Given that Android Auto is a notable topic I cover at XDA, I often mess around with various settings and forget to revert them to how I actually use my phone with the in-car infotainment system. At the same time, I'm almost always testing different Android phones and frequently need to adjust a few specific settings before connecting a device to my car for the first time. Whether I'm optimizing the experience, cutting down on distractions, or simply restoring my preferred setup, I always change these Android Auto settings right away on every Android device. Start Android Auto automatically Avoid that pesky lock screen To ensure the smoothest possible initial connection to wired Android Auto, I always change my Pixel 10 Pro's USB Default Connection Behavior from Default to Always (you have to do this for every vehicle). With this setting on, Android Auto boots up immediately. On top of this, I also set my Android device to skip the lock screen and start music automatically when I connect it to Android Auto. To do that, I follow these steps: - Open the Settings app - Head to Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Android Auto. - Scroll down to the Startup subsection. - Turn on Start Android Auto While Locked and Start Music Automatically. - Next, tap on Start Android Auto Automatically and select Always. Get rid of those pesky message notifications When I'm behind the wheel, I want to concentrate on the road When I'm driving, I want to have as few distractions around me as possible. With that in mind, one of the first settings I change on my Android device is turning off message notifications entirely. My passengers don't need to read or hear my texts, and I don't want to be distracted by them either.