Android Auto makes it easier to stay connected and entertained while on the road. One of its standout features is the ability to seamlessly integrate various mobile apps, including VLC Media Player, into your car’s infotainment system. Whether you’re listening to your favorite playlist or streaming music, VLC on Android Auto makes it a simple and convenient way to control your media without taking your hands off the wheel. This article covers the steps to set up VLC on Android Auto in detail.
How to Add VLC Media Player on Android Auto
1. Before using VLC on Android Auto, you’ll need to ensure the app is installed on your Android phone. If you haven’t already, head to the Google Play Store and download VLC for Android.
2. Now that you have the VLC app, go to Settings on your Android Smartphone.
3. Scroll down or use the search icon to find Android Auto and select it.
4. In the Android Auto settings, look for an option called Customize Launcher. Tap it, and you will be presented with a list of applications compatible with Android Auto.
5. Now, find VLC in the list of available apps and select the checkbox. This will make VLC available to use whenever you connect the phone to your car’s Android Auto system.
By default, Android Auto arranges apps based on your usage, but you can customize the order of the apps that show up on the main screen. If you want VLC to be at the top for easy access, follow these steps:
- In the Customize launcher section on the phone, you’ll see small, dotted icons next to VLC.
- Tap and hold the dotted icon next to VLC, and drag it to the top of the list. This will make VLC appear on the first page of your Android Auto screen, making it easier to access during your drive.
How to Use VLC on Android Auto
1. Once your car is turned on and your phone is connected to Android Auto, the VLC app should automatically appear on the infotainment screen.
2. Tap the VLC app icon from the Android Auto home screen to launch it.
3. Once the app is open, you’ll find several key features that you can use to navigate and control your media while driving.
- Home – This takes you to the main screen of the VLC app, where you can navigate your music library and playlists.
- Playlists – Displays the songs you’ve queued up in your playlist, letting you quickly access your current selection.
- My Library – Shows all the songs stored locally on your device. This is where you’ll find your entire music collection.
- Streams – If you want to stream music from the internet, this section lets you enter M3U URLs and access online streams.
- Play – Tap to play or pause the music, making it easy to stop or resume playback with a single tap.
- Shuffle – Randomize the order of the songs in your playlist or library for a fresh listening experience.
- Forward – Skip to the next song in your playlist or library with just one tap.
- Backward – Go back to the previously played song if you want to repeat a track.
- Repeat – When activated, this will loop the current song, allowing you to listen to it as many times as you want.
One of the unique features of Android Auto is the ability to control your apps entirely hands-free using voice commands. Press the voice assistant button on your steering wheel. This button is usually marked with a microphone icon.
Once done, you can issue a variety of commands. Some examples are listed below.
- Hey Google, play [song name]
- Hey Google, play [album or movie name]
- Hey Google, play the next song
- Hey Google, increase the volume
- Hey Google, repeat this song
With these voice commands, you can easily control playback, volume, and track selection, all while keeping your hands on the wheel and your focus on the road.
How to Fix VLC Media Player Not Working on Android Auto
If VLC isn’t working properly on Android Auto, below are some simple troubleshooting steps you need to try.
- Make sure to install the app properly on your phone and enable it in the Android Auto settings.
- Confirm that your phone is running Android 6.0 or higher, as older versions may not support Android Auto.
- Sometimes, a simple restart of the phone and Android Auto can resolve minor app or connection issues. Also, ensure both the app and Android Auto are up-to-date.
- Try disconnecting and reconnecting the phone to the car’s Android Auto system via Bluetooth or USB.
FAQ
No. You don’t need to keep it open on your phone. It will run on your car’s infotainment screen.
Your phone should be running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher to use Android Auto and VLC.