App launcher

The app launcher lets users browse through their available apps and other main options, then select the one they want to launch.

Users can access the launcher from the apps button on the navigation bar. They can also customize how their apps appear in the launcher, including whether suggested apps are displayed.


Anatomy

The launcher displays available apps and options in a vertically scrolling grid.

App launcher anatomy
This default layout appearance of the app launcher.

The app launcher's position within the content area depends on the width and height of the vehicle's screen, as shown in the following images:

App launcher anatomy
This default layout appearance of the app launcher.

On cars with wider screens, the app launcher opens next to the navigation bar on the side of the screen.

App launcher anatomy
This default layout appearance of the app launcher.

Vehicles with portrait screens open the app launcher above the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.


Available apps & options

The grid of items in the launcher includes the following:

  • Apps
  • Exit option
  • Assistant actions

Examples of these items are in examples in the next sections.

Apps

The launcher shows a user's Android Auto compatible apps, including navigation, media, communications, and more.

3 app icons with titles
All apps in the launcher are represented by their app icon and title

Exit option

Exit icon with title
Exit button

In addition to showing apps, the launcher displays an Exit option. This option allows users to quit Android Auto and return to the car's built-in infotainment system. The exit button can include the logo and brand name of the car maker.

In the default layout, the Exit option appears first, before the alphabetical grid of apps. Users can move it elsewhere if they customize the launcher.

Digital assistant actions

Apps that are digital assistant activated are included with the apps in the launcher. Selecting these icons invokes the digital assistant to help with specific tasks for which voice interaction is helpful.

For example, you can use the Assistant to discover news podcasts, set a reminder, or read weather information.

Icons and titles for 3 Assistant actions
Digital assistant actions

Customizing the launcher

Users can customize their launcher in these ways:

  • Hide certain apps and options
  • Change the order in which apps appear

These customization actions are available in the Android Auto settings on a user's phone.

Example of a customized launcher
Here, a user has customized the order in which apps and options appear in the launcher

Accessing customization settings

To get to the Android Auto Settings page, users navigate to the system Settings app on their phone, and go to Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Android Auto. Users can also search for Android Auto in the settings app.

Users can customize the app launcher by modifying the Customize launcher settings. There, users can choose apps to hide or drag their names to rearrange their order in the launcher. Any changes made on this page will be reflected in the launcher after the user exits and restarts Android Auto.

The Settings page and the Customize launcher page on a phone, side by side
The __Customize launcher__ option on the user's phone opens up a page that lets users choose what will show in their launcher, and in what order.