8 simple settings you should change in Android Auto for a hassle-free commute

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Android Auto is now available in over 200 million cars globally. The interface provides easy access to navigation, messaging, calling, and music by mirroring functions from a connected high-end or budget Android phone onto the car's infotainment system. The operation is primarily hands-free, allowing drivers to focus on the road.

While Android Auto is packed with useful features, many of which work well from the get-go, you can improve your experience by changing a few settings. Whether you're new to Android Auto or have used the interface for years with its default settings, here are the changes you should make.

Hey Google, how's the traffic to work?

Developer options are experimental features not released in the official app. Because they are still in testing, you may encounter bugs and unintended behaviors. However, enabling the developer settings is necessary if you want more control over your options. Here's how to access them.

To access developer settings:

If you want to turn off developer mode, do the following:

One concern related to Android Auto is how much data it uses. If you struggle with its data usage, do not use the Save Video and Save Audio options in your developer settings. To turn these off, visit Developer settings and uncheck the Save Audio and Save Video settings. This reduces your data consumption.

One reason for Android Auto's battery drain is activating Wireless Android Auto. If you plan to connect your phone to your car through a USB, you can safely turn off this feature. To turn it off:

If you want to change the theme of Maps through the Android Auto settings on your phone, here's what you'll do:

You can also set the theme to match that of your phone or allow the car to control it based on the lighting conditions. To do this, turn on developer mode and navigate to the developer settings.

Selecting Car-controlled means Android Auto goes into dark and light mode depending on the light conditions. If you're temporarily driving between light and dark areas (tunnels, for example), it's better to avoid this setting.

Using Phone-controlled day and night mode means the theme matches your current phone's light and dark mode theme. Select the Day or Night option to force Android Auto to stick to one theme despite the conditions.

You can resume your music, podcast, or audiobook when you start your car. This is a great feature when you need to make a lot of stops, especially at gas stations. Turn on this setting to allow your media to resume where you left off. To turn on this setting, check the steps below.

It's counterintuitive if the app provides more distractions while driving. You can prevent unwanted messages from clouding your view by controlling your Android Auto notifications.

If you turn off Show message notifications, it automatically toggles off Show group conversations.

If you toggle off Notifications with Assistant, you can prevent message notifications from showing up. If you want message notifications but prefer to maintain your privacy, turn off Play AI message summaries to prevent the AI from reading your messages out loud. Turn off messaging apps within the Customize launcher page if you want to avoid messages.

You can start Android Auto even if your phone is locked. To enable this, follow the steps below.

Turning on this option risks someone using Android Auto without deactivating your phone's security lock. Only use this option if you're confident you're the only one accessing Android Auto while your phone is connected to your car.

By default, Android Auto keeps your commonly used apps towards the top of the screen (of the car launcher). Still, these apps may not correspond to the ones you use most. You can adjust the order of these apps. Here's how.

You can also set a launcher shortcut. Return to the Customize launcher page in your Android Auto settings, tap Add a shortcut to the launcher, and select An Assistant action.

You can add a command for Google Assistant and name the launcher icon. You can also test the command if Android Auto is connected to your car. This is an excellent tool for creating simple commands that Google Assistant can handle while driving.

Change your Android Auto layout in a few taps

Samsung phones temporarily disable apps to save on battery life. These apps can appear on your phone but don't appear in your Android Auto launcher until you re-enable them. To prevent this from happening, do the following:

You can restore an unused app by opening the app on your phone.

Android Auto isn't perfect. There's a lot Google can fix on Android Auto to improve the experience. However, it offers excellent navigational accuracy and a range of features, making it a valuable tool for convenience and safety while on the road. Adjusting some of the settings mentioned above goes a long way in improving your experience. If you want more from Android Auto, consider adding more essential apps to your launcher.

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I think you can still get in there. Works for me on Android 12. Go to settings, then apps, then all apps, Android auto, then "additional settings in the app" scroll to the bottom click on version, it will open and just click it 9 times more to get the developer options. At your own risk of course.

There is no android auto app for anyone running android version 10 or higher. It's integrated into the OS so none of these options are available

There is. Called android auto Essentials on play store (search like that). You can also open these settings by going to your phone settings and searching for android auto app under "apps". Open the app info and choose option "configure in android auto" at the bottom

Android Auto is listed in settings on my Pixel under Connected Devices -> Connection Preferences.

Please make sure the light is on before opening one thoughts.

Great list. Thanks!

The Android Auto app has been discontinued since 2022.. the only people who still have an actual app on their phones, are those with phones that are still running android version 8 or older.. or a phone that hasn't been updated in 2 years..

So.. pretty much useless article, probably just a reposting an artle done 3 years ago to try and get more views... Sad..

I'm using an updated phone and was able to use this article in full contacts with my Android auto . you are correct the app is no longer there. However with a little effort you'll find this article is completely functional .

The app exists (that's how Android Auto runs), it's just not an app in the drawer that you can directly open anymore. Go to settings and search for Android Auto and the exact settings screen shown in the article comes up. I'm running Android 12 on a One Plus 12, so it's not exclusive to Samsung either.

To access these settings more easily, I used Shortcut Maker from the Play Store and created a shortcut to the following "activity", which opens the settings screen:

com.google.android.projection.gearhead.companion.settings.DefaultSettingsActivity

Hope this helps someone.

Go into Settings>Apps>Android Auto. It's an embedded app.

So... Pretty much useless comment. Probably trying to deflect your attention from your own insecurities. Sad.

Get to know your device, it's still there if you search in your phone...

I'm using Google Pixel 8 Android Version 14 and these tips work fine (7 October 2024).

Settings

Apps

Android Auto

Click on 'Additional settings in the app' and it's all as the article indicates.

I've always had problems with Google maps or Waze in Android auto and I can't the volume is always too loud and I can't adjust the volume I've tried the handset the normal volume and it's very loud normally any advice ?

My Android Auto now show screen with North always at the top. This is confusing. Used to have the front of the car at the top which is more intuitive.

How can I change it back?

In Google maps there is a compass needle on the left. Click that and it toggles between three settings. Your current setting, directional setting, and overview of the current trip. I'm not sure if the compass needle shows up even when you're not driving a particular route.

A lot of these 'tips' aren't present on many Android phones. They seems to only apply to Samsung phone 'skins'.

Settings>App>Android Auto

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