Android Auto, while generally user-friendly, hides a suite of developer settings that can unlock additional functionality and customization. These aren't intended for everyday users, but can be beneficial for developers testing applications or users who want to fine-tune their in-car experience.
What Happened
ZDNet recently detailed four specific developer settings within Android Auto that can significantly improve usability. Accessing these settings requires a specific tap sequence on the Android Auto version screen (typically found under Settings > About). The settings highlighted are:
- Force Bluetooth Discovery: Useful for troubleshooting connection issues.
- Enable App Notification on Start: Displays app notifications immediately upon starting Android Auto.
- Disable Developer Menu Dismissal: Prevents the developer menu from automatically closing, making it easier to experiment with different settings.
- Show offline map regions: This shows which map regions are downloaded for offline use.
These settings are not officially documented or supported by Google, and enabling them is done at the user's own risk. The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to enable each setting.
Why It Matters
For developers working with Android Auto, these settings offer valuable debugging and testing capabilities. The ability to force Bluetooth discovery and keep the developer menu open streamlines the development process. For end-users, the settings offer a degree of customization not otherwise available. The article notes a particular benefit for users wanting quicker app notification visibility upon connecting to Android Auto.
It's important to note that these are developer settings, meaning they could potentially cause instability or unexpected behavior. The ZDNet article emphasizes that users should proceed with caution. The fact that these settings exist at all suggests Google anticipates a need for advanced customization and debugging, even if it isn’t exposed through the standard UI.
What To Watch
It remains to be seen if Google will officially integrate any of these developer settings into the standard Android Auto interface based on user feedback or developer needs. It's also uncertain how these settings will behave with future Android Auto updates; they could be removed or altered. Developers should monitor the Android Auto developer documentation for any official changes related to these features. Users interested in these settings should proceed cautiously and understand the potential risks involved.