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

The yr 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.

Through the years, 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.

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 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 All the time.

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

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

• Launch Settings.
• Navigate to Linked units > 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 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, comply with these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Linked units > 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 gives 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 lively 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 units > 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 is perhaps best, 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 capable of 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, comply with these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to Linked units > 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 purposes accordingly.
6. Optionally, use the gripper handles on the left-hand facet of the display screen, in addition to the tick packing containers on the right-hand facet of the display screen to allow, disable, and rearrange the order wherein apps seem in.

Allow developer settings

Unlock further 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 full of numerous tweakable settings. Inside this part are choices to pressure 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 units > 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 possibly can freely configure further settings from the record of obtainable 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.