How do I change the voice language on my Android Auto?

Android Auto is an app developed by Google that allows you to connect your Android phone to your car’s infotainment system. Once connected, Android Auto projects a simplified interface onto your car’s display, optimized for driving with voice controls and large buttons. Some of the key features of Android Auto related to voice include:

Google Assistant – you can use your voice to get directions, make calls, listen to music, check the weather, and more through the Google Assistant built into Android Auto.

Voice commands – Android Auto allows you to control core functions like navigation and music playback through voice, keeping your hands on the wheel.

Dictation – the microphone on Android Auto allows you to dictate and send text messages hands-free.

Multiple languages – Android Auto supports several language options for voice controls and the interface, customizable in your phone’s settings.

Checking Current Voice Language

To check your current voice language setting in Android Auto, first connect your Android phone to your car’s infotainment system.

Once Android Auto launches on your car display, say “OK Google” or press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel.

When prompted, say something like “What language are you using?” The Assistant should respond, telling you the current voice language it is set to.

You can also check the voice language setting directly on your Android phone. Open the Android Auto app, go to Settings > Google Assistant settings > Assistant language. This will show you the current language selected.

If the language shown is not the one you want to use, you will need to change it through the steps outlined next.

Changing Voice Language in Settings

The easiest way to change the voice language in Android Auto is through the Settings menu. Here are the steps to change it:

1. Open the Android Auto app on your Android phone or tablet.

2. Tap on Settings in the side menu.

3. Under “Preferences,” tap on “Assistant voice.”

4. This will open up a list of different language options. Tap on the language you want the Assistant to use.

5. Android Auto will switch the Assistant voice to the selected language. You may need to restart Android Auto to apply the changes.

Some common language options include English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, and Chinese. Note that the voice accent may depend on your phone’s language settings.

If you want to revert back to your phone’s default language, choose “Device language” in the Assistant voice settings ^[1].

Changing Voice Language Through Voice Command

One handy way to change the voice language in Android Auto is by using voice commands. This allows you to easily switch the language hands-free while driving without having to dig into menu settings.

To change languages with your voice, first launch Android Auto and wait for the voice prompt. Then say something like “Ok Google, change language to Spanish” or “Hey Google, switch language to French.” Android Auto will confirm the language change out loud.

You can toggle between any of the supported languages at any time with your voice. Just speak the voice command to switch to the desired language.

One caveat is that voice language switching is dependent on an internet connection. If you lose connectivity, you may need to change languages manually in the settings instead.

Overall, using voice commands is the easiest hands-free way to change voice language in Android Auto. Just say “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” followed by your language of choice.

Languages Supported

Android Auto supports a wide range of languages that you can select as the voice interface language. According to the Android Auto website, the following languages are currently supported:

Danish
German (Belgium)
German

English (Australia)
English (Belgium)
English (Canada)

English (India)
English (New Zealand)
English (Singapore)

English (UK)
English (US)
Spanish (Latin America)

Spanish (Spain)
French (Canada)
French (France)

Italian
Japanese
Korean

Dutch
Norwegian
Polish

Portuguese (Brazil)
Russian
Swedish

Thai

So in summary, Android Auto has support for a wide selection of major languages around the world. This allows users to interact with Android Auto in their preferred language.

Language Compatibility

Google Assistant on Android Auto supports over 30 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin Chinese. However, there are some limitations in compatibility between your phone’s default language and Android Auto’s voice assistant language.

For example, if your phone is set to French but you want to use Google Assistant in English in the car, you may encounter issues with notifications and messages being read back in the wrong language. This is because Android Auto pulls the default text-to-speech language from your phone’s system language settings.

Samsung phones allow you to set a separate text-to-speech language just for Android Auto, which helps avoid this conflict. But for other Android phones, switching the system language is the only way to ensure compatibility ¹.

So if you need your phone and Android Auto to use different languages, Samsung devices have an advantage. For other phones, you’ll have to prioritize either your phone’s default language or Android Auto’s language for proper compatibility.

Regional Accents

Android Auto uses Google’s speech recognition technology to understand voice commands. This means it can recognize a variety of accents and dialects when users speak. According to Google, their speech recognition system is trained on various English accents including American, British, and Australian (1).

However, some users have reported issues with Android Auto not recognizing their particular regional accent or dialect. For example, one Reddit user from Scotland complained Android Auto had trouble understanding their strong Glasgow accent (2).

The ability to handle different accents can depend on the amount of training data Google has for that dialect. Less common accents may present more challenges. One option is to try speaking slower and more clearly to help Android Auto understand your unique accent.

Google is continuously working on improving speech recognition for multiple accents. Over time, the ability to handle regional dialects is expected to improve through advances in AI and machine learning.

Sources:

(1) https://support.google.com/androidauto/thread/10667407/why-android-auto-is-reading-my-text-messages-in-english-when-everything-on-my-phone-is-set-to-french?hl=en

(2) https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/2ejtuh/google_now_pretends_to_have_an_accent_with_you/

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some solutions for common issues with changing the voice language in Android Auto:

If Android Auto is not recognizing your voice commands in the correct language, first make sure the language is set properly in your phone’s settings. Go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages and check that your preferred language is at the top of the list. If not, move it to the first position.

You can also try deleting the phone Bluetooth connection in your car and re-pairing it. This may reset the language settings between your phone and car display. Go to your car’s Bluetooth settings, forget or delete your phone, and pair it again [1].

In the Android Auto app, check Settings > Google Assistant > Languages and make sure your preferred language is selected. You may need to download additional languages if not available [2].

As a last resort, you can try resetting the Android Auto app to default settings. This will clear any customizations and you’ll have to set up your preferences again.

Check the Android Auto help center for updated troubleshooting tips as new languages and voice features are added.

Future Language Support

Android Auto is continually expanding language support across its voice assistant and display features. Based on Google’s announcements at CES 2023, Android for Cars OS will gain expanded language capabilities through updates to Android Auto, digital car keys, and built-in infotainment systems over 2023.

Google stated at CES 2023 that it is “continuing to improve language coverage” for Android Auto, indicating more languages will be supported soon (Google). While an exact timeline is unknown, it’s likely Android Auto will add languages in high demand such as Hindi, Bengali, and other widely spoken languages.

Currently Android Auto’s voice assistant supports 33 languages, while its display supports 69 languages (Android Auto). With Google’s focus on expanding language coverage, users can expect broader support for regional accents, dialects, and lesser spoken languages over time.

Overall, Android Auto’s language capabilities are rapidly improving to provide a localized, natural experience for drivers across the globe. Users eager for their language to be supported can expect expanded compatibility in future Android Auto updates.

Conclusion

In summary, there are a few different ways to change the voice language on Android Auto. The easiest is to go into your Android Auto app settings and change the language directly. You can also use voice commands like “Hey Google, change language to Spanish” to switch languages on the fly. Android Auto supports several major languages like English, Spanish, French, German and more. Certain languages may have multiple regional accents available as well.

Overall, changing the voice language on Android Auto is a straightforward process once you know where the settings menu is located. Troubleshooting tips include checking for app updates, rebooting your phone, and ensuring you have the latest firmware. As Android Auto expands its capabilities, we can expect even more language and regional voice support down the road.