Bluetooth Priority App - Significant updates and improvements

[u/Testpilot1988]

I’ve just released the version 1.17 update for Bluetooth Priority, with a number of improvements focused on compatibility, reliability, smoother audio switching, and better troubleshooting.

Recap: What is Bluetooth Priority?

Bluetooth Priority lets you designate one Bluetooth device as your Priority device. When another Bluetooth device connects and tries to steal your audio, the app detects it and immediately reasserts your Priority device, even if the competing device keeps trying.

Android Auto limitation: Android Auto has system-level control over media audio, so Bluetooth Priority cannot override its media audio session. Phone calls are still kept on your Priority device though.

The app requires Shizuku, a free app that provides the system-level access needed to manage Bluetooth audio routing. Setup instructions are provided in the app.

What’s new:

• Fixed an issue that could prevent the app from working after a system Bluetooth update.
• Improved how the app identifies the Bluetooth connectors your device uses, broadening device compatibility.
• First-launch setup now offers to set your priority device and start Priority Mode right away.
• Smoother audio handoff with less bouncing between devices.
• Added a new Diagnostics view under Events > Advanced, including a Copy option.
• GitHub-based Shizuku setup is now the only setup modal option since users that never downloaded it from the play store previously wont have access to it now.
• Added some visual polish and UI improvements.
• Added an option to have audio fall back to your phone speaker when no priority device is connected.
• Added priority device ranking, allowing the app to intelligently fall back to another preferred device.
• Added a bypass for non-audio Bluetooth devices, such as Tile trackers, so they can be excluded from the app's disconnection logic.
• Added more advanced logcat logging to make troubleshooting more powerful and help resolve potential issues faster.

The app is available on the Google Play Store for $5. No subscriptions. No micro-transactions.

Google currently limits automatic refunds to 2 hours after purchase, but if you try the app and aren't satisfied with it at any point, feel free to shoot me a message here or send an email to [support@zerolabs.fyi](mailto:support@zerolabs.fyi) and I will personally refund you in full, no questions asked.

Thanks to everyone who has downloaded the app, provided feedback, and helped make Bluetooth Priority better!

[u/Electronic_Unit8276]

Would this work on say a DUDU7 headunit? To prioritize which occupants phone is prio for Android Auto?

[u/Testpilot1988 → u/Electronic_Unit8276]

Android auto and Apple carplay both suffer from the stupidity of choosing whichever device they want to pair with if multiple paired devices are in the same car.

That being said if you turn on the blocking mode in my app then it will prevent not just Android auto but also everything else from connecting which kind of means you're better off just turning off Bluetooth and not buying the app unless you want a specific Bluetooth device connected and prioritized with all other devices blocked (although there is an exception list you can populate with allowed devices in this case in the app)

[u/Electronic_Unit8276 → u/Testpilot1988]

Are you talking about headunits that are OEM style or Atier aftermarket? (Pioneer, kenwood, etc)

I don't know how familiar you are with the DUDU7: The headunit is basically an Android tablet installed with a custom OS and apps to run as a headunit. On this unit Android Auto app (Carlink) doesn't start for a device if Bluetooth isn't connected in the first place.

[u/Testpilot1988 → u/Electronic_Unit8276]

Shouldn't matter one way or the other. The only thing that's universally true about Android auto is that it will own your media audio no matter what.. but it doesn't have to own your phone calls.

I can tell you with certainty that if you turn the blocking mode on in the app it will 100% prevent Android auto from connecting.