Is there a way to change the default audio input to something other than radio, or any other solution for the car playing loud static whenever start the car without my phone plugged in or after unplugging my phone?

I'm a proud new owner of a '20 F-Type R-Dynamic with the 10" touch screen infotainment system, which has Android Auto that I use basically whenever I'm in the vehicle. However, whenever my phone isn't plugged in, the audio system reverts / defaults back to the radio, which inevitably plays static, incessant prattle, or painful pop music. I have a USB drive with a bunch of enjoyable music plugged in at all times, but even if the USB was the audio source playing when I plug my phone in, the car still selects the radio whenever I unplug my phone or anytime the current audio source is disconnected / unplugged. Preferably, I'd like to configure the car to select my USB drive by default instead of the radio, but any solution that causes the radio not to play by default is acceptable.

For clarity, here's a specific use case:
- I get in the car, close the door, and start the engine. After a moment of glorious exhaust note, the infotainment starts playing static.
- I turn off the audio using the button on the volume control on the center console for a moment of solace. Alternatively, I change the audio input to my USB drive while I configure my destination on my phone.
- I plug in my phone. Android Auto loads and starts playing music I enjoy (as it is currently configured to auto-play music).
- Life is good. I drive the car. I arrive at my destination.
- I turn off the engine. The audio continues to play, as I have not yet opened any doors nor tapped the ignition button a second time.
- I gather my personal belongings and unplug my phone. The audio source switches to radio and assaults me with static. (This is where, instead of playing the radio, I'd like it to switch back to my USB drive, not play anything, etc.)
- I open the door, stopping the raucous noise.
- I go about my business
- I get in the car, close the door, and start the engine. After a moment of glorious exhaust note, the infotainment starts playing static. (Again, I'd prefer it play my USB drive or just not play anything until I plug my phone in.)
- Rinse, repeat.

Some ideas that haven't panned out:
- I've tried starring / favoriting input sources the same way you can with radio stations, but couldn't figure out how to do it.
- I've tried re-ordering or otherwise prioritizing input sources, but couldn't figure out how to do it.

Does anyone have a solution? My auditory receptors would greatly appreciate it.

 

I believe it always defaults to radio when a source goes missing because it is the fastest to respond. USB and online media take too long to boot up/initialize and SiriusXM takes a couple seconds, whereas FM is almost instantaneous. So whenever an input is removed/missing, it defaults to radio and I don't believe there is a way to change that. What you *could* do is get in the habit of turning off the audio with the volume knob button as the last thing before you exit the car. The car remembers the last state of the audio so when you start it up you will just have no audio playing until you plug in your phone and turn it on. It's not automatic but it will keep you from getting bombarded with static.

 

More likely it resets to the original source sequence and radio happens to be first in the list.

 

I know my media source icons change order depending on when they are available (like pairing a phone or plugging in a new USB after the car has been started), but I believe you are correct that terrestrial radio is always the first icon--but that's because it's always available.

EDIT: I just checked and SiriusXM is listed as the first icon and Radio is the second icon (at least on the screen--I don't know what 'order' they are in the car software).

 

Switch the default radio station to something that’s not intrusive?

Not familiar with the newer system but if the source can’t be changed, this might work.

another guess would be keep a device paired to the Bluetooth (and then forget it on the device) so the car tries to default to Bluetooth instead of radio?

 

Easier to just switch the audio off before shutting the car down. That way, you can stop it as the current tune ends.