Before you drive, make sure your phone’s Location Services and Google Maps location permission are on. For Android Auto setup, Google also recommends enabling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Then check that Maps voice guidance and audio output work as you expect, and choose route preferences such as avoiding tolls or highways.
1. Check location access on your phone
Google Maps navigation needs GPS and permission to use your device’s current location. On your Android phone, turn on Location Services and allow Google Maps to access location. Menu labels and permission choices can vary by Android version.
Google’s navigation troubleshooting guidance lists GPS and location access among the requirements for navigation.
2. Enable the connections Android Auto uses during setup
When setting up Android Auto, Google recommends turning on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Location Services. Complete setup and pairing while parked; Google’s Android Auto setup instructions also advise making setup changes before driving.
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3. Make sure spoken directions are audible
Start a route and check that Maps voice guidance is not muted. If directions are too quiet, raise the device volume and adjust Guidance volume in Maps’ Navigation settings. Google’s voice navigation troubleshooting steps cover these checks.
Play directions through the car speakers
If you want directions through the car audio, pair the phone over Bluetooth, select the car’s Bluetooth audio source, and check Maps’ “Play voice over Bluetooth” option. The exact behavior depends on the phone and car audio system; Bluetooth pairing alone does not guarantee that navigation prompts will use the speakers.
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4. Choose route preferences for the trip
Decide whether the route should avoid tolls or highways. You can change these preferences in Maps, including during navigation. Google also documents voice commands such as “Avoid tolls,” “Allow tolls,” “Avoid highways,” and “Allow highways.” Assistant availability and behavior can vary by language, country, and version; Google notes a gradual transition to Gemini for mobile assistants during 2026. See Google Maps voice-command guidance.
5. Check traffic and other navigation display options
While navigating in Android Auto, open Maps settings to reach route and display options, including the Traffic toggle. You can also change settings in the phone app while parked. Google’s turn-by-turn navigation help describes navigation controls in Android Auto.
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Make changes while safely stopped
Google says text entry on the Android Auto car screen requires the vehicle to be in Park. Set up the route and make phone-side changes before moving, and follow local laws and road conditions. Avoid changing settings or interacting with the screen while driving.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Android Auto is not the same as Google Maps built into a car
This guide concerns Android Auto projecting Maps from a phone. Google Maps built into some vehicles has separate, manufacturer- and region-dependent privacy controls and offline-map options. Those are not universal Android Auto settings; see Google’s Google Maps built-in privacy and settings information.
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For vehicles with built-in Maps, Google says offline maps can support some safety-related assistance functions through Vehicle Map Service. Manually managed maps need to cover the driving area for certain features to work. Built-in Maps’ auto-download can keep maps updated, but may share vehicle location and downloaded-map information with Google servers. These points apply to supported built-in systems, not phone-projected Android Auto. Details are in Google’s built-in Maps offline-map guidance.
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