6 Android Auto settings you did not know you wante...

The entire level of Android Auto is to boost your driving expertise with out the restrictions of a telephone mount, or the expense of shopping for a brand new automotive 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 individuals to run into points that make it a bit of extra troublesome than it needs to be. Hopefully, the hole will proceed to slim in coming years.

Within the meantime, you’ll be able to clear up a few of Android Auto’s present points with just a few settings tweaks. I might strongly advocate attempting some or all of those earlier than you hit the street — there isn’t any sense driving with a suboptimal expertise, particularly should you’ve spent upwards of $1,000 on a brand new flagship telephone from Google or Samsung.

Associated

Does anyone actually want Apple’s next-gen CarPlay? Not really

You’d assume a radically completely different automotive interface would have a broader attraction.

1 Allow developer settings

Unlock Android Auto’s full potential

Android Police / Pocket-lint

You possibly can’t totally 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 had been a harmful experiment. Don’t fret — so long as you perceive the choices you are toggling, every little thing ought to maintain working nice.

On most Android telephones, the steps seem like this:

1. In your telephone, discover and open Android Auto.
2. Scroll right down to Model, and faucet it 10 occasions.
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.

Associated

5 settings I change on a new Android phone right away

Your priorities will in all probability range, however these are an excellent begin.

2 Drive Day or Night time Modes

Save your eyesight

Android Police / Pocket-lint

There is a good likelihood your telephone is about to flip Android Auto from Day to Night time Mode and again routinely, however that is not ultimate for everybody. Some individuals may discover Day Mode blinding at any hour, as an example, or just favor Night time Mode’s aesthetic. You possibly can change how maps seem fairly simply:

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

In case you’ve obtained developer settings on, you’ll be able to alter all the Android Auto interface:

1. In Android Auto in your telephone, faucet the triple-dot menu and choose Developer settings.
2. Hit Day/Night time.
3. Choose Automotive-controlled, Telephone-controlled, Day, or Night time. Bear in mind that in order for you the phone-controlled possibility, you will must maintain your telephone out the place it may well register ambient gentle circumstances.

1:04

Associated

How to force Chrome to show any site in dark mode

Darkish mode makes your battery last more, and it is simpler on the eyes at night time. This is find out how to activate it in your Google Chrome browser.

3 Make music and podcasts resume routinely

Save your self hassle throughout frequent stops

Pocket-lint

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

You may get the same expertise with Android Auto should you be certain that the correct setting is energetic:

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

This might doubtlessly be annoying, after all — should you’re leaving the gymnasium together with your partner, you won’t need to allow them to know that you simply carry weights to the Backstreet Boys.

Associated

How I jam out with Spotify using Google Gemini

Google Gemini has added extension help for Spotify. Now you can request Gemini to play your favourite songs and playlists.

4 Launch Android Auto with out unlocking your telephone

Why is not this the default?

I’d’ve put this greater on my listing, besides that it is useless straightforward — observe 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 isn’t any actual catch to this, both, until you are involved about somebody launching Android Auto in your telephone once you’re not there.

Associated

Find My Device: a lifesaver or a digital leash?

It is in all probability price maintaining, however there are situations the place opting out could be clever.

5 Repair the sorting of your apps

Transfer unused apps to the again

Android Police / Pocket-lint

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 out there. You may as well select which apps seem in any respect, say should you do not notably care about Discord chats once 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, comparable 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 which apps seem.

Associated

What is Discord and how to use it: The free chat app for gamers explored

Discord is a free voice and textual content chat app that is extremely fashionable with avid gamers for every kind of causes. We’re exploring what it’s, the way it works and extra.

6 Conceal undesirable messaging notifications

Catch up once you’re protected and sound

Common chat notifications aren’t a giant deal once you’re at residence or work, however when Android Auto is working, they’ll doubtlessly intrude together with your driving. You have obtained just a few toggles out there inside the Android Auto settings in your telephone:

• 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 might be disabled if you wish to remove audio distractions.

Associated

Will anyone actually want Apple’s AR glasses when they’re ready?

Apple appears to be struggling to know AR and VR.