Android Auto
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Overview
Android Auto is software developed by Google that allows users to connect their Android devices to compatible car multimedia systems. Android Auto provides an adapted and optimized version of the OsmAnd app for safe use while driving, making it easier and more secure to access the app's navigation functions.
Start navigation
In order for OsmAnd to work in Android Auto, you must connect your Android device to your vehicle multimedia system. The Android operating system must be updated to version 5.0 or higher.
To find out how to connect and set up your device, visit the Android Auto websites.
Not all vehicles support device connection capability. Check the list for Android Auto.
You need to purchase a paid version of the app or take out a subscription. Check your current subscription here Menu → Settings → Purchases.
Android Auto uses the first OsmAnd profile in the Profiles list for navigation. Set the preferred profile to first, except for the Browse map profile, it is not read by Android Auto. To do this, go to OsmAnd Menu → Settings → App profiles → Edit profile list → move your profile to the first place or after the Browse map profile.
It is important to remember that Android Auto is a data-intensive application, including mobile data, and the quality of the system may depend on the quality of your connection and the speed of your Internet access.
Connection screen
While your device is connected to Android Auto, the map on the app screen is locked for security purposes.
Interaction with the map
Android Auto displays the OsmAnd interface adapted to the vehicle multimedia system screen. Interaction with the map is limited to buttons such as:
- OsmAnd menu - contains a list of available options to assign an endpoint to the route.
- Settings - this button is responsible for access to turn voice promts on or off while you are navigating a selected route.
- Search - tapping the button opens a screen with access to the search functions.
- My Location - moves the visible part of the map so that your current location is in the center of the screen.
- Zoom - allows you to zoom in and out of the visible part of the map.
- Compass - shows which of the four available map orientation modes on your device screen is selected.
Destination Points
You can select previously preset and added POIs, or Favorites, or Markers as a destination point. It is also possible to select a recorded or downloaded Track for the route, use the Search, or select a destination from the route History.
If you want a particular location on the map as an endpoint, select the appropriate category of points from the list, POIs, Favorites, or Map Markers.
- All categories can contain no more list items than are provided by your vehicle multimedia system. This means that the list in Android Auto could be incomplete and all other folders are only available in the OsmAnd app on your device.
- The Last modified folder contains a list of recent destinations, sorted by date added or changed.
- The list of all other folders is sorted by the most recent update, new folders are at the top of the list. It is not possible to change their order manually.
- The list of points within folders is sorted by the distance to them, starting with the nearest. Each point has a name or coordinates, a shaped icon (color and icon set by default or chosen by you in the OsmAnd application), and the distance from the point of the current location to it.
Select the History category to find one of the recent destinations that are stored in the device's memory.
Select Search to enter a destination from the available search categories.
While driving, selected points can be announced when you approach or pass them. See the Voice prompts settings in the appropriate article to set up voice notifications.
History
In the History category, you can select a destination from a list of endpoints. They are sorted by most recent use, starting with the newest. This can be convenient for quick access to frequently used routes. To learn how to use or delete a destination, read the Search History article.
POI Categories
POIs (Points of Interest) are a type of points that identify places or objects on the map that are important or of interest to users. They are highlighted by special icons provided in the OsmAnd settings and sorted into groups.
To build a route to a POI in Android Auto, follow these steps:
- Select the needed POI from the list of available categories, or enter the name of the POI using Search.
- OsmAnd calculates the route and displays it on the Android Auto screen. Tap Start button to start navigating to that location.
- Depending on your OsmAnd app settings and your vehicle, you may receive voice prompts to guide you to a destination.
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Favorites
Favorites is one of the functions of OsmAnd that allows the user to make a kind of bookmarks (notes) on the map. While using Android Auto you cannot add or modify Favorites, only use existing ones. The list of Favorites can be found in the OsmAnd app Menu → My Places → Favorites. If you want to use them for navigation, add the necessary places in the favorites before connecting the device to your vehicle multimedia system.
Map markers
To define your final destination as a Map Marker, you first need to create the required number of markers in the OsmAnd app on your device before connecting it to the system. Markers need to be available in the Menu → Map marker list. This is described in more detail in the Markers article.
Tracks
To build a route to a destination, you can select an existing track available in the OsmAnd app. The track can be downloaded in advance, used as recorded or created in Plan a route.
From the list of tracks in Menu → My Places → Tracks, select the required one before connecting to the vehicle multimedia system, and the route will either build up to the start of the track or display the current direction along the track.
Tracks can also be selected directly on the vehicle screen in Android Auto. They are organized in folders you have created, and for easy and quick access to recently opened tracks, there is a special folder Last modified.
Search
Going to Search gives you quick access to a list of recent destination history. Similarly with the Navigation menu, where all OsmAnd destination methods such as an address, POI, or coordinates are collected.
You can use the Search tool to find the required place on the map for route planning from any available search category.
- Address - start typing the address in the search field.
- POI and Custom POI- the list of nearby similar names will also display POIs or their categories.
- Coordinates search - enter the coordinates to find the point on the map.
Folder Last modified
The Favorites and Tracks categories have a special Last Modified folder. Since the list in these categories can be very large as it contains all your existing favorites or tracks, this folder is necessary for easy and quick access to your most recent destinations.
Additional features
In addition to the basic features of the OsmAnd app in Android Auto that provide convenient navigation in your vehicle, there are a number of additional features that enhance the user experience and make navigation more personalized, comfortable, and efficient.
Voice prompts
Voice prompts are one of the most useful features of OsmAnd while navigating for Android Auto, giving you real-time guidance and allowing the driver to stay focused on the road. Voice prompts provide clear instructions on turns, directions, and other navigation instructions, providing a safer and more comfortable use of the navigation system.
To configure voice prompts according to the selected profile, you have to do this before starting a route in the OsmAnd app on your device. In Android Auto, only the setting to turn all selected voice prompts off or on at the same time is available.
Map mode
Android Auto and OsmAnd offer the ability to adjust the map to match lighting conditions. In Day map mode, the color scheme remains bright and contrasting, making it easier to read even in bright sunlight. In Night mode, the maps become darker, which helps the driver navigate better in the dark.
OsmAnd has map mode options, but when you use the app in Android Auto, these options are ignored. Instead, the mode you selected in the Android Auto system settings for maps is used.
- You can choose to always display the map in Day mode.
- You can select Night mode.
- If you want the map display mode to switch depending on the time of day, select Automatic mode.
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Screen Alert widget
This information widget combines alert types such as Pedestrian crosswalks and Speed Limit. The types of alerts have different appearance, which depends on the Driving region and can be configured in Menu → Configure profile → Navigation settings → Screen alerts. In Android Auto it is not possible to set the display of alerts, you need to configure the widget in the application before starting the navigation and connecting your device to the vehicle. For a detailed description of the alert types, see this article. To set up screen alerts for available profiles, see the article Navigation settings.
Map appearance
On the screen of your vehicle multimedia system, you can use both the 2D and 3D views of OsmAnd maps to display your route and navigation. For your map to have a 3D view, you need to open the main Menu → Configure screen → Buttons → 3D mode in the application directly. This has to be done before connecting to Android Auto. Read more about the setup 3D-view in the article Map Buttons.
Split-screen
The OsmAnd app can be opened and used to navigate in Android Auto on the vehicle multimedia system screen simultaneously with music, message or other notification apps. Setting up the split-screen display on a phone connected to Android Auto or on the screen in your vehicle system.
- From Home screen, tap Apps.
- Tap Settings.
- Find Multi window and choose switch.
- Return to the home screen.
