Have you just bought a new car with the Android Auto system installed as standard, would you like to configure it to the best but don't have the slightest idea of how to do it? No problem, if you want I'm here to give you a hand and explain how android auto works: I assure you that it is much simpler than you imagine.
As you may already know, Android Auto is an application that allows you to duplicate your smartphone screen on the car's on-board display, but with a minimal interface specifically designed for using the phone while driving. Allows access to the main functions of the mobile device and to the supported applications, avoiding driving distractions thanks to the controls on the steering wheel of the car and the convenient voice functions that allow you to "order" the system to send messages, make calls, get directions or play music.
If I've intrigued you and you too can't wait to use Android Auto, let's not waste any more time chatting and let's get to work right away: take five minutes of free time, read the next paragraphs carefully and I'm sure you'll succeed quickly understand if your car supports Android Auto, how to install the app and how to best use it. Enjoy the reading!
Index
Compatible devices and car models
Before going into the merits of the functioning of Android Auto, you need to know what are the minimum requirements and the car models that support the service.
Android Auto is compatible with over 400 car models, including those with license plates Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Borgward, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Maserati, Kia, Opel, Peugeot , Renault, Smart, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Volkswagen e Volvo. In addition, it supports numerous models of stereo systems, such as those of Alpine, CVTE, JBL, JVC, Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer e Sony. You can view all the car and stereo models compatible with Android Auto by consulting the official list on the Android.com website, which is constantly updated.
If, on the other hand, you don't have a compatible car model, don't worry! With an update released at the end of 2016, the possibility of using Android Auto in the car via your smartphone was introduced. All you need (even in the case of a compatible car model) is a device with Android 5.0 or later (although at least Android 6.0 is recommended for optimal performance), a good USB cable and an active Internet connection.
How to install and activate Android Auto
To use Android Auto you need to download and install the free application, available for Android smartphones and tablets that meet the minimum requirements listed in the previous paragraphs.
To download Android Auto, grab your device and launch the Play Store by pressing its icon (the ▶︎ symbol colored). Now, type Android Auto in the search engine at the top and tap on the item Search, then locate Android Auto (should be the first result) and press the buttons Install e Accept to start downloading and installing the app. If you can't find the application on Play Store, it means your device is not compatible.
If you intend to use Android Auto via the phone screen, launch the application you just installed and press the button Continue several times to accept the usage agreement and to allow Android Auto to access data relating to your location, the use of other applications and to make and manage phone calls, after which, if requested, make the suggested updates and downloads, such as the maps of Google Maps.
Now, apply the phone to the dashboard of the car using a suction cup or similar support, activate the connection Bluetooth to allow the mobile device and the car to communicate with each other and that's it. If you don't know how to connect your smartphone to the car or if your vehicle doesn't have Bluetooth, you can read my guide on how to connect your phone to the car.
If your car model is one of over 400 with Android Auto installed as standard, you can use the service via the car's display. All you have to do is turn on the car and connect the smartphone to the vehicle's USB socket via the original USB cable (wireless connection is not possible), allowing the mobile device and the car to communicate with each other via a mechanism called mirroring . If the Android Auto app is already installed on your device, the service will start automatically, otherwise you will be prompted to download and install the app.
While Android Auto is in use, your smartphone screen will display a completely black screen with the wording Android Auto, making it unusable: a solution, probably inconvenient but intelligent, to prevent any type of distraction while you're behind the wheel.
How to use Android Auto
Whether you intend to use Android Auto via your car display or your phone screen, it doesn't change how it works. Start the application and, in its main screen (defined Home), you can view recent activities such as the last navigation destinations, calls made or received, but also useful information such as the weather, traffic information and all notifications received.
On the Home screen you can also take advantage of the menu at the bottom which allows you to access four functions: Navigation (The road sign) which allows you to set the place to reach and receive directions; Call (The handset) to view received and dialed calls and make new calls; Music (the icon of headphones) to listen to music via one of the applications that support Android Auto, such as TuneIn, Spotify, Deezer etc. And Home (the icon round) which allows you to return to the Android Auto main screen and close the application, if in use on the smartphone.
If you're using Android Auto via your car's display, you'll see a different screen, with the individual applications you can use. From the main menu, accessible by tapping the circlet at the bottom left, you can choose Google Maps, Spotify, Phone, Google Calendar, Hangouts (for SMS read to you by voice assistant), Toys (only when the car is stationary), Skype and many other apps.
If you're wondering how you can interact with Android Auto, there are multiple answers: you can act via touch screen (but if you're driving, this is bad practice); if your car supports stock Android Auto, you can interact via i controls installed on the vehicle (e.g. the button for answering and making calls) and you can interact with Android Auto via voice commands.
