I think one of those is supposed to be used only for charging and the other one is used for data.. You have to plug into the data one

 

Yes, correct. They are both USB-C now. I plugged it on the left port that has the data port sign. Display says incompatible device plugged.

 

The 2026 manual recommends a 256MB USB flash drive or higher. Although this USB size recommendation is same with the 3rd gen (2019-2025), the 2026 has an audio system that is different so it will certainly have a different USB and audio file decoding system.

I suggest you start troubleshooting by getting a 256MB USB flash drive, plug it in and check for recognition before transferring any files unto it.

 

"Although this USB size recommendation is same with the 3rd gen (2019-2025), the 2026 has an audio system that is different so it will certainly have a different USB and audio file decoding system. "
I wouldn't say it's a certainty, maybe a possibility. That being the case I have never seen a more ambiguous description of specs regarding supported file formats. It does or it doesn't none of the this "some" nonsense.

 

I have the same issue. Tried a 256 USB-C and get the same issue. Tried others 128, 64 and same message. I now have a USB-C adapter plug in and an old USB drive (128) and it works fine. Makes no sense that plugging in a USB-C directly doesn't work.

 

What format is your music? I have years worth of MP3s ripped on my PC. Worked fine downloaded to thumb drive and plugged in my 2019 PPE, but NG on my 2026 PPTSE.

Edit:
I just tried the same thing took my old micro USB drive and plugged it into a USB-C adapter and it works! Thanks Golddog! Don't know why I didn't try this before, just had it in my brain that I had to use a USB-C thumb drive.

 

I'm having the same problem with the same model Passport as you. I bought a Sandisk flash drive which was formatted to ex-fat, then re-formatted it to FAR 32 and still no luck. Hoping that someone has a fix for this.

 

I came to conclusion today that something has definitely changed on these units with USB-C ports. Ohh and let's not forget, it is not a USB-C issue. Honda seems to have bonded with Google now and anywhere google poke its nose, you have to follow its rules. For sure they try to push you to stream via apps in the console but that's not what everyone is interested. I have a large local collection that I was playing fine on my passport 2023 and now it is just not recognizable by the head unit on 2026 model.

I formatted today three usbs with 128MB in size, 8GB and 32GB(as a max defualt for FAT32) as exFAT, FAT32 with various block sizes, from 16K and default. Copied MP3, WAV and FLAC, one format at a time and It just does not work with any of them.

Same USB is plugged on Honda Odyssey 2023, or Passport 2023 and work fine. All WAV, FLAC and MP3 work flowlessly in 2023 year, which somehow has the USB-type A port. Not sure if this has to do anything. I plugged the USB-C drive on laptop with USB-C port and all autio files play fine via VLC.

It was interesting that Golddog user has used a USB-C to USB-A adapter and it works? That would be stupid though, if iit works that way.

I think we should thank Google for this, I'm pretty sure they have restricted this port as it is hard to track what you're playing from this port

I will try to buy a USB cable C-male to Type A female and try as Golddog suggested and report back. Using an adaptor will physically make the plugged device way too long and could be subject to damage the small USB-C port in the unit.

 

I came to conclusion today that something has definitely changed on these units with USB-C ports. Ohh and let's not forget, it is not a USB-C issue. Honda seems to have bonded with Google now and anywhere google poke its nose, you have to follow its rules. For sure they try to push you to stream via apps in the console but that's not what everyone is interested. I have a large local collection that I was playing fine on my passport 2023 and now it is just not recognizable by the head unit on 2026 model.

I formatted today three usbs with 128MB in size, 8GB and 32GB(as a max defualt for FAT32) as exFAT, FAT32 with various block sizes, from 16K and default. Copied MP3, WAV and FLAC, one format at a time and It just does not work with any of them.

Same USB is plugged on Honda Odyssey 2023, or Passport 2023 and work fine. All WAV, FLAC and MP3 work flowlessly in 2023 year, which somehow has the USB-type A port. Not sure if this has to do anything. I plugged the USB-C drive on laptop with USB-C port and all autio files play fine via VLC.

It was interesting that Golddog user has used a USB-C to USB-A adapter and it works? That would be stupid though, if iit works that way.

I think we should thank Google for this, I'm pretty sure they have restricted this port as it is hard to track what you're playing from this port

I will try to buy a USB cable C-male to Type A female and try as Golddog suggested and report back. Using an adaptor will physically make the plugged device way too long and could be subject to damage the small USB-C port in the unit.

