If there is one time of the year when I use my car for a long trip and give it a good tune-up beforehand, it is the summer holidays: check the oil level, check the condition of the tyres, check that I have all the papers in the glove compartment and that my DGT is on my mobile just in case. And yes, I also I take a closer look at Android Auto.
Because Android Auto plays a providential role these days to entertain me while driving with music or podcasts, to guide me with GPS navigators like Waze and to avoid radars with specific applications (I use both at the same time with this trick), but also for a good overall driving experience thanks to its options. So Before I go on a trip, this is everything I check on Android Auto.
The apps I use the most, at hand
How few people use this setting and how useful it is. Android Auto is the adaptation of your mobile and the applications compatible with the system, but generally its layout and the ones that are shown are not the ones we use/interest the most. So in order not to waste time with apps that I don’t use and to have the ones I usually open at hand, what I do is change the order of the apps and hide some.
This modification can only be done from the mobile, looking for it in the settings. There we go to ‘Additional application settings‘ and we scroll to ‘Customize app menu‘ and we go to the second option, which is ‘Sort applications menu‘. Here we can uncheck the ticks of the apps that do not interest us and in ‘Sort applications menu‘ select alphabetical or custom order. In my case, it is always the second one. So, I drag and drop Google Maps, Waze, TomTom, Radarbot or messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram to the top, as well as Spotify or Prime Music on my trips.
Quick access to 112
The ideal way to avoid distractions (and fines, because touching the Android Auto screen can cost you dearly) is to use Android Auto with your voice. I admit that I tend to have little patience with the Google Assistant, so I try to minimize the touches to the bare minimum: Waze road events and my emergency button from ‘Call 112’.
Although it is not something you can do by default, it can be configured by going back to the Android Auto settings on your phone and tapping on ‘Customize apps menu‘ > ‘Add shortcut to the app menu‘ > ‘Assistant Action’.
Then you just have to type ‘Call 112’ and give it a name or use an emoji, such as the police car. Then just save. A tip: it’s best to leave that emergency button high up.
A little bit of privacy
I usually go on vacation with my people and I admit it: they are quite nosy. So when I get a message, their eyes go straight to the screen to try to read it. It’s fun, but it’s better to have a little privacy.
While it is true that Android Auto notifications are something very personal and in my case I have them configured this way so as not to miss what is important and to minimize distractions. However, there is one setting that I don’t mind leaving on when I’m traveling alone or with my partner, but I take great care if I’m traveling with other people: the one show the first line of the conversation.
To change this, just go to the phone’s settings and find ‘Android Auto’ and go to the notifications block, where this option appears first. If I’m going to be with people, I make sure it’s deactivated.
Launch Android Auto even when the phone is locked
One minor tweak that can be a headache is the initialization of Android Auto, which, depending on the car and phone, may only occur when you have the phone unlocked. The consequence: you get into the car after refueling with your phone in your pocket and Android Auto does not start.
One way to save time and have a smoother experience is to change this setting. How? As before, go to the Android Auto app on your phone and look for the ‘General‘, where you will have to activate the option of ‘Start Android Auto with the phone locked‘.
Non-stop music
Finally, I take advantage of long trips to catch up on podcasts, get nostalgic with the greatest hits of Shakira, Celine Dion or Linkin Park (I have eclectic tastes) and when I get out of the car for a break or to refuel, I want everything to continue playing when I return without having to do anything..
As you can see in the screenshot immediately before this section (in the Android Auto app in your phone’s settings, in the ‘General’ section), just make sure that ‘Start music automatically‘ is on and ready.
Cover | Self-Photo Montage and Holiday Icons Created by wouldulearn – Flaticon