6 Android Auto settings you did not know you wanted to vary

The entire level of Android Auto is to boost your driving expertise with out the restrictions of a cellphone mount, or the expense of shopping for a brand new automobile with preloaded tech like (the confusingly named) Android Automotive. It isn’t fairly as polished as Apple CarPlay, although, so it is not unusual for folks to run into points that make it slightly extra troublesome than it ought to be. Hopefully, the hole will proceed to slender in coming years.

Within the meantime, you possibly can clear up a few of Android Auto’s present points with a couple of settings tweaks. I would strongly advocate making an attempt some or all of those earlier than you hit the highway — there is no sense driving with a suboptimal expertise, particularly if you happen to’ve spent upwards of $1,000 on a brand new flagship cellphone from Google or Samsung.

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1 Allow developer settings

Unlock Android Auto’s full potential

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You possibly can’t absolutely enhance Android Auto’s usability with out enabling developer settings. Relying in your model of Android, even some seemingly easy issues could also be behind this barrier, handled as in the event that they have been a harmful experiment. Don’t fret — so long as you perceive the choices you are toggling, every part ought to preserve working high quality.

On most Android telephones, the steps seem like this:

1. In your cellphone, discover and open Android Auto.
2. Scroll all the way down to Model, and faucet it 10 instances.
3. Faucet OK within the pop-up affirmation window.

To entry developer settings at any time, open Android Auto once more and faucet the triple-dot menu (or a visible equal) within the top-right nook.

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2 Pressure Day or Night time Modes

Save your eyesight

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There is a good probability your cellphone is about to flip Android Auto from Day to Night time Mode and again routinely, however that is not perfect for everybody. Some folks would possibly discover Day Mode blinding at any hour, for example, or just desire Night time Mode’s aesthetic. You possibly can change how maps seem fairly simply:

1. Discover and launch Android Auto in your cellphone.
2. Search for the Maps part, then faucet Day/Night time mode for maps.
3. Select Day, Night time, or Automated.

In the event you’ve obtained developer settings on, you possibly can alter your entire Android Auto interface:

1. In Android Auto in your cellphone, faucet the triple-dot menu and choose Developer settings.
2. Hit Day/Night time.
3. Decide Automotive-controlled, Telephone-controlled, Day, or Night time. Remember that if you need the phone-controlled possibility, you may have to preserve your cellphone out the place it might probably register ambient gentle circumstances.

1:04

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3 Make music and podcasts resume routinely

Save your self bother throughout frequent stops

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One of many issues I get pleasure from about CarPlay is that it resumes media playback everytime you begin your automobile — except it has been some time since an related app was working. Sometimes, I will begin a playlist or podcast shortly earlier than I get within the driver’s seat simply to take advantage of this.

You may get an identical expertise with Android Auto if you happen to make sure that the appropriate setting is lively:

1. Discover and open Android Auto in your cellphone.
2. Underneath the Startup part, flip the Begin music routinely toggle.

This might doubtlessly be annoying, in fact — if you happen to’re leaving the fitness center along with your partner, you may not wish to allow them to know that you just elevate weights to the Backstreet Boys.

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4 Launch Android Auto with out unlocking your cellphone

Why is not this the default?

I’d’ve put this greater on my listing, besides that it is lifeless straightforward — comply with the steps from the final part, however flip the Begin Android Auto whereas locked toggle as a substitute. Voilà, no extra fingerprint, passcode, or facial recognition wanted.

There is not any actual catch to this, both, except you are involved about somebody launching Android Auto in your cellphone while you’re not there.

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5 Repair the sorting of your apps

Transfer unused apps to the again

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Usually, Android Auto pushes the apps you utilize most to the entrance of the homescreen, but when that is not your bag, there are alternate sorting choices obtainable. It’s also possible to select which apps seem in any respect, say if you happen to do not significantly care about Discord chats while you’re driving.

1. Open Android Auto.
2. Within the Show part, choose Customise launcher.
3. Faucet Launcher sorting to decide on a special possibility, equivalent to A-Z.
4. Select Customized order if you wish to handle issues your self. Drag and drop apps to place them in a special order, and use the checkboxes to pick out which apps seem.

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6 Disguise undesirable messaging notifications

Catch up while you’re protected and sound

Common chat notifications aren’t a giant deal while you’re at house or work, however when Android Auto is working, they’ll doubtlessly intrude along with your driving. You have obtained a couple of toggles obtainable inside the Android Auto settings in your cellphone:

• Present message notifications will flip all message alerts on or off (in Auto solely).
• Present group conversations impacts group chats, not one-on-one conversations.
• Present first line of messages can be utilized to preview incoming content material.
• Play message chime will be disabled if you wish to eradicate audio distractions.

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