Android Auto display customization extends beyond default setup, Engadget reports

Most of the customization is available from a phone, the report said. Users can open Settings, go to Connected devices and Android Auto, or search for Android Auto in Settings, then tap Customize launcher. There they can hide or show apps and drag app names to change their order on the car screen. Hiding an app only removes it from the vehicle display and does not uninstall it from the phone, Engadget said.

The same Customize launcher page lets users add a shortcut that calls a contact or triggers an Assistant action. These shortcuts appear in the car launcher alongside apps. Engadget gave the example of using Gemini to navigate home, check an ETA and text a husband with an arrival time, triggered by an on-screen button or a voice command. The report also said users can store a contact's relationship name and ask Google to call that person without searching through contacts while driving.

Android Auto also allows users to change which panel sits closer to the driver. Under Change layout, users can choose whether the map or the media player is nearer to the driver. Engadget said the map-first setup suits drivers who rely on turn-by-turn navigation and want to keep their eyes off the road for less time, while a media-first setup may suit those who prioritize podcasts and playlists. The report advised testing both configurations against the car's screen size, because wider displays handle split layouts better than smaller ones.

For wallpaper, Google once offered a selection of preloaded images, but users can now display their phone's wallpaper on the Android Auto screen, according to the report. That setting must be changed from the car, not the phone: users launch Android Auto, open Settings and turn on Use Phone's Wallpaper. The background then mirrors the phone's wallpaper.

The Android Auto settings also let users force day or night mode on the map, rather than relying on the default automatic switching based on ambient light and time of day, Engadget said. The option is in the Maps section of Android Auto settings. Users who do not want media to start automatically when driving begins can turn that feature off under the Startup section.

Engadget said each adjustment takes a minute or two, but together they can make the display smoother, safer and more personal for daily commutes and occasional road trips.

Editor's Summary

Android Auto's standard settings allow users to reorder apps, add contact or Assistant shortcuts, change the layout and mirror a phone wallpaper, Engadget reported. Drivers can also force map day or night mode and disable automatic media playback at startup. The changes are small individually but can make the in-car interface better fit daily driving habits.