the moment a specific contact is mentioned. This creates a situation where the AI understands the intent but cannot execute the final step of the command.

Technical inconsistencies

The bug appears to be specific to how Gemini handles contact names rather than a general failure of the voice recognition system. Interestingly, the assistant still functions correctly when a user provides a raw phone number. If a person remembers the digits and speaks them one by one, Gemini successfully places the call without any issues.

This distinction suggests that the problem lies in the way Gemini maps spoken names to the device's contact list. While the assistant can process numerical data accurately, it is failing to bridge the gap between a name and the associated phone number. It is as if the software recognizes the name but refuses to link it to the action of dialing.

Some users have noted that the assistant actually corrects the spelling of the contact's name on the screen during these interactions. This confirms that the device knows which person the user is trying to reach, yet it remains stuck in the loop. The AI is aware of the target but is unable to complete the requested task of initiating the call.

Who is affected

The issue is not limited to a specific brand of smartphone or a single hardware configuration. It appears to affect a wide range of devices, including both Samsung and Pixel phones. This means that owners of high-end, latest-generation models are just as likely to experience the glitch as those with older hardware.

One user reported experiencing the problem on a Pixel 10 running the latest updates while connected to a 2021 Volkswagen GTI. This highlights that the bug is a software-level conflict between the Google app and the Android Auto interface. It is not a matter of having an outdated phone, but rather a flaw in the current AI integration.

Because Google has enforced a transition to Gemini and effectively removed the option to use the old Google Assistant, many users feel trapped. They cannot simply switch back to the previous system to avoid the bug. This leaves them with no choice but to wait for a fix while dealing with a tool that works only intermittently.

Previous and current issues

This specific looping behavior first appeared in October and has since gained significant attention on community forums. It joins a list of other reported problems involving Gemini and Android Auto. Other users have complained about the assistant causing the entire app to crash in the middle of a drive, which poses a safety risk.

There have also been reports of more severe issues, such as the assistant failing to dial 911 during an emergency. These varied complaints suggest that the integration of Gemini into the automotive space is still facing significant stability hurdles. The community is currently seeking a unified fix for these various malfunctions.

A Google Community specialist has already begun asking for more information to investigate the glitch. While this indicates that the company is aware of the problem, there is currently no confirmed timeline for a fix. The lack of a clear solution has led to significant frustration for those who rely on these features for daily navigation and communication.

What to do now

Currently, there is no manual way to bypass this bug or revert the system to a previous state. Users who have tried to troubleshoot by reinstalling Android Auto or clearing the cache have reported no success. The problem seems deeply rooted in the Gemini app's logic rather than a simple cache error or a local installation issue.

The most recent update for Android Auto, version 18.1, does not appear to include a specific patch for this contact looping bug. However, Google continues to roll out updates to the Google app, which is the core component responsible for the Gemini experience. Keeping these apps updated is the only current way to receive a fix when it becomes available.

For now, users may need to rely on manual dialing or memorizing phone numbers to ensure they can make calls. Enabling automatic updates in the Google Play Store is the best way to ensure that the fix is applied as soon as Google releases it. Until then, the loop remains a persistent headache for the Android Auto community.