How to Use Android Auto and Everything You Need to Know About Android Auto

How to Use Android Auto and Everything You Need to Know About Android Auto

Here's how to set up and use Android Auto to access your phone's most useful functions while driving your car.

Android Auto is a handy feature available on almost all Android phones. If you've never used it, you should give it a try to make your phone's most useful content more accessible on the road.

We'll show you how to use Android Auto directly on your phone or with a compatible head unit in this Android Auto tutorial.

What is Android Auto

Android Auto is a Google app that lets you use some of the features of your Android device in your car. If your car has a head unit that supports Android Auto, you can use it there. Unlike Apple's CarPlay, Android Auto also works on your phone without connecting it to anything.

Requirements For Android Auto

To use Android Auto on a car screen, you'll need the following:

• Android phone with Android 6 Marshmallow or later.
• Car or stereo compatible. Check the Android Auto compatibility page for vehicles and after-sales stereos that work with the feature. Generally, it is only available on car models from 2016 onwards.
• High quality USB cable to connect your phone to your car.

Android Auto can also work wirelessly, but at the time of writing, it's not widely available. All phones with Android 11 can use Android Auto wirelessly, but few cars support it.

If you want to use Android Auto on your phone screen, the only requirement is your device. However, for best results, you should also have a few other items:

• Car holder for your phone. This lets you easily view your device while driving rather than keeping it in your cupholder or lap.
• One way to play music from your phone to your car stereo, such as Bluetooth in a car or an AUX cable. Without this, you won't be able to enjoy your music and navigation directions will be harder to hear.
• Lastly, we recommend that you have a USB cable to charge your device. Without this, your phone will likely lose a lot of power because the screen is on. If your car doesn't have a USB port, consider buying a car charger that plugs into a wall outlet.

A data connection is required to use many Android Auto features, such as Google Maps navigation and music streaming. However, if you don't have a strong data connection, you can still use offline maps, music, and other content you've downloaded.

Downloading Android Auto Apps

If you're using Android 9 or earlier, you'll need the Android Auto app to use Android Auto either on your car head unit or on your phone's screen. On Android 10 and later, Android Auto in-car functionality is built into the OS, so you don't need a separate app.

However, if you're using Android 10 or later and want to use Android Auto on your phone's display, you'll need to download the Android Auto screen app for your phone.

How to Set Up Android Auto

To get started, start your car. If you want to use Android Auto on your car display, connect your phone to the car's USB port with your cable. To use it on your phone screen, just open the Android Auto app on your phone.

When you do this, you will see some instructions on your phone to give Android Auto the permissions it needs to function properly. Go ahead and grant access to all requested permissions, such as managing your calls and using your location. Note that using Android Auto via a USB cable will turn on Bluetooth automatically.

Once you have done all this, you are ready to use Android Auto on your mobile screen. You'll see an option to launch Android Auto automatically when you're connected to a car or Bluetooth stereo here, which you can set in settings later.

If you're using a car display, you'll need to launch Android Auto from your car's infotainment system at this point. The location depends on your car; the icon is usually right on the home screen (or it might even launch automatically). If you can't find it, look into the Applications menu or something similar.

When you launch Android Auto in the car display for the first time, you may see a welcome screen with a few tips. Continue through this or tap Skip if you prefer, and you're good to go with Android Auto on your car screen.

How to Use Android Auto

Using one of the display methods, Android Auto lets you access navigation, calling, and music apps. Use the icons along the bottom to switch between them.

The Navigation tab allows you to access any navigation application you have installed, such as Google Maps. It offers a simplified version of the interface you are used to, allowing you to set goals or choose one of your last places. If you have more than one navigation app installed, tap the navigation tab a second time to switch to another.

On the Phone tab, you will see shortcuts for your Call history and Favorites. You can also access all of your Contacts and dialers, but using them while you're driving is unsafe, so it's best to avoid them.

Finally, the Music tab lets you access media apps on your phone. You'll have to choose which one you want to use the first time you launch it, but like the navigation section, you can switch to another service by tapping the icon again. In addition to streaming music, you'll also find podcast apps and services like Audible here.

Depending on the selected application, you can browse the menus to play saved playlists or browse your library.

There's one other type of app that works with Android Auto, even if it doesn't appear in the menu: messaging apps. If you have apps like WhatsApp or Telegram on your phone, you can use voice commands to send messages through them. You'll also see notifications for your chats, depending on your Android Auto settings.

Home Page and Voice Command

Tap the circular Home button to return to the main screen at any time. Here, you'll see interactive cards with some useful information, such as media controls, quick navigation shortcuts, and calendar appointments. Press the Home icon again on your phone screen to close Android Auto.

When using Android Auto on your car display, the experience is largely the same. The main difference is that due to the increased screen space, the Home screen has a full list of apps. You'll also see a small shortcut bar at the bottom showing the next navigation turn or currently playing information, depending on the current app.

At the bottom right, tap the bell icon to review the latest notifications. And if you want to return to your car's infotainment system, tap the Exit button that displays your vehicle's logo.

In Android Auto, you'll see a microphone icon in the top right corner (on your phone) or the bottom right corner (on your car screen). This lets you call up the Google Assistant. Using his voice control, you can start navigating, change songs, or make calls much safer than interacting with the screen while driving. You can also use many other Google Assistant features, such as setting reminders and finding information.

If you are using Android Auto on the car screen, you can press the Voice button on the steering wheel to launch a voice command.

Android Auto Apps and Settings

In Android Auto, you can use any app on your phone that is compatible with the feature. For more options, check out our list of the best Android Auto apps.

Finally, you can change some Android Auto settings to make it work better for you. To do this on your phone screen, open the left menu and select Settings, or tap the Settings app from the main menu on your car screen.

Now you know how to use Android Auto in your car, whether you have a compatible head unit or just use your phone's screen. This is a useful feature, but make sure you don't let it distract you on the road. Use voice commands as much as possible to keep yourself and others safe.