How do I increase navigation volume on Android Auto?

Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to allow Android smartphones to interface with select in-car infotainment systems. It enables the use of key smartphone apps and functions through the vehicle’s dashboard touchscreen. Android Auto was introduced in 2014 and works by mirroring a simplified version of a connected Android smartphone’s screen and functions to the vehicle’s infotainment display.

When connected via USB cable, Android Auto gives access to core apps including Google Maps for navigation, Google Assistant for voice commands, phone functions, and select third party apps like Spotify. By projecting the smartphone experience to the car’s larger screen, Android Auto allows drivers to utilize key apps and services while keeping their eyes on the road.

Android Auto is compatible with infotainment systems from major auto manufacturers that are designed to work with the Android Auto platform. The vehicle infotainment system must support Android Auto either wirelessly via WiFi or through a wired USB connection. Android Auto allows smartphone apps to take advantage of the car’s built-in controls like steering wheel buttons, knobs, the touchscreen display, and microphone.

Some of the key features of Android Auto include Google Maps turn-by-turn navigation with traffic information, weather forecasts, playback of music and podcasts, placing phone calls, sending and receiving messages by voice while driving, and using the Google Assistant to control car functions through voice commands. Android Auto aims to provide a safe, simplified interface to minimize driver distraction.

Checking Navigation Volume in Android Auto

To check the navigation volume in Android Auto, first connect your Android phone to your car’s infotainment system using a compatible USB cable. This will launch the Android Auto interface on your car’s display.

Once in Android Auto, press the volume control buttons on your steering wheel or car stereo. This will bring up an on-screen volume slider with different volume controls for Media, Navigation Guidance, Phone Calls and Alarms & Reminders. Select the Navigation Guidance volume slider to adjust the volume specifically for navigation voice prompts.

You can also adjust the navigation volume from the Android Auto app on your phone. Open the app and tap the volume icon in the bottom right corner. Here you will see volume sliders for Media, Navigation Guidance, Phone Calls and Alarms & Reminders that you can adjust independently.

If you don’t see independent volume controls, check your car stereo settings. Some cars combine the navigation guidance and media volumes into one control. You may need to adjust settings on the car stereo to enable independent volume controls.

According to Android Auto Help, the navigation volume “stays at a constant, separate level from media volume” (source). So adjusting the Navigation Guidance slider is the main way to control navigation volume in Android Auto.

Maxing Out Navigation Volume

The easiest way to increase navigation volume in Android Auto is to manually set it to the maximum level in the Android Auto settings. Here’s how to do this:

Open the Android Auto app on your phone and go to Settings.
Look for the “Navigation guidance volume” setting and tap on it.

Drag the volume slider all the way to the right to set it to the maximum level.

Setting the navigation volume to maximum within the Android Auto app ensures that voice prompts will be as loud as possible. You may still need to adjust your car’s main volume, but this maxes out the navigation volume on the Android Auto side.¹

One thing to note is that the navigation volume in Android Auto is separate from media volume. So you can turn up navigation as loud as you want without affecting music or podcast volumes. Just be aware that maxing out nav volume will make voice prompts very loud.

Adjusting Media Volume Separately

One way to increase the navigation volume in Android Auto relative to the media volume is to adjust them separately. By default, Android Auto ties the media and navigation volumes together for convenience. However, you can decouple them to control each volume independently.

To adjust the media and navigation volumes separately in Android Auto:

Open the Android Auto app on your phone.

Go to Settings > Sound.
Toggle “Media volume” to off.

This will unlink the media and navigation volumes so you can control them individually. Now when you adjust the volume buttons on your car stereo or phone, it will only affect the navigation volume. The media volume will remain unchanged.

To adjust the media volume separately, you need to use the volume slider in the Android Auto media app you are using, such as Spotify. This keeps the navigation voice loud and clear while you listen to music or podcasts.

If you want to link the volumes again, simply toggle “Media Volume” back on in the Sound settings in Android Auto.

Adjusting Volume on Car Stereo

The easiest way to increase navigation volume in Android Auto is to turn up the volume on your car’s stereo or head unit. The volume buttons on your car dashboard or steering wheel allow you to control the overall volume being sent to the speakers.

When using Android Auto, the navigation voice prompts are passed through your car speakers along with music and other audio. So turning up the volume on your car stereo will make the navigation directions louder and easier to hear over road noise or music.

Try increasing your car stereo’s volume to 20-30 when using Android Auto navigation to make the voice prompt loud and clear. You can then fine tune the volume for music playback separately within the Android Auto interface.

Just be careful not to set the car stereo volume too high, which could lead to distortion or blown speakers. It’s best to increase the volume just enough to make navigation sufficiently audible.

If adjusting your car stereo volume still doesn’t make navigation loud enough, you may need to connect an external amplifier, update your car’s software, or try a navigation app with louder voice guidance as discussed in the following sections.

