Set up your car's Assistant (2024)

With Assistant built into your car, you can navigate, make calls, control vehicle temperature, and play music without your phone. Learn which cars are compatible.

Important: Some cars don’t have a data plan built in that turns off access to online Assistant features. In some cars, you can get online Assistant services with a hotspot from your phone.

Learn how to use Assistant without a data plan.

Step 1: Set up your profile

On your car display home screen, follow the instructions.

Step 2: Sign in to your Google Account

Tap the car display home screen.
At the top right, tap your Profile picture or initial .
Tap Sign in to Google.
Sign in on your car display.

Optional: Turn on Allow personal results to allow Assistant to read or show results for you, like personalized destinations. Learn more about personal results.

Use Assistant commands in your car

You can ask Assistant to navigate, play music or radio, or call a friend.

Try these commands

Navigate

"Navigate to [address].”
“Navigate to Work."
"How’s the traffic to work?"
"What’s my next turn?"

Use car controls

“Set the temperature to 70 degrees.”
“Turn on my seat heater.”
“Turn on the front defroster.”

Play media

"Play some music."
“Play the news.”
“Resume my book.”
"Play [song name]."
“Play [radio] or [frequency].”
"Play the latest episode of [podcast name]."

Communicate

Step 1: Pair your mobile phone

To send text messages and make calls, connect your phone to your car’s Bluetooth.

Step 2: Allow Assistant to access notifications

To read your messages, turn on notifications for Assistant.

Tap the car display home screen.
Go to your apps.
Tap Settings Apps and Notifications.
Tap Special app access Notification access.
Turn on Google Assistant.

Step 3: Use voice commands

"Call Mom."
"Text Dad."
"Read my messages."

Tip: To have Assistant read a notification, you can also tap Play. Learn more about what you can ask Google Assistant.

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

Post to the help community Get answers from community members

FAQs

Set up your car's Assistant? ›

Many General Motors (GM) vehicles, as well as Honda, Volvo and Polestar, have added Google Built-in, the branded name for the technology. On the surface, that means the Google Play store and Google Maps, also the Google Voice Assistant, will all be available for those buyers.

Read On ›

How to set up Google Assistant in car? ›

Done.

Plug the car accessory into your car's socket.
Turn on your car. Make sure you find a blue animated light.
On your phone, open Bluetooth settings.
Pair your phone with your car accessory.
Swipe through the cards.
Tap Next.
If asked, tap AUX cable.
Connect your car and car accessory with the AUX cable.

More items...

Discover More Details ›

How do I set up my assistant device? ›

Get started

Plug in your Google Assistant device.
Get the latest version of the Google Home app and Google app: Go to Google Home app page, then tap Install or Update. If it shows "Installed," you already have the latest version. ...
On your phone or tablet, open the Google Home app .
Follow the on-screen steps.

How do I set up voice commands in my car? ›

Turn voice settings on or off

Tap the car display home screen.
Go to your apps.
Tap Settings Google. Google Assistant.
Turn on or off Say “Hey Google.”

See Details ›

How do I enable Google Assistant while driving? ›

Turn on or off Driving mode in Google Maps

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
Tap your profile picture or initial Settings Navigation settings. Google Assistant settings.
Turn on or off Driving mode.

Find Out More ›

Which cars have Google Assistant? ›

Tell Me More ›

Why doesn't Google Assistant work in the car? ›

The first things you must check are the permissions on your Android device (the permissions are carried over to Android Auto). Voice commands require microphone access, so if you restrict the use of the mic on Android, then Google Assistant can't hear what you say.

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How do I use Google voice in my car? ›

Google Assistant in your car

To get started, simply say “Hey Google” or long press the voice control button on your steering wheel in compatible cars.

Explore More ›

How do I activate Google Assistant? ›

Use your voice to open Google Assistant

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Assistant app .
Say “Assistant settings.”
Under “Popular settings,” tap Hey Google and Voice Match.
Turn on Hey Google. ...
To set up Voice Match, follow the prompts for Google Assistant to recognize when you say “Hey Google.”

Why is my handsfree not working in my car? ›

If your vehicle's software isn't up-to-date, it could lead to Bluetooth connectivity issues. Always ensure that your car's system software and your phone's operating system are updated to the latest versions. Compatibility issues – Not all phones and cars play nice together.

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How can I get my cell phone to work in my car? ›

Important: Make sure your car is in park (P) with the infotainment system turned on, and allow time to set up Android Auto before you start your drive. Plug a USB cable into your vehicle's USB port; and then plug the other end of the cable into your phone. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Android Auto.

Read The Full Story ›

How do I use Google Voice in my car? ›

Google Assistant in your car

To get started, simply say “Hey Google” or long press the voice control button on your steering wheel in compatible cars.

See Details ›

Why doesn t Google Assistant work in the car? ›

Get More Info Here ›

How do I connect Google Play to my car? ›

Connect your phone

Plug a USB cable into your vehicle's USB port; and then plug the other end of the cable into your phone. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Android Auto. (Your phone might ask you to update Android Auto before you continue.)

Can you connect Google to your car? ›

You can use the Google Assistant in any car that has a Bluetooth connection or AUX plug. Tip: Not all Google Assistant devices work the same. For device-specific instructions, contact your manufacturer.