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 motorized vehicle 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 below are 5 of the very first Android Auto settings I configured the second I completed connecting my Google Pixel 10 to my automotive through Bluetooth.

Modify startup behaviors

Make Android Auto an auto-connecting course of

In my temporary 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 habits from Default (set by the car) to All the time.

I additionally made certain that Begin Android Auto whereas locked and Begin music mechanically had been each switched on — I primarily take heed to playlists and podcasts whereas out-and-about, and I favor having my audio begin taking part in as quickly as attainable.

To regulate the startup habits of varied elements of the Android Auto expertise, observe these steps:

• Launch Settings.
• Navigate to Linked 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 mechanically.
• Faucet on Begin Android Auto mechanically after which choose All the time from the pop-up menu that seems on-screen.

Conceal message notifications

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

There’s an plain satisfaction to having your textual content messages displayed on-screen or learn aloud whereas in the midst 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 modify 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 Linked 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 favor 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 with fast controls for lively apps, media controls, and extra.

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

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Linked 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 house display icons

Once I arrange Android Auto for the primary time, my in-car launcher display was populated with a number of software icons that I had no use for, and all the pieces was organized in alphabetical order. For some customers, alphabetic ordering may be ultimate, however I personally opted to modify to a manually adjustable (and thus, extra versatile) house display configuration. As soon as I swapped the Launcher sorting setting from A-Z to Customized order, I used to be capable of populate the highest of my Android Auto interface with the apps I take advantage of essentially 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 Linked 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 (handbook) to arrange your purposes accordingly.
6. Optionally, use the gripper handles on the left-hand facet of the display, in addition to the tick bins on the right-hand facet of the display to allow, disable, and rearrange the order by 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 full of varied tweakable settings. Inside this part are choices to drive particular show resolutions, save screenshots and movies of the in-car show, regulate 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 Linked 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 fast 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’ll be able to freely configure further settings from the listing of obtainable 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.