Can I play music on my phone through Android Auto?
Android Auto is a smart driving assistant developed by Google to allow you to use your Android smartphone applications safely while driving. It is designed to minimize distractions and allow drivers to access useful features and content through a simple, driver-friendly interface.
The purpose of Android Auto is to mirror apps from your phone onto your car’s infotainment display. This allows you to continue using apps like Google Maps, Spotify, messaging apps and more without having to handle your phone directly while driving. Android Auto aims to improve safety and focus on the road by delivering information when drivers need it through voice commands and simplified onscreen menus.
Playing Music Through Android Auto
Android Auto is a platform that allows you to extend the Android platform in your car. It connects your Android phone to your car’s compatible infotainment display and controls. This allows you to access features on your phone, such as music apps, through your car’s controls. With Android Auto, you can play music stored on your phone or from streaming apps directly through your car speakers.
To play music through Android Auto, you first need to connect your Android phone to your car’s infotainment system. This can be done either wirelessly through WiFi or by plugging your phone in via USB. Once connected, the Android Auto interface will launch on your car’s display. From there, you can select a music app to open it and start playing songs, playlists, albums etc. The audio will play directly through your car’s speaker system.
Android Auto allows you to access your favorite music apps that are installed on your phone, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Google Play Music, etc. As long as the app supports Android Auto, you’ll be able to use it to play music without directly handling your phone.
Setting up Android Auto
Before you can use Android Auto in your car, you first need to download the Android Auto app on your Android phone. The Android Auto app allows your phone to connect to your car’s infotainment system and display a simplified interface optimized for driving.
To get started setting up Android Auto:
- On your Android phone, go to the Google Play Store app and search for “Android Auto”. Download and install the official app from Google.
- Make sure your phone is running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher. Older versions are not supported.
- You’ll also need to make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.
Once you have the Android Auto app installed, you’ll be ready to connect your phone to your compatible car. The next step is plugging your phone into your car’s USB port to launch Android Auto. We’ll cover that process next.
Source: https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/6348029?hl=en
Connecting Your Phone to the Car
To connect your Android phone to your car’s infotainment system using Android Auto, you’ll need to use a USB cable. Here’s how to connect:
First, plug one end of the USB cable into your car’s USB port. This is usually located in the center console or somewhere on the dashboard. Consult your owner’s manual to find the exact location.
Next, plug the other end of the USB cable into your Android phone. You may need to use an adapter depending on your phone’s charging port.
Once connected via USB, Android Auto should launch on your car’s display screen automatically. If it doesn’t, you may need to enable Android Auto in your phone’s settings or touch an icon on your car’s screen to launch it.
According to Google’s support page (https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/6348029?hl=en), connecting your phone via USB is currently the only way to run Android Auto. Wireless Android Auto connection is not yet available for most users.
So in summary, use a USB cable to bridge the connection between your Android phone and compatible car in order to run Android Auto and access your music apps on the go.
Launching Android Auto
Once Android Auto is set up, the app will automatically launch on your car display when your phone is connected. You do not need to manually open the Android Auto app on your phone. Instead, when your phone is plugged in or wirelessly connected, Android Auto will launch on the car’s display screen. The app will begin running and show your car’s compatible apps and services[1].
To connect wirelessly, your phone’s Bluetooth and WiFi need to be turned on. Your car also needs to support wireless Android Auto connections. Once connected, Android Auto starts on the car’s display and mirrors apps from your phone. This allows you to access music, maps, messages and more on the larger screen[2].
So in summary, Android Auto is designed to start automatically when your phone connects to the car. You do not need to manually open the app. Just connect your phone and Android Auto will launch on its own to provide access to your apps on the car’s display.
[1] https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/6348029?hl=en
[2] https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/9468382?hl=en
Accessing Music Apps
When Android Auto is set up, music apps installed on your phone, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, and Pandora, appear on your car’s display screen and can be easily accessed while driving. This allows you to safely browse and play music from your favorite apps without handling your phone directly. According to Google Play, popular music apps optimized for Android Auto include Spotify, YouTube Music, Audible, and iHeartRadio.
