ARC USB Driver Crashes with Pixel 7a

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Roon Server Machine

ROCK on NUC (i7-10710U 32GB RAM 500GB SSD NUC10i7FNH)

Networking Gear & Setup Details

All ethernet hard wired via FritzBox 7530 router and Netgear switches

Connected Audio Devices

Issues with Google Pixel 7a phone running Android 14 using ARC USB Driver

Number of Tracks in Library

28363 tracks

Description of Issue

I previously used an Oppo phone to run ARC and a variety of USB DAC to get access at full lossless connection to my Roon database, but since upgrading to the Google Pixel 7a the ARC USB driver crashes after a few seconds playing with the error message “loses connection to…DAC”
To then get it to work I have to force close ARC, clear the cache, restart and turn the ARC USB driver off. Then it work, but obviously you lose the bit perfect ability.

USB Audio Player Pro works fine on the Pixel 7a and I get full lossless on the same DAC

I see other Pixel phones have reported similar errors since ARC launch, anyone found a solution or can Roon advise when a fix will be delivered?

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Hi @Andrew_Lane,

Unfortunately, you’re encountering Pixel’s handling of USB driver capabilities due to the unique security features in Google firmware outside of Android. We’ve investigated this thoroughly with development over the last several months, and it affects Google’s tablet and phone product lines exclusively (not other Androids).

While the original issue reports back several years (see Google’s issue tracker here, here, their Community site here, just to touch the tip of the iceberg).

Google occasionally resolves this with firmware updates for their Pixel phones. This has happened already for the 6 and 6 Pro.. Occasionally, they regress on newer models, like the 7a and 8 Pro, for instance.

Audio apps have to patch specific workarounds for Pixel phones’ security features around driver handling and announcement. UAAP works because they’ve implemented a patch. This is what the Roon ARC team will put in place - we have an open ticket to address this, but it will take some time to implement. We’re certainly aware that this blocks you out of a key feature, so rest assured this remains a priority for us.

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