The issue is not a Google created one but likely a missing codec issue that can be fixed with an update by Honda.
As well noted, USB sticks are widely accepted by the 2019-2025 Passport but that generation is running Google's Android OS too although not visible to all.

 

I bought a 256G 2-way flash drive with a USB-a on one end & a USB-c on the other, formatted at ex-FAT. Didn't work, even after I reformatted the drive to 32FAT. Guess I'll buy the $10 solution adapter. A real disappointment!!

 

Here is my setup. Also odd is that I tried some smaller USB-a drives into the C adapter and it didn’t work. This is the only drive I have had no issues with, a old SanDisk 128.

 

I'll post my results after trying the adapter. It just bugs me that the manual requires 256G & 32Fat for the flash drive, yet that setup fails with a new drive. Go figure!!

 

Anyone try contacting Honda Corp (USA) in Gardena?

 

I did. This was their response:
We sincerely apologize but the USB-c may be USB dependent whereas some work and some do not however, it should work with 3.0 drives but if you confirm this information and still feel like there’s an issue we would recommend reaching out to the dealership.

 

Here's what worked for me, 64g SanDisk micro thumb storage and a Anker adapter. This is the original thumb drive I had in my 2019.

 

Here's what worked for me, 64g SanDisk micro thumb storage and a Anker adapter. This is the original thumb drive I had in my 2019.

Cool, and what Formats are able to be played?

Have you tried Mp3, FLAC, WAV???????

 

I just ordered this 90 deg adapter to see if I can shorten it up a bit.

 

For what it's worth, I just bought an Insignia USB-C TO USB-3.0 adapter, plugged my SanDisk, brand new, 256G, FAT32 flash drive into it, plugged it into the PP dash and NOTHING!! Made a service appointment for next week. Not good!!

 

Good luck. Hope they have an idea of what’s going on, so report back. Fingers crossed!!!

 

I tried today with a USB-C to A adaptor and still no luck, still says incompatible device.

The black part is the adaptor, although there's no name brand or anything. The USB is a SANDISK 32GB

Here is the USB drive details from Amazon

No joy. Called the dealership and they said to try different USB drives. This is very frustrating. Again USB works fine when I plug it in Passport 2023 or Odyssey 2023.

 

Ok Gang....You know how frustrating this is, but I have some partial results for you, notwithstanding a service appointment for next week. Today I tested five flash drives with music through the adapter I bought yesterday (Insignia). Here are the results:

Sandisk 64G, FAT32 - success!!
PNY 32G, FAT32 - Failed
Make Unknown, NTFS, 16G - Failed
Sandisk Dual Drive Go, FAT32, 256G - Failed (also failed with ex-FAT format)
Sandisk, FAT32, 4G (yes 4G!) - Success

So, it seems to me that random drives will play while some won't be recognized. The drives I succeeded with are older ones and are type A. The dual drive one is brand new and has a type C end but no go.

When I see the Honda people next week I'm sure they'll tell me the same thing (random drives) & I'll tell them that they owe it to people spending 50K+ on their vehicles to inform us as to which drives work, especialyy since they've apparently changed the system. So many of you have never had a problem like this with older Hondas & this is my first.

I'll let you know what happens next week but expect a repeat of the above.

 

So I received the 90 degree adapter and connected my old SanDisk 64g micro thumb drive (pictured) and it works fine just like the straight adapter I previously tried. I also ordered a new SanDisk 256g micro thumb drive, formatted and installed 1 CD ripped AAC format and got the message "Connect a Compatible USB Device." I'm at a lose...I think fx_chip may be correct with a missing codec issue.
EDIT: LouCam and I posted at the same time but, his findings coincide with mine. He just went to greater lengths than I.

 

So I received the 90 degree adapter and connected my old SanDisk 64g micro thumb drive (pictured) and it works fine just like the straight adapter I previously tried. I also ordered a new SanDisk 256g micro thumb drive, formatted and installed 1 CD ripped AAC format and got the message "Connect a Contactable USB Device." I'm at a lose...I think fx_chip may be correct with a missing codec issue.
EDIT: LouCam and I posted at the same time but, his findings coincide with mine. He just went to greater lengths than I.
View attachment 25554

Attached is a photo of the 2 drives that worked with the adapter....I hope this helps!

