“Android Auto, like other mobile phone apps, accumulates files over time that can cause unexpected crashes.
There are two tips that usually come in handy when a device like a mobile phone causes us problems, and they are not very mysterious. The first is universal and consists of switching it off and on, and the second is also an old acquaintance: clear the cache. And although, in the case of Android Auto, what we are using is the vehicle’s screen, it is, nevertheless, an adaptation to the car of what we have on our mobile phone.
Personally, Android Auto is my favourite infotainment system, but there is one thing it still needs to improve: stability, because sometimes it crashes for no apparent reason. So whenever I encounter a problem, without plugging and unplugging the phone or other more drastic measures, my trick is to clear the Android Auto cache.
How to clear the Android Auto cache
As we mentioned in the introduction, the kernel of Android Auto is on our phone and it is actually an app, so to clear the cache we’ll have to go straight to the phone and search for the app.
To do this, go to “Settings” > “Apps” and scroll until you find it. Once you’ve found Android Auto, go inside and search for “Storage” .
Once you’re there, simply tap “Clear cache” and, once the process has started, reconnect your mobile phone to the car to check if the problem has been fixed.
It’s a good idea to clear the cache from time to time: here’s why
Is having files in the cache a bad thing? No, in fact the opposite: the usefulness of the cache is unquestionable, as it stores temporary files needed to improve the performance of the application and the user experience, amongst other things by ensuring faster processes.
The files are downloaded and cached automatically and are intended to speed up the loading and execution of functions and applications. This is so important because it saves data and battery power, facilitates the use of the processor and generally ensures a smoother running system.
However, sometimes too many files accumulate in the cache and, paradoxically, they can slow down the system. While clearing the cache is usually done to free up space (be careful, because if you’ve never cleared the cache of frequently used apps such as WhatsApp, you may find a generous cache of more than a gigabyte), that’s not usually the case with Android Auto. Google’s infotainment system is used to fix the occasional bug, such as an app not loading, an unexpected shutdown or even not updating. In short, when Android Auto doesn’t work properly.
Clearing the cache doesn’t mean losing previously entered apps, settings or personal information . It’s just that when you open Android Auto and start using it normally, the relevant files will be downloaded back into the cache, which may mean that things work a little slower than normal at first.
