Artie Beaty/ZDNET
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Android Auto routines can automatically handle several tasks.
- You can send messages, control smart home devices, and more.
- These automations save me time and keep me safer on the road.
Android Automations have been around for years now, and they’re one of my favorite ways to both save time and make sure I don’t forget little things. Over the past few months, though, I’ve discovered an even more useful scenario — automations for Android Auto.
Most of us have little things we do every time we get in the car — fire up the GPS, start a podcast or playlist, and let someone know we’re on the way. Setting automations or routines is the perfect way to wrap up all of these little tasks into a quick command. What makes this even better is that you can incorporate your routines into Android Auto by giving them a dedicated button on the launcher or by setting “Connect to Bluetooth” as the trigger.
Also: I started avoiding these 5 Android Auto mistakes, and it’s drastically improved my drives
The automations work through Gemini. You can set up routines for a number of different devices and actions, and you can chain together as many as you want. Here’s a look at the ones I use almost every day, and how you can make your own.
How I use Android Auto routines
Heading home: This is probably my most-used automation.No matter if I’m heading home from running errands, picking up the kids, or finishing a road trip, I’m just ready to get home most of the time. I let Gemini handle the little things I like to do each time, like texting my wife that I’m on the way, setting Maps, and turning down the AC. My whole rundown includes:
Text Hannah: “I’m heading home” and include my ETA
Enable driving mode (to limit distractions)
Navigate home and tell me about it (this doesn’t just open Maps, it tells you an ETA so you can know if there’s something unexpected)
Set my AC to 72
Turn on the porch light
Play my wind-down playlist
Start my drive: I only use this one for morning drives when I’m starting my day, like when I’m taking the kids to school. I’ll have Gemini tell me what events or tasks I have, give me a rundown of the weather, and shut down my house.
Kids are in the car:
How to set up routines with Android Auto
To get started, head to your phone’s Settings app and search for routines. Even though Gemini has replaced Google Assistant, the settings you’re looking for will show up under Assistant.
You should see a page that lists routines, including the default ones like Bedtime, Commuting home, and Good morning. The easiest way to set up your own automations is to build off one of those. Tap any one, and you’ll be able to change the actions it handles.
Also: I made 7 changes to my Android Auto setup for better functionality when I’m driving
The typical way is to trigger these using your voice — something like, “Hey Google, let’s go to work.” But if there’s one you’ll use all the time, you can set it as a shortcut on your launcher so you can just tap that icon. Go to the Settings app and search for Android Auto. Tap “Additional settings in the app” and look for “Customize Launcher.” Choose “Add a shortcut to the launcher” and then “A Gemini action.”
When you enter the command you want to give Gemini, you can make this as simple or as complex as you want. It can be “Close the garage door” or “Close the garage, read my messages, turn off porch light, read my calendar events.”
Setting up these automations not only saves me time, but it also keeps me safer by making sure I’m not doing these things while I’m on the road.
