Android Auto runs faster and smoother now thanks to my 4 easy tweaks

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source connected Google.

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Tweaks tin drastically amended however your Android Auto operates. 
• Even the benignant of cablegram you usage tin person a large impact.
• Wired Android Auto operates much efficiently than wireless.

Android Auto tin beryllium 1 of the astir utile things astir your phone, but if it ever lags oregon freezes, it tin beryllium much frustrating than helpful. Fortunately, determination are immoderate casual fixes if your car's infotainment strategy is feeling sluggish. And with YouTube coming soon to your car, it's not a atrocious clip to cheque successful to marque definite your strategy is optimized.

I tried each of these 4 myself, and my Android Auto ended up a batch faster, much responsive, and much smooth.

Also: My 4 favourite Android Auto settings are earnestly utile - but hidden by default

How to hole lagging Android Auto

Connect with the information cablegram alternatively of wirelessly

The easiest mode to spot a large leap successful your Android Auto show is to usage a wired cablegram done your car's port. Wireless Android Auto is convenient, but it's often noticeably slower than the alternative. I compared the 2 versions this week, and I could instantly archer the difference.

The wired transportation removes latency and compression; I noticed improvements successful astir each facet of the interface, including however rapidly apps launched, however responsive the touchscreen was, however smoothly I could scroll done maps, and however rapidly Gemini responded. 

Also: I've utilized Android Auto for years, and these 5 changes solved my biggest issues

Wireless Android Auto is much demanding connected your phone, too, truthful you'll usage much artillery life. For each azygous crushed different than convenience, you're amended disconnected utilizing the wired connection.

Use a high-speed information cable

While we're discussing cables, marque definite you person a bully 1 due to the fact that a inexpensive oregon aged cablegram is the root of galore Android Auto problems. Not each cables are the same, and not each cables are made for information transfer. This is 1 of those times erstwhile you privation to wage much for quality. 

The inexpensive cablegram astatine the state presumption oregon the 1 astatine the checkout antagonistic astatine the large container store astir apt won't springiness you the champion Android Auto acquisition if it's intended to beryllium a charging cable. Many cars usage an older USB 2.0 connection, but a batch person upgraded to USB 3.0. Especially successful newer vehicles, marque definite you're utilizing a 3.0 cable, oregon astatine slightest a data-capable cablegram that's rated for precocious speeds. I tried moving Android Auto with a random cablegram from my junk drawer and a high-speed information cable, and the quality was obvious. 

Close excessive apps connected your phone

Phones contiguous are fundamentally mini computers, and conscionable similar your laptop oregon desktop, your telephone tin get bogged down if excessively galore apps are moving astatine once. Android Auto is lone arsenic bully arsenic the telephone moving it, truthful if your telephone is laggy, your car's surface volition beryllium too. 

Also: Google volition fto you ticker YouTube videos connected Android Auto present - is your car supported?

If Android Auto seems slow, marque definite nary apps are moving successful the inheritance connected your phone. Check to spot if you person aggregate navigation apps open, oregon if your favourite game, streaming service, oregon societal media app is active. 

Turn disconnected artillery optimization

Battery beingness is simply a large selling constituent successful modern phones, and galore times, a telephone volition throttle apps it thinks are utilizing excessively overmuch battery. Throttling could instrumentality respective forms, including slowing inheritance processes, delaying notifications, and limiting wireless activity. Go to Settings > Apps > Android Auto > App artillery usage, and marque definite "Allow inheritance usage" is on. It's not a atrocious thought to bash this for apps Android Auto uses often, too, similar Google Maps, Spotify, and YouTube Music.