Android Auto can be disabled in three places: your phone's settings, your car's infotainment system, or by unplugging the connection entirely

The fastest way depends on what you want. If you never want Android Auto to launch when you plug in your phone, disable it in your phone's settings — that stops it at the source. If you want to keep it installed but prevent it from starting in your car, turn it off in your car's system instead. If you just want it off right now, unplugging or disconnecting Bluetooth works immediately but you'll have to do it every time you drive.

Most people disable Android Auto because it launches automatically when they connect their phone, or because they prefer their car's native system. Some phones also run Android Auto in the background even when it's not active, which can drain battery. Disabling it completely stops that drain.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling Android Auto in your phone's settings prevents it from launching whenever you connect to your car, and is the most permanent solution.
  • If you want to keep Android Auto installed but stop it from running, you can disable it in your car's infotainment menu instead.
  • On most Android phones, you disable Android Auto by going to Settings > Apps > Android Auto, then selecting "Disable" or "Turn off".
  • Unplugging your phone or turning off Bluetooth stops Android Auto immediately but only for that trip — it will launch again next time you connect.

Disable Android Auto in your phone's settings

This is the permanent solution. On your Android phone, open Settings, then go to Apps (sometimes called Application Manager or Installed Apps depending on your phone brand). Scroll down and find Android Auto. Tap it, then look for a button that says Disable, Turn Off, or Uninstall.

If you see Disable, tap that — it keeps the app on your phone but turns it off completely. If you only see Uninstall, your phone came with Android Auto pre-installed and you can remove it entirely. After you disable or uninstall it, Android Auto will not launch when you plug your phone into your car, even if your car's system tries to activate it.

On Samsung phones specifically, go to Settings > Apps > App Management, find Android Auto, tap it, then tap Disable. On Google Pixel phones, the path is Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions, then find Android Auto and toggle it off. The exact menu names vary slightly by manufacturer, but the principle is the same: find the app and turn it off.

Turn off Android Auto in your car's system

If you want to keep Android Auto on your phone but prevent it from running in your car, you can disable it in your car's infotainment system instead. The steps vary widely depending on your car's brand and model year, but the general approach is the same: look in your car's settings menu for Connected Devices, Phone Integration, Android Settings, or App Permissions.

Once you find that menu, look for Android Auto in the list of apps and toggle it off or select Disable. Some cars let you disable it per connection — meaning you can allow your phone to connect via Bluetooth for calls and music, but prevent Android Auto from launching. Check your car's manual or infotainment touchscreen help menu if you can't find the setting; most modern cars have a search function in their settings that lets you type "Android Auto" to jump straight to it.

This approach is useful if you share a car with someone who wants Android Auto, or if you want to use Android Auto in a different vehicle but not in this one. Your phone still has the app, so you can re-enable it in your car's system anytime.

Disconnect your phone to stop Android Auto immediately

If you just want Android Auto off for this trip, unplug your phone from the USB cable or turn off Bluetooth. Android Auto will stop running immediately. The next time you plug in or reconnect via Bluetooth, it will launch again unless you've disabled it in your phone's settings.

This is the quickest temporary fix if you're borrowing someone else's car or using a rental vehicle. It doesn't change any settings, so there's nothing to undo later.

Why Android Auto might not turn off

If you've disabled Android Auto but it still launches when you connect your phone, your car's system may be set to override your phone's settings. In that case, you need to disable it in your car's infotainment menu as well. Some cars prioritize their own settings over what your phone wants.

If disabling it in both places doesn't work, try forgetting your phone from your car's Bluetooth settings and re-pairing it without allowing Android Auto permission. When your car asks for permission to use Android Auto during the pairing process, select No or Deny. This prevents the connection from triggering Android Auto even if the app is still installed on your phone.

What happens after you disable Android Auto

Once disabled, Android Auto will no longer launch when you connect your phone to your car. You can still use Bluetooth for calls, text messages, and music through your car's native system. Your phone's battery will also drain slightly less because Android Auto won't be running in the background.

If you change your mind later, you can re-enable Android Auto by going back to Settings > Apps > Android Auto and tapping Enable. It will be ready to use the next time you connect to a compatible car system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Android Auto affect my phone's Bluetooth or car connectivity?

No. Disabling Android Auto only turns off that specific app. Your phone will still connect to your car via Bluetooth for calls, text messages, and music through your car's built-in system. Everything else works normally.

Can I disable Android Auto for one car but keep it for another?

Yes. Disable it in your phone's settings if you never want it, or disable it only in the infotainment menu of the car where you don't want it. If you disable it only in one car's system, it will still work in other cars you connect to.

Does uninstalling Android Auto remove it permanently?

If your phone came with Android Auto pre-installed, uninstalling it removes it from your device. You can reinstall it later from the Google Play Store if you want it back. If it's a pre-installed system app, you may only be able to disable it, not uninstall it completely.

What if my car keeps asking me to set up Android Auto even after I disabled it?

Your car's system is trying to activate it because it detects your phone. Forget your phone from your car's Bluetooth settings entirely, then re-pair it and deny permission when your car asks to use Android Auto. This tells your car not to offer it anymore.