Android Auto's hidden developer menu: Quick access to additional settings

Android Auto does a solid job of mirroring your phone's most useful apps on your car's infotainment screen, from maps to music and messaging. However, buried inside the app is a developer menu that most users haven't seen, let alone used. This hidden menu unlocks several powerful settings, including a wireless toggle and an "Unknown Sources" option that lets non-Play Store apps run on your car's display.

To access the developer settings, open your phone's Settings and search for Android Auto, or go to Settings > Connected Devices > Android Auto. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap "Version and permission info" about ten times in quick succession. The phone will ask for confirmation; tap to confirm. Then scroll back to the top of the Android Auto menu, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Developer settings." Note that exact menu names may vary slightly depending on your device.

The developer menu contains a wide range of settings. The "Wireless Android Auto" toggle controls whether your device connects to your car without a cable. It should be checked by default, but if you're having connectivity issues, toggling it off and on often helps. "Unknown Sources" allows apps not from the Google Play Store—such as CarStream or Fermata Auto for streaming YouTube—to appear on the infotainment screen. While it's understandable why Google blocks these apps by default, there's clear demand for them. The "Force video resolution" option lets you set a higher output resolution if automatic negotiation results in a blurry interface on your dashboard.

However, some developer features are best avoided. Enabling "Save video," "Save audio," and "Microphone input" will strain your phone's processor, causing heat, battery drain, and storage consumption. These are only advisable for short-term tasks like recording screen videos.

For most drivers, enabling the wireless toggle and Unknown Sources are worthwhile actions. Third-party apps are filling gaps that Google hasn't officially addressed. The developer menu won't transform Android Auto overnight, but it gives you a level of control that Google hasn't advertised. While some settings are great, others are not for everyday use. Still, a few taps will let you know more about Android Auto than most daily users.