Android Auto mirrors your phone’s apps on your car’s screen. It helps you navigate, play music, and stay connected safely. But there’s more under the hood that most drivers never see.
Hidden inside Android Auto is a developer menu you can open in seconds. It unlocks options like wireless toggling and running apps not from the Play Store. Getting there takes less than a minute.
To access this menu, open your phone’s Settings and search for Android Auto. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Version and permission info” about 10 times. Then choose “Developer settings.” That’s it.
The developer menu lets you enable wireless Android Auto if your car supports it. It also has an “Unknown Sources” option. Turning this on lets you run apps outside Google Play on your car’s display. That can open up new possibilities, but it comes with risks.
In fact, Google launched Play Protect in 2017 to guard Android devices. It scans apps from the Play Store and your phone for malware and harmful software. In 2025 alone, Play Protect found over 27 million new malicious apps and blocked 266 million risky app installs from side-loading attempts.
Disabling Play Protect gives you more freedom to install apps freely. But it opens the door to malware and security problems. The question is whether that freedom is worth the risk.
Storage Options for Android Users
Running lots of apps and storing media on your phone can fill up space fast. Most Android phones now come with at least 128GB of internal storage. If you need more, newer Android versions let you move installed apps to an SD card. That helps keep your main storage free.
Almost all Android phones support USB On-The-Go (OTG). This lets you plug in external storage drives like SSDs. Many SSDs come with USB-C to USB-C cables, matching modern phone ports. Some high-end smartphones can even record videos straight onto these external drives, which is handy for big projects.
CarPlay Apps to Know
Apple’s CarPlay works like Android Auto by projecting your phone’s functions to your car’s screen. Older cars usually need a wired connection. Newer models offer wireless options. Some car makers limit CarPlay apps to small windows, while others allow full-screen use.
CarPlay supports popular apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Spotify, Apple Music, Pocket Casts, Audible, TuneIn, PlugShare, and SpotHero. Google Maps lets you set destinations by voice and report road events. Apple Maps offers clear spoken directions and can show navigation on driver displays.
Spotify’s CarPlay app makes it easy to access music and podcasts. It integrates with Google Maps to keep your navigation and tunes in sync. Apple Music’s app lets you browse your library, use Siri, and enjoy curated channels.
Pocket Casts offers features like silencing trims and speed control for podcasts. Audible lets you quickly access audiobooks, though you can’t buy new ones through the app. TuneIn streams live radio stations worldwide. PlugShare helps you find EV chargers and navigate to saved spots. SpotHero finds parking and lets you rebook spots in over 400 cities.
Overall, Android Auto and CarPlay both do a solid job of mirroring your phone’s most useful apps on your car’s infotainment screen. Exploring hidden features like Android Auto’s developer menu can unlock more power and flexibility for your drive. Just remember, some options carry security risks and should be used carefully.
Based on
- Android Auto has a developer menu you can access in seconds — engadget.com
- Want to add Android Auto to your old car? Here are two ways – including one that’s under $20 | ZDNET — zdnet.com
- Before You Disable Google Play Protect, Here’s What You Need To Know — engadget.com
- How To Get More Storage On Your Android Without Using A microSD Card — engadget.com
- We Tested Dozens Of Free CarPlay Apps, Here Are The Best Ones — engadget.com
