Eyes on the Road: 7 Android Auto Tips Every Driver Needs

Arms-free of charge navigation is a will have to for motorists. Thankfully, smartphones make it very simple with apps that mirror the phone’s running method on to your car’s display screen. Apple has CarPlay, whilst Google has Android Automobile to support you maintain your eyes on the street.

For individuals with an Android gadget, Android Automobile can help you with directions, new music, mobile phone calls, and much more. At CES 2023, it bought an overhaul to make navigation, interaction, and enjoyment choices a lot more available.

Android Automobile vs. Google Driving Manner

Google has more than just one driving assistant characteristic. Android Vehicle(Opens in a new window) is a standalone app and Google’s GPS navigation assistant for gadgets running Android 6-11. You can join to your auto through USB or Bluetooth to use Android Car, but the mobile phone display screen edition no more time is effective.

Beginning with Android 12, those people who do not have built-in Android Automobile performance in their automobile will as an alternative be directed to the Driving Manner inside of the Google Maps application when trying to use Android Automobile on a cellphone monitor (because the Google Assistant model has been discontinued as nicely).

Given that Google Maps arrives pre-installed on Android units, you really don’t have to down load a standalone app or use several apps for navigation. You can configure Driving Method to begin any time you join a smartphone to your car’s Bluetooth process, or use it by tapping Start in Google Maps each time you get instructions.

Not confident if your car’s appropriate? Google has a useful rundown(Opens in a new window).

1. Perform Audio and Podcasts

(Credit: John Bogna)

If you like some tunes or a podcast whilst driving, you can connect with up applications like Spotify when applying Android Automobile or Google Driving Mode. With Generate method open, the home display screen will display screen your most not too long ago used media application alongside with some basic controls. Based on what type of technique your cellphone is linked to, Drive mode can integrate with functions like steering wheel mounted audio controls. Or say “Hey Google, participate in the most current episode of [podcast name].”

To open supplemental apps and settings, faucet the app launcher icon that appears like four boxes in the base-appropriate corner of the monitor. It will launch a menu that consists of quite a few icons for numerous applications and attributes. Tap the icon with a motor vehicle and a equipment on it to enter Settings. From here, you can configure Travel manner options like whether to take phone calls and texts while on the highway. You can also toggle driving-welcoming messages on and off. To get there devoid of tapping by means of any screens just say, “Hey Google, open Assistant options.”

3. Tell Drive Manner When to Activate

After an initial set up, your cell phone really should join and start Android Automobile immediately by using Bluetooth or a wired relationship. Nonetheless, you may well not want that automatic relationship, like if the passenger is seeking to perform songs.

To configure particularly when driving method launches, open Assistant Configurations, then faucet Transportation > Driving mode and established when you want Generate mode to activate. You can configure Travel mode to open up when under 1 of the next situation:

• When you connect your smartphone to a car’s Bluetooth

• When you open up the Android Automobile app

• When your cell phone detects driving (its sensors detect you relocating quite rapidly)

Irrespective of whether you pick out to established up the application wired or wirelessly, Google suggests retaining Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and place options turned on(Opens in a new window) for the most precise results.

4. Make Phone calls or Send Messages

(Credit: John Bogna)

On Generate mode’s property display screen, you are going to see large buttons for Ship a information and Make a contact subsequent to your media application controls. Tap either button to use voice instructions, or just faucet the microphone icon. You can also say “Hey Google,” or use the committed voice command button on your steering wheel, if you have one.

Prevalent voice commands include “call [name from Contacts],” “send information to [Contact],” or just “send information.” Texts get read through aloud, and when you get a cellphone get in touch with, Google’s voice assistant states who’s calling and asks if you’d like to settle for or decrease.

Android Vehicle is compatible with other messaging applications outside of Messenger, these types of as WhatsApp and Skype, so those messages can be examine aloud, way too.

5. Use Voice Commands for Driving

Substantially like Android Automobile, Google’s Travel manner changes the interface of your smartphone for significantly less scrolling and thus a lot less distraction. The typical screen is replaced by large, simple-to-tap cards that open up applications, permit Google pay attention for voice commands, and extra. You can carry up Travel mode devoid of touching your cellular phone by saying “Hey Google, let us drive” or “Hey Google, navigate to [destination].” For more on essential voice commands, examine out Google’s manual(Opens in a new window) to Push mode.

6. Return Residence or Exit Travel Method With One Tap

When you are in the app launcher menu, an additional menu like Options, or wanting while Spotify for a playlist, just tap the car or truck icon at the base centre of your exhibit to return to the driving method household display. To exit driving method entirely, tap the car or truck icon with a line by way of it at the top-proper corner of the display screen.

7. No Display? Use a Wi-fi Adapter Rather

(Credit rating: Eric Griffith)

Android Auto functions irrespective of whether you’re employing it on a cell phone or Bluetooth system. If your motor vehicle is an older design that doesn’t have Bluetooth, there are wi-fi adapters that offer you Bluetooth connectivity or tablet-like products(Opens in a new window) that function like a constructed-in infotainment system. The least difficult and least expensive route in this situation would be to just get a car or truck mount for your smartphone and use the application that way.