Understanding Android Auto is crucial for modern drivers, especially when considering managing its presence on your device. Google, the developer of Android Auto, often releases updates that require users to occasionally re-evaluate their preferred car connectivity setup. For many, the question arises: how to uninstall android auto if it’s causing issues or no longer needed? This guide provides clear, simple steps to address this, particularly useful if you’re aiming to streamline your car’s infotainment system. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge needed to effectively manage the program.
Image taken from the YouTube channel Phone Transformer , from the video titled How to Uninstall Android Auto .
How to Uninstall Android Auto: Simple Steps & Common Issues Solved
This guide provides clear instructions on how to uninstall Android Auto, along with solutions to common problems you might encounter during the process. We’ll cover various scenarios, including phone-based uninstallation and removal from your car’s head unit.
Understanding Android Auto Uninstall Scenarios
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand that "uninstalling" Android Auto can mean different things depending on your situation:
- Uninstalling from your phone: This completely removes the Android Auto app from your device.
- Removing Android Auto from your car’s head unit: This disables Android Auto functionality within your vehicle’s infotainment system.
- Disabling or Unlinking Android Auto: This prevents your phone from automatically connecting to Android Auto in your car.
Choose the section below that best describes your needs.
Uninstalling Android Auto from Your Phone
This section explains how to completely remove the Android Auto app from your Android phone.
Steps to Uninstall Android Auto
- Locate the Android Auto app icon. This is usually found on your home screen or in your app drawer.
- Long-press the app icon. A menu will appear.
- Select "Uninstall." The specific wording may vary slightly depending on your phone’s manufacturer and Android version (e.g., "Remove," "Delete").
- Confirm the uninstallation. A pop-up will ask you to confirm. Tap "OK" or "Uninstall" to proceed.
Alternatively, you can uninstall via the Google Play Store:
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Search for "Android Auto."
- Tap on the Android Auto app in the search results.
- Tap the "Uninstall" button.
- Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.
What to Do If the Uninstall Option is Missing
Sometimes, the "Uninstall" option is greyed out or not available. This usually happens because Android Auto is a system app, pre-installed by the phone manufacturer. In this case, you cannot completely uninstall it, but you can disable it.
Disabling Android Auto on Your Phone
If you can’t uninstall, you can disable Android Auto to prevent it from running in the background and consuming resources.
- Go to your phone’s Settings app.
- Navigate to "Apps" (or "Applications" or "App Manager"). The exact wording depends on your phone.
- Find and tap on "Android Auto" in the list of apps. You may need to tap "Show system apps" or a similar option to see it.
- Tap "Disable."
- Confirm the disabling of the app when prompted.
Disabling the app will prevent it from running and will free up some storage space, but the app files will still be present on your phone.
Removing Android Auto from Your Car’s Head Unit
This section covers how to disable Android Auto functionality within your car’s infotainment system. The exact steps vary depending on your car’s make and model.
General Steps (May Vary by Car)
- Access your car’s settings menu. This is typically found on the head unit’s screen. Look for an icon that looks like a gear or a settings menu option.
- Look for "Android Auto" or "Smartphone Projection" settings. The exact wording may vary depending on your car’s manufacturer. Refer to your car’s owner’s manual for specific instructions.
- Disable Android Auto. Options may include disabling the feature entirely, removing paired devices, or disabling automatic connection.
Common Scenarios and Solutions
- Car head unit doesn’t have a direct disable option: In some cases, you may need to remove the phone from the list of paired devices to prevent Android Auto from automatically connecting.
- Android Auto keeps reconnecting: Ensure that automatic connection is disabled in both your car’s settings and in the Android Auto app settings on your phone (if you haven’t uninstalled it).
Example: Specific Car Brand (Hypothetical) – "CarBrand X"
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Navigate to "Settings > Connectivity > Android Auto" on the head unit. |
| 2 | Select "Paired Devices." |
| 3 | Choose your phone from the list. |
| 4 | Select "Remove" or "Forget Device." |
Note: Consult your car’s owner’s manual for specific instructions tailored to your vehicle.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
This section addresses common problems encountered when trying to uninstall or disable Android Auto.
Issue: "Uninstall" Button is Greyed Out
- Solution: As explained earlier, this usually means Android Auto is a system app and cannot be fully uninstalled. Disable the app instead.
Issue: Android Auto Keeps Reconnecting After Disabling
- Solution: Check both your car’s head unit settings and your phone’s Android Auto app settings (if not uninstalled) for automatic connection options. Disable them in both locations.
Issue: Android Auto is Not Listed in My Apps
- Solution: Ensure you have "Show system apps" or a similar option enabled in your phone’s "Apps" settings.
Issue: "Uninstall Failed" Error Message
-
Solution: Try restarting your phone and then attempting the uninstallation again. If that doesn’t work, try clearing the cache and data for the Android Auto app (if you haven’t already disabled it):
- Go to your phone’s Settings app.
- Navigate to "Apps."
- Find and tap on "Android Auto."
- Tap "Storage."
- Tap "Clear Cache" and then "Clear Data."
- Try uninstalling again.
Issue: My car’s head unit still shows Android Auto after removing paired devices
- Solution: Consult your car’s user manual. Some head units need a reboot or factory reset after removing paired devices to fully clear the settings. Be aware a factory reset will erase all your saved head unit settings.
Android Auto Uninstall FAQs: Clear & Simple
Here are some frequently asked questions about uninstalling Android Auto, covering common scenarios and potential issues.
What happens if I uninstall Android Auto?
Uninstalling Android Auto from your phone removes the app and prevents it from automatically launching when connected to a compatible vehicle. You will no longer be able to use Android Auto features on your car’s display.
How do I uninstall Android Auto if it’s a system app?
If Android Auto came pre-installed, it might be a system app. In this case, you usually cannot completely uninstall it. You can typically disable it to prevent it from running, which effectively removes it from your app drawer and car interface. To disable the app, you can go to Settings -> Apps -> Android Auto, and then choose "Disable". This will prevent the app from running but won’t free up the storage space.
I uninstalled Android Auto, but it keeps reinstalling itself. Why?
This often happens if you have Android Auto pre-installed as part of a system update. The operating system may automatically reinstall it during an update. To fully prevent this, disable auto-updates in the Play Store and consider using a package disabler app to remove system apps completely (proceed with caution as this can affect device stability).
After I uninstall Android Auto, can I still use other navigation apps in my car?
Yes. Uninstalling Android Auto only affects the Android Auto functionality. You can still use other navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze directly on your phone, or use your car’s native navigation system, if it has one. Your phone will behave as a regular, non-connected smartphone.
So, there you have it! Now you know how to uninstall Android Auto, should the need arise. Hope this helped clear things up, and happy driving!