How to Make and Answer Calls with Android Auto
Applies to
Android Auto, Android phones, phone calls, Bluetooth calling, wired Android Auto, wireless Android Auto, compatible cars, and compatible infotainment systems
Last updated
10 July 2026
Problem
You want to make and answer phone calls using Android Auto, but you are not sure how to call someone, answer safely, use the car microphone, or switch call audio through the car speakers.
Android Auto can handle calls through your car screen, steering wheel controls, Bluetooth connection, and Google Assistant voice commands, but it needs the correct permissions and pairing to work properly.
Solution
Connect your phone to Android Auto, make sure Bluetooth calling is enabled, then use the Phone app, steering wheel controls, or Google Assistant to make and answer calls safely through the car.
Step by step instructions
Connect your phone to Android Auto
Start your car and wait for the infotainment system to load.
Connect your Android phone using a USB cable or wireless Android Auto, depending on your car.
Unlock your phone if prompted.
Approve any permission requests for Android Auto, Phone, Contacts, Bluetooth, microphone, and notifications.
Once connected, Android Auto should appear on the car screen.
Check Bluetooth calling is enabled
Phone calls in Android Auto often rely on Bluetooth, even when Android Auto is connected by USB.
Open Settings on your Android phone.
Go to Bluetooth or Connected devices.
Find your car.
Tap the settings icon next to it.
Make sure Phone calls, Call audio, or similar options are enabled.
If call audio is disabled, calls may stay on your phone instead of using the car speakers and microphone.
Open the Phone app in Android Auto
On the Android Auto screen, open the app launcher.
Select Phone.
You may see options such as:
- Favourites
- Recent calls
- Contacts
- Dial pad
- Voicemail
The layout may vary depending on your phone, Android version, and car system.
Make a call from recent calls
Open the Phone app in Android Auto.
Choose Recent or Recents.
Select the person or number you want to call.
Confirm the call if prompted.
The call should start through the car speakers and microphone.
Make a call from contacts
Open the Phone app in Android Auto.
Select Contacts.
Choose the contact you want to call.
If the contact has more than one number, select the correct one.
Start the call.
If contacts do not appear, check that the car and Android Auto have permission to access contacts.
Use Google Assistant to make a call
Voice commands are usually the safest way to make calls while driving.
Tap the microphone button on the Android Auto screen or press the steering wheel voice button if supported.
Say a command such as:
- Call Mum
- Call John Smith
- Call work
- Call voicemail
- Call the nearest petrol station
- Redial
Google Assistant should confirm the contact or number before starting the call.
Answer an incoming call
When someone calls you, Android Auto should show the incoming call on the car screen.
You can usually answer by:
- Tapping Answer on the car screen
- Pressing the steering wheel answer button
- Using a voice prompt if supported
To decline the call, tap Decline or use the steering wheel hang up button if available.
End a call
To end a call, use one of the available call controls.
You can usually:
- Tap the end call button on the Android Auto screen
- Press the steering wheel hang up button
- Use the car’s call controls if supported
Wait until the call has ended before starting another call or switching audio sources.
Adjust call volume
Call volume is often separate from music or navigation volume.
Make or answer a call while parked.
Turn up the car volume while the call is active.
If you adjust the volume while music is playing, you may only change media volume.
For call problems, always adjust volume during the call itself.
Check microphone quality
If people cannot hear you clearly, test the car microphone.
Make a call while parked.
Ask the other person whether your voice sounds clear.
If they cannot hear you, check whether:
- The phone is connected for call audio
- The car microphone is blocked
- Bluetooth pairing is working properly
- Another Bluetooth device is taking the call
- The phone is too far from the car system for wireless connection
Switch call audio if needed
During a call, your phone may show an audio output button.
This may let you choose between:
- Phone
- Speaker
- Bluetooth
- Car name
- Android Auto
Choose your car or Bluetooth connection if the call is playing through the phone.
If this happens every time, remove and re-pair the phone with the car.
Use the dial pad carefully
Android Auto may include a dial pad for entering numbers.
Only use the dial pad while parked or when it is safe and legal.
For most calls, use contacts, recent calls, favourites, or voice commands instead of manually typing a number.
Check contact permissions
If contacts do not appear in Android Auto, check permissions.
Open Settings on your phone.
Go to Apps.
Check permissions for:
- Phone
- Contacts
- Android Auto
Allow contacts, phone, microphone, and nearby device permissions where needed.
Then reconnect Android Auto and check again.
Remove and re-pair Bluetooth if calls do not work
If calls are unreliable, remove the Bluetooth pairing from both sides.
On your phone, forget the car from Bluetooth settings.
On the car screen, delete the phone from connected devices.
Restart both the phone and car.
Pair them again.
Approve permissions for calls, contacts, messages, and notifications.
Then reconnect Android Auto and test a call while parked.
Optional methods or tools
- Use Google Assistant to call contacts without touching the screen
- Use steering wheel answer and hang up buttons where supported
- Use recent calls or favourites for regular contacts
- Remove and re-pair Bluetooth if calls route through the phone
- Check the car manual for call button and voice button behaviour
Best practices or tips
- Set up and test calling while parked
- Use voice commands instead of browsing contacts while driving
- Allow contact and phone permissions during setup
- Keep only current phones paired with the car
- Adjust call volume during an active call, not while music is playing
Android Auto makes hands-free calling easier by using your car screen, speakers, microphone, and steering wheel controls. Once Bluetooth calling and permissions are set correctly, you can make and answer calls without handling your phone directly.
For the safest experience, use Google Assistant voice commands, favourites, or recent calls instead of typing numbers while driving. If calls come through the phone instead of the car, the issue is usually Bluetooth call audio or permissions rather than Android Auto itself.