You can activate the Android Auto voice function by tapping the icon microphone present in Home of the system, pressing on the appropriate button placed on the steering wheel of the car (if present) and giving the vocal command “Ok Google” which will launch a white screen with four colored lines in the center. The voice command must be followed by the operation you want the system to perform. Let's take a few practical examples right away.
Want to get directions from Android Auto? Nothing simpler: pronounce Ok Google, followed by the command Directions to [destination], but also Navigate to [destination] o Drive to [destination]. If you have previously set your home or office address on Google Maps, you can ask Android Auto to take you home or to work using voice commands take me Home e Navigation to work.
With voice commands you can also manage music playback. Pronounce Ok Google e Play music to start playback of the last track listened to or, in the case of TuneIn, of the last radio station played. If you want to listen to your favorite song, a certain music genre or a playlist, you can use the commands Play [song name], Play [artist name], Play [Music Genre] e Play [playlist name].
To make a call without picking up the phone, you can use voice command Call followed by the contact name or phone number. Pronounce then Ok Google to activate voice commands and “order” Call [contact name] o Call [phone number]. If a contact in your address book has more than one phone number associated with it (for example home and work), Android Auto will ask you which one to call before making the call.
Finally, let's see how to ask Android Auto to write an SMS. First pronounce Ok Google, followed by the command Send a message to [name], then follow the instructions from Android Auto and dictate the text of the message you want to send. You can also "order" to send the message via one of the many messaging applications supported by the system, including WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger and Telegram: the voice command must be of the type Send a message to [contact name] on [app name].
If, on the other hand, you have received a new message, the relative notification will appear on the Home screen: press on it to start reading the message. You can reply with the procedure indicated above, but you can also set up an automatic reply which allows you to send a reply message and let the recipient know that you are driving. To do this, tap the ≡ button and press the item Settings, then click on the option Auto reply and type in a phrase to be sent automatically while you're driving.
In the Settings you can also manage other parameters: Limit Wi-Fi to turn off Wi-Fi with Android Auto running; Connected cars to manage cars connected to Android Auto; Automatic start to determine the Bluetooth devices for which to activate the automatic start of Android Auto; Use Bluetooth to choose whether to activate Bluetooth with Android Auto in use e Active screen to choose whether to have the screen always on.
When the car is stationary you can access the menu Settings more complete, via smartphone. Just unlock the screen of the phone connected via USB and then touch the item on the car display Sign in on your phone screen under Other settings.
Among the options you can change is the option to customize apps that appear in the Android Auto Home (except those removed by the developers) and the activation of the wireless mode (if this is supported by your smartphone and your vehicle).
Online you can find third-party applications, not officially available on the Google Play Store. For this reason, I strongly advise against downloading or installing it, in fact coming from unofficial sources, you can run into malware or viruses that can also cause theft of sensitive data. As if that weren't enough, watching videos while behind the wheel is strictly prohibited by the highway code, and being caught in contravention can be very expensive.
In the future, however, the situation could change with a relaxation of the restrictions, perhaps making the app available only when the car is stationary. On the other hand, there are already official apps with similar functioning, such as GameSnacks, which offers a selection of "hit and run" games, which can only be activated when you are not on the road. Therefore, all that remains is to monitor the updates pending a possible compatibility.
How to use Android Auto Wireless
Constantly plugging in the USB cable to get Android Auto to activate on your vehicle's display can quickly become a hassle. In fact, it is necessary to always have the cable at hand, not to mention the greater wear of the USB slot of the smartphone, which one inevitably encounters when connecting and disconnecting it several times a day. You may therefore be wondering if it was perhaps possible to use Android Auto but in wireless mode, I'm right?
Well, unfortunately I have to give you some bad news: not all vehicles and smartphones can have this mode. Don't despair though, before rushing to buy a new device, I'll show you how to make sure your phone is actually compatible.
First, install the app on your smartphone by following the procedure I illustrated in the previous chapters. While not in gear but with the vehicle active, then connect it via USB cable to the car and, at the same time, the application will automatically open on your mobile phone. From the main menu, tap on three horizontal dashes at the top left and then tap on Settings.
Scroll through the next menu until you get to the category System, under which you should find two entries, one of which is Android Auto Wireless Mode. If this is present, and you have activated the check corresponding to the setting, then you will be able to enjoy Android Auto wirelessly. However, remember that the car must also be included in the official compatibility list, so if the smartphone tries to communicate but the car is not enabled, the system will not work.
If you are interested in learning more, I invite you to read my dedicated guide, where I resolve all your doubts about using Android Auto without a cable.
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