4 Android settings to disable for a greater Android Auto expertise

I began tweaking my Android Auto settings as a result of I used to be getting a bit bored with the small annoyances. My automobile display felt cluttered; some issues stored popping up after I didn’t want them, and I truthfully couldn’t bear in mind turning on some settings within the first place.

None of it was a deal-breaker, however collectively, it made Android Auto much less easy.

I additionally began noticing battery drain. After an extended drive with navigation, music, Bluetooth, and different stuff operating, my telephone acquired fairly heat and misplaced a noticeable chunk of battery.

It wasn’t about turning Android Auto into some stripped-down setup. I simply wished my automobile display to really feel much less busy and my telephone to cease doing issues I by no means requested it to do.

Why does Android Auto want all of your apps?

I kicked out the apps I by no means used

I’m fairly positive my Android Auto launcher has change into a dumping floor. Apps sat there that I had used as soon as, forgot about, and by no means touched once more. In my case, it was principally all my music apps.

I don’t want three totally different music or podcast apps staring again at me after I solely use Spotify, and I positively don’t need to scroll by way of apps I by no means open from my automobile display.

So I cleaned it up. On my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, I went to Android Auto settings -> Customize Launcher. From there, I eliminated the appropriate apps that I don’t use within the automobile and moved those I truly use nearer to the highest. I stored apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Spotify.

To be sincere, I may take away WhatsApp too. I can at all times use Gemini to textual content my mother and ask how she’s doing, however for now, I’m protecting it.

Now my display is rather less cluttered, and that’s how I prefer it.

My messages can keep a bit extra personal

I finished exhibiting the primary line

I discovered this one in a barely awkward approach.

One day, my uncle glanced over at my good friend’s message and browse the entire thing earlier than I may do something. It wasn’t horrible, nevertheless it was positively a message he didn’t must see. That was sufficient for me to rethink having the primary line of each message sitting there in plain sight.

On my telephone, I went to Android Auto settings and turned off Show first line of conversations. The precise wording can fluctuate a bit relying in your telephone and Android Auto model, however the concept is identical.

I nonetheless get notified when my good friend messages me, however with the first-line setting off, the start of the message doesn’t seem on the automobile display anymore.

I like this setup better. My uncle doesn’t want a front-row seat for my conversations once more.

I wished extra room on my automobile’s display

So I switched off Quick Controls

I observed this whereas utilizing Google Maps and realized how a lot of my automobile’s display was taken up by controls I barely touched. If I’m following instructions to choose up my daughter or driving to the grocery retailer, I need to see the map clearly. I don’t want a bunch of additional buttons sitting there after I already know the right way to pause my music or swap apps.

Sounds relatable?

So I turned off Taskbar widgets for apps. Once it’s off, Android Auto provides the app I’m utilizing extra room as an alternative of protecting these additional controls seen. I often have Google Maps open with Spotify taking part in within the background, so having a bit extra space for the map makes a distinction to me.

It’s not a dramatic change, however that’s the purpose.

I created a routine to avoid wasting battery whereas driving

Samsung customers, you’re fortunate this exists

This might be my favourite one as a result of I don’t have to recollect to do something. Since I take advantage of a Samsung telephone, I can create a routine that begins after I hook up with Android Auto and turns off issues I don’t want whereas I’m driving.

Here’s how I set it up. Since I do know I received’t be utilizing my cell hotspot whereas driving, I can have the routine swap it off robotically. To set it up, I’m going to Settings -> Modes and Routines -> Routines, faucet +, select my Android Auto connection because the set off, after which choose the actions I need the telephone to take.

I like this as a result of I’m not continuously digging by way of settings earlier than I go away. My telephone handles it for me, and when the routine is now not energetic, the settings return to regular. It’s a type of Samsung features that feels pointless till you truly discover a use for it.

Less is definitely higher

I simply had a number of little issues bothering me, and as soon as I began poking round my settings, most of them had been fairly simple to repair. Now my display is definitely mine, my messages are a bit extra personal, and I’m not protecting issues switched on that I don’t actually need.

Sometimes, you simply must spend time along with your telephone and never all of the apps. You may discover a answer to the issue that’s been annoying you with out studying one other article or following a 10-step information. I’m positively responsible of on the lookout for a repair on-line first, however typically the reply is correct there within the settings menu.