This is maybe a suppressed rant.
But I own a 2016 Honda EX.
Since day one, after I had already signed on the dotted line, I discovered the phone I own, isn't compatible with Honda Link.

I didn't at first think it a big deal. Not being able to easily take phone call, takes away the temptation, and I think maybe makes driving a little safer.

But with time?
I paid for this option.
It's began to bother me more and more that I can't link. My only option being to upgrade my phone and/or change carriers.

When you go to Honda's site, and check phone compatibility, it's pretty ridiculous the few amount of phones per carrier that Honda says are actually compatible.

I can buy a portable GPS that can link with just about ANYTHING that has bluetooth, and yet Honda can't design their phone link system to do anything but accept a noble few brands?

It's really something Honda needs to address. In this day and age, compatibility with all electronics is nearly expected.

 

What aren't you able to do? I have a Moto X and it's not an approved list but connects bluetooth just fine, stream music and make and receive phone calls.

 

Mine will "pair" but not connect.
It's a cheap, android based Trac-Phone.

 

Sounds like you need a better phone then, don't blame Honda.

Moto X is Android based too and works just fine for what I need.

 

Who else do I blame?
The phone isn't the most prestigious...but it works. Why Honda seems to exclude so many phones is IMO ridiculous.

Unless I'm missing something?
Because I can go through all the steps, it say's it's paired but then not connected? And I can't get it to connect.

I probably will upgrade my phone and try again...someday.

 

Uhh yourself for a cheapo phone? They're not excluding, their saying they've tested these phones to work. You can't possibly expect them to test every phone out there. My "excluded" phone works, why yours doesn't I'm not sure. Could it be on older bluetooth version of your particular phone?

 

Also when you have it paired, do you have the icons for music and phone on the bluetooth device list. Visible in this video at 1:14

 

Maybe I did miss something. I'll try it again as appearing in the above video.
In my defense.
The dealership tried to link it up, and the guy gave up after about 45 minutes and repeated tries, just eventually blaming my phone.
But I'll try again.

 

You can have the phone paired, but if you don't want it to stream music then you don't have to connect it as such. Same with not wanting to use it for making phone calls. You can connect multiple devices so I guess this device you want to make phone calls, this other to play music from.

What model phone is it?

 

There is a pretty clear cut standard for bluetooth hands free, this is typical honda/Apple/sony attitude..

Its why I buy cars with the lowest possible audio system and put what I want in later..

 

I bet I can nip this in the bud here.

If you have a 'cheap trac-phone'... that's not good.
1. HONDA-LINK I am pretty sure is for Apple iOS only... for now(maybe). https://hondalink.honda.com/nextgen
When you go to that site to check for compatibility, it's giving you 'known' compatibility for the hands-free bluetooth. Just poor website design. < It would have a Play Store logo and link if it was for Android.

2. You might be able to still use 'hands-free bluetooth'.
BUT because you have a cheap tracphone, you might not have latest bluetooth version(4.x), to use all the 'hands-free' features.

3. Thus you may end up with just the basic bluetooth connection to play audio/calls (maybe without steering wheel button functionality).

Gotta upgrade the phone if you want the fancy stuff.

 

Thanks...
That's basically what I thought, and basically what the dealership told me.

I guess, since my previous vehicle DID and COULD link with this cheapo phone, and we are talking software compatibility choices that are being made by Honda...cheaper Trac-Fone or otherwise, I think Honda could of chosen to make their system more all inclusive.

The problem is, really for my needs, The Trac-Fone works. But it would be nice to be able to use the phone through the system in the car.
There is no way I upgrade the phone without really increasing my monthly costs.

 

Heh. Only fault of Honda's is making the iOS HondaLink Navi App $60.

A few reasons the APP is not Android is they would have to pay dev's to remake it for Android.. and if they did make it for android the likely-hood that the app would get cracked and pirated is far more likely. Smart choice on their part, because I would never pay for it.

That being said, bluetooth audio is the most universal car audio connection now. Out with AUX ports.
So they did make their system 'more all inclusive', you can play music off your phone right?
But because your phone doesn't have the newest bluetooth technology, your phone might not be capable of sending additional commands/data to the Fit's headunit.


Also, you are not missing out on much in regards to the 'HondaLink iOS APP'. It's pretty crappy, a bit slow. If anything you should be complaining why our Fit's do not have AndroidAuto yet with the rest of us.

 

I'll concede I'm slowly morphing into a Dinosaur.
But, I just use a USB stick downloaded with all my music.
Seems the easiest way to get what music I want through my system, and access almost immediately.

I don't play music through bluetooth on my phone. Seems unnecessary. So I have to say, I don't know if I could play music through my phone linked to The Fit....I never have even tried.

 

I thought it was IOS only as well but I managed to get some extra screen on my wifes android but my iphone 6 plus does nothing.