Your Ultimate Guide to Personalizing Android Auto

 

Android Auto has come a long way, evolving into a reliable tool for accessing your phone from your car's dashboard. Assuming your vehicle has a compatible head unit, it offers a polished interface for various functions while you're on the road. To make the most of this tool, customization is key, ensuring a setup that suits your needs and enhances safety.

Whether you're a novice Android Auto user or a seasoned one, this guide will walk you through the available customization options. Assuming you've already completed the initial connection and setup, let's dive into tailoring your Android Auto experience.

Customize Android Auto on Your Phone

Before hitting the road, tweak your Android Auto settings on your phone. Open Settings, navigate to Connected devices > Connection preferences > Android Auto. Among the myriad settings available, focus on those shaping the appearance and functionality of Android Auto.

Start by selecting "Customize launcher." Here, decide which apps appear in the car's app drawer. Streamline the interface by including only the apps you need for your journey, deselecting those you don't.

Additionally, you can declutter further by using "Add a shortcut to the launcher" for custom contact links or Google Assistant actions.

Explore other settings, such as "Day/Night mode for maps" to adjust Google Maps based on the time of day. Toggle "Start music automatically" to control if audio starts playing when Android Auto connects.

Modify the layout with options like "Driver seat location" and "Change layout," letting you decide the placement of widgets on the screen.

Toggle notifications based on your preference, choosing whether to display incoming message snippets on screen.

Experiment with the "Taskbar widgets" switch to determine if quick controls remain visible at the bottom of the screen or if you prefer accessing them through app widgets.

Customize Android Auto in the Car

Once on the road with Android Auto connected, additional customization options become available. Open the launcher, tap Settings, and start personalizing your experience.

Familiar options like notifications and day/night mode can be adjusted here too. However, one unique option is "Wallpaper." Tap this to change the backdrop of the Android Auto interface, choosing from available wallpapers.

While the wallpaper doesn't impact the driving interface, it adds a personal touch to the app launcher and menu screens.

Remember, these customizations are tied to your phone, not the car. If others use Android Auto in the same vehicle, they can set their preferences independently, including displayed apps and wallpaper choices.

With these customization tips, you can tailor your Android Auto experience for a safer and more enjoyable drive.

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