How to Stop Music From Automatically Playing in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are great ways to access navigation or music controls while driving. While both have features unique to their respective platforms, they both have one thing in common: they automatically start playing music in your car.

Once your iPhone or Android device connects to your car’s Bluetooth system, media will automatically play through the speakers. This is far from ideal. In fact, it’s borderline annoying. Don’t worry though, as you can disable this feature fairly easily. How to stop music from playing automatically in your car when connecting to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Why does the music start playing automatically in the car?

By default, both Google and Apple start playing music as soon as your phone connects to your car’s Bluetooth head unit. This is because your phone assumes you want to listen to music as soon as you start driving. However, this may not always be the case.

When driving with friends or family, music can be distracting. Or maybe you just want to hear a different track than the one you played last time. For these reasons, having Android Auto or Apple CarPlay play music automatically isn’t always ideal.

How to stop Apple CarPlay from playing music automatically

Unfortunately, if you have an iPhone, by default there is no switch or option to stop Apple Music from autoplaying. Instead, you’ll have to stick to a workaround that uses the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.

How to stop Apple Music from playing automatically when connected to CarPlay.

Step 1: Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. We will use this app to create automation.

Step 2: Navigate to the Automation tab. You can find it at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Select the Create Personal Automation button.

The New Automation menu will now appear.

Step 4: If you’re connecting your iPhone to your car via Bluetooth, scroll down and select Bluetooth.

If you connect your iPhone to your car with a cable, select CarPlay.

Step 5: If you selected the Bluetooth option, tap the Select button next to Device. Select your car’s Bluetooth name from the device list.

Then tap Done. Select Next to continue to the next step.

If you selected the CarPlay option, select Connects and then tap Next.

Step 7: Use the Add Action button to select the action you want to take.

Step 8: You will now see a list of available actions. Select media.

Step 9: Scroll all the way down to Playback and select the Play/Pause button.

Step 10: Tap on the created play/pause automation. Choose Pause here.

Step 11: Select Next in the top right corner to continue. Finally, tap Done to create the automation.

Voila! Connect your iPhone to your car and your music will not play automatically.

This is a one-time process, while a little time-consuming, you only have to do it once and then forget about it. Even if you select another device in step 5 Aside from your car stereo like your AirPods or a pair of headphones, you can prevent Apple Music from playing automatically when you plug in that particular device.

How to stop Android Auto from playing music automatically

Unlike iPhone, Android gives you a built-in option to prevent Android Auto from automatically playing music in your car. Here’s how to activate it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Navigate to the Connected Devices menu.

Step 2: Now select the Connection Settings option.

Step 3: Select Android Auto. Ideally, it should be the last option on the page.

Step 4: Scroll down and turn off the switch next to “Start music automatically.”

Much easier than what iPhone users have to do, right?

frequently asked Questions

Drive undisturbed

Once you stop auto-playing music in your car, you won’t be bothered by constantly playing music that annoys you. If you want some entertainment, launch the Music app manually or use the voice assistant to play your favorite tracks.