{"id":260473,"date":"2025-11-13T13:04:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T13:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/260473\/"},"modified":"2025-11-13T13:04:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T13:04:16","slug":"10-android-auto-settings-i-always-change-and-why-you-should-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/260473\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Android Auto settings I always change \u2014 and why you should too"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"android<\/p>\n

Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

As I do with every device, Android or not, I tweak the settings to suit my needs. The default options provided by the manufacturer cover the broadest range of users, but they won\u2019t be perfect for individuals\u2019 needs. Unfortunately, Google doesn\u2019t offer users many Android Auto settings, but this only makes those available more essential.<\/p>\n

In this guide, I detail the Android Auto settings I always change first, the reasons behind these changes, and why you may want to consider making similar adjustments as well.<\/p>\n

Do you use developer mode in Android Auto?<\/p>\n

28 votes<\/p>\n

Yes, I use it frequently.<\/p>\n

36%<\/p>\n

Yes, but only for specific settings.<\/p>\n

11%<\/p>\n

No, I haven’t tried it, but I want to.<\/p>\n

18%<\/p>\n

No, I have no need for it.<\/p>\n

0%<\/p>\n

I didn’t know it was an option.<\/p>\n

36%<\/p>\n

First things first: Let\u2019s get Developer settings running<\/p>\n

\"android<\/p>\n

Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

Like Android, Android Auto also has a hidden developer mode. Google does not indicate its existence, so it really comes down to knowing how to find and activate it. Despite its \u201cbeware ye who go there\u201d title, it houses settings that are useful to general users, too.<\/p>\n

To activate Android Auto\u2019s Developer settings, open the Settings app on your phone, then navigate to the Android Auto menu. Scroll down to the version number, tap it once, then tap it repeatedly until a box appears. It should read \u201cAllow development settings?\u201d Read through the warning \u2014 which really isn\u2019t too daunting \u2014 and tap OK. Now, to access Developer settings, tap the three-dot overflow menu at the top right of the screen and select Developer settings. Voila!<\/p>\n

Enabling Android Auto’s developer settings lets me watch videos on my car’s dashboard when I’m stationary.<\/p>\n

There are two specific items that I target in Android Auto\u2019s Developer settings menu. The first is Wireless Android Auto. Now, if you use the system through a cable, you won\u2019t need to check this property. However, as I rely on my trusty Android Auto dongle<\/a> to bring wireless connectivity to my car, I must check this item. If you own a vehicle with native wireless Auto support or use a product like the AAWireless<\/a>, I suggest activating this setting.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n

\"google\"google<\/a><\/p>\n

Next, I toggle on the Unknown Sources option. Checking this item ensures that all apps that support Android Auto \u2014 whether they\u2019ve been installed through the Play Store or not \u2014 will appear on your car\u2019s app launcher. If you don\u2019t check this property, Google will keep these apps hidden.<\/p>\n

So, why would I want access to them? Well, some apps genuinely enhance Android Auto\u2019s utility<\/a>. For instance, when I\u2019m stationary and need some entertainment, I can fire up Tubular to watch YouTube videos on my dashboard. Alternatively, this toggle is required to access vehicle monitoring apps.<\/p>\n

To summarize the changes:<\/p>\n

Android Auto settings > Android Auto overflow menu > Developer options > toggle on Wireless Android Auto.
\nAndroid Auto settings > Android Auto overflow menu > Developer options > toggle on Unknown Sources.<\/p>\n

Get Android Auto going from the get-go<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s head back to Android Auto\u2019s main settings menu, as there are several settings I adjust here. First of all, arguably the most important convenience settings are the Start Android Auto automatically and Start Android Auto while locked options.<\/p>\n

Their titles are pretty self-explanatory. These settings enable you to control how Android Auto responds when your phone connects to your car.<\/p>\n

Don’t stall: Get Auto running immediately after firing up your car.<\/p>\n

Start Android Auto automatically has three options: Always, If used on the last drive, and Default (set by the vehicle). I prefer the first option. Generally, I like to make my pre-drive routine as simple as possible, and letting Android Auto do its thing while I reorganize items in my cabin is perfect for me.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Start Android Auto while locked is also toggled on. This means that when Android Auto connects to my phone, it\u2019ll gain access to all the information it requires, even without me unlocking my phone. Again, this is a convenience option, but it also improves safety. Should my phone be stolen while I\u2019m driving, it\u2019ll remain locked.<\/p>\n

To summarize the changes:<\/p>\n

Android Auto settings > Start Android Auto automatically > Always.
\nAndroid Auto settings > toggle on Start Android Auto while locked.<\/p>\n

Changing Android Auto\u2019s layout to my liking<\/p>\n

\"android<\/p>\n

Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

The first is addressing the icons on the Android Auto launcher screen, hiding those that I don\u2019t need and moving frequent apps \u2014 importantly \u2014 to the bottom-right of the list. Why bottom-right? Since I drive on the left-hand side of the road, the driver\u2019s seat is on the right-hand side of the car. Placing apps in the bottom right makes them far easier to access if needed.<\/p>\n

I like to bring app icons and the navigation panel closer to me.<\/p>\n

Additionally, I also ensure that I change Android Auto\u2019s default layout to bring the navigation box closer to my eyeline when on the home screen. This also allows my passenger easier access to Spotify.<\/p>\n

Finally, I toggle on Show message notifications. This lets me know when I receive a WhatsApp from my partner, family members, or friends.<\/p>\n

To summarize the changes:<\/p>\n

Android Auto settings > Customize launcher > rearrange icons to my liking.
\nAndroid Auto settings > Change layout > Navigation closer to driver.
\nAndroid Auto settings > toggle on Show message notifications.<\/p>\n

Saying no to \u2018Hey Google\u2019<\/p>\n

\"raspberry<\/p>\n

Calvin Wankhede \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

My car\u2019s steering wheel has a voice assistant button that, when pressed, activates Google Assistant (soon to be Gemini<\/a>). As a result, I don\u2019t need Hey Google recognition on Android Auto. To conserve a little battery, I disable it when I\u2019m driving.<\/p>\n

To summarize the changes:<\/p>\n

Android Auto settings > \u201cHey Google\u201d detection > toggle off Hey Google.<\/p>\n

Fixing Android Auto\u2019s audio<\/p>\n

\"android<\/p>\n

Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

Some people love it when their car automatically starts playing the track, album, or podcast they were listening to in their house, but I\u2019m certainly not one of them. I ensure that I toggle off Start music automatically so this doesn\u2019t happen. I prefer to boot up a preferred Spotify album or podcast (or even listen to the analog radio) while driving. Again, your mileage will vary.<\/p>\n

Lastly, I quite like Assistant reading out messages to me while driving, especially if I\u2019m in no position to read the one-line summary on the screen. To enable this, I ensure that Notifications with Assistant is toggled on. This setting allows Android Auto to vocalize messages while I\u2019m driving. I do hope this feature sticks when Gemini rolls around.<\/p>\n

To summarize the changes:<\/p>\n

Android Auto settings > toggle off Start music automatically.
\nAndroid Auto settings > toggle on Notifications with Assistant.<\/p>\n

These are the Android Auto settings I always change when I connect to a new car or set up a new phone, but which items do you alter? Let\u2019s discuss in the comments.<\/p>\n

Thank you for being part of our community. Read our\u00a0Comment Policy<\/a> before posting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Andy Walker \/ Android Authority As I do with every device, Android or not, I tweak the settings…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":260474,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[24879,2306,86,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-260473","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-android-auto","9":"tag-mobile","10":"tag-technology","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom","13":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260473"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260473\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}