AI News Feed
Market watch
LG UltraFine Evo 32U990A-S Hits Record-Low $1,099 on Amazon, TechRadar ReportsNewegg Labor Day Deal: 32GB Kingston Fury Beast DDR4-3200 Kit Nearly Half Price at $179.99 with CodeGalaxy Z Fold 8 inner screen corners reported with excessive giveHuawei unveils Mate XT 2 tri-fold with privacy-screen edition as Apple prepares folding iPhoneWall Street Analysts Recommend Nvidia, Uber and Marvell for Long-Term GrowthLenovo, AMD and Huawei Put Local Large-Model AI at Center of New Devices
LG UltraFine Evo 32U990A-S Hits Record-Low $1,099 on Amazon, TechRadar ReportsNewegg Labor Day Deal: 32GB Kingston Fury Beast DDR4-3200 Kit Nearly Half Price at $179.99 with CodeGalaxy Z Fold 8 inner screen corners reported with excessive giveHuawei unveils Mate XT 2 tri-fold with privacy-screen edition as Apple prepares folding iPhoneWall Street Analysts Recommend Nvidia, Uber and Marvell for Long-Term GrowthLenovo, AMD and Huawei Put Local Large-Model AI at Center of New Devices
Products & Applications

Improve your Android Auto experience by doing these simple things

Hidden Android Auto settings, from home screen cleanup to developer mode, can improve the driving experience.

AI News Feed · 2026-08-30 23:15

Most people connect their phone and accept Google's default layout, missing out on features that can reduce distractions and make driving safer, the article states. With a few precise tweaks, drivers can change how the platform performs, from cleaning up a cluttered home screen to unlocking hidden developer settings.

One of the first suggestions is to clean up the home screen. Android Auto automatically places about a dozen apps on the home screen, including some users rarely need in a car. By going to Android Auto > Customize launcher, drivers can decide which apps remain visible and reorder them so the most-used apps are at the top. This reduces the time spent scrolling on the infotainment screen while driving.

Another hidden option is developer mode. To access it, users open Android Auto on the phone, scroll to the bottom and tap 'About' or 'Version' roughly 10 times until a confirmation message appears. Then, from the three-dot menu, they can enter Developer Settings. There, they can force Android Auto to always connect wirelessly, though this can drain the phone battery and introduce lag, or set a fixed video resolution for better clarity on slower connections.

The article also describes how to force the Maps theme. Android Auto normally switches between night and day modes automatically, but users can choose one or the other in the main settings. Dark mode is easier on the eyes and reduces glare, making it a preferred choice for many drivers even during the day.

Additionally, Android Auto can be set to launch on the car's infotainment screen as soon as the driver gets in, without needing to unlock the phone. This feature, available for both native wireless Android Auto and adapters, helps drivers get on their way faster, which can be a safety improvement.

Finally, the article points out that media playback resumes automatically when Android Auto connects, which can be startling if the volume is high. Drivers can control this behavior in settings to avoid unexpected blasts of music, a book or a podcast.