check your manual some USB are not designed to charge. You can get a USB adapter and plug it into the 12V socket to use as a charging port.

 

The USB port in question receives its power directly from the audio head unit. The problem could be in your head unit, in the wiring to the USB port, or in the cable you use to attach your phone. Try a new cable first and see if the problem persists.

 

Using the proper cable for your phone can make a difference. Another consideration is the power level your device requires is not provided by the port itself. Most in dash usb ports only deliver .5 amps of power, and many modern smart phones require quite a lot more than that to keep the device on while charging. I use a quick charging plug for the lighter socket to quick charge my phone. This is a very common problem with most vehicles right now.

 

There is a newer standard for bluetooth connectivity with android auto, but the current kia products don't have it yet. Not sure when they will. (new models obviously, there will be no retro upgrades for the vehicles we already have)

 

Battery monitoring apps are not reliable so I wouldn't trust the results. As @pcguy said, your port only delivers .5 amp because that was the standard. Many of our smartphones require much more, but older phones could be harmed by a greater output (my wife has one of these). The needed charge is also related to both how far you are from a cell tower and what else you have running in your phone as well as how bright your screen is. So, if I'm using Android Auto for any distance, I clear all of the background apps, make sure the screen is set for about 40% brightness and make sure the phone is fully charged. I don't really worry about shorter trips of an hour or two, but do make sure my phone is charged before I start. You might also want to check what apps are running in the background all of the time through a battery app. Good luck...

 

My phone (iPhone 6 plus) and my wife's phone (iPhone 7 plus) have no issue charging while plugged into the centre dash port. It is likely a cable issue as different cables have different current ratings, especially when you are talking about micro USB or USB c cables as they interface with a very wide range of devices and have a very wide range of throughputs.

I'd say use the cable that came with your phone or one that is similar to it.

 

i have an iphone 6s and it charges no issue. i use my phone for music. radio sucks.

 

When I first got my Galaxy S8 phone all of our power plugs were rated for too low an output. If I was using android auto or even google maps for the GPS directions even while plugged in it would drain my phone battery fast!

I had to locate higher output chargers. Ideally get some that support "fast" or "rapid" charging. Once I did that I had no charging issues and can use GPS, Android auto and play music from my phone and still charge.

The accessory circuit supports 5 amps if I remember correctly, and i think the rapid chargers are 4.8A. The high output socket is usually a different color (if there are more than 1).

 

When I first got my Galaxy S8 phone all of our power plugs were rated for too low an output. If I was using android auto or even google maps for the GPS directions even while plugged in it would drain my phone battery fast!

I had to locate higher output chargers. Ideally get some that support "fast" or "rapid" charging. Once I did that I had no charging issues and can use GPS, Android auto and play music from my phone and still charge.

The accessory circuit supports 5 amps if I remember correctly, and i think the rapid chargers are 4.8A. The high output socket is usually a different color (if there are more than 1).

How did you use Android Auto without being plugged into the car's regular power plugs? Android Auto on your screen requires you to plug into the one plug in the dash. Unless you pull the dash apart and put in a high output plug, you can't do that. You can certainly use your phone through Bluetooth while plugged into an accessory plug. I've installed a high output accessory outlet for phone charging when I'm not using AA. However, I sure wish there were a plug that took power from an accessory plug and data from the car's USB port... I've looked to no avail...

 

I wasn't as clear as I could have beenon that. AA was being used while plugged into the USB like expected. What I eventually figured out was that I had to go into my phone and change my settings for a more efficient configuration. I set it to put unused programs to sleep when not I use. Battery performance is set to optimized. Screen is on auto adjust. Once I get a better handle on the background power drains I has worked much better for me. I also try to make sure I start my trip when using AA with a full charge.


I did and do connect through bluetooth in my normal usage using a high output charger in the 12v outlet for hands free calls and music. I typically use AA for the map directions when I am in unfamiliar areas.

 

It would still be better to be able to plug in and use a high output charge at the same time. That said, I understand the USB 4 spec will use a USB-C (Thunderbolt) plug and when your car and phone are USB 4, you'll be able to get up to a 3 amp charge. Right now, the USB port uses the 2.0 spec that is backwards compatible and only can deliver 0.5 amps by specification. The problem is that if you raise the charge rate for older 2.0 phones, you could ruin them. The only way to get around this during the transition is to have one USB 2 port with a standard plug and one USB 4 port with a C plug. I don't see that coming for a while. Newer phones have the circuitry to protect them from over charging. Older phones do not.

 

FWIW, my 2020 Sorento SX charges my Galaxy S8+ fine no matter what applications I have running. I have gone for a drive using Android Auto and Google Maps, and when I got to my destination, I had a full charge on the phone.