The topic 3 hidden Android Auto features I wish I knew about earlier is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
Since I’ve been covering Android Auto a lot for XDA over the past few months, it’s quickly become my go-to in-car infotainment system.
Over time, I’ve learned to tweak the platform to run exactly how I want by managing notifications better, removing apps I don’t use from the home screen, getting Home Assistant up and running, and more, but when I finally came across Android Auto’s Developer Mode after enabling it, there were a few very useful settings I wish I had enabled way earlier.
While these settings don’t fundamentally change Android Auto, they include welcome quality-of-life features, and in some cases, add new functionality to Android Auto that Google never intended.
To change the settings that I outline below, you’ll need to enable Android’s and Android Auto’s Developer Options individually. This process isn’t difficult, but it does take several steps and a few minutes of your time.
If you’re running into disconnection issues with Android Auto, and you’ve already tried simple solutions like using a different USB-C cable and cleaning your smartphone’s and vehicle’s USB port, you can also try changing your phone’s Default USB Configuration to File Transfer from No Data Transfer.
While this isn’t a foolproof solution, I’ve found it makes my Android Auto connection more secure (it also seems to have helped some XDA readers).
If you’re wired CarPlay connection keeps dropping, these tricks might help.
When I first found this Android Auto Developer option on Reddit a few weeks ago, I was shocked. Once you’ve enabled Android Auto’s Developer Options, you can change the resolution of your in-car display to make it sharper. In my case, I changed my Ioniq 5’s in-car infotainment screen from 720p to 1080p, resulting in clearer icons, maps, and overall, less aliasing.
To make that happen, follow these steps (make sure you’ve also enabled Android Auto’s Developer Options):
To change my in-car display’s resolution, I need to unplug my phone and plug it back in. If you select a resolution that isn’t compatible with your display, your phone’s projection might not appear.
Installing Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD), which lets you bypass Google Play Store restrictions and install apps from third-party sources like AA Browser and CarStream. This doesn’t require Android Developer Mode or Android Auto Developer Mode to be enabled. Instead, you just need to head to AAAD’s GitHub page and download the APK.
You’ll see a pop-up asking you for permission to Install Unknown Apps, but that’s the only step you need to take. After that, you can launch AAAD and install apps like CarStream, AA Browser, Widgets for Android Auto, and more, all from the third-party store. This adds features like video, web browsing, and more customization options to Android Auto.
Night Mode, setting a custom wallpaper, shifting media controls, and more.