If you already have the Coolwalk Android Auto interface Whether you're using Android Auto on your car's screen or about to activate it, you're probably wondering how to get the most out of it quickly and easily, without getting lost in menus. Coolwalk has completely changed the way we use Android Auto, with enhanced multitasking, a much more polished design, and a host of little tricks that, if you know them, make all the difference in your daily life.
In this guide you will find an explanation Very complete and practical with all the tricks, settings and configurations related to the Coolwalk interface of Android Auto: how to customize the screenHow to change the order of apps, how to activate hidden features (with and without root access), how to improve Google Maps, and even how to watch videos or digital terrestrial television on your car's console. All explained in Spanish (Spain), with clear examples and no unnecessary steps.
What exactly is the Coolwalk interface for Android Auto?
Google presented Coolwalk as the major redesign of the Android Auto interface After years with a virtually unchanged appearance, the idea was to modernize the experience, make it more similar to what Apple CarPlay offers, and above all, improve multitasking and driving comfort.
With Coolwalk you can run multiple applications simultaneously on the same screen On the car console: you'll usually see the navigation app taking up the largest part (on the left, near the driver), and other secondary cards for music, communication, or other content on the right.
Among the main new features of Coolwalk are several key functions that should be clear from the beginning: a much more polished multitasking experienceGoogle Maps is more prominent and visible, a redesigned multimedia card adapts to the context, smarter Assistant suggestions, and an overall more refined and practical look than the old interface.
How tiling works: multi-window vs full screen
The heart of Coolwalk is its system of tiled split screenInstead of seeing just one app taking up the entire screen, you can display several at the same time spread across cards.
When you only have one active application, for example Google Maps in navigationYou'll see the app in full screen on the infotainment system. As soon as you open another compatible app (Spotify, YouTube Music(WhatsApp, calls, etc.), Android Auto can arrange the screen to display a tile with two or even three zones.
To force that tiled view, you have to tap the mosaic icon that appears in the lower left corner of the interface. By doing so, the screen will display several cards at once, usually with the map on the left taking up most of the space and secondary apps (music, calls, or messages) on the right.
Once the mosaic is activated, the icon in the bottom left corner changes: you will no longer see a small mosaic, but a button with several little circles that take you directly to the applications menuFrom there you can open other compatible apps without leaving the current view.
If at any point you want to view a single app in full screen again, simply taps on that app's card in the mosaic. That window will automatically expand and fill the entire panel, leaving the rest in the background.
Something important you should know is that currently Android Auto Coolwalk does not allow manually modifying the exact size of each window or the tile layout.The system always prioritizes navigation (Google Maps or Waze), placing it in the largest area on the left, while entertainment apps are on the right and messaging notifications are shown in the upper right corner when they arrive.
Many users, including those who have thoroughly tested Coolwalk, prefer keep mosaic mode active almost alwaysThis is precisely because it allows you to see more information at a glance: route, song, messages, etc. However, in complicated situations (merging onto highways, confusing intersections, unclear motorway exits), it is common to return to full-screen navigation to see the map as large as possible.
How to put any app in full screen with Coolwalk
One of Coolwalk's current limitations is that, officially, Only some apps like Google Maps and Waze can truly be used in full screen without the interface insisting on splitting the screen.
If you want virtually any app to display in a larger size, there's a somewhat advanced trick: Change the video resolution in Android Auto You can use the developer options to force the system to stop using split-screen mode. This isn't a feature specifically designed for this purpose, but in practice, it makes everything appear larger, although some elements may look slightly disproportionate.
The general steps are these: open the app on your mobile device. android auto appScroll to the bottom of its settings and tap several times on the version numberDoing so will automatically activate Android Auto's developer mode.
Then, within those settings, tap the icon of three dots from the upper right corner Then go into “Developer settings”. There you will see a number of advanced options; the one you are interested in is “Video resolution”.
Within “Video Resolution” you can Reduce the output resolution until you find the point where the system stops using split-screen mode. and then it starts displaying the apps, filling the entire screen. There's no universal setting; it depends on the type of screen your car has, so you'll have to do it by trial and error: lower it one level, test it in the car, and so on.
If that method doesn't work for you or you want to go even further, there are third-party tools such as AA AIO Tweaker These solutions allow you to force different display modes, including full screen for more applications. However, they usually require... root access on the mobileThey can make the experience unstable and are not recommended for users without technical experience.
Change the wallpaper and basic appearance of Android Auto
Although Android Auto isn't a customization extravaganza like a mobile phone, it does allow you to adjust some aesthetic details so that the Coolwalk's interface should look more in line with your tastes.
