Android Auto’s Quick Controls Feature Disappears for Users After Update
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – October 26, 2023 – A critical shortcut feature within Android Auto, known as Quick Controls, is currently malfunctioning for numerous users following an update to version 15.2. The feature, designed to provide rapid access to media and navigation controls without leaving full-screen apps like Google Maps, is either missing entirely or failing to function as intended, leaving drivers frustrated.
Quick Controls typically appears on the taskbar,replacing standard app shortcuts with widgets for streamlined control. Its absence forces users to navigate back into apps to adjust settings or change music, increasing potential driver distraction. The issue was first reported on september 27 by user Dolf Stars, who noted the controls were not appearing despite being enabled in the taskbar widget settings.
The problem appears widespread, impacting users across a variety of car models and Android phone brands. It’s being described as a glitch rather than an intentional redesign of the user interface.
Alongside the Quick Controls issue, users are also reporting a change in taskbar behavior. The taskbar is now consistently positioned on the left side of the screen when apps are in a vertical layout, whereas it previously shifted to the bottom in horizontal mode. The connection between these two issues remains unconfirmed.
A Google community specialist has acknowledged the problem and stated the team is actively investigating a solution. While a definitive timeline for a fix remains unknown, users have proposed temporary workarounds, including clearing the Android Auto app’s cache - a solution that has proven inconsistent.A more reliable, though less convenient, fix involves downgrading to a previous version of Android Auto and avoiding the 15.2 update.
It is indeed currently unclear if the rollout of Android Auto 15.2 has been paused while the issue is addressed.