Once launched, the Android Auto interface shows any music apps installed on your phone in a simple menu along the bottom or side of the screen. Tapping one will open it so you can browse and play content. The app’s interface is simplified, showing essential controls like playlists, stations and searching while hiding unnecessary features to minimize driver distraction. Your music then plays directly through your car’s speakers.
This hands-free access allows you to enjoy your phone’s music library, streaming stations, podcasts and more without ever handling your device. Everything is controlled through speech or your car’s controls.
Playing Music through Android Auto
You can easily play music through Android Auto using your car’s display screen or voice commands. Android Auto allows you to access your favorite music apps that are installed on your Android phone, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, and more. The music playback is done through your car’s speakers, allowing you to enjoy your tunes with superior sound quality compared to your phone’s speakers alone.
To play a song, playlists or a music station on Android Auto, simply tap on the music app icon on the Android Auto screen or say “Okay Google, play [song name]” and the music will begin playing. You can then use the on-screen controls in Android Auto or your steering wheel buttons to pause, skip tracks, adjust volume and more. The album artwork for the currently playing track is prominently displayed on the screen.
Android Auto also has full integration with media apps, allowing you to seamlessly access your playlists, stations, podcasts and more that you have saved within the music app. So you don’t have to manually search for songs or choose what to play while driving. Overall, Android Auto makes playing music during your drive extremely convenient and safe.
Supported Music Apps
Android Auto works seamlessly with most popular music apps to play your favorite tunes in the car. Here are some of the top music apps that are compatible with Android Auto:
Spotify – The music streaming app allows Android Auto users to access their playlists, podcasts, and recommendations right on their car’s display. Spotify offers over 70 million tracks and is one of the most widely used apps with Android Auto [1].
YouTube Music – Google’s official music app integrates completely with Android Auto to play music based on your YouTube history and likes. It provides ad-free, offline downloads for uninterrupted playback [2].
Pandora – The internet radio app lets you access your personalized stations and playlists through Android Auto. It also offers podcasts and new music discovery features [2].
Amazon Music – Amazon Prime members get access to 2 million songs that can be streamed via Android Auto. It provides customized playlists and stations for unlimited, ad-free music [3].
Poweramp – This popular local music player is optimized for in-car use. It plays any audio format, features tag editing, equalizer, themes, and Android Auto compatibility [2].
Troubleshooting Music Playback
If you are having issues with music not playing properly through Android Auto, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
- Make sure your phone’s media volume is turned up and not muted.
- Check that the music app you are trying to use is supported by Android Auto. Apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Google Play Music, Pandora, and Deezer are officially supported.
- Restart your phone and car stereo/head unit to refresh the connection.
- Check for any software updates for Android Auto on your phone or car stereo.
- Try switching USB cables and ports if possible.
- Reset app preferences in Android Auto under Settings > App info.
- Make sure you don’t have any battery saving settings enabled that could prevent apps from running in the background.
- If issues persist, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the Android Auto app on your phone.
As noted in this Reddit thread, sometimes the car stereo doesn’t properly switch to media mode, preventing music from playing through Android Auto: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidAuto/comments/xpty76/audio_no_longer_working_in_android_auto_music/. Trying the steps above, like restarting the car stereo and phone, may resolve this issue.
Conclusion
Android Auto offers a convenient way to access and play music from your phone while driving. By connecting your Android device to your car’s infotainment system, you can launch Android Auto to view a simplified interface optimized for driving.
Once set up, Android Auto allows you to access your favorite music apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora and many others. You can browse playlists, radio stations, podcasts and more, and control playback right from your dashboard. Supported apps will automatically launch within Android Auto for easy access.
With some initial setup and compatible apps installed, Android Auto makes it seamless to play music, audiobooks, podcasts and other audio from your Android smartphone on the go. Just be sure to always focus on driving first, and use voice commands when possible to minimize distractions.