Connecting External Amplifier

One way to boost navigation volume in Android Auto is by connecting an external amplifier. An amplifier will provide additional power and allow you to increase the volume beyond the built-in car stereo’s capabilities. This can be especially helpful if you find the navigation voice prompts are too quiet even when maxing out the volume on your car stereo.

To add an amplifier for Android Auto navigation volume, you’ll first need to purchase an amp designed for car audio. Look for an amp with high power handling (at least 200 watts RMS per channel) and low distortion ratings. Make sure the amp has enough channels for your car speakers.

You’ll then need to install the amplifier by wiring it between the car stereo and speakers. Tap the amp wiring into the rear speaker wires or use high-level inputs if available. Be sure to connect the ground and power wires directly to the car’s battery. Mount the amp securely and connect all speakers according to the wiring diagram.

Once installed, you can adjust the amplifier’s gain dial to provide clean boosted power to the speakers. Now when using Android Auto navigation, you’ll have much louder voice prompt volume which should be clearly audible even at high speeds. The amp will also boost music and other audio from Android Auto. Just be careful not to increase the gain too much which can introduce distortion.

Adding an outboard car amplifier is an effective way to increase Android Auto navigation volume beyond the limits of the built-in car stereo. Just be sure to install the amp correctly to avoid issues or blowing speakers. With ample clean power, you’ll no longer have to struggle to hear navigation instructions.

Trying a Navigation App with Louder Voice

One option to increase navigation volume on Android Auto is to try using a different navigation app that has louder voice guidance. The default Google Maps app may have navigation voice that is too quiet for some situations.

There are a few alternative navigation apps to test on Android Auto that may provide louder voice prompts:

Waze – This community-based navigation app is known for having very loud turn-by-turn guidance. It offers free download on Android Auto.

Sygic – Sygic’s navigation app has options to adjust guidance volume and voice clarity. The upgraded paid version works with Android Auto.
TomTom – TomTom’s navigation app allows adjusting the volume for voice guidance separately from media volume. There is a free and paid version for Android Auto.

Trying out a few different highly-rated navigation apps can help determine if one provides louder, clearer voice prompts over Google Maps on Android Auto. Look for navigation apps with volume settings and voice options specifically for Android Auto integration.

Just keep in mind that third-party apps may not integrate as smoothly with Android Auto compared to the default Google Maps. But for those needing louder navigation guidance, an alternative app may provide the volume boost needed.

Adjusting Voice Guidance Volume

One of the easiest ways to increase navigation volume in Android Auto is to adjust the voice guidance volume specifically within your navigation app settings. Most navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps have separate volume controls for voice prompts that you can increase.

For example, in the Google Maps app, you can go to Settings > Navigation settings and adjust the volume under “Voice level.” Set this to the maximum level to make your turn-by-turn directions as loud as possible.^{[1](https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidAuto/comments/6oadis/how_to_set_google_maps_volume_independently_of/)}

Similarly, in Waze you can go to Sound & voice > Voice guidance volume and turn this up. Apple Maps has a volume slider under Navigation > Voice guidance volume.

Adjusting the voice level in your preferred navigation app is often the simplest way to increase how loud turn-by-turn directions are. The navigation voice volume will likely overpower any media playing through Android Auto.

Updating Car Infotainment Software

Installing the latest software updates for your car’s infotainment system can help improve Android Auto’s performance and add new features. Most car manufacturers release periodic updates that can be installed via Wi-Fi, USB drive, or at the dealership.

For example, recent 2023 Mercedes updates brought Android Auto upgrades like split screen mode, personalized profiles, and enhanced voice commands. BMW, Toyota, Nissan and other brands also issue updates to improve connectivity, customization options, voice assistant integration, and more.

Check your owner’s manual to see if software updates are available for your car’s infotainment system. The update process varies by make and model. Some can update over the air via Wi-Fi, while others require installing from a USB drive or visiting a dealership. These updates are separate from Android Auto app updates on your phone.

Keeping your car’s software up-to-date ensures the infotainment system takes full advantage of Android Auto’s latest features. It could resolve bugs, add options missing on earlier software versions, and optimize performance. So installing the newest updates can be an easy way to improve your Android Auto experience if volume or responsiveness needs a boost.

Summary – Increasing Navigation Volume in Android Auto

In this article, we explored the different methods to help boost navigation voice guidance in Android Auto:

Go into Settings > Sound to max out the Media volume for Android Auto.
Adjust the volume on your car’s stereo/head unit for channels connected to Android Auto.

Consider installing an external amplifier to get louder overall sound.
Change navigation apps and try one that has better volume like Google Maps and Waze.
Go into the navigation app settings to adjust guidance volume specifically.

Upgrade the software/firmware on your car’s infotainment system.

Getting loud and clear voice navigation is important for safe driving. By tuning the various volume controls, you can achieve excellent guidance volume in Android Auto.