Why Android Auto can interfere with the work of the smartphone Xiaomi
Android Auto on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices is automatically activated when connected to an automotive media system — and this is not always convenient. Many users experience the application running on its own, blocking notifications or even intercepting media control, despite the use of other applications (for example, Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps). Moreover, on some MIUI firmware (especially versions 12-14), Android Auto can consume up to 15-20% of the battery charge in the background due to constant synchronization with the car.
Complicating the problem is that Xiaomi’s standard settings don’t explicitly “Disable Android Auto Forever.” Developers Google and Xiaomi assume that the user will control the feature via the vehicle interface, but in practice this isn’t always possible – especially if you rent a car, use car sharing or just don’t want your smartphone to automatically connect to other people’s multimedia systems. In this article, we’ll look at all the available ways to disconnect, from basic to advanced (including ADB and hidden MIUI settings).
Method 1: Disconnecting through Android Auto Settings
The most obvious method is to deactivate the feature in the app itself, but many Xiaomi users don't know that Android Auto has two levels of settings: on the smartphone side and on the car side.
- Open the Android Auto app on your Xiaomi (if it’s not on the menu, check the Google folder or search for it).
- Go to Settings → Autostart.
- Turn off the option to automatically start Android Auto when you connect to your car.
- Return to the main menu and click on three dots (⋮) → Settings → Notifications, then deactivate all switches.
This method works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, but has a limitation: the application will still run in the background when connected to the car, just will not show the interface.
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If Android Auto is not in the app menu, check if it is disabled in the system settings: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Android Auto. There you can also reset cache and data if the application is not working correctly.
Method 2: Limit background activity through MIUI
MIUI allows you to flexibly manage background processes, and this can be used to lock Android Auto. Here's how to do it:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Android Auto in the list and tap it.
- Choose the Battery. → Background restriction.
- Set the limit on No Limits (paradoxically, this mode actually blocks background activity in MIUI).
- Go back and turn off AutoRun and Show notifications.
After these manipulations, Android Auto will not be able to start automatically, but it is important to consider that some versions of MIUI (for example, on the POCO F3 or Redmi Note 11) may reset these settings after the system update.
Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods do not help, you can use them. ADB-This method is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or enabled debugging. USB. On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) after performing these commands, Android Auto ceases to appear in the list of applications at all.
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode on your Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.projection.gearheadThis command removes Android Auto only for the current user, without affecting system files. To return the application, you just need to perform:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.projection.gearheadInstall Xiaomi drivers on PC
Enable debugging by USB on a smartphone
Download platform-tools from the official Google website
Connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP)
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⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (For example, the global versions for Xiaomi 12T) After completing this command, you may lose access to other Google services, such as Google Assistant or Google Play Services.
Method 4: Blocking through the developer settings
MIUI has hidden options to block automatic connections, which does not require ADB, but does not work on all devices:
- Activate Developer Mode (as in Method 3).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the option to Disable Automatic Definition USB-devices and turn it on.
- Also deactivate the USB data transfer (if enabled).
This will prevent the car's media system from automatically recognizing as compatible, but keep in mind that other devices may stop working after that. USB-accessories (e.g. accessories, OTG-accumulator).
What to do if Android Auto is still running?
Method 5: Use of third-party applications (root)
If your Xiaomi has root access, you can use apps like AppOps or Package Disabler to completely disable Android Auto.
- Open the app and find Android Auto in the list.
- Turn off permissions: 📱 Automatic launch 🔌 USB-connection 📶 Background data transmission
Save the changes and restart the device.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn't require you to delete system files, it just blocks critical resolutions, but without root, these applications can't make changes.
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On devices with an unlocked bootloader (such as POCO F1 or Xiaomi Mi A3), you can completely remove Android Auto via TWRP by finding and deleting the file /system/priv-app/ProjectionGearhead/ProjectionGearhead.apk. But this is risky - before deleting, make a backup of the system partition!
Comparison of methods of disabling Android Auto on Xiaomi
| Method | Difficulty | Required. root/ADB | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application settings | ⭐ | ❌ No. | Medium (background processes remain) | Low. |
| Restriction in MIUI | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | High (blocks auto-start) | Medium (may reset after the update) |
| ADB-team | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yeah (debugging by) USB) | Maximum (complete shutdown) | High (risk of failure of Google services) |
| Developer mode | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | Partial (blocks) USB-definition) | Low. |
| Third-party applications (root) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yeah) | Maximum | Critical (risk of system damage) |
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many Xiaomi users face typical problems when trying to disable Android Auto, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
- 🔄 Android Auto starts even after you turn off your settings. Reason: the app caches your car's settings. Solution: clear the cache and Android Auto data in Settings → Annexes.
- 🔌 The smartphone does not define the others. USB-Devices after AutoRun is blocked. Cause: File Transfer is disabled (MTP). Solution: Turn it on manually when connecting to a PC.
- 📱 After ADB-The reason for this is that the critical package has been removed. Solution: run the recovery command (see Method 3) or reinstall Google Play Services.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T or Redmi Note 12) after the system update, all Android Auto settings may reset. To avoid this, after the update, re-apply the selected method of disabling.