Understanding the 'On Hold' Limitation in Android Auto

When using the Zoom mobile app on Android Auto, you may experience an issue where your meeting appears to be "On Hold" even though audio is still working, or vice versa. This article explains the known issue.

Understanding the "On Hold" sync issue

This is a known issue that occurs when using Android Auto on Android devices. The problem stems from a system design limitation in Android Auto that affects audio channel control when multiple audio connections are established with the car's audio system.

How the issue presents

When joining a Zoom meeting via Android Auto using the Call me or dial-in option, you may experience one of these symptoms:

• The meeting status shows On Hold in the Zoom interface, but participants can still hear you (the status is incorrect).
• When attempting to Unhold the call through Zoom, the phone call itself gets put on hold (the action affects the wrong channel).
• The Mute/Unmute button in Zoom becomes unresponsive.

Root cause

This issue occurs due to a system design limitation from Google. When a second audio connection is established with Android Auto, the first Zoom meeting audio channel loses control of the car's audio system. The car doesn't send proper notifications or signals back to the previous connection, causing the status desynchronization.

Affected scenarios

This issue specifically affects two scenarios:

1. Using the Call me or Dial in feature from the Zoom meeting UI after a Zoom meeting has already started in the car.
2. Dialing into a Zoom meeting with a different phone while connected to the same car via Android Auto.