Android Auto has a developer menu that you can access in seconds

Android Auto does a great job of mirroring your phone’s most useful apps to your car’s infotainment screen. From maps to music and messaging, Android Auto handles the expected tasks very well. But buried inside the app is a developer menu that most haven’t even seen, let alone used.

Android Auto’s hidden developer menu unlocks many powerful settings, starting with a wireless toggle and an “Unknown Sources” option that allows non-Play Store apps to run on your car’s screen. But how to access these features?

Accessing Android Auto’s hidden display settings takes less than a minute and it’s actually not that hard to find. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your phone settings and search Android Auto. Alternatively, go to Settings > Connected devices > Android Auto.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

3. Faucet Version and authorization information about 10 times in a row.

4. The phone will ask you for confirmation if you want to allow developer settings, so tap to confirm.

5. Return to the top of the Android Auto menu and tap the button three point menu in the upper corner.

6. Select Developer Settings and you are in it.

Note that the exact menu names may vary slightly depending on your device.

The developer menu offers a wide range of settings to choose from. Here are some of the features that will be useful to you.

Wireless Android Auto switching

The setting controls whether Android Auto can connect to your car or a wireless adapter without a cable. The box should be checked by default, but if it isn’t, you can enable it manually. If you’re having trouble connecting wirelessly, check here first, as turning the setting off and then back on often resolves stubborn connectivity issues.

Unknown sources

There is a hidden gem among these development settings. Just like Android’s standard sideloading option, enabling Unknown Sources in Android Auto’s developer menu allows apps that aren’t listed on the Google Play Store to appear on your car’s screen. CarStream and Fermata Auto, for example, let you stream YouTube to the infotainment screen. We understand why Android Auto doesn’t allow such apps by default, but we also understand the desire to stream YouTube while waiting for kids’ sports practice to end.

Force video resolution

When you connect your phone to your car, it automatically negotiates a video resolution with your car’s infotainment system. Sometimes the system plays too safe and you get a fuzzy interface even on a high-end dashboard. Well, the Video Resolution option allows you to force higher output to make icons, maps, and text sharper.

Developer Features to Avoid

Unless you are trying to record a video of whatever is on your screen for a short period of time, it is not advisable to enable the save video, save audio and microphone input options, as these will put a strain on your phone’s processor, causing the device to heat up, drain the battery and consume internal storage.

For most drivers, enabling unknown sources and checking the wireless toggle are two actions worth taking. While it’s understandable that Google would block apps that crowd the infotainment screen with YouTube videos, it’s clear that there’s value in doing so given the number of apps. Third-party apps fill gaps that Google hasn’t officially filled.

The Developer Menu won’t transform Android Auto overnight, but it gives you a level of control that Google hasn’t announced. While some of them are interesting, others are definitely not intended for everyday use. Yet a few clicks and you’ll know more about Android Auto than most people who use it daily.