5 settings I modified in Android Auto immediately as a primary time consumer

The 12 months is 2025 — a whole decade because the launch of the primary iteration of Android Auto — however I’ve solely now taken possession of a motorcar with the infotainment utility constructed into it for the very first time.

Over time, I’ve had on-again, off-again expertise with Apple’s equal on-the-road function, CarPlay; to say I have been keen to take a look at Google’s competing imaginative and prescient for an in-car software program suite is an understatement.

Listed here are 5 of the very first Android Auto settings I configured the second I completed connecting my Google Pixel 10 to my automobile by way of Bluetooth.

Alter startup behaviors

Make Android Auto an auto-connecting course of

In my transient expertise with Android Auto, the system has been reliably connecting my cellphone to my automobile’s built-in show with out skipping a beat. That being stated, to make sure the smoothest-possible connectivity, I dove into settings and switched the startup conduct from Default (set by the automobile) to All the time.

I additionally made positive that Begin Android Auto whereas locked and Begin music routinely have been each switched on — I primarily hearken to playlists and podcasts whereas out-and-about, and I choose having my audio begin enjoying as quickly as attainable.

To regulate the startup conduct of assorted points of the Android Auto expertise, observe these steps:

• Launch Settings.
• Navigate to Related gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
• Scroll all the way down to the Startup subsection.
• Toggle on Begin Android Auto whereas locked.
• Toggle on Begin music routinely.
• Faucet on Begin Android Auto routinely after which choose All the time from the pop-up menu that seems on-screen.

Disguise message notifications

Textual content messages are non-public — automobile cabins usually aren’t

There’s an simple satisfaction to having your textual content messages displayed on-screen or learn aloud whereas in the course of a drive, however I personally worth privateness over comfort. I usually drive with passengers (or discover myself because the passenger with AUX privilege), and so I opted to change off the Present first line of messages setting to obfuscate the contents of my chat threads whereas driving.

To make sure that your non-public textual content messages aren’t learn aloud within the presence of passengers, observe these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Related gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
3. Scroll all the way down to the Messaging subsection.
4. Toggle off Present first line of messages.

Enhance multitasking with the assistance of an automotive taskbar

By default, Android Auto’s taskbar is disabled. Whereas this offers a cleaner UI expertise out of the field, I choose switching on the taskbar because it permits for a smoother multitasking expertise. When the taskbar widgets function is enabled, it provides a strip to the underside of the in-car infotainment display screen with fast controls for energetic apps, media controls, and extra.

To allow the taskbar widgets expertise on Android Auto, observe these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Related gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
3. Scroll all the way down to the Show subsection.
4. Toggle on Taskbar widgets.

Customise the launcher

Rearrange your Android Auto residence display screen icons

Once I arrange Android Auto for the primary time, my in-car launcher display screen was populated with a number of software icons that I had no use for, and every little thing was organized in alphabetical order. For some customers, alphabetic ordering could be ideally suited, however I personally opted to change to a manually adjustable (and thus, extra versatile) residence display screen configuration. As soon as I swapped the Launcher sorting setting from A-Z to Customized order, I used to be in a position to populate the highest of my Android Auto interface with the apps I exploit probably the most on a day-to-day foundation.

To customise your Android Auto’s launcher interface, observe these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Related gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
3. Scroll all the way down to the Show subsection.
4. From right here, faucet on Customise launcher > Launcher sorting.
5. Choose between A-Z (alphabetical) and Customized order (guide) to arrange your functions accordingly.
6. Optionally, use the gripper handles on the left-hand aspect of the display screen, in addition to the tick bins on the right-hand aspect of the display screen to allow, disable, and rearrange the order during which apps seem in.

Allow developer settings

Unlock further power-user choices for Android Auto

Very like how the Android working system itself has a hidden developer options submenu, Android Auto too has a secret menu crammed with numerous tweakable settings. Inside this part are choices to drive particular show resolutions, save screenshots and movies of the in-car show, modify audio codecs, and a seize bag of different utilities.

To allow developer settings on Android Auto, observe these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Related gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
3. Scroll all the way down to the About subsection.
4. Faucet on Model ten occasions in a row (in speedy succession).
5. Faucet the again button to return to the principle settings web page for Android Auto.
6. Faucet on the ellipsis (three-dot) menu within the top-right-hand nook of the display screen, after which faucet on Developer settings.
7. From right here, you’ll be able to freely configure further settings from the record of accessible choices.

At any time, you’ll be able to disable Android Auto’s developer settings by tapping on the ellipsis menu after which hitting Give up developer mode.