Android Auto: Your Phone in the Car

The 60-Second Version

If you only remember a handful of things about Android Auto, make it these.

• Android Auto puts a big, simple version of your phone on your car's dashboard screen.
• Connect by plugging your phone into the car with a cable, or wirelessly if your car allows it.
• Once connected, tap Maps for directions, Phone for calls, and Music for songs — all on the car screen.
• Press the voice button on your steering wheel, or say Hey Google, to ask for anything out loud.
• Always set your destination before you start driving, and keep your eyes on the road.

What Android Auto Is

Android Auto is Google's feature that shows a simplified version of your Android phone on your car's built-in screen — designed to be safe and easy to use while driving.

Android Auto takes the handful of things you actually want in the car and makes them large, simple, and safe to use. Your phone does the work; the car screen is just an easier window into it. You are not learning a whole new gadget — it is your familiar phone, made bigger and simpler.

• Maps and turn-by-turn directions, big and clear on the dashboard.
• Phone calls you can make and answer without touching your phone.
• Text messages read aloud to you, and answered by voice.
• Music, podcasts, and radio through the car's speakers.

Does Your Car Support It?

Most cars made in the last several years support Android Auto, but not all do. Here is how to find out for sure.

Many cars from about 2017 onward have it, but it varies by model and trim. If you cannot tell, the owner manual is the surest answer. A car dealership's service desk can also confirm it for you over the phone in a minute.

• Look for an Android Auto logo or mention in your car's owner manual.
• Look on the dashboard screen's menu for an Android Auto icon or setting.
• Check near the USB port for a phone or Android Auto symbol.
• Search your car's make, model, and year along with the words Android Auto online.

What You'll Need to Connect

Connecting is simple once you have the few pieces in hand. Let's gather them before we start.

Nearly every car with Android Auto supports connecting by cable — that is the reliable way and it charges your phone at the same time. Some newer cars also offer wireless, where the phone connects on its own with no cable. We cover both, starting with the cable.

• Your Android phone, charged and unlocked.
• The charging cable that came with your phone (for a wired connection).
• A USB port in your car — often in the console, dashboard, or center armrest.
• For wireless: a car that specifically supports Wireless Android Auto.

Connecting With a Cable

The cable is the simplest and most dependable way to start. Do this the first time with the car parked and running.

The very first connection may take a moment as the car and phone introduce themselves. You may need to say yes to a few permission questions on your phone — that is normal, and only happens once. After that, Android Auto usually starts up on its own each time you plug in.

• Turn the car on so the dashboard screen is lit up.
• Unlock your phone (enter your PIN, or use your fingerprint or face).
• Plug the cable into your phone, and the other end into the car's USB port.
• Watch the car screen — Android Auto should start up within a few seconds.
• If your phone asks for permission the first time, tap Allow or Start to let it run.

Setting Up Wireless Android Auto

If your car supports it, Wireless Android Auto connects with no cable at all — the phone links up on its own once you have set it up the first time.

Once paired, wireless Android Auto usually starts on its own each time you get in and start the car, with your phone still in your pocket or bag. If it does not, a cable connection always works as a fallback.

• Make sure your phone has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.
• On the car screen, find the setting to add a phone or start Android Auto.
• On your phone, a pairing request may appear — tap to pair and Allow.
• Follow the prompts on both screens to finish pairing.

The Android Auto Home Screen

Once connected, you see the Android Auto home screen — big, simple buttons, much like your phone's home screen but sized for the car.

Tap an icon to open it. To see all your apps, tap the button that looks like a grid of dots, often at the bottom of the screen. If your car has a knob or buttons instead of a touchscreen, you turn and press those to move around and select.

• Large icons for Maps, Phone, Messages, and Music.
• The time, signal, and a microphone button along the bottom, like on your phone.
• A row of app icons you can tap to switch between them.
• Tapping any icon opens that app on the car screen.

Getting Directions with Google Maps

Directions on the big dashboard screen are the best part of Android Auto for most folks. No more squinting at a tiny phone.

The car reads each turn aloud in plenty of time, so you can keep your eyes on the road. The screen shows your next turn in large print. When you arrive, the directions end on their own — there is nothing you need to tap.

• Tap Maps on the Android Auto home screen.
• Tap the search bar, or say Hey Google, and say where you want to go.
• Pick your destination from the list, then tap Start or Go.
• The map fills the screen with clear, spoken turn-by-turn directions.

Making Calls Hands-Free

With Android Auto, you can make a phone call without ever picking up your phone. The easiest way is simply to ask out loud.

Using your voice is by far the best method while driving — you never take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. Just say who you want to call, and the car does the rest.

• Press the voice button on your steering wheel, or say Hey Google, then say Call and the person's name.
• Or tap Phone on the car screen, then tap Contacts, Favorites, or Recents.
• Tap a name or number to place the call.
• The call comes through the car speakers, and they hear you through the car's microphone.

Answering and Managing Calls

When someone calls while you are driving, Android Auto shows it right on the dashboard, and answering is simple and safe.

To hang up, tap the red End button on the car screen, or press the phone button on the steering wheel. If you would rather not answer at all, simply let it ring — it will go to voicemail as usual.

• The caller's name or number appears on the car screen.
• Tap the green Answer button to take the call, or the red button to decline.
• Many steering wheels also have a phone button — press it to answer.
• The call plays through the car speakers, so you can keep both hands on the wheel.

Hearing Your Text Messages

Reading a text while driving is dangerous — so Android Auto reads your messages aloud to you instead. You never have to look at the screen.

