Eyes on the Road: 7 Android Auto Tips Every Driver Needs - PCMag

Hands-free navigation is simply a indispensable for drivers. Thankfully, smartphones marque it elemental with apps that reflector the phone's operating strategy onto your car's display. Apple has CarPlay, portion Google has Android Auto to assistance you support your eyes connected the road.

For those with an Android device, Android Auto tin assistance you with directions, music, telephone calls, and more. At CES 2023, it got an overhaul to marque navigation, communication, and amusement options much accessible.

Android Auto vs. Google Driving Mode

Google has much than 1 driving adjunct feature. Android Auto(Opens successful a caller window) is simply a standalone app and Google’s GPS navigation adjunct for devices moving Android 6-11. You tin link to your conveyance via USB oregon Bluetooth to usage Android Auto, but the phone surface version nary longer works.

Starting with Android 12, those who bash not person built-in Android Auto functionality successful their car volition alternatively beryllium directed to the Driving Mode wrong the Google Maps app erstwhile trying to usage Android Auto connected a telephone surface (since the Google Assistant mentation has been discontinued arsenic well).

Since Google Maps comes pre-installed connected Android devices, you don't person to download a standalone app oregon usage aggregate apps for navigation. You tin configure Driving Mode to commencement immoderate clip you link a smartphone to your car’s Bluetooth system, oregon usage it by tapping Start successful Google Maps whenever you get directions.

Not definite if your car’s compatible? Google has a handy rundown(Opens successful a caller window).

1. Play Music and Podcasts

(Credit: John Bogna)

If you similar immoderate tunes oregon a podcast portion driving, you tin telephone up apps similar Spotify erstwhile utilizing Android Auto oregon Google Driving Mode. With Drive mode open, the location surface volition show your astir precocious utilized media app on with immoderate elemental controls. Depending connected what benignant of strategy your telephone is connected to, Drive mode tin integrate with features similar steering instrumentality mounted audio controls. Or accidental “Hey Google, play the latest occurrence of [podcast name]."

To unfastened further apps and settings, pat the app launcher icon that looks similar 4 boxes successful the bottom-right country of the screen. It volition motorboat a paper that contains respective icons for assorted apps and features. Tap the icon with a car and a cogwheel connected it to participate Settings. From here, you tin configure Drive mode options similar whether to judge calls and texts portion connected the road. You tin besides toggle driving-friendly messages connected and off. To get determination without tapping done immoderate screens conscionable say, “Hey Google, unfastened Assistant settings.”

3. Tell Drive Mode When to Activate

After an archetypal setup, your telephone should link and motorboat Android Auto automatically via Bluetooth oregon a wired connection. However, you mightiness not privation that automatic connection, similar if the rider is trying to play music.

To configure precisely erstwhile driving mode launches, unfastened Assistant Settings, past pat Transportation > Driving mode and acceptable erstwhile you privation Drive mode to activate. You tin configure Drive mode to unfastened erstwhile nether 1 of the pursuing circumstances:

• When you link your smartphone to a car’s Bluetooth

• When you unfastened the Android Auto app

• When your telephone detects driving (its sensors observe you moving precise quickly)

Whether you take to acceptable up the app wired oregon wirelessly, Google recommends keeping Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and determination settings turned on(Opens successful a caller window) for the astir close results.

4. Make Calls oregon Send Messages

(Credit: John Bogna)

On Drive mode’s location screen, you’ll spot ample buttons for Send a message and Make a call adjacent to your media app controls. Tap either fastener to usage dependable commands, oregon conscionable pat the microphone icon. You tin besides accidental “Hey Google,” oregon usage the dedicated dependable bid fastener connected your steering wheel, if you person one.

Common dependable commands see “call [name from Contacts],” “send connection to [Contact],” oregon conscionable “send message.” Texts get work aloud, and erstwhile you get a telephone call, Google’s dependable adjunct says who’s calling and asks if you’d similar to judge oregon decline.

Android Auto is compatible with different messaging apps beyond Messenger, specified arsenic WhatsApp and Skype, truthful those messages tin beryllium work aloud, too.

5. Use Voice Commands for Driving

Much similar Android Auto, Google’s Drive mode changes the interface of your smartphone for little scrolling and truthful little distraction. The accustomed show is replaced by large, easy-to-tap cards that unfastened apps, fto Google perceive for dependable commands, and more. You tin bring up Drive mode without touching your telephone by saying “Hey Google, let’s drive” oregon “Hey Google, navigate to [destination].” For much connected basal dependable commands, cheque retired Google’s guide(Opens successful a caller window) to Drive mode.

6. Return Home oregon Exit Drive Mode With One Tap

When you’re successful the app launcher menu, different paper similar Settings, oregon looking though Spotify for a playlist, conscionable pat the car icon astatine the bottommost halfway of your show to instrumentality to the driving mode location screen. To exit driving mode altogether, pat the car icon with a enactment done it astatine the top-right country of the screen.

7. No Display? Use a Wireless Adapter Instead

(Credit: Eric Griffith)

Android Auto works whether you’re utilizing it connected a telephone oregon Bluetooth system. If your car is an older exemplary that doesn’t person Bluetooth, determination are wireless adapters that connection Bluetooth connectivity oregon tablet-like devices(Opens successful a caller window) that enactment similar a built-in infotainment system. The easiest and cheapest way successful this concern would beryllium to conscionable get a car mount for your smartphone and usage the app that way.