While not sounding like an old public service announcement (PSA) you’d see in a driver’s education class, distracted driving can pose a threat on the road. Sure, modern technologies like Android Auto can be a handy assistant, but given that they still involve a touchscreen and periodically take your gaze away from the road, they can still serve as a distraction while you drive. If you’re concerned about security, there are several ways to make Android Auto less distracting.
While this might involve going through your smartphone or Android Auto settings, small things like turning on Do Not Disturb or muting notification sounds can help reduce distractions. There’s also an option to make a small adjustment to the display to potentially help you keep your eyes on the road. The Android Auto app also lets users configure certain tasks automatically, and the inclusion of Google’s artificial intelligence Gemini Assistant offers additional options that keep you focused on the wheel.
Even if some cars get rid of Android Auto, it’s not necessarily due to any inherent dangers or risks. Still, it’s essential to stay vigilant when it comes to safety on the road, which is also why it may be important to look into some Android Auto features that make long journeys easier. Of course, remember that one of the best ways to stay safe is to do your best to only use Android Auto when the vehicle is stationary and you know it is safe to interact with your vehicle’s infotainment screen.
Do not disturb and notification sounds
Roman Vyshnikov/Shutterstock
One of the quickest ways to limit Android Auto distractions is to set up Do Not Disturb, which can eliminate notifications while driving. It can be as simple as swiping down from the top of your smartphone screen and selecting Do Not Disturb from the panel, but some Android devices may offer additional controls. For example, you can search for “Driving” in your phone’s settings to find Do Not Disturb mode, which only activates when your device connects to your vehicle’s Bluetooth. A similar feature can also be found on devices such as the Pixel 10 Pro under Settings > Safety and emergency > Silencing notifications while driving.
Of course, you can also simply eliminate notification sounds in Android Auto, which some might find even less annoying. On a Galaxy S25 Ultra, for example, you can access Settings > Connected devices > Android Auto > Play the message chime. Disabling this option will suppress notification sounds every time you receive a text message. It’s worth exploring the Android Auto section of Settings, as there may be additional options worth tweaking, including things like simply turning off group message notifications.
If you find Google Maps voice navigation distracting, you can turn it off directly from Google Maps. Open the app from your smartphone and tap your profile icon. So go to Settings > Navigation settings. Below Sound and voiceselect Muted. You can also adjust the guidance volume from this menu, with the three options being softer, normal and louder. It’s also worth knowing that other Android Auto settings can ruin your experience.
Other ways to be less distracted with Android Auto
Najmi Arif/Shutterstock
It’s also worth mentioning that you can stop Android Auto from automatically switching between light and dark modes. By accessing the Android Auto app from your phone and going to Cards > Day/Night mode for maps, you can choose between Day, Night and Automatic. Feel free to experiment to see which look suits you best.
To make it easier to connect your device, remember that you can automatically start Android Auto. From your phone, go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Android Auto > Start Android Auto automatically. You should have three options: Default (set by vehicle), Always, and If used on last trip. Choose what suits you best, but remember that you may also need to enable certain settings in your car’s settings or infotainment system. When you are in the Android Auto settings screen, you can also enable Start music automatically. This setting will automatically play whatever you were last listening to.
Finally, don’t forget that you can always count on Google Gemini if you want to be sure not to take your eyes off the road. You can always activate the Assistant by saying “Hey Google” or pressing the button on your steering wheel, and the Assistant is able to perform various tasks just by asking. There are actually several ways to use Gemini with Android Auto, so be sure to experiment with Google’s voice assistant.
