Karoo Phone Connection Does not Work
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I have now tried 2 different Android phones with my Karoo 2 and repeatedly reinstalled the companion app and reconnected. Very occasionally (when setting it up in my lounge), I can get a notification on the Karoo that I have received a message on the phone but never whilst riding. It is so unreliable I am, frankly, quite amazed that Hammerhead can still advertise it as a feature. It just does not work.
If anyone is getting on better with this please let me know - it is one of the reasons I bought the device but this combined with a lack of custom workouts (unless you subscribe to Training Peaks), has me eyeing Wahoos and Garmins.
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Phone connectivity between my iPhone X and my Karoo 2 is pretty robust and notifications work reliably whilst riding (after deleting and re-pairing the iPhone after the last update). I don't really use this feature much, though. When I'm on the bike, I'm looking at what's around me and not especially interested in what's going on elsewhere. I look at my phone when I stop. If people need to get hold of me before that, they can call me.
I do find it quite ironic that Android phones require the use of a companion app to communicate with the, errm, Android-based Karoo, whilst iOS just cracks on without the need to use a companion app.
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It is somewhat ironic and immensely frustrating. Unfortunately my job demands I am contactable. 95% of the messages I get can be left until the ride is over but some can't, without the ability to see what they are on the bike computer I have to stop every time I get any notification, thereby breaking up the ride to the point it is very staccato. The ability to get notifications on the Karoo 2 was a major reason for purchase for me. I now think I made a mistake.
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It would help if you mentioned which phone you're using other than "Android". Most manufacturers implement aggressive control of apps running in the background in the name of battery life (Huawei and Xiaomi are the worst but even Google does it), and it's possible the phone is putting the app to sleep.
Have you excluded the Karoo app from battery management policies? Have you allowed "autostart" and "background running"?
It works with my Google Pixel 5 after I turned off the battery optimisation for the Karoo app. If you need to be immediately contactable then consider buying one of the ultra-cheap Chinese wristbands which will do the same thing.
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It didn't work with a Oneplus 7 Pro and now doesn't work with my Oppo X2 Pro. The Companion app has been excluded from all battery optimisation policies, is allowed to autostart and run in the background, it also has notification permission. I could buy an additional device to be contactable but I don't think it is unreasonable to expect the Karoo to do as it is advertised to do. If it can't I will probably end up with a different device which would be a shame given the the other attributes the Karoo has.
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I have iPhone 12 mini. I’ve had frustrations with the phone keeping connection with Karoo 2 ever since I got it. I have re-paired the phone today, selected to receive all notification types on Karoo 2, enabled all notifications on iPhone. I had the phone and Karoo 2 on a desk right next to one another; and from my wife’s phone, I texted myself. It gives no notification on the Karoo 2 at all. When I tried calling, that worked but text messages still getting ignored. The larger issue is that when I’m actually out riding, the phone in back jersey pocket and computer mounted to front bar, they seem to randomly lose connection as well. I have my wife text and call me several times to test and notifications still do not come up. Please advise. I have installed all latest updates and you said this issue was fixed 2 updates ago but it is not.
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My brand new Karoo 2 is now updated with the most current version of the OS. My iPhone is updated with the most current version of iOS. I have not yet ridden a single mile with the device. I followed all of these instructions (https://bit.ly/3zMHgKt). I removed my phone from the Karoo and "forgot" my Karoo from my phone. I successfully re-paired my Karoo and iPhone.
The Karoo does not display any notifications from my phone, e.g. texts, calls, etc.
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