As a user of both platforms, I have to say, Android Auto has Apple’s CarPlay beat all the way. That’s why I prefer to use Android Auto on longer road trips. However, this relationship didn’t start out perfectly. I’ve made several minor adjustments to my Android Auto settings that completely change the infotainment system from somewhat of a hassle to a seamless experience.

I figured if they helped me, they could probably help you out, too. And to top it all off, none of them involve turning on developer settings, which can be a slippery slope if you’re not very savvy when it comes to the technical aspects of your phone. I know I’m not a coder, and most others aren’t, either. These simple settings can all be adjusted without worrying about your phone quitting on you during that all-important work call.

Start Android Auto while locked

Take away the hassle of turning your phone on and off each time you drive

When I first got my Android phone, I noticed that to start Android Auto, I first had to unlock the phone. That means taking it all the way out of my pocket, using my thumbprint, putting it back in my pocket, and then beginning my daily commute. That doesn’t sound that bad, right? Well, as a college lecturer, I tend to carry a lot of things to and from the car that I bring to class. Top that off with the weekly grocery runs, and this was beginning to be a problem.

Then, I found this setting, and I haven’t looked back. All it took was navigating to settings > More connectivity options > Android Auto > Start Android Auto while locked. This might even already be turned on depending on your device, but that obviously isn’t the case for all devices. If you’re in the same boat as I was, this was the first step I took towards making Android Auto my primary infotainment partner.

Start your best playlists automatically

No need to fiddle through the Android Auto app screen before jamming out

Whether you’re a country music fan like me or even a fellow dad-rock enthusiast, nobody wants to have to file through endless Android Auto apps, find your music streaming partner of choice, choose a playlist, and then begin your drive. This one is so much of an annoyance that I know people who will start their music before they even enter the car in order to keep from flipping through their app log. Well, I should say I did know people who did that, before I showed them this easy setting adjustment.

Navigate to the same page as before, but tap Start Music Automatically. It should be right below the previous setting you’ve adjusted. Now, your Android Auto experience should be twice as seamless as before, and already rivaling the features offered by its competition. However, what about your eyes? That screen can be quite bright, after all.

Keep dark mode on all the time

Blue light filter or not, everyone likes it when the screen is easy on the eyes

If you couldn’t tell from my lock screen earlier, I’m the type of person that likes everything they own to be in dark mode all the time. That same vibe extends to my car’s dashboard, where I’ve adopted dark mode regardless of the infotainment software. Most Android Auto displays are set to detect the amount of light present and adjust accordingly, but in broad daylight, a stark white screen can be overwhelming. I even have blue light filtering glasses, and they don’t help all that much.

If you’re after that clean, minimalist look, dark mode is the only way to go. This is a feature that Apple just added to CarPlay in iOS 26, but Android Auto users can darken their settings all the way down to the appearance of their Google Maps. Do your eyes a favor and join the dark mode movement.

Disabling message chimes to keep the vibes going

Nothing annoys me more than an impromptu break in my music

We’ve all been there — you’re jamming out to “Sister Golden Hair” or some other all-time classic ballad, the world is perfect at that exact moment, and then all of a sudden… DING. Your uncle texted. He’s visiting this weekend, and he’s bringing his new girlfriend, too. Your song resumes playing, but the vibe has changed, all because of that silly little chime.

Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore, because you can disable that very chime and the chime alone. Go to the same settings page as before, scroll down to Messaging > Play message chime. There, you can disable this feature, and make sure that the good vibes never deteriorate, no matter who’s staying in your guest room uninvited this weekend.