How android Auto works
You have just bought a new car with the Android Auto system installed as standard, would you like to configure it better but you have no idea how? No problem, if you want I’m here to give you a hand and explain how it works Android Auto: I assure you that it is much simpler than what you imagine.
As you may already know, Android Auto is an application that allows you to duplicate the screen of your smartphone on the display in the car, but with a minimal interface designed specifically to use the phone to drive. Allows access to the main features of the mobile device and supported applications, avoiding distractions while driving thanks to the controls on the car steering wheel and convenient voice functions that allow you to “sort” the system to send messages, make calls, get directions or play music.
If I have intrigued you and can not wait to take advantage of Android Auto, do not waste more time in chatter and let’s get to work immediately: take five minutes of free time, read the next paragraphs carefully and I’m sure you will succeed quickly to understand if your car supports Android Auto, how to install the app and how to use it better. Enjoy the reading!
How android Auto works – Compatible car models and models
How android Auto works
Before entering into the operation 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 the Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Borgward, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Maserati, Kia, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Smart, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Volvo. In addition, it supports numerous models of stereo systems, such as those of Alpine, CVTE, JBL, JVC, Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer and Sony. You can view all car and stereo models compatible with Android Auto by consulting the official list on Android.com, which is constantly updated.
Another important thing that you need to know is that Android Auto can be supplied as standard or as an option. This means that you may be in possession of a car model compatible with Android Auto but not to be able to use it as it is not added at the time of purchase. For detailed information, you can contact your retailer.
If you do not have a compatible car model, do not 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 for optimal performance it is recommended at least Android 6.0), a good USB cable and an active Internet connection.
How android Auto works – How to install and activate Android Auto
How android Auto works
To use Android Auto you need to download and install the free application, available for Android smartphones and tablets that have the minimum requirements listed in the previous paragraphs.
To download Android Auto, take your device and start the Play Store by pressing on its icon (the symbol ︎ colored). Now, type Android Auto in the search engine at the top and tap the Search item, then find Android Auto (should be the first result) and press the buttons Install and Accept to start downloading and installing the app. If you can not find the app on Play Store, it means your device is not compatible.
If you intend to use Android Auto via the phone screen, start the application you just installed and press the Continue button several times to accept the contract of use and to allow Android Auto to access data related to your position, to use other applications and to make and manage phone calls, after which if requested, make updates and suggested downloads, such as maps of Google Maps.
Now, apply the phone on the dashboard of the car using a suction cup or similar support, activate the Bluetooth connection to allow the mobile device and the car to communicate with each other and you’re done. If you do not know how to connect your smartphone to the car or if there is no Bluetooth on your vehicle, you can read my guide on how to connect the phone to the car.
If the model of your car is one of more than 400 with Android Auto installed as standard, you can use the service through the display of the car. 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 through a mechanism called mirroring . If the Android Auto app is already installed on your device, the service will start automatically, otherwise you will be asked to download and install the application.
While Android Auto is in use, the screen of your smartphone will offer a completely black screen with the writing Android Auto, thus being unusable: a solution, probably inconvenient but smart, to prevent any kind of distraction while you’re behind the wheel.
How android Auto works – How to use Android Auto
How android Auto works
Whether you intend to use Android Auto via your car’s display or your phone’s screen, its operation does not change. Launch the application and, on its main screen (called Home), you can view recent activities such as the latest navigation destinations, calls made or received, as well as useful information such as weather, traffic information and all received notifications .
On the Home screen you can also use the menu at the bottom (on smartphone is located on the right) that allows you to access four functions: Navigation (the road sign) that allows you to set the place to reach and get directions; Calls (the handset) to view the calls received and made and make new calls; Music (the headphone icon) to listen to music through one of the applications that support Android Auto, such as TuneIn, Spotify, Deezer, Google Play Music etc. and Home (the round icon) that allows you to return to the main Android Auto screen and to close the application, if in use on the smartphone.
If you are using Android Auto via the display of your car, you can see a fifth function identified by a clock icon, which allows you to exit Android Auto and return to the system on board the car.
If you’re wondering how you can interact with Android Auto, the answers are multiple: you can act via touch-screen (but if you’re driving, it’s an improper practice); if your car supports Android Auto as standard, you can interact via the commands installed on the vehicle (eg the button to answer and make calls) and you can interact with Android Auto through voice commands.
You can activate the voice function of Android Auto by tapping on the microphone icon in the system Home, pressing the appropriate button on the steering wheel of the car (if present) and giving the voice command “Ok Google” that will start 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 some practical examples immediately.
How android Auto works
Do you want to get directions from Android Auto? Nothing could be simpler: say Ok Google, followed by the Directions command for [destination], but also Navigate to [destination] or Guide to [destination]. If you previously set your home or office address on Google Maps, you can ask Android Auto to take you home or work via voice commands Take me home and Navigate to work.
With voice commands you can also manage music playback. Say Ok Google and Play music to start playback of the last track heard or, in the case of TuneIn, the last played radio station. If you want to listen to your favorite song, music genre or playlist, you can use the Play [song name], Play [artist name], Play [genre] and Play[nome playlist]commands.
How android Auto works
To make a call without picking up the phone, you can use the voice command Call followed by the name associated with the contact or phone number. Then say Ok Google to activate voice commands and “sort” Call [contact name] or Call [phone number]. If you have more than one phone number (for example, home and work) associated with a contact in your phonebook, before making the phone call Android Auto will ask you which one to call.
Finally, let’s see how to ask Android Auto to write a text message. First say Ok Google, followed by the command Send a message to [name], then follow the directions of Android Auto and dictate the text of the message you want to send. You can “order” to send the message through 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 you have received a new message, the notification will appear on the Home screen: press on it to start reading the message. You can reply with the above procedure, but you can also set an automatic reply that 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 Settings item, then press the Auto Answer option and type a phrase to be sent automatically while driving.
In the Settings section you can also manage other parameters: Limit Wi-Fi to disable Wi-Fi with Android Auto running; Connected cars to manage cars connected to Android Auto; Automatic start to establish the Bluetooth devices for which to activate the automatic start of Android Auto; Use Bluetooth to choose whether to enable Bluetooth with Android Auto in use and Active screen to choose whether to have the screen always active. It’s all really very intuitive.
How android Auto works