How to turn off Android Auto: best methods - 2023

Android Auto is an interface for connecting your phone to the car's head unit. You can use it for navigation, to listen to playlists, answer calls, read messages, and route while driving.

One of the main objectives of Android Auto is to ensure driver safety. However, not everyone needs these features, and sometimes the automatic connection of music even gets in the way. So how do you disable or uninstall Android Auto if you're not going to use it?

Ways to disable Android Auto

There are actually many ways to turn off Android Auto, but not all of them fit your mobile phone. First, let's break down exactly how to disable the software without removing it from Android OS.

How to disconnect Android Auto wireless

If you use wireless connection for Android Auto navigation, just disable automatic pairing. So that your phone does not connect via Bluetooth anymore.

The step-by step instructions:

Step 1. Go to your Android phone's settings;

Step 2. Go to the "Advanced features" section;

Step 3. Find Android Auto;

Step 4. Tap "Previously connected cars"

Step 5. Remove all the accepted cars from the list using 3 dot button (Forget all cars option).

Step 6. Restart Android Auto.

The device will stop connecting to your car automatically. In the same section, you can also disable auto run or call and text notifications, if those are the items that bothered you.

Disconnect on Android 10 and above

Since Android 10, they started adding the Android Auto app to the OS toolbox by default. This means that the app becomes a system app and you can't just remove it. However, you can disable it temporary or permanently:

Step 1. Go to the Settings;

Step 2. Select the "Apps" or "App manager” option;

Step 3. Tap Android Auto item there (use the search, as it may not appear in the standard apps list);

Step 4. Tap the "Stop" or "Disable" button.

After that, the Android Auto app will not run until you turn it on through the Settings.

Changing USB Connection mode

Even if you've disabled the automatic wireless connection, Android Auto can still connect to your car while charging. Is easy enough to fix the problem:

Step 1. Connect your phone to your car through the USB cable,

Step 2. Wait until the system dialog appear on Android phone,

Step 3. Select the "Charge Only" connection mode.

Step 4. You can define the method of connection via Default Connection Type settings on your Android.

How to uninstall Android Auto completely

If you don't need the Android Auto app (and you're sure you'll never use it), follow these instructions.

On Android 9 and below

On older phones, it's easy enough to do:

1. Go to Android's main settings;

2. Open the app manager or "Apps";

3. Find Android Auto in the list;

4. Tap "Memory".

5. Tap "Clear data";

6. Go back to the previous section;

7. Tap "Delete".

Pros:

• this method will uninstall Android Auto itself.
• by this way you clear all data associated with the app.

On Android 12 and above

This is where the problems already arise. System apps can only be uninstalled with root access. It is not recommended to use this trick if you have not used such apps before and do not understand the way they work. Make sure you backup all important data to the sd card or the cloud before using root access. If you are completely sure about what you are doing, however, do the following:

Step 1. Download the Root Uninstaller app;

Step 2. Open the Root Uninstaller app

Step 3. Go to the Settings;

Step 4. Find Android Auto and tap on the item;

Step 5. Tap the "Uninstall" button.

Once the operation is complete, you can remove the Root Uninstaller app itself. You can also use other uninstallers that are trustworthy or that you have used before.

Removing through ES Explorer

This method of disabling Android Auto is suitable for any device.

If the previous method didn't work for some reason, use any file manager for Android. You will again need an app that gives you root rights, such as Titanium Backup, Kingo ROOT, Framaroot, Vroot.

Step 1. After granting root rights permissions, download ES Explorer;

Step 2. Navigate to the "/system/app" folder;

Step 3. Select the system apps under "Apps";

Step 4. Select the folder named Android Auto;

Step 5. Delete it.

After this procedure the app is completely uninstalled, including all additional files and updates.

Disabling Car mode

Sometimes it's not Android Auto that gets in the way, but "driving mode", a feature that disables incoming notifications and calls when the user is in a moving car. This way you can miss an important call, which is annoying. To disable notifications, do the following:

Step 1. Tap the Quick Access bar at the top;

Step 2. Locate the "Driving mode" or "Do not disturb" icon. If it's highlighted, turn it off;

Step 3. While driving, you may not be able to disable it because a notification appears. Tap it;

Step 4. Turn off the slider opposite "driving mode" or "do not disturb".

You can completely disable "driving mode" as follows:

Step 1. Go to the Android Auto Settings;

Step 2. Unset the "Allow notifications"option;

Main reasons to disable or uninstall Android Auto

• Using another navigation app

In addition to Android Auto, there are many other navigation apps that can be much more functional and convenient, in which case having Android Auto will only get in the way.

• The necessary apps are already installed

Many people use mobile apps or built-in navigation maps directly, through the OS on the car device, without connecting to the phone.

• Charging via USB

You can simply charge your phone in your car without wanting to be distracted by incoming calls or messages.

• Battery consumption

If you're constantly connecting your device to your car via Bluetooth, it uses up your battery a lot faster.