Setting Up and Using Android Auto

1. Introduction to Android Auto

Rather than encourage you to break the law, it is possible to make use of Android while behind the wheel. The solution is an app, which comes with most recent Android phones (out of the box or after downloading from the Play Store at no cost), called Android Auto. The app has been out for around three years and has seen a number of updates along the way, with the last version 3.0 coming out about a year ago. The purpose of this guide is to cover any changes the app has seen since its last update, but it is largely to serve as a guide for anyone who has not heard of Android Auto, those who may be curious, and want to know more about what is involved in setting up and using it and some of the features it has to offer.

Over the years, cars have gotten larger and more customizable, and when faced with spending long periods of time in them to travel long distances, drivers are in constant need of entertainment, or as is often the case, distraction. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that in some areas, using your android phone behind the wheel is a fineable offense, as can the use of some other electronic devices. Also, just holding your phone during voice or video calls can land you a big fine.

2. Setting Up Android Auto on Your Vehicle

The procedure for connecting and setting up Android Auto is also extremely simple - take out the adapter from the box, attach it to the phone (which should automatically receive the Android Auto update from the Google Play Store), and then connect everything to your car via USB. By default, the phone is now in safe mode, blocking access to applications other than the ones officially approved by Google and practically turning it into a "car radio." If you need to change any standard settings or adjust the call sound, allow applications on the screen, or view the web content while the traffic light is on, for which the software keyboard is now present, then you need to get around this protection with root access.

Setting up Android Auto on your vehicle

Android Auto is designed for operating a wide range of possible activities, and your tasks are limited almost exclusively by the capabilities and restrictions of the console you connect it to. This is actually important to remember - if you leave your tablet at home, nothing bad will happen: while driving, your routes will continue to be shown on the dashboard, music will play, the phone will send SMS, and you will answer incoming calls by buttons on the steering wheel.

3. Connecting Your Android Device to Android Auto

Starting with AA 6.0 on Tesla and Hyundai vehicles and introducing other vehicles, Android Auto now supports wireless. For wireless operation, make sure to leave the device flat while using Android Auto and charging your phone. If your car supports wireless CarPlay, it will not support wireless Android Auto. If you want to listen to music from your phone, plug it into your vehicle with a USB cable. Make sure that it does not come out of the console with music support or hands-free calls. Android Auto is optimized for use on a screen, and some functions are removed to make it compatible with the existing services. This is mainly in the media and phone settings. If you need to use these features, you can exit Android Auto. Be very conscious that watching the screen or using it while driving can be dangerous and result in serious accidents. You should always be careful while driving.

Connect your Android device to your car using a USB cable. If you are prompted on your car's display to set up Android Auto, select "Yes, set up my car." If you don't get a prompt to set up your car, your car's display might give you instructions. If you do not have a car that displays prompts on how to use Android Auto, connect using the micro USB port on the back of the car's display. On some phones, Android Auto will see the micro port, and there will be no need to pair the phone's Bluetooth settings. When you first connect your Android device to your car, the wired install will start automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of Android Auto on your Android device. If prompted about disassembling the device, make sure to check the box that reads "Always perform disassembles."

4. Using Android Auto Features and Functions

Voice search has been part of the Google experience for a long time, and Android Auto makes use of this feature in all of the best ways. With the press of a button on your head unit or a hands-free trigger, you can speak a wide range of commands in order to make Android Auto do all sorts of useful things. Press the microphone icon on the main menu and speak, and Google will listen to command your car as you see fit. At any time Android Auto is open, the microphone icon appears at the top right of the screen, waiting for you to give a command. This makes your command list virtually limitless, and it's all presented in a way that doesn't force you to look at your tablet or phone while driving. There's nothing more distracting than the voice system telling you how to do something, so any time Android Auto is waiting for you to speak, you can see the animation at the top of the screen so you know that's the case. Never underestimate the importance of a simplified mobile experience like Android Auto.

Using Android Auto's on-screen interface is easy and designed to make using your phone in the car as simple and safe as possible. From the moment you plug in the phone and start the Android Auto app, you'll be presented with a clean list of features you can start using, and all of these features have been designed to be easy to see and use without detracting focus from driving. The on-screen menu Android Auto presents after you've plugged in is a series of cards showing the features at the bottom of the screen and the main feature space on top. These cards are often referred to as tiles, and they cover everything from navigation to phone book integration in a way that allows you to focus on those features without too much hassle.

5. Troubleshooting and Tips for Optimizing Your Android Auto Experience

1. Ensure the Android Auto app is not set as the main application in the Connected Car App list in your vehicle's infotainment system.

5.3) No Message notifications One of the nice things the latest update for Android Auto included was message notifications, so you can read and reply to messages using Google Assistant hands-free. However, if you're not getting message notifications:

1. Check to ensure the volume is turned up on your infotainment system and that you don't have a phone call active on your phone on speakerphone. 2. Unplug and replug the USB cable connection between your phone and vehicle.

5.2) No Sound It's really annoying not being able to hear that incoming phone call or that turn-by-turn navigation even if your phone insists it's playing the audio for Android Auto through your car.

1. Unplugging and re-plugging the USB cable from your smartphone and vehicle. 2. Ensuring the USB cable you're using is fully USB specification compliant. So, trying other cables isn't a bad idea.

5.1) USB Errors When using Android Auto every single time, there's a high chance you'll end up receiving errors like "USB device not recognized," "USB problem," or other USB-related bugs that'll prevent the connection from being as smooth as you'd like. If you do encounter USB errors:

Whether you've decided not to update the software in the infotainment system of your car, your car is too old for an update, or you are frustrated with the performance of the Google Assistant already installed, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot and speed up the performance for a better overall experience with Android Auto.