topic Re: Smart connect options. in XZ Series

Smart connect options.

Koets — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 14:51:54 GMT

Why are the options in Sony smart connect so limited.

No option to start widgets

No option to all on/off settings

I would like the option to turn on Wi-Fi hotspot (mobile Wi-Fi tethering)

Any ideas/work work arounds?

Re: Smart connect options.

Strampke — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:39:58 GMT

@Koets

Don't you have that option in settings?

Goto settings, click on magnifying glass, do a search for hotspot.

Report please if you have found it or not.

Re: Smart connect options.

Koets — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 19:17:03 GMT

Thanks for your reply, I do have that option in settings, but not as an option in smart connect...

And that's what I'm asking about.

If I get into my car, and the phone connects to the radio through Bluetooth, I want smart connect to automatically start up hotspot...

That way my car radio can use the 4G connection from my phone...

However that option is not available in smart connect (anymore).

Re: Smart connect options.

Jonas — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 08:08:45 GMT

Hi @Koets, welcome to our forum!

You might experience that the Smart Connect app is missing some actions if you have installed it yourself on a device that does not have it pre-loaded. This is because the Smart Connect app is being phased out. The app will continue working as long as it is available for download from Google Play, but during the phase out some features will no longer work.

In this case, I would recommend that you look for another application in the Google Play store which works similarly to the Smart Connect application so you can start a hotspot directly when your phone connects to the radio in your car.

I have not used one myself so I can't give you any tips of another device, but if you search for "start action automatically" or similar you should be able to find an application that does you want it to do!

I hope that answers your question as to why this action is no longer available in the Smart Connect application!

Re: Smart connect options.

Koets — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 08:39:29 GMT

Hi @Jonas, thanks for your clear answer.

Too bad about the phase-out, it was a nice app.

About other apps, that is probably not going to work as for some reason the latest Android doesn't support switching hotspot automatically anymore, even with dedicated hotspot apps (tried many).

I even tried NFC tags, which I programmed to do the job, however, even though NFC indicates hotspot has been switched on, it in reality didn't...

Thanks though, I will still try some apps like you said and let you know if I somehow get it to work.

Ps. Maybe the option can be added to Smart Lock? It is still a stock Sony app... It would make sense to me..

Re: Smart connect options.

d0123r — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 14:57:58 GMT

Just try 'Nougat+ Tasker Tethering Control' plugin with either 'Tasker' or any other automation tool (I use 'Llama').

I was really surprised, that Smart Connect didn't do this anymore and also Xperia Actions within the Xperia Assistant is just a set of not so usefull templates. Sony should give users more options to set up actions as they like!

And imo that would make more sense than Smart Lock, especially as Smart Lock is not working as it should...

Hope the plugin works for you as good as for me!

Re: Smart connect options.

Strampke — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 20:20:01 GMT

@Koets

I use MacroDroid

Trigger is speed (driving).

It switches on Bluetooth (in my case)

You can download many macros and/or create some yourself.

Re: Smart connect options.

Koets — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 20:29:18 GMT

@d0123r

Thanks for that! I will try it with "automate" (I had chosen it because it is free and has no ads, same with llama I just saw) , as it tries to switch on hotspot for me, but Android wouldn't let it.

I will post back with outcome.

@strampke, thanks, but that still wouldn't work without d0123r's solution because of the changes in Android.

It might work with his plugin however, I will give feedback as soon I tried.

Re: Smart connect options.

Koets — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 21:18:50 GMT

Alright,

Quick feedback.

The plugin works great wth automate as well, did not try macro droid as it contains ads.

Kudos to Matej, the plugin developer, I shot him an email and I got a reply within 5minutes !

In automate I have set up as follows:

-Flow start

-Condition: if BT is connected to "my car audio"

-Start plugin and set tether enable

-settings Wi-Fi hotshot on

Plugin can be found in automate under:

Apps-Plugin Action.

Also thanks to you, @d0123r

Re: Smart connect options.

Jonas — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 16:23:06 GMT

Hi again @Koets,

I'm glad to hear that you were able to find another application that automatically enables the Wi-Fi hotspot as soon as your device is connected to your car and thanks for sharing the app and how to enable this is in the plugin.

Thanks @d0123r and @Strampke for helping out!

Have a great day all of you!

Re: Smart connect options.

Alex198106 — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 20:17:17 GMT

Hi, I found this discussion very helpful. I did as you wrote on my xz1 compact. It works perfectly. When I got my new compact I was furious it doesn't have at least all abilities that my old z3 compact did, but ticsjp to your discussion I'm satisfied with this phone. Thanks a lot.

Re: Smart connect options.

Koets — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 04:54:15 GMT

Hi, I actually switched to Llama, as it is easier to use, and the other option sometimes did not work, or only once after which I world have to start up the app again.

With Llama this problem is fixed.

Re: Smart connect options.

Alex198106 — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 11:12:08 GMT

Hi, Automate works for me fine. MAybe with you, it was a matter of template you used. I used template from some Netherlands guy, just adjusted it to plugin and my car audio.

Re: Smart connect options.

Koets — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 11:39:30 GMT

Was probably my template, and yes it usually works fine, but sometimes (for me) it gave an error message after which the hotspot state did not change anymore), I have emailed the author of automate about this and maybe he made some changes.

Anyway, in the mean time I already switched to Llama which didn't have the issue, and I turned out to like the interface a bit easier and natural (even though automate's gui and visual display of the macros is pretty slick)

Re: Smart connect options.

Jonas — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 11:03:31 GMT

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to jump in and say that I'm really glad to see that you guys are helping each other out and bouncing some ideas around, always great to see the community getting together!

A big thanks for everyone that has helped users out, keep up the great work and have a great day all of you!

Re: Smart connect options.

skywing — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 11:37:12 GMT

I think so like Koets...

I could automatically enable/disabale the data mobile when it recognized (or not) my wifi home connection... Now, it is not possible anymore with XZ1.

It's annoying so much !!!

...i havent just read the whole post... 😐 ..

I have just used automate, but some options need rooted privilege and so as workoround the differentandroid limitation set, i use a mix about Automate Triger and Tasker ( not so very confortable..)

Re: Smart connect options.

Koets — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 07:48:11 GMT

Give Llama a try, it'll do the job, and quite easy

Re: Smart connect options.

melloyell8 — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:56:02 GMT

Been reading this post to solve the same issue and I stumbled on a solution to fix Smart Connect in the downloaded app from Google.

Search for Smart Connect in the Settings Menu and bring up the App Info.

Scroll down to Advanced and tick Yes to Modify system settings.

Close down the Smart Connect app.

Reboot the phone.

Reopen Smart Connect and you should find the Wi-Fi hotpsot and other settings such as Brightness.

Worked for me.

Re: Smart connect options.

Jonas — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 12:44:01 GMT

Hi @melloyell8, welcome to our community!

That was a very interesting find and thank you so much for sharing the information with us.

I did not have this information available and if I did, I would have shared it. The information that I have/had is that the application is being phased out, however I will of course make them aware of what you wrote.

Thanks again and have an awesome weekend!

Re: Smart connect options.

gallois00 — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 10:51:08 GMT

I have tried all above solutions, but hotspot not opening. Including reinstall OS via PC Suit, format, safe mode but still same.

And also I have mailed The Sony Support, they answer me to connect the local distributor.

I'm very angry