One of the simplest visual adjustments is the wallpaper: on the car's screen, go to Settings > General > Select wallpaperThere you'll see several available backgrounds integrated by Google. Just choose the one you like best.
Some people prefer a completely black or very dark backgroundbecause it is less distracting, provides more contrast and makes it easier to read the interface elements, especially at night or with a lot of direct light on the screen.
In addition to the background, you can decide how the light/dark map modeBy default, Android Auto automatically switches to night mode when it's dark or you enter a tunnel, but you can force the maps to always use either dark or light mode in the settings. To do this, on your car's screen, go to Settings and select "Night/Day mode for maps," where you can choose your preferred mode.
Customize the application menu: order and cleanliness
The Android Auto screen is not a cluttered mess: the clearer and more organized the menu, You'll find what you need faster while driving and you'll be less distracted.
It's important to note that the Android Auto console simply It reflects the compatible apps you have installed on your mobile phone.That means if you want an app to appear in the car, it must first be installed on your smartphone.
To decide which apps are displayed and in what order, you need to go to the Android Auto app on your phone and look for the option “Customize application menu”There you will see a list of all compatible apps, along with a checkbox to the right of each one to show or hide it in the car's interface.
If you want to apply a philosophy of minimalism and practicalityThe best thing to do is to leave visible only the apps you actually use in the car (navigation, music, messaging, phone) and hide the others, so that the menu is much cleaner.
From that same section you can also change the order of the applications menuTo do this, go to "Order app menu" and choose between alphabetical or custom order. If you select custom, you can place the apps you use most often at the top so they're always within easy reach without having to scroll through the entire list.
How to activate the Coolwalk interface: betas, root, and hidden options
For quite some time, Coolwalk has been arriving in stages and, in many cases, limited to users of beta versions or those who dared to tweak internal settingsAlthough most users receive it officially today, it is still useful to know the alternative paths that have existed.
Access via official beta program
Google planned the Coolwalk launch for Android Auto gradually, first in the form of closed tests and then opening access to public testers through the Android Auto Beta program.
To participate in that program, one had to Sign up for the Android Auto Beta Program From the official Google website, you had to wait to be accepted as a tester. Once accepted, you simply had to update the Android Auto app from Google Play, restart your phone, connect it to the car, and let the system configure itself again, with the warning that, being a beta version, there might be bugs.
Force Coolwalk and other hidden features with root
Before Coolwalk became more widespread, many impatient users turned to third-party mods such as AA AIO Tweaker to activate options that were still hidden in Android Auto.
AA AIO Tweaker is an application designed to modify internal parameters of Android Auto, including the Manual activation of the Coolwalk designTo use it, it is mandatory to have a rooted mobile phone, as the app needs access to the system root to edit the Android Auto database.
The general procedure involved downloading the APK from its GitHub repository, installing it on the phone, granting root permissions upon opening it, and then locating the "Activate Coolwalk design" option. After tapping it and restarting the phone, connecting the phone to the car and accessing the Android Auto settings on the vehicle's screen should display the following: option to enable Coolwalk.
It is important to clarify that, although these types of tools are very powerful, They are not recommended for inexperienced usersThey can cause errors, instability, or even make Android Auto stop working correctly if sensitive parameters are touched.
Key Google Maps tricks with Android Auto Coolwalk
Avoid writing on the car's screen
One of the most common mistakes when using Maps in Android Auto is try entering addresses into the car's consoleThe keyboard is often slow, sometimes clunky, and above all, it forces you to pay too much attention to the screen.
The most sensible thing to do is, before connecting your mobile phone to the car, Open Google Maps on your phone and type in the address or destination.Once you connect your mobile phone and Android Auto starts, simply press "Start" on the vehicle's screen to begin your route.
If you decide to change your destination during the journey, the ideal thing to do is stop in a safe placePick up your phone, adjust the address in Google Maps, and relaunch navigation. This way you avoid inconvenient and dangerous searches on the go.
Swipe to see future maneuvers
On roads with many exits, complex intersections, or large roundabouts, it can be difficult to anticipate maneuvers using only the immediate indication displayed at the top of Maps. Luckily, there's a very useful trick: slide over the address speech bubble which appears at the top of the screen.
By making that gesture, Google Maps advances the directions and It shows you the upcoming maneuvers that will occur along the routeTurns, lane changes, highway exits, etc. You don't need to manually zoom or touch the map, just slide over the instruction card.
