Android Auto offers user-facing controls for startup conditions, connecting with a locked phone, automatic music playback, launcher ordering, contact shortcuts, taskbar media controls and navigation placement.
Parth Shah’s guide also describes a “Heading Home” Google Assistant routine and Samsung Modes and Routines that can run when a newer Galaxy connects.
On-screen map and controls
The Navigation closer to driver option moves the map to the side of the screen closest to the driver. Typically, the screen is split between navigation and music. Shah, who controls the music using the steering wheel buttons, preferred having the map close to him. He says that this way he can check, for example, the arrival time without taking his eyes off the road too much.
Taskbar widgets keep basic music controls like play, pause, and skip to the next track available while any app is open. So you can change songs or stop a podcast without leaving Maps.
Fewer apps, direct calls
From the launcher settings—Android Auto's app list—you can hide apps you don't need and change their order. Shah narrowed his list from three pages to one, putting Google Maps and YouTube Music at the top.
In the same menu, he added shortcuts for calling. A tap on a contact's icon starts the call, without having to search through a menu first. He also created, with Google Assistant actions, a shortcut called "Heading Home": a tap starts navigation home and sends the message "I'm on my way!".
Auto start and music
To start Android Auto on every drive, the Start Android Auto automatically option must be set to Always . On some systems, the default is If used during the last drive , so starting depends on whether Android Auto was used on the previous drive.
The Start Android Auto while locked option allows the system to connect while the phone remains locked, without having to unlock it each time. The Start music automatically option has a different function : it starts playing music as soon as Android Auto is connected.
Routine on Samsung Galaxy
On newer Samsung Galaxy phones, you can set an action to run when your phone connects to Android Auto in Settings → Modes and Routines . Shah's routine turns off the Always On Display, which is intended to save battery life while driving.
Changes to settings and shortcuts are best made before driving, with the car stopped.
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