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6 Android Auto settings I tweaked for distraction-free driving
Android Auto is fantastic at providing safe and reliable navigation, immediate, up-to-date alerts for traffic and other situations, and a way to pump out all your favorite tunes. Most modern Android-powered smartphones can run it, and so long as your vehicle fully supports the platform, all it takes is a quick cable or wireless connection to get you up and running.
But there's a drawback to having all this technology in your vehicle: the potential for distractions. Here's how I configure my Android Auto for my journeys.
Turn on Do Not Disturb
Remove ALL distractions
The first port of call for distraction-free driving with Android Auto configured as your companion is to enable Do Not Disturb. This will largely render some other suggestions here moot since it blocks all incoming messages, calls, and notifications while driving. Priority contacts can still be allowed to pass through for those loved ones you'd want to pick up the phone (hands-free, of course!) while behind the wheel, but DND is a great way to blanket-block most distractions that come through Android Auto.
It can also be quickly enabled, with minimal menu navigation. Simply head to Settings > Modes. Select Driving and follow the wizard. It will let you enable Do Not Disturb right here so it takes effect whenever the phone detects you're behind the wheel. I like to change the detection from just movement to movement and Android Auto running, so it knows I'm driving with my profile active and avoids DND firing up while sitting in the passenger seat.
Disable message previews
You don't need to read them ... yet
There's nothing worse than trying to focus on the road ahead and some group conversation is firing off, or you have one of those contacts who has to send a new message per line of dialog. It's terribly distracting and could cause you to lose focus or at least get slightly irritated when your carefully curated synthwave playlist is periodically interrupted by notification chimes. Okay, that last part may just be me. Still, it's worth disabling message previews and even notification sounds if you find them unbearable.
Altering message previews and parts of notifications can be handled within Android Auto settings. You'll find them at Settings > Connected Devices > Android Auto.
Prep before setting off
Get ready ahead of time
This is crucial for any journey, whether you're using Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or a paperback map. Getting everything set before you leave the driveway is the best way to avoid distractions mid-journey when you forget a turn or need to start the music playlist. Once I'm seated in the vehicle, and it's ready to go, I set my preferred playlist for that run as well as navigation, should it be required. It's also a good idea to prep ahead by analyzing the route provided by Google Maps or Waze to see if there are any diversions or traffic expected.
Just like putting on your seatbelt, it's best to get Android Auto fully ready for the entire journey before setting off to avoid having to take your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel, both of which could be disastrous if you had to immediately react to an unexpected hazard.
Reduce screen clutter
Minimize how much is displayed to you
It's a good idea to simplify the process of migrating between apps, should you need to use the screen. I couldn't stand having so many apps listed as Android Auto-capable on my vehicle's screen, and most of them are never used for any journey. That's when I started hiding them from view and pinning the most-used apps to the taskbar. It's also handy for those sitting next to me who can handle app switching without mistakenly pressing something else on a bumpy road.
Use the voice assistant
It's generally really good these days
This is something that took getting used to. I've never been much of a fan of in-vehicle voice assistants, especially those built into the vehicle's infotainment system. Mobile phone microphones have continued to improve, and now it's a great way to interact with Android Auto. If I need to alter navigation, set a stop at the next service, or switch the music playlist, I can simply ask Google to handle it for me if no passenger is sitting next to me for the ride.
Becoming truly hands-free is one of the best ways to ensure you're not distracted by Android Auto. Maintaining focus on what's happening around you while moving is easier when you need to use nothing but your voice to issue commands.
Turn on dark mode
Save your eyes from awful glare
This one's for the eyes. Do yourself a favor and turn on dark mode in Android Auto, especially for navigation apps. Being blinded by a bright white display is terrible for low-light environments, and driving is no exception. I simply set it to dark mode permanently to reduce glare from the screen. Adjusting the brightness of your vehicle's display may also be possible and can help reduce the amount of light blasted into the cabin. It's also less distracting when your automatic lights don't keep switching modes at sunset.
There's nothing worse than attempting to focus on the road and seeing the maps go from white to black and back again a few times in quick succession.
Making Android Auto yours is simple
Spend some time before getting into your vehicle to navigate through the settings. Configure Android Auto how you wish to use it, and it'll make your journeys that much more enjoyable. These simple setting adjustments, along with taking a few moments before setting off to ensure we're ready to go, will prevent me from being distracted by anything popping up on the infotainment display.