This feature is available in both Android Auto, just like in the mobile version of Google MapsTherefore, you can also use it before starting a trip to calmly visualize the entire route.
Combine Google Maps with other apps thanks to the mosaic feature.
Coolwalk shines especially when you combine Google Maps with other apps on the same screenFor example, you can have Maps as your main app in silent mode and, at the same time, use Waze or a radar app that alerts you to speed cameras or checkpoints in the background.
The trick is to properly configure the alerts in the secondary app (for example, Waze with active speed camera alerts) and then keep Google Maps as the visible app in the tile. Notifications from the second app will still be heard even though it's not occupying the main part of the screen.
Activate 3D view in large cities
In complex urban environments, with many buildings and labyrinthine streets, it can be easy to get lost using a flat map view. To improve orientation, Google Maps offers a 3D view of buildings and structures which helps to better identify reference points.
To activate it, open Google Maps on your mobile, tap the layers icon (the one with the three overlapping planes) and select the “3D View” option. From there, the main structures will appear elevated, and when you connect your phone to Android Auto, that configuration will also be reflected on the car's screen.
Improve navigation in tunnels with Bluetooth beacons
Long tunnels are the natural enemy of GPS: the signal is lost and directions can become outdated or frozen. To minimize this problem, Google Maps includes a specific option called “Bluetooth Tunnel Beacons”.
This feature is not usually enabled by default. To turn it on, you need to go to the settings on your phone. Google Maps navigation settings and look for the Bluetooth beacons option. Once activated and the necessary permissions granted, Maps will use these additional references to improve accuracy inside tunnels and prevent errors when emerging onto the surface.
Advanced tricks and powerful Android Auto settings
Beyond the Coolwalk interface itself, Android Auto hides a series of very useful options and tricks for advanced usersSome of them are especially interesting when you want further personalize your experience.
Finding and using Android Auto settings
Due to the changes that Google has been implementing, Not all users have the same direct access to the Android Auto app. in the app drawer. If you don't see it, you can easily access its settings from Google Play: search for Android Auto in the store and then open the settings.
If you're going to access it often, you can create a shortcut on your mobile's home screen for quick access. General settings, connected car settings, and personalization.
Enable developer mode
Just like Android on mobile, Android Auto has a developer mode which unlocks extra options. Many of the more advanced features (such as changing the resolution, taking screenshots, etc.) depend on this mode.
To activate it, go into Android Auto settings, scroll to the bottom to the "Version and permission information" section, tap once to display the information, and then Tap repeatedly on that area until a pop-up window appearsAccept and from that moment on you will be able to access “Developer settings” from the three-dot menu.
Taking screenshots of Android Auto
If you want to share how yours turned out Coolwalk settings, a strange error, or any screen detailYou can take screenshots directly from Android Auto without struggling with physical buttons.
Once you have enabled developer mode, go into those options and tap on “Share screenshot now”The system will generate the screenshot and allow you to send it via the app of your choice (you can send it to yourself by email or messaging, for example).
Restart Android Auto from scratch if something goes wrong
If Android Auto starts behaving strangely, disconnects for no reason, or doesn't work properly in Coolwalk, one of the best solutions is reset the app to its initial state, as if you had just installed it.
On your mobile device, go to Settings > Applications, search Android Auto Then go to the storage section. There you'll find the option to "Clear data" or something similar. This resets the app's settings, so you'll have to reconnect your phone to the car as if it were the first time, but in return, it usually fixes many problems.
Notifications, shortcuts, and practical customization
Coolwalk not only changes the way you see apps, it also allows you to interaction with messages, calls, and frequent actions be faster and safer.
Control which notifications you see while driving
Notifications can be quite distracting, so it's a good idea to check how they're displayed in Android Auto. You'll find several key options in the app's settings on your phone: “Show first line of conversations” (a small preview of the message), “Show conversations” (to see or not recent chats), “Show group conversations” and “Play conversation sound”.
By adjusting these options you can decide if you want to see only the bare minimum or if you prefer mute alerts and notifications while in progress to focus on driving.
Create shortcuts to Wizard commands
If you always ask Google Assistant to do the same thing (for example, to play a specific playlist or activate a home routine), you might get tired of repeating the command. Android Auto allows you to do this. Create shortcuts to Wizard actions in the apps menu.
In Android Auto settings, go to “Customize app menu” and tap on “Add shortcut to app menu”Select "Assistant Action," type the command you want to automate, name the button, and save. The next time you connect your phone to the car, you'll have an icon that executes that command with a single tap.
