If there is one time of year when I take my car for a long journey and do a good tune-up beforehand, it is during the summer holidays: check the oil level, check the condition of the tyres, check what I have. papers in the glove compartment and just in case miDGT is on my mobile. And yes, too Taking a closer look at Android Auto.

Because Android Auto has a divine role these days to entertain me while driving with music or podcasts, to guide me with GPS navigators like Waze and to avoid radars with certain apps (I use both at the same time with this trick), but also to provide a good experience in general driving thanks to its options. That’s why Here are all the things I check in Android Auto before I travel.

My most used apps at hand

How few people use this setting and how good it is. Android Auto is an adaptation of your mobile phone and the applications compatible with the system, but in general its layout and what is shown are the ones we use/interest the most. That’s why I change the order of the applications and hide some of them so as not to waste time with the applications I don’t use and to keep the applications I usually open.

This change can only be made from the mobile phone, by searching in the settings. Here we go’Additional application settings‘ and ‘ we scroll toCustomize the app menu‘ and we move on to the second option, which is ‘Sort application menu‘. Here we can uncheck the applications that we are not interested in and ‘Sort application menu‘ choose alphabetical or custom order. In my case it is always the latter. That’s why on my trips I drag and drop Google Maps, Waze, TomTom, Radarbot or messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, as well as Spotify or Prime Music.

Quick access to 112

The ideal way to avoid distractions (and fines, as touching the Android Auto screen can be expensive) is to use your voice to control Android Auto. I admit I don’t have much patience with Google Assistant, so I try to keep taps to a minimum: Waze provides road events and My emergency button From ‘Call 112’.

Although it’s not something you can do by default, you can configure it by going to the Android Auto settings of the mobile phone again and tapping on ‘.Customize the app menu‘ > ‘Add shortcut to application menu‘ > ‘‘Wizard Action’.

Then just type ‘call 112’ and give it a name or use an emoji like a police car. Then all you have to do is save. A tip: it’s better to leave the emergency button up.

A little privacy

I usually go on vacation with my friends and I admit they are quite gossipy. So when I get a message my eyes go straight to the screen and try to read it. It’s fun but it’s better to have some privacy.

Although it is true that Android Auto notifications are a very personal thing, in my case I have configured them this way so as not to miss what is important and to minimize distractions. However, there is a setting that I do not hesitate to leave when I am alone or with my partner, but that I pay great attention to when traveling with more than one person: show first line of conversation.

To change this, just go to mobile settings and find ‘Android Auto’ and there go to the notification block where this option appears first. If I’m going to go with people, I’ll make sure it’s disabled.

Allow Android Auto to start even when phone is locked

One minor adjustment that can be a headache is starting up Android Auto, which, depending on the car and phone, can only happen when your phone is unlocked. The result: You get in the car after refueling with your phone in your pocket, and Android Auto won’t start.

One way to save time and have a smoother experience is to change this setting. Like? As before, go to the Android Auto app on your mobile phone and ‘GeneralYou will need to enable the option ‘, here ‘Start Android Auto when phone is locked‘.

Non-stop music

Finally, I take advantage of long drives to catch up on podcasts, get nostalgic with the greatest hits of Shakira, Celine Dion or Linkin Park (yours truly has eclectic tastes), and when I get out of the car for a break or to refuel, I want everything to continue playing when I come back without having to do anything.

As you can see in the screenshot just before this section (in your mobile settings in the Android Auto app, under the ‘General’ section),Start music automatically‘ activated and ready.

Cover | Montage with own photo and Holiday icons created by Willulearn – Flaticon

Xataka on Android | Six essential Android Auto settings that I recommend you configure as soon as possible