I’ve been utilizing Android Auto lengthy sufficient to know its quirks.
When it really works, it’s nice. Navigation on an enormous display screen, hands-free calls, and music controls work superbly.
When it doesn’t, the annoyances pile up quick: flaky wi-fi connections, lacking apps ought to work, and visuals that don’t fairly suit your automotive’s show.
Out of frustration, I ended up poking round Android Auto’s hidden developer settings, not anticipating a lot, and undoubtedly not anticipating fixes.
Nevertheless, buried in that menu had been toggles that addressed a few of my greatest pet peeves, with out rooting or breaking something.
Right here’s how just a few tweaks made an enormous distinction.
8 Android Auto settings you did not know you wanted to vary
Get extra management over Android Auto with these setting modifications
The way to use Android Auto’s developer settings
The developer menu isn’t hidden behind any hacks or third-party instruments. It’s simply buried deep sufficient that most individuals by no means stumble throughout it.
First, open the Settings app in your cellphone and scroll right down to Related gadgets. From there, faucet Android Auto.
Should you don’t see it immediately, seek for Android Auto in Settings.
After you’re on the Android Auto settings web page, scroll all the way in which right down to the underside and faucet Model repeatedly. After about ten faucets, you’ll see a immediate telling you that developer settings have been enabled.
Now, faucet the three-dot menu within the upper-right nook and choose Developer settings. You’ll see an extended listing of toggles and choices, lots of that are meant for testing or debugging.
Most of them received’t make sense at first look, and a few are finest left alone. However buried in that listing are just a few helpful settings that may make Android Auto much less annoying to take care of.
Toggle Wi-fi Android Auto for fewer connection complications
One of many perks of unlocking Android Auto’s hidden developer settings is that you just get direct management over Wi-fi Android Auto, utilizing a toggle that isn’t accessible in the usual settings menu.
After you allow developer choices, you’ll see an choice labeled Wi-fi Android Auto. Turning this on actively allows wi-fi projection at any time when potential, quite than ready for a cable connection.
If Wi-fi Android Auto is enabled, your cellphone can join over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and not using a USB cable as quickly as you begin the automotive.
Should you flip it off, Android Auto will solely work over a wired connection, even when your automotive helps wi-fi projection.
That selection issues as a result of wi-fi Android Auto isn’t all the time the best choice.
Wi-fi connections may be much less secure than wired ones, particularly in vehicles with weaker head items or in areas with heavy wi-fi interference.
Drops or delayed responses can have an effect on navigation, music playback, and voice instructions.
Battery drain is one other trade-off. Wi-fi Android Auto retains your cellphone busy dealing with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and steady knowledge transmission whereas additionally driving the automotive’s interface. On longer drives, that drain provides up shortly.
Having the ability to flip off Wi-fi Android Auto offers you management. For brief journeys, wi-fi is handy and cable-free. For longer drives or when stability issues greater than comfort, forcing a wired USB connection is commonly the higher choice.
The Wi-fi Android Auto toggle enables you to select the way you need it to behave, and that alone makes it price unlocking the developer menu.
Unknown Sources: Utilizing apps that Google doesn’t formally assist
By default, Android Auto solely exhibits apps that Google has accredited and distributed by the Play Retailer. That retains issues secure and constant, however it additionally means some genuinely helpful apps by no means seem in your automotive’s display screen.
Checking Unknown Sources in developer settings loosens that restriction. It permits Android Auto to run suitable apps that aren’t formally listed by Google, so long as they’re designed to work with the Android Auto interface.
It could possibly open the door to third-party navigation instruments, different media gamers, or utility apps that Google doesn’t assist but.
This setting is important if you wish to use alternate options like NewPipe for YouTube audio or Spotify variants.
After turning on Unknown Sources, return to Android Auto settings, faucet Customise launcher, and also you’ll see the newly accessible apps listed there.
Examine those you need, and solely then will they seem in your Android Auto house display screen.
It’s price noting that not each app behaves nicely on a automotive display screen, and a few might really feel tough across the edges.
There’s additionally a motive Google locks this down by default: Android Auto is supposed to reduce distractions whereas driving. If an app isn’t constructed with that in thoughts, it may be extra distracting than useful.
Video decision: For sharper visuals
Android Auto is designed to work with a wide range of automotive shows, starting from primary 6-inch screens to giant infotainment panels.
To make sure stability, the system often defaults to a conservative decision for rendering consumer interface parts and map graphics.
Nevertheless, on higher-resolution screens or in automobiles with higher {hardware}, the textual content and contours might seem barely blurred.
Within the developer settings, you may faucet Video Decision to pick out a special choice. On suitable head items, this may end up in sharper visuals.
The Android Auto settings that stopped my calls from reducing out
After infinite cable swaps and resets, I discovered the actual motive Android Auto stored disconnecting
This hidden menu improved my Android Auto expertise
Unlocking Android Auto’s developer settings made the system extra versatile.
Having the ability to management wi-fi habits, enable apps that Google doesn’t formally assist, and tweak show decision enhanced my driving expertise.
Most drivers won’t ever want this menu, and Google might be proper to maintain it hidden.
However if you happen to’ve been tolerating small annoyances, particularly round wi-fi connections, app availability, or show high quality, it’s price exploring.