I fixed my Android Auto dashboard layout so my passenger can stop DJing against my will

In the olden days, music in the car was a group project. From the passenger picking CDs out of a massive binder to your backseat friends taking control of the aux cable, the driver wasn't always in control of what music was played in their own car.

Now, with Android Auto, music streaming capabilities are firmly in the hands of the car's owner of the car. That is, as long as you don't have a handsy passenger fiddling with your car's display to pick their own songs.

Luckily, there's a way to set up your Android Auto interface that keeps those pesky wannabe DJs at bay.

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How to change your Android Auto view

Change your Android Auto layout in a few taps

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By  Ben Khalesi

Your car, your media control

The settings that give you the power

You make the car payment. You take it to the mechanic. You're the one actually driving.

Doesn't it stand to reason that you should be the one controlling the music on the drive?

Some passengers don't think so, and your Android Auto setup could allow and even encourage them to decide for themselves what you listen to in your own car.

There are a few settings that can tackle this, though. For one, change the layout of Android Auto to move the media closer to the driver.

This means that when Android Auto pops up on your display, your music streaming interface will be closer to you than the passenger, hopefully dissuading them from making the trek to change the next song.

That's not all, though. If you want to be absolutely sure that your passenger can't perform unsanctioned DJ duties in your car, disable taskbar widgets for Android Auto.

This will remove the quick controls for apps, like your music streaming apps, so there won't be a small bar at the bottom of your display to change the music.

If you are dealing with a particularly audacious passenger who will go to any length to change the music in your car, you might want to disable "Hey Google" detection as well.

This will guarantee that there is absolutely no way for your passenger to control your media, even with their voice.

How to change Android Auto layout settings

Keep your passengers at bay with a few changes

Changing your Android Auto settings is the only way to keep passengers from accessing your car's music, and the process doesn't take long.

The best part is that you don't have to get in your car to make these changes. You can adjust the settings for Android Auto from your smartphone, and they will be enabled as soon as you get into your car.

To get started, go to Settings and select the Connected devices option near the top. Then, click Connection preferences and scroll to the bottom to find Android Auto.

That process is a bit more of a hassle than many settings on Android, so if you'd rather search for Android Auto in the search bar at the top of the Settings page, that works too.

When you're on the Android Auto settings page, you'll find all the options you need to reclaim your radio.

Taskbar widgets toggle can be found under the Display section, "Hey Google" detection option is under the Digital assistant section, and the ability to change the layout of Android Auto is near the bottom, under the Advanced section.

Customizing Android Auto

You can do a lot more than control the music

Now that you have prevented those pesky passengers from changing your music while on the road, you have plenty of time to experiment with the many other Android Auto apps and settings that make it such an effective car infotainment system.

For one, download apps that are compatible with Android Auto. Music streaming apps and navigation tools are a start, but you can add a lot more.

Apps like SpotHero, WhatsApp, Discord, and GameSnacks are available on Android Auto, and they add a lot of functionality to the system, especially for longer drives.

Customizing the startup settings is also a must. These settings allow you to dictate how your car connects to Android Auto, whether it's immediately when you turn the key or unlock your phone.

With Android Auto, your car is as customizable as your phone. And if you don't take some time to check out the available settings and apps, you could be leaving a lot of interesting and enjoyable functionality on the table.