How do I change the car symbol on my Android Auto?

[OJames]

You can only change your in-navigation car icon for Android Auto within the Google Maps app on your phone, not in Android Auto settings. The icon you select (sedan, SUV, pickup) and its color will then sync and display on your car’s screen during active turn-by-turn navigation.

This feature is controlled by Google Maps because Android Auto mirrors your phone's active navigation session. When you start navigation with Google Maps via Android Auto, the system projects your phone's Maps interface onto the car display. Therefore, the vehicle icon is a property of that specific Google Maps session on your mobile device.

Here is the precise process to make the change:

1. Initiate on Your Phone: Ensure your phone is not actively connected to Android Auto for this setup. Open the Google Maps app directly on your Android phone.
2. Start a Navigation Session: Enter any destination and tap "Start" to begin simulated navigation. You do not need to be driving; this can be done while parked.
3. Access the Icon Menu: During active navigation, look for your current location indicator on the map. Tap the blue arrow or current vehicle icon.
4. Choose Vehicle Type: A selection menu will appear at the bottom. Swipe horizontally through the options, which typically include a sedan, SUV, pickup truck, and a default blue arrow.
5. Select a Color: After choosing a vehicle type, tap the color palette circle to select from several available colors for that vehicle.
6. Sync to Android Auto: Once selected, the change is saved to your Google account preferences. The next time you use Google Maps navigation through Android Auto, your chosen icon will appear on the car's display.

If your custom icon does not appear or disappears, a common fix is to revert to the default blue arrow in Google Maps on your phone. Industry observations suggest that custom icons can occasionally face display bugs after app updates. Changing back to the default and then re-selecting your preferred icon often resolves the sync issue.

This customization is a visual preference with no functional impact on navigation accuracy. It is widely available in global markets where Google Maps and Android Auto are supported, though the specific vehicle graphic designs may vary slightly over time as the app is updated.

[BriannaRose]

I just figured this out in my own car last week. You’ve got to do it on your phone in the Google Maps app before or during a drive. I tapped my location arrow once navigation was running, scrolled to the little pickup truck (since that’s what I drive), and picked a red color. The next time I used Android Auto, my icon was updated. It’s a simple personal touch that makes the screen feel more like mine. If it ever glitches and shows the default arrow again, I just repeat the steps on my phone—it usually sticks the second time.

[JulianaRose]

As a long-time user of both Android Auto and Google Maps, the process is straightforward but confined to one app. The key thing to understand is that Android Auto is essentially a projector for approved phone apps. The car icon is a Google Maps asset, not an Android Auto setting. This design means your preference is saved to your Google account. If you use the same account on a rental car with Android Auto, your chosen vehicle icon should appear there, too.

I appreciate this feature for its visual clarity. Choosing a distinct vehicle shape and color, like a green SUV, makes my own position marker instantly recognizable on the screen at a glance, which is safer than squinting at a generic blue arrow. It’s a small but thoughtful bit of customization that enhances the user experience without complicating the interface.

[LaEleanor]

Mine stopped showing the custom icon I’d set after a phone update. I was looking everywhere in the Android Auto menus on the car screen—nothing. Then I remembered it’s actually a Google Maps thing. I opened Maps on my phone, started a test route, and tapped the icon. Sure enough, it had reset to the default arrow. I just picked my SUV icon again, and it worked fine on my next real drive. The system isn’t perfect; the icon can sometimes reset after major app updates. The fix is always the same: go back into Google Maps on your phone and re-select it.

[SpencerLee]

Let’s clarify what this actually changes and what it doesn’t. This customization only affects the icon shown during active turn-by-turn navigation in Google Maps. It does not change the icon for other apps like Waze, and it doesn’t alter your home screen logo in Android Auto. The purpose is purely aesthetic, allowing you to match the on-screen representation to your actual vehicle for quicker visual reference.

From a practical standpoint, the steps are simple, but the location is non-intuitive because it’s buried in an active navigation session. For it to work seamlessly, ensure your phone’s Google Maps app is updated to the latest version. Older versions may not support the full range of vehicle types or colors. Also, note that if you frequently use incognito mode for Maps navigation, your icon preference may not save, as those sessions are designed not to store data to your account. This is a minor feature, but it highlights how Google ties certain personalizations to your account within its ecosystem rather than to the vehicle’s infotainment system itself.