 

I do have a combo usb A and C drive that works fine. Don’t know format or size right now. Honda does seem to be having issues with tech these days.

 

I think it would be a great help to all of us if can post a photo of the drive along with the technical stuff, like make, size & format choice method. Thanks!

 

Can anyone who has had success with a USB-C only drive, please post the make and model and storage capacity and link if possible (preferable Amazon). I don’t want to keep buying USB-C drives that don’t work and I don’t want a doofy adapter either lol. Please and thank you

 

I can say that I purchased a Samsung 64g USB-C in the beginning and it would not work for me.

 

Good afternoon everybody,
here is my Audio setup using USB-C Cable, SSD Adaptor, WD SSD 256GB.

I've started by formatting my WD SSD (old 256GB) using Rufus. Format to FAT32 (Non Bootable). Using my SSD USB-C Enclosure (UGREEN - available on Amazon for $25.00).

Also on Amazon I got USB-C short Flex Cable (Male to Male) with a 90 Degree on one end.
After coping ALL my Ripped CDs on this WD SSD and plugging it into my Honda Passport USC-C port all the music shows on the display !

All I had to do is to Velcro the UGREEN Adaptor into the back wall (behind the wireless charger).
That's it. All your music at your finger tips !!!

Hopefully this guide will help to get your music to play perfectly in your new 2026 Honda Passports.
I know it sounds Easy Now, but it took me several hours ...... trial and error to get it WORKING ! (Tried all my iPods, five different USB sticks - Non worked)
I got my new 2026 Honda Passport Touring (Modern Steel Metallic) in August. Audio works well since that time, when I finally found the solution !
Good Luck everybody and let my know, how your setup is working... With pictures please !

 

That’s a lot work. Hopefully we can get someone to share their success story with a USB-C drive

 

I tried my Samsung (64) again and it worked. Before, when I tried it, it would not work after shutting the car off and restarting it. I would have to remove it and put it back in for it to recognize it. I am going to see if it keeps working. No rhyme or reason.

https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-Type-CTM-Transfers-Compatible-Waterproof/dp/B09WB2RPS4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KYF7CZBVNQZW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A47ASBwPqLun0wTZMAXqAdjaHu6iEiOjdDuI1xk50uF8P0_q-0-tkazhy8Qy_BIIUBDUv3x1tuo17tPsH5cmSoiN6agOg02UP8w8KmDeJ90Sdf-UGetU53gVRtqlTnMLdvNpJ_vbu9FuWk-PiW7A0-b2dr_3sBGA-yA0e0hY2bLoUMgvOyXS2BjokmP1msZee_HRGjgJZMePYFtUFRADv58fHqiZTDDfIDphB-i9e_E.LaTL6j8p7kWLXYliGMBjsAk0gW6btDZ8Z39p-MhuHk4&dib_tag=se&keywords=Samsung%2BUsbc&qid=1759624137&sprefix=samsung%2Busbc%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1&th=1

 

I have the exact same one and could never get it to recognize it. Definitely no rhyme or reason.
If I could get mine to work, I would try a 90 degree adapter so that it doesn't stick out so much.

 

Thank you, sir

 

Picked this up at Staples today. It is already formatted to FAT32. Loaded up a ton of music (mp3)…worked great!

 

Hope it continues to work. Mine originally did for a couple days and then started getting the non compatible message. Let us know it goes the rest of this week. Fingers crossed.

 

So I took my Samsung 64gb USB-C drive (same as Golddog) and formatted it to FAT32 loaded it with about 250 CDs (mp3) and it works! I had to google which led to YT video how to format a thumb drive over 32gb to FAT32, because Windows 11 will give xFAT as the only option. Downloaded a program called RUFUS which gives the option for FAT32 with non bootable option.

 

I’m going to try this route with my existing USB-C 128GB sandisk drive and reformat and re-add my music and see what happens. Gonna research and see if I can do this with my M4 MacBook Air because I don’t have a windows PC and all my computers at work have bitlocker enabled so I’m not messing with recovery keys and whatnot on my personal drives

 

I'm really hoping this works because I don't want to buy another USB-C drive

 

So I formatted my USB-C drive to FAT32 and put my music on it and my PP still doesn't recognize it. My music is organized into folders by artists. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?