Add a direct button to call a contact
If you always call the same people (partner, family, work), it might be great for you to create Direct buttons to call them from Android Autowithout searching through lists.
The process is similar to that of Assistant shortcuts: in “Customize app menu”, tap “Add shortcut to app menu” and choose “Call a contact”Select the contact and a custom icon will be created that will appear on the car's console when Android Auto is connected.
Change video resolution and other technical options
Within the developer settings there are several options designed for those who want fine-tuning the behavior of Android Auto at a technical level.
One of the most relevant is the aforementioned “Video resolution”This feature allows you to recommend a specific resolution to apps (although not all of them will comply). Experimenting with this option can be helpful in some cars with screens that have unusual aspect ratios, scaling issues, or, as mentioned earlier, to try and force full-screen mode in certain situations.
Additional features: watch digital terrestrial television, YouTube, use web browser and mirror screen
Officially, Google severely limits what you can do in Android Auto for security reasons. But, if you're willing to use third-party apps, you can greatly expand the possibilities from the car's screen. However, it's important to keep in mind that many of these features are designed for use when the car is stationary.
Watch digital terrestrial television (DTT) on Android Auto
With the application IPcarTV, available through AA StoreIt is possible to watch digital terrestrial television (DTT) channels on your car's console. The general procedure is to download and install AA Store, grant it permissions, search for IPcarTV within the store, install it, open the app on your mobile device, and Add an M3U channel list (for example, one from TDTChannels). Then, by connecting your phone to the car and opening IPcarTV in Android Auto, you'll be able to access those channels.
Play YouTube videos
For YouTube, one of the most popular solutions is CarTubeAs before, it's installed using the AA Store: download CarTube, grant permissions, and once connected to the car, open it from the Android Auto app menu. Again, this is something you should only use when the car is parked, for obvious safety reasons.
A web browser in Android Auto
Although Android Auto does not include a web browser as standard, you can use WebViewAutoIt's installed from its APK file; you enable unknown sources in your Android Auto settings, and when you connect your phone to the car, it will appear as just another app. It allows you to browse the web from the car's screen, which is useful for quick searches while you're stopped.
Mirror your mobile screen
When an app isn't compatible with Android Auto, you always have the option of mirror your phone's screen on the consoleOne of the most popular solutions for this is Screen2Auto, also distributed through the AA Store. After installing it and granting permissions, you can open Screen2Auto when you connect to your car and see the same thing on the vehicle's screen as on your mobile phone.
Android Auto without a compatible car: Use a tablet as a screen
If your car doesn't natively support Android Auto, you can recycle a old tablet as improvised “main unit”For this purpose, there is an app called Headunit Reloaded, available on Google Play for a moderate price.
The process involves installing the app on the tablet, configuring it as if it were the car's unit, and connecting it to the mobile phone that will act as the Android Auto "source." Before purchasing the full version, it's advisable to try the trial version to ensure that Everything works fine with your tablet model and your mobile phone.
More useful tips and tricks with Android Auto and Coolwalk
In addition to all of the above, Android Auto hides a good handful of curious details that can make your life easier on long trips or in specific situations.
For example, through the Assistant you can Make your phone ring by saying "Where's my phone?" If you've lost it in the car. You can also dictate WhatsApp messages both as a reply to notifications and to start a conversation from scratch, either with voice commands or by pressing the new message button within the app in Android Auto.
When the car is parked or waiting for someone, the app is at your disposal. Gamesnackswhich includes several simple puzzle, arcade or 2048-type minigames, without ads or in-app purchases.
There are also specialized applications , the Gas station+These tools allow you to find the cheapest gas near your location and are compatible with Android Auto. And if you don't want Google Maps to show your saved places, or if you prefer a cleaner interface, you can activate the Incognito mode in Google Maps on your mobile device And, when connecting to the car, that mode will be respected.
Finally, if you need to go a step further and try features that Google hasn't fully released yet, tools like AA AIO Tweaker (with root) allow you to activate hidden options, modify internal settings and experiment, always with the risk of instability that this entails.
With all these tricks, tweaks, and combinations, the Coolwalk interface for Android Auto ceases to be just a "facelift" and becomes a genuine control panel adaptable to your driving styleFrom simple navigation and music to advanced features like 3D views, speed camera alerts, digital terrestrial television, YouTube, screen mirroring, and custom shortcuts, a little time spent configuring it can make every journey more comfortable, safer, and, why not, much more entertaining.
