If you find it annoying that Android Auto always connects to your car the moment you start it, you’re not alone. Whether your car’s screen is broken or you notice apps aren’t working properly, you may want to completely disable Android Auto. This guide provides several easy methods to turn off the application from your phone and your car’s infotainment system.
How to completely turn off Android Auto
You can follow several different methods to stop the application from automatically connecting, depending on whether you want to disable it from your phone or your vehicle’s system.
Method 1: Disabling or uninstalling the app
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Tap on Apps.
- You may need to tap All Apps or Show system apps to find Android Auto in the list.
- Scroll down and select Android Auto.
- Tap the Disable button.
- Confirm your choice by tapping Disable app. If your phone runs an older OS, you may see an Uninstall option instead, which will remove the app entirely.
- To use Android Auto again in the future, you can return to this screen and simply tap Enable or reinstall the app from the Play Store.
Method 2: Turning off the auto-launch feature
- Navigate to Settings, then Apps, and select Android Auto from the list.
- Tap on Configure in Android Auto, which is usually found near the bottom of the menu.
- Find the toggle for Start Android Auto automatically and tap it to turn it off.
- Restart your Android phone to apply the changes.
- Note that after this change, Android Auto may still pop up for one more drive but will not automatically connect in the future. Instead, a notification will appear suggesting its use.
Method 3: Using your car’s settings
- Go to your car’s infotainment system and find its connection settings.
- Look for the Android Auto settings, which may be located under menus named Connection Settings, Phone List, or Android Auto Preferences.
- Select your phone from the list of connected devices.
- Choose the option to turn off the feature by selecting Disable, Disconnect, or Disable Android Auto. This stops the integration while still allowing you to use other features like Bluetooth for calls and music.
Taking control of how and when Android Auto launches gives you a more predictable and less distracting driving experience. By disabling the automatic connection, you can prevent the app from taking over your screen when you simply want to charge your phone or use your phone’s native interface for navigation or music.
This also helps troubleshoot issues, as a faulty connection can cause both your phone and car’s infotainment system to lag or crash. Having the ability to easily turn it off ensures you can use other functions, like standard Bluetooth audio, without interruption, giving you full command over your in-car technology.
