Google’s Android Auto platform allows you to connect your smartphone or tablet to your car’s dashboard and access various apps right on the display screen. In the majority of cases, that includes navigation, music streaming, and communication features such as texting and calling, but one thing that has got many complaining is turning the radio off anytime it’s connected to your phone and plugged into your car.
When you’re driving, the last thing you want to do is take your hands off the wheel to fiddle with the radio station. That’s where Android Auto comes in. By allowing you to control your phone voice commands, Android Auto lets you keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
However, one quirk of Android Auto is that it will occasionally turn off the radio. While this may be annoying, there’s actually a good reason for it. Android Auto is designed to minimize distractions, and turning off the radio is one way it does this. By only allowing you to access a limited set of features, Android Auto ensures that you can stay focused on the road. So if Android Auto turns off your radio, just remember that it’s for your own safety.
And if you need to listen to some good tunes, don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways to listen to music while using Android Auto: Spotify and Google Play Music both have apps that let you stream their libraries through your car stereo system without ever taking your hands off the wheel.
If you’ve got an iPhone, try Apple CarPlay. It’ll give you the same great experience as Android Auto, but since it runs iOS instead of Android, you’ll also get access to all of Apple’s apps like iMessage and Siri.
Can You Use Android Auto and Listen to the Radio While?
Yes, you can use Android Auto and listen to the radio at the same time. However, you will need to use a separate app for the radio. You can use a third-party app to automatically launch the radio when you launch Android Auto. Android Auto does not have a built-in radio function.
There are a number of apps that you can use for this purpose, including iHeartRadio, TuneIn Radio, and Pandora Radio. Simply open the app of your choice and start streaming the radio station of your choice.
You can then control the volume using the Android Auto interface. Turn on the app by pressing and holding the Volume Up button on your steering wheel until it flashes green twice. Tap Play on the music app, tap Media Controls to turn on music controls in Android Auto (they’ll be available if they’re turned off), and tap Play again.
Now you’ll be able to control playback as well as adjust the volume using both Android Auto’s interface and the controls within your favorite music player. Android Auto automatically pauses when it detects an incoming call or message notification.
To re-enable Android Auto after listening to the radio, just press and hold on to the home button on your steering wheel.
How Can I Use FM Radio in Android Auto?
If you’re looking for a way to listen to FM radio in your car, you may be wondering if Android Auto can help. Fortunately and unfortunately, the answer is a bit complicated. While some Android devices do have FM radio capabilities, they are not compatible with Android Auto. However, there are a few ways that can work around this limitation.
The first one is the use of third-party apps like iHeartRadio, TuneIn Radio, Pandora Radio, NextRadio, or Spirit FM. These apps use your device’s built-in FM radio chip to give you access to local stations. Once you’ve installed the app, you’ll be able to tune into your favorite stations and control the volume and other settings from your phone.
Another option would be to purchase an aftermarket adapter designed specifically for Android Auto that will hook up directly into the USB port of your vehicle. Once installed, you’ll be able to access the FM radio feature through the Android Auto interface on your car’s display.
The downside of this solution is that you’ll have to manually turn on the device each time before using it. And with its upside, it doesn’t drain your battery life as streaming does and there are no restrictions on content like there are for streaming services.
There are many options available, so make sure to check the specifications before making a purchase. Once installed, plug your phone into the adapter using either a lightning cable or USB Type-C connection (depending on your phone) and enjoy all of the benefits of Android Auto.
Does TuneIn Work with Android Auto?
TuneIn is a free app that gives you access to live radio stations from around the world, as well as on-demand podcasts and shows. Yes, TuneIn works with Android Auto. You can access TuneIn through the Android Auto interface on your compatible car display or your Android phone.
You can listen to your favorite radio stations, or browse by genre, location, or popularity. With TuneIn, you can listen to over 100,000 radio stations from around the world, including local, national, and international news, sports, talk, and music.
Plus, you can access premium content from major podcast networks, like NPR and BBC. To get started, simply open the Android Auto interface and select TuneIn from the list of compatible apps. From there, you’ll be able to search for your favorite station or browse popular genres such as hip hop or indie rock.
TuneIn also features curated channels such as This American Life and ESPN Sports Center, which are perfect for listening while commuting! If you want more features than what’s available in the free version of TuneIn, sign up for one of the paid plans.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using TuneIn with Android Auto. The first one is to make sure that you have the latest version of the TuneIn app installed on your phone. If not, the app may not be compatible with Android Auto. And also, if you’re driving and don’t have an internet connection while TuneIn is open, it will close automatically after a few minutes without giving any notice. So remember to turn off data-saving settings before opening it.
Conclusion
In order to use the FM radio feature in Android Auto, you’ll need to download a third-party app like NextRadio. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to access the FM radio station by opening the app and selecting the Tune In option. You can also add presets for your favorite stations so that you can easily access them later.
More Relevant Resources on Mobile Apps
- Why is my Facebook App Greyed Out? – There are a few reasons why your Facebook app may be greyed out. It could be due to a problem with your internet connection, a problem with your device, or a problem with the app itself.
- Can I Use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at the Same Time? – You love listening to music and being on your smartphone, and it’s not surprising that you’d want to keep doing it even whiles you drive or sit in your car.
- Why Does My Facebook App Keep Installing? – Your Facebook account gives hackers full access to all of your info, including any other services that use your Facebook log-in.
- Why Does Android Auto Show Fahrenheit? – For reasons that have not yet been made public, Android Auto shows the temperature in Fahrenheit rather than Celsius.
- Why Can’t I Answer Phone Calls on Android Auto? – It could be that your car isn’t compatible with the feature, or that you have a poor connection.
