Customize Android Auto Home Screen and Rearrange Apps

Updated 9 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

You can make the Android Auto home screen easier to use by choosing which compatible apps appear and changing their order. Set this up from the Android phone that connects to your car; the layout is managed in Android settings, not on the car’s dashboard.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone with Android Auto available in Settings. Menu names and locations can vary slightly by phone and Android version.
A car or head unit that supports Android Auto, plus a working USB cable if your connection is wired. You can change the app layout without being connected to the car.
The apps you want to use installed on your phone and compatible with Android Auto. Not every phone app can be shown on the car screen.
A parked vehicle for checking the finished layout. Do not handle your phone or change settings while driving.

Step-by-Step

Open Android Auto settings on your phone. Open the phone’s Settings app and search for “Android Auto.” On many devices, you can also go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Android Auto. The exact path depends on the phone. If Android Auto does not appear in the menu, use Settings search or check whether it is available as an app or system service on your device.
Find the app launcher settings. In Android Auto settings, look for Customize launcher, Customize the launcher, or a similarly named option. Tap it to see apps that Android Auto can display. This list is separate from your phone’s home screen: moving an icon here does not rearrange apps on the phone.
Choose which apps to show. Use the checkboxes or switches beside the listed apps to include or hide them in the Android Auto launcher. Leave enabled the navigation, communication, audio, or other compatible apps you want available in the car. Hiding an app here generally removes it from the car launcher; it does not uninstall the app from your phone.
Rearrange the app order. If the launcher screen provides drag handles, press and hold the handle beside an app, then drag it to the position you want. Some versions show a grid or list that can be reordered by dragging. Place frequently used apps near the top, where they are easier to find. If there are no handles, check whether the list is scrollable or whether editing is enabled; not every Android Auto version offers the same controls.
Use the displayed order, not alphabetical order, as your guide. The customization list is usually the best indication of the order Android Auto will use. Depending on the car display and Android Auto version, apps may appear in a grid, a list, or across more than one page. A small screen may show only some icons at once, so scroll or move through the launcher to see the rest.
Return to the car and reconnect. Close settings, then connect the phone to the car using the usual wired or wireless method. On the car display, open the Android Auto app launcher and check whether your selections and ordering have updated. If the old layout remains, disconnect and reconnect the phone; if needed, restart the phone and the car’s infotainment system while parked.
Make adjustments one change at a time. If an app is missing, return to Customize launcher and confirm that it is enabled. If a change is hard to verify, move one app or toggle one setting, reconnect, and check again. This makes it easier to identify whether the issue is the setting, the app, or the car display.

Common Mistakes

Looking for the setting on the car screen: App selection and ordering are generally changed from Android Auto settings on the phone. The car screen is for launching apps, not editing the phone’s launcher list.
Expecting every phone app to appear: Android Auto only shows apps that support its in-car interface. Installing an app does not guarantee it will be available in the launcher.
Confusing hiding with uninstalling: Turning off an app in launcher customization normally only hides it from Android Auto. It remains installed on the phone.
Assuming every version supports dragging: The available controls can differ. If the list has no drag handles or ordering controls, you may not be able to set a custom order in that version.
Testing while driving: Make changes and inspect the layout while parked. Do not try to troubleshoot or rearrange apps on the road.
Expecting an instant update: The car may need to reconnect before it displays the changed list. A cable connection can also be affected by a loose or charge-only cable.

Tips

Keep the launcher focused on apps you use in the car. A shorter list is easier to scan and reduces unnecessary choices.
Put your most-used compatible apps near the beginning of the order if your version supports reordering.
Check the layout on the actual car display: screen size, orientation, and the vehicle’s interface affect how many icons are visible at once.
Use voice controls where appropriate instead of searching for an app while driving. Set up and test voice features while parked.
After a phone or Android Auto update, revisit the launcher settings if the menu or app order looks different.

Troubleshooting

“Customize launcher” is missing: Search Settings for Android Auto and open its settings page. Menu locations vary by manufacturer. Confirm Android Auto is available and enabled on the phone, and install any available system or app updates through the phone’s normal update settings.
An app is not listed: Confirm it is installed, then open it once on the phone and check for an update. Some apps do not provide an Android Auto-compatible version or may not be supported in your region or configuration. You cannot add an unsupported app just by changing launcher settings.
An app is enabled but does not appear in the car: Check the launcher list again, then disconnect and reconnect Android Auto. If it remains missing, restart the phone and infotainment system while parked. Make sure the car is connected to the same phone whose settings you changed.
The order will not change: Look for a visible drag handle and press and hold it rather than tapping the app name. If no reorder control is available, your Android Auto version or device may not support manual ordering. Check again after updates, but do not assume the car’s own settings can override the phone’s app order.
Changes appear not to save: Return to the customization screen and see whether the toggles and order remain as set. If not, close and reopen Settings, then try again. Restarting the phone may clear a temporary settings issue. Avoid clearing app data unless you understand that doing so can reset preferences.
Android Auto will not connect: Resolve the connection first. For wired use, try a known data-capable cable and a different supported USB port; for wireless use, check that the phone and car are paired and their wireless connections are enabled. Follow the vehicle maker’s guidance for its infotainment system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rearrange Android Auto apps from the car display?
No. In general, you change app visibility and ordering from Android Auto settings on the connected phone. The car display shows the launcher.

Why can’t I see an app I installed?
Only compatible apps appear in the Android Auto launcher. Check for an update, but an app that does not support Android Auto cannot be added through launcher settings.

Does hiding an app remove it from my phone?
No. Hiding an app in launcher customization normally removes it only from the Android Auto app list; it does not uninstall it.

Can I add any app to Android Auto?
No. The app must support Android Auto. The launcher customization screen lets you show or hide listed compatible apps, not add arbitrary phone apps.

Why does my app order look different in the car?
The car may not have refreshed since the change, or its screen may display the launcher differently. Reconnect Android Auto and check the full list, including any additional pages.

Do I need to be connected to my car to change the layout?
Usually not. You can change the launcher settings on the phone in advance, then reconnect to check the result while the vehicle is parked.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.