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- Android Auto can cause your phone to overheat due to its intensive data usage.
- There are a few tricks you can use to keep your phone cool.
- Closing apps, running your car’s AC, and using a new cable can help.
Android Auto can be an incredibly useful tool, but it’s pretty taxing on your phone.
When your device is roaming, streaming music, charging, sending data, and more at the same time, it’s no surprise that it can start to heat up — especially if you live in a warm environment. I’ve seen overheat warnings on my phone a few times while using Android Auto, and it’s frustrating to have to disconnect or turn off your device when you need it most.
Also: I saw the future of Android Auto, and now Google has made me afraid of my own car
8 easy ways to keep your phone from overheating
Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to keep your phone cool while using Android Auto. This may be a simple fix, but it can have a big impact. Here is the best way to stop your phone from overheating.
1. Go wired instead of wireless
Phones tend to overheat when they are active, and switching to a wired connection can help. Android Auto in wireless mode always uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth together, and using a cable eliminates some work on your device.
2. Remove your guilt
Especially when using heavy apps like navigation and music at the same time, your phone could use a little breathing room. This might not make much of a difference if you have a normal case, but if you have a rugged or heavy case, it’s a good idea to take your phone out of its case for a long drive.
Also: Android Auto works faster and smoother now thanks to my 4 simple changes
3. Turn off your phone screen
Your phone’s screen uses a lot of energy, which makes your device run hot. If you’re using Android Auto, you probably don’t need your phone’s screen on top of your car’s screen, so turn off your phone’s display or at least dim its brightness.
4. Use your car’s AC
It’s a very low-tech fix, but if you keep seeing overheating issues with Android Auto, point one of your car’s ports towards your phone (as long as you’re using AC and not heat). Just as gaming PCs use CPU fans to keep the computer’s internals cool, airflow can make a big difference in your phone, too.
Also: 6 Android Auto apps I wish I had sooner, because they make all driving easier
If you’re experiencing overheating problems, you’ll likely see a quick temperature drop and performance improvement with a simple reorientation of the space. There is even the phone mounts that clip directly into the slotand many of them double as wireless chargers.
5. Use only quality cables
Cheap cables or cables worn from years of use can be the biggest cause of your phone overheating. Android Auto pushes a lot of data, and a bad cable can lead your phone to repeatedly connect and disconnect, draw more power than necessary, or be difficult to charge, all of which can cause heat.
Also: 10 useful cables and connectors I use every day
Make sure you have a high-quality cable that supports both fast data transfer and charging, and that it’s not unnecessarily long, which can cause electrical resistance. (The 3-foot option is best.)
6. Close unnecessary applications
Closing apps you don’t need can be incredibly effective at keeping your phone cool, especially on older devices. Your phone is already taxed while running Android Auto, so close any social media apps that might refresh. Apps that backup photos, messaging apps, and even shopping apps are common culprits, but if you want to be safe, reboot your phone before firing up Android Auto.
7. Download maps offline
Especially on long road trips or driving in an area with spot service, downloading a map can help protect your phone from overheating (you can find instructions here). Navigation apps consume a lot of data while in use, and offline maps can reduce some of that. As long as you’re connected, you’ll still get features like real-time traffic and accident reports.
Also: 4 Android Auto settings I always turn on for safe driving
8. Disable fast charging
Fast charging generates more heat for your device, and while your phone can usually handle it well, it can cause problems if it’s doing several other things at the same time. Without fast charging, your phone is still charging, at a slower speed that creates less heat. Repeated charging sessions in a hot car can be bad for your battery anyway, so even if you don’t see any overheating issues, it’s a good idea to use slow charging in the car. To disable fast charging, go to your settings and turn it off.
