Imagine not being able to listen to the radio while driving for a long time in your car – the radio is busted, and you have to drive in silence. It’s an equivalent scenario to what it would be like ifAndroid Autowasn’t working for those that swear by the handy software. The interface lets you use your favorite apps in your car when it’s connected to the car’s infotainment system, and it can be used with anadapteror a cord.
Android Auto is incredibly user-friendly and makes driving a lot more fun, especially if it’s a road trip with a bunch of your best friends. It’s also valuable for parents trying to keep their kids calm in the car, as it can stream Netflix and other entertainment apps. Road trips without distracted kids is a road trip you may not want to begin at all. The software is also the best way for Android users to cast navigational apps likeGoogle Mapsonto their car’s screen to make it easier to drive.
Forget the cables with these 6 best Android Auto wireless adapters
Google’s replacement for your car’s infotainment system is called Android Auto. If you want to use it wirelessly, you need one of these adapters.
But, just like any software, Android Auto provides and needs regular updating. It needs the latest access to bug fixes, and the routine maintenance will keep it running at the top level for your next trip. Android Auto can be updated manually, or you can set it to download updates, so you never have to worry about it. Here’s how to set up Android Auto for updating.
Android Auto
Android Auto is an app that allows Android users to use their favorite app through their car’s infotainment system. It supports a lot of different apps to boost the entertainment while you’re driving.
How to update Android Auto
Make sure the app is downloaded on your phone, and it’s smooth sailing from there
The first thing you need to do is make sure that Android Auto is downloaded to your phone. Almost every new Android phone has Android Auto pre-installed when you receive it, but if, for some reason, you don’t have it on your phone, you can download it from the Google Play Store for free.
If the version that is already on your phone is out of date, you’re able to update it by going to the Google Play Store. There, it will tell you which version is the most recent public version available, as it will have the latest bug fixes and features that yours may not have. While in the Google Play Store, you can search for Android Auto and see if there is an update button that pops up next to the app in the store.
Pressing that update button will automatically update the app on your phone with the latest version. It may not be something you want to do frequently because you might want to have it done automatically, so you’re always up-to-date. There’s an easy way to make sure that you’re not missing the latest versions.
5 tricks I use to elevate my Android widget experience
Consider these 5 tips to enhance the widget experience on your Android phone of choice.
How to automatically update Android Auto
Do it once, and you’re set
While you’re in the Google Play Store app, you can adjust the Android Auto update preferences to allow it to automatically update any time there’s a new app build. Go to the Android Auto app page in the Google Play Store, and you’ll see a menu symbolized by three vertical dots in the top right corner. If you click that, there will be a drop-down menu that reveals three options:Share, Flag as inappropriate, and Enable auto-update.
If you want to automatically update all of your apps any time there is a new version, you’re able to do that as well.
Up to that point, if you didn’t have auto-updates on, there will be an empty check mark box next to Enable auto-update. If you check that box, your Android Auto app will automatically update anytime there is a new version. If you want to automatically update all of your apps any time there is a new version, you may do that as well, rather than just Android Auto.
These 4 Android Auto music apps are essential to my driving routine
The perfect driving soundtrack is just an app download away.
In the Google Play Store, you’re able to tap the picture that represents your account in the top right corner. From there, you need to openSettingsto seeNetwork preferences. If you click on that selection, it will expand the menu to show an option to Auto-update apps. Once you click Auto-update apps, it will give you the option to choose when you automatically update the apps. You’ll then see three option:Over any network, Over Wi-Fi only, or even Don’t auto-update apps. If you choose Over any network, data charge might apply. So, if you’re looking to save on your data plan, you should chooseOver Wi-Fionly.
How I turned my Android phone into a car key
You can lock, unlock, and even start your vehicle using your Android phone – here’s how.
More to know about Android Auto
Your car might not be compatible
Android Auto isn’t available in every car. Most newer cars offer both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but many older models don’t even give you the option. If your car doesn’t have an infotainment screen, you likely need to check to see if Android Auto works with it or not. You can check thiswebsiteto see if your car has the capability.
Remember that you should keep your app up to date because it will have the latest safety and security features for both Android Auto and your car’s infotainment system. With the latest version of the app, you’re guaranteed to have the best and safest version for your car. Google prides itself on making the safest features for drivers in Android Auto, so keeping it up to date is in your best interest.
How I enable and use ultra-wideband (UWB) on my Android
UWB is the MVP when it comes to unlocking your car, tracking your keys, and more.
