How to make your commute easier with simple Android Auto hacks

Android Auto has been around for more than a decade, with more than 200 million cars sporting the infotainment system worldwide.

To attract more users, it has added many possible features and settings.

Next, getting the most out of Android Auto requires a bit of tweaking when it comes to settings and features.

We’re happy to share with you some simple hacks that will make your trip even more enjoyable.

Automatic activation

It starts automatically

There is nothing worse than getting into the car, getting ready to go to your destination, and being forced to plug into your desired infotainment system.

Back in the day, you could just turn on your car and your radio would instantly come on and give you the tunes for your car. No fuss, no fuss.

If you want a similar experience with Android Auto, you’re just a few settings away from getting started automatically.

First, make sure Start Android Auto automatically setting is set to any Always or If used on the last drive. The default it leaves a lot to be desired, and I found it difficult to do without these settings.

If you want to make sure your music or podcasts play instantly, make sure Start the music itself configuration is changed toso that the media will start playing as soon as you start driving.

Prioritizing the app

Make it easy to find what you use

Even when you are not working, driving is not the best time to use Android Auto, but sometimes you need to access the device in the middle of the drive.

In such cases, you want to make sure that the tools you use are as easy to access as possible.

That’s why you should check Make yourself a speaker setting, which allows you to choose which compatible devices appear in Android Auto and which are left out.

Plus, you can rearrange them with a drag-and-drop tool, so you can choose which apps appear at the top for easy access.

If you really want to make apps more accessible, turn it on Taskbar widgetsit will add a small workspace to access certain app controls like music players, even when other apps are open.

How to enable these settings

Android Auto makes it easy

If you don’t have access to your car yet to make these changes, you don’t have to worry about it. All of these settings can and should be done on your smartphone rather than in your car’s settings.

Just go to Android Auto app settings your device, and you will be able to make all these changes.

As for how to do that properly, move on to Settings menu and press the button Connected devices choice. Then, click go Connection options menu and scroll down to find Android Auto.

Here, you’ll find all the settings listed above, plus many more that let you customize your Android Auto experience.

Android Auto hidden settings

Let’s put on our innovation hats

The beauty of being an Android user is that you can get pretty serious when it comes to customization, and that honor extends to Android Auto.

The platform allows easy access to the designer’s settings, which allows you to change some hidden settings in the infotainment system.

In the advanced settings mode, you can turn off wireless functionality, block GPS, video, and audio data collection, and change the video resolution on the car’s screen to customize how alerts come.

To access this menu, scroll down the menu Android Auto settings to them Translation choice. Click that, then tap the button Translation and authorization information 10 times. Then you will be prompted to Enable update settings.

Now, head to three-dot menu in the upper right corner and select Editor settingsand start getting technical with your choice of Android Auto.

Let Android Auto work for you

Make your car like your phone

Like all technology, Android Auto has seen its fair share of news and updates.

From general updates to the inclusion of YouTube (sort of), the infotainment system is far from perfect, but at least it’s moving in the right direction.

You won’t be able to take advantage of these updates, however, if you don’t open the settings menu every now and then to look for ways to update yourself.

After all, your car is now an extension of your phone, so you should treat it like one of your many devices.