Drivers using Android Auto with Motorola foldable phones like the Razr are running into a frustrating issue: outgoing calls fail when the device is closed. Users report that when the Razr Ultra 2025 or 2026 is folded and connected to Android Auto, attempts to make phone calls trigger an error message instructing them to open the phone. The same call succeeds once the device is unfolded. The bug affects closed-phone call functionality, erasing one of the primary conveniences of foldables.
What’s Going On
This glitch doesn’t affect all foldable users universally yet, but multiple threads on Motorola’s support forums and Google’s support pages confirm it’s happening for many. When paired with Android Auto, the Razr phones simply refuse to place outgoing calls unless you open the main screen. Incoming calls don’t appear to be impacted in the same way.
Folks have also logged the issue for both the Razr Ultra 2025 and 2026 models. One workaround surfaced: reverting to using Google Assistant instead of Gemini appears to temporarily fix the problem. However, that fix may be short-lived or unavailable now because Google just replaced Assistant with Gemini across Android on September 28.
Official Responses and What’s Next
Both Motorola and Google are now aware of the issue. Motorola responded on its own forums less than two weeks ago, acknowledging the reports. With Gemini now the default assistant in Android, the error could affect users even more broadly unless a software patch arrives.
At this point, there’s no publicly available fix. Users still suffer the bug when making outgoing calls from their closed foldable devices while connected to Android Auto. The community is watching for updates from both Google and Motorola on when a patch will be released.
This situation underscores a recurring tension as foldable phones carve out a niche in automotive integration: hardware innovation presents unexpected software complexity. With Android Auto depending heavily on the system’s assistant infrastructure, replacing Google Assistant with Gemini may have introduced new edge cases. The inability to place calls from a folded device directly impacts usability—and by extension, safety—while driving. Going forward, car as well as foldable manufacturers will need to test assistant handovers more thoroughly. What we’ll be watching for now: a fix from Gemini’s team, or at least interim workarounds that preserve hands-free calling for foldable users.
