Connecting your Android phone to your car’s dashboard via Android Auto is a familiar routine for many drivers. However, the potential of this interface often remains untapped, as users typically prioritize reaching their destination over delving into the myriad of settings available. Yet, taking a moment to explore a few essential tweaks can significantly enhance your driving experience.
One particularly useful feature is the ability to add Assistant shortcuts directly to the Android Auto app screen. This functionality allows you to assign any command you would normally give to Google Assistant to a button on your dashboard. While Google is in the process of transitioning its apps and devices to Gemini, the new voice-controlled AI chatbot, the Assistant shortcut option is still available for now, ensuring that users can streamline their interactions while on the road.
The range of possibilities for these shortcuts is extensive. With just a press of a button, you can:
- Get directions home from your current location
- Access your favorite Spotify playlists
- Open your garage door
- Turn off the lights at home
- Have incoming text messages read aloud
If it’s a command that works with Google Assistant, it can be transformed into a shortcut button.
Create an Android Auto Shortcut
The location of the Android Auto launcher options varies depending on your phone’s make and model, but they can typically be found within the Settings menu. For Google Pixel users, navigate to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Android Auto.
Once you access the Android Auto menus, select Customize Launcher. This interface allows you to choose which apps appear on your Android Auto dashboard, primarily focusing on compatible mapping and media applications.
To create a custom shortcut, tap Add a shortcut to the Launcher > An Assistant action. Here, you can input your desired command—just as you would verbally—and assign it a name before tapping Create shortcut. If you are connected to Android Auto, you can utilize the Test shortcut button to ensure it functions correctly. If you’re not in your vehicle, you can still create shortcuts, but accuracy in phrasing is key.
Your newly created shortcut will appear on the Customize Launcher screen, where you can rearrange its position using the handle next to the entry. Android Auto permits the creation of multiple shortcuts, allowing you to group them for easier access.
Modifying a shortcut is straightforward; simply tap on it to make changes. To remove a shortcut, tap the red cross on the right. It’s important to note that deleting shortcuts does not affect the standard voice command functionality of Android Auto, so you can continue to interact with Google Assistant as usual, even if you have created shortcuts for the same commands.
When considering which commands to set as shortcuts, think about those that would be more practical as button presses rather than spoken commands, such as navigating to the nearest gas station or checking the weather forecast for the next half hour. Additionally, if you need to execute multiple instructions simultaneously, you can chain them together for added convenience.
