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

The 12 months is 2025 — a complete 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.

Through the years, I’ve had on-again, off-again expertise with Apple’s equal on-the-road characteristic, 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 through 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 telephone to my car’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 car) to At all times.

I additionally made certain that Begin Android Auto whereas locked and Begin music mechanically had been each switched on — I primarily hearken to playlists and podcasts whereas out-and-about, and I want having my audio begin enjoying as quickly as potential.

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

• Launch Settings.
• Navigate to Linked gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
• Scroll right down to the Startup subsection.
• Toggle on Begin Android Auto whereas locked.
• Toggle on Begin music mechanically.
• Faucet on Begin Android Auto mechanically after which choose At all times from the pop-up menu that seems on-screen.

Cover message notifications

Textual content messages are personal — automobile cabins typically 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 typically drive with passengers (or discover myself because the passenger with AUX privilege), and so I opted to modify off the Present first line of messages setting to obfuscate the contents of my chat threads whereas driving.

To make sure that your personal textual content messages aren’t learn aloud within the presence of passengers, comply with these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Linked gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
3. Scroll right 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 supplies a cleaner UI expertise out of the field, I want switching on the taskbar because it permits for a smoother multitasking expertise. When the taskbar widgets characteristic is enabled, it provides a strip to the underside of the in-car infotainment display with fast controls for energetic apps, media controls, and extra.

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

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

Customise the launcher

Rearrange your Android Auto dwelling display icons

Once I arrange Android Auto for the primary time, my in-car launcher display was populated with a number of utility icons that I had no use for, and all the things was organized in alphabetical order. For some customers, alphabetic ordering could be preferrred, however I personally opted to modify to a manually adjustable (and thus, extra versatile) dwelling display 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 essentially the most on a day-to-day foundation.

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

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Linked gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
3. Scroll right 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, in addition to the tick bins on the right-hand aspect of the display to allow, disable, and rearrange the order through which apps seem in.

Allow developer settings

Unlock extra power-user choices for Android Auto

Very similar to how the Android working system itself has a hidden developer options submenu, Android Auto too has a secret menu stuffed 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, comply with these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Linked gadgets > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
3. Scroll right 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 primary settings web page for Android Auto.
6. Faucet on the ellipsis (three-dot) menu within the top-right-hand nook of the display, after which faucet on Developer settings.
7. From right here, you possibly can freely configure extra settings from the listing of accessible choices.

At any time, you possibly can disable Android Auto’s developer settings by tapping on the ellipsis menu after which hitting Stop developer mode.