The whole point is that you keep your eyes on the road while the car does the reading. You do not tap and read, you do not look — you just listen, and reply by voice if you want to. The next page covers replying.

• When a text arrives, tap the message notice and Android Auto reads it through the speakers.
• You can also press the voice button, or say Hey Google, and say Read my messages.
• The car reads who it is from and what it says.
• It then asks if you would like to reply.

Sending a Text by Voice

You can answer a text message just by speaking. Android Auto turns your spoken words into a text and sends it, all hands-free.

Speak in short, plain sentences and it will get your words right most of the time. You can even say punctuation, like saying period at the end, though you rarely need to. If it mishears, just say you want to try again.

• After the car reads a message, say Yes or Reply when it asks if you want to respond.
• Or press the voice button, or say Hey Google, then say Text and the person's name.
• Speak your message clearly and naturally.
• The car reads your message back, then sends it when you confirm.

Playing Music

Android Auto makes your music easy to enjoy on the road — through the car speakers, with big buttons and simple voice control.

Your steering wheel buttons usually work too — you can adjust volume and skip tracks without touching the screen. Asking out loud is the safest way of all: simply say what you want to hear.

• Tap your music app on the Android Auto home screen, such as YouTube Music or Spotify.
• Browse your songs, albums, or playlists, and tap one to play.
• Use the large on-screen buttons to play, pause, or skip.
• Or just say Hey Google, then Play, and a song, artist, or playlist.

Podcasts, Radio, and More

Music is just the start. Android Auto handles podcasts, radio, audiobooks, and other listening apps the same easy way.

Every listening app works the same familiar way in Android Auto — tap to open it, tap to play or pause, or ask out loud. If an app is on your phone but not showing in the car, it may not offer an Android Auto version, which is normal for some apps.

• Podcasts — spoken shows on almost any topic, in a podcast app.
• Radio and streaming apps you have installed, shown as icons on the home screen.
• Audiobooks, if you enjoy books read aloud.
• Whatever app you use, it appears on the car screen once it is on your phone.

Using Google Assistant

The single most useful trick in Android Auto is Google Assistant. Ask it out loud, and you can do almost anything without lifting a finger.

You can say, Take me home, or, Call Dory, or, Play the news, or, Text my son I am on my way. Speak naturally, as you would to a helpful friend. This is the heart of using Android Auto safely — your hands stay on the wheel and your eyes stay on the road.

• Press the voice button on your steering wheel — look for a voice or microphone symbol.
• Or simply say, Hey Google, out loud while Android Auto is running.
• Wait for the tone or the listening dots, then say what you want plainly.
• You can also tap the microphone button on the car screen.

Rearranging Your Icons

You can put the apps you use most where they are easiest to reach, and tuck away the ones you never touch. This is done on your phone, not in the car.

Most folks like Maps, Phone, and Music right up front where they are easy to tap. Put the apps you never use at the end, or hide them so the screen stays simple and uncluttered. You can always add them back later.

• On your phone, open the Android Auto settings (in the Settings app under Connected devices, or the Android Auto app).
• Look for Customize launcher, or the list of apps.
• Drag apps into the order you like.
• Uncheck or remove the apps you never use so the screen stays simple.

When It Won't Connect

If Android Auto does not start up, it is almost always one of a few simple things. Work down this list while parked.

Try restarting your phone — turn it off, wait a moment, and turn it back on. You can also turn the car fully off, open and close the door, and start again. These simple resets clear up most stubborn cases.

• Is your phone unlocked? A locked phone often will not start Android Auto.
• Is the cable firmly plugged into both the phone and the car? Try a different USB port.
• Is your cable in good shape? A worn cable is the number one cause of trouble.
• For wireless: are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and is the car's engine running?

Safety First: Eyes on the Road

Android Auto is designed to make driving safer, but only if you use it the right way. This page is the most important one in the guide.

The whole purpose of Android Auto is so you do not have to look down at a phone. Trust the spoken directions, listen to your messages read aloud, and answer with your voice. A screen is never worth a moment's distraction from the road ahead.

• Set your destination, your call, and your music before you put the car in gear.
• Once moving, use your voice for everything — never type or search while driving.
• Keep your eyes on the road, not the screen. Let the car read and speak to you.
• If something needs your full attention, pull over safely first.

Everyday Android Auto Tips

A few small habits make Android Auto even more pleasant to live with. Here are the ones folks appreciate most.

The first drive or two, Android Auto feels new. By the third, it feels like it was always there. Give yourself a little grace while you learn, and lean on Google Assistant whenever you are unsure.

• Plug in as soon as you sit down, before you buckle up, so it is ready when you are.
• Set your route while parked in the driveway, then just drive.
• Learn a few voice commands you will use often — Take me home is a favorite.
• On long trips, keep a charging cable connected even with wireless Android Auto.

What's in the 27-page PDF

• What Android Auto is and whether your car has it (pages 3-4)
• Connecting with a cable and going wireless (pages 5-7)
• The home screen and getting directions (pages 8-9)
• Calls, text messages, and music hands-free (pages 10-15)
• Google Assistant, rearranging icons, and fixing problems (pages 16-18)
• Staying safe and everyday tips (pages 19-20)
• A cheat sheet and plain-English word list (pages 21-22)

Why I wrote this

I write these as printable handouts because a guide you can keep in a drawer beats a web page you have to find again. No jargon, no judgment, no rushing. If you'd rather have someone sit beside you and go through it together, that's a flat $99 first visit with the 30-day follow-up included — serving Portage County from Atwater, Ohio. — Bill