Are you tired of Android Auto automatically loading podcasts into your car's multimedia interface? Or is it annoying that apps like Google Podcasts, Spotify or Yandex Music take up space on your home screen even though you don't use them? You can disable podcasts in Android Auto right through your phone - without complicated manipulations with the machine settings or flashing the head unit.

The problem is that the system by default considers podcasts part of multimedia content, along with music and audiobooks. Even if you've never listened to podcasts, Android Auto can show them in recommendations or the main menu. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods - from basic phone settings to hidden parameters Android Autothat not everyone knows.

Important: some methods require root access or ADB-commands, but we will start with the simplest solutions that work on any smartphone. If you use Android 12+, part of the interface may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

Why podcasts appear in Android Auto and how it works

The system Android Auto automatically scans applications installed on the phone and determines which of them can broadcast audio content. This category includes:

  • 🎵 Music services (YouTube Music, Apple Music, VK Music)
  • 🎙️ Podcast players (Google Podcasts, Castbox, Pocket Casts)
  • 📚 Audiobooks (Audible, LitRes)
  • 📻 Radio (TuneIn Radio, Radio of Russia)

If at least one application from the "podcasts" category is installed on your phone, Android Auto will add the corresponding section to the interface. However, the system does not check whether you actually use it. For example, Google Podcasts is pre-installed on many smartphones with Android, and even if you never opened it, it will appear in the car.

In addition, some applications (for example, Spotify or Yandex Music) have built-in support for podcasts. Even if you only listen to music, the system can show the podcast section due to the integration.

📊 Which application shows podcasts in your Android Auto?
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Yandex Music
Other
I don’t know

Method 1: Disabling synchronization of podcast applications in Android Auto settings

The easiest method is to block access Android Auto to podcast applications through the settings phone. This will not remove the apps, but will hide them from the machine interface.

Instructions:

  1. Open the application on your phone Android Auto (without connecting it to the machine).
  2. Tap on the three-dot menu (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
  3. Go to section Applications or Media (the name depends on the version).
  4. Find applications related to podcasts in the list (for example, Google Podcasts, Spotify), and disable the slider next to them.
  5. Save the changes and restart Android Auto.

After this, the podcasts will disappear from the car menu. If the application does not appear in the list, it means that it is not recognized as multimedia - try other methods.

☑️ Preparing to disable podcasts

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Removing or disabling podcast applications on your phone

If you do not use podcasts, it is logical to get rid of the applications that play them. This will not only hide the partition in Android Auto, but will also free up space on the phone.

How to delete:

  • 📱 For standard applications (for example, Google Podcasts): go to Settings → Applications → Google Podcasts → Delete (or Disableif deletion is not available).
  • 🎧 For third-party players (Spotify, Castbox): find the application in the phone menu, hold the icon and select Delete.
  • 🔄 If the application cannot be deleted (for example, on branded firmware Samsung or Xiaomi), disable it in the settings and clear the cache.

After deleting, restart Android AutoIf podcasts are still displayed, clear the cache yourself. Android Auto:

Settings → Applications → Android Auto → Storage → Clear cache
💡

On some smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy), pre-installed applications can be hidden using the Laboratory v Android Automode. To do this, triple-tap on the application version in the settings to activate hidden options.

Method 3: Setting up podcast source applications (Spotify, Yandex Music, etc.)

Some multimedia services (for example, Spotify or Yandex Music) show podcasts in Android Auto, even if you do not use them. This happens due to the integrated podcast function. The solution is to disable them directly in the application settings.

For Spotify:

  1. Open Spotify on your phone.
  2. Go to Settings → Playback.
  3. Find the section Podcasts and disable option Show podcasts.
  4. Also check the section Auto-play and remove podcasts from recommendations.

For Yandex Music:

  1. Launch the application and go to Profile → Settings.
  2. Select Podcasts and disable option Show in recommendations.
  3. Clear your podcast listening history (if any).

After changes, restart Android AutoIf podcasts are still displayed, try log out of your account in the application and log in again - this will reset personal recommendations.

What should I do if podcasts return after updating?

Some applications (for example, Google Podcasts) may be activated again after updates. To avoid this, disable auto-update for them in Google Play → Settings → Auto-update applications and select Never.

Method 4: Using ADB commands for deep configuration (for advanced)

If standard methods do not help, you can use ADBcommands to forcefully disable podcasts in Android AutoThis method requires connecting your phone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with ADB.

Instructions:

  1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from the site Android Developers).
  2. Enable USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For Developers → USB Debugging).
  3. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell pm hide com.google.android.projection.gearhead
    (This command hides Android Auto from the system, but may disrupt other functions.)
  4. To disable podcasts specifically, use: 
    adb shell settings put global aa_media_apps_blacklist "com.google.android.apps.podcasts,com.spotify.music"
    (Replace the package names with the current ones for your applications.)

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB can lead to malfunctions Android Auto. Please back up your data before running commands. If after the changes the system stops working, reset the settings Android Auto through the phone menu.

Application Package name for ADB Action
Google Podcasts com.google.android.apps.podcasts Disables the standard podcast application
Spotify com.spotify.music Hides podcasts in Spotify (the music will remain)
Yandex Music ru.yandex.music Disables podcasts in recommendations
Castbox fm.castbox.audiobook.radio.podcast Completely hides the application from Android Auto

Method 5: Reset Android Auto settings to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, the last option is to reset settings Android Auto to factory settings. This will delete all personal data, including saved addresses, favorite contacts and media settings, but will also clear the cache and reset unnecessary integrations.

How to reset:

  1. Open Android Auto on your phone.
  2. Go in Settings → About → Reset settings (or Reset data).
  3. Confirm the action.
  4. Restart the application and perform the initial setting without connecting podcast applications.

After the reset Android Auto it will be the same as after the first installation. Connect only those applications that you really need (for example, Google Maps and YouTube Music), and skip the adding step. podcasts.

💡

Resetting settings is the most reliable way to remove podcasts, but it also deletes all saved data in Android Auto. Use it if other methods have not helped.

What to do if podcasts still appear

If after all the manipulations podcasts continue to appear in Android Auto, the problem may be in:

  • 🔄 Car head unit cache —try resetting the multimedia settings in the car (instructions depend on the model).
  • 📱 Android Auto Update —some versions have bugs with displaying content. Check for updates in Google Play.
  • 🤖 Phone firmware —on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) there may be conflicts with Android Auto.

It is also worth checking whether it adds data-i="223">podcasts in recommendations. To do this: Google Assistant podcasts in recommendations. To do this:

  1. Open Google (search application).
  2. Go to More → Settings → Google Assistant → Music and Audio.
  3. Remove all podcast services from the list.

If the problem persists, contact support Android Auto via the official website or forums (for example, XDA DevelopersAttach screenshots of the settings and indicate the model). phone and software version.

💡

On some cars (for example, Toyota or Hyundai with proprietary firmware), Android Auto can ignore the phone settings. In this case, only updating the head unit software in a service center will help.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about disabling podcasts in Android. Auto

Is it possible to disable podcasts for only one profile in Android Auto?

No, the settings Android Auto apply to all phone profiles. If you use multiple accounts Google, podcasts will be displayed the same for all. To hide them, you need to disable applications at the system level. (see Method 2).

Why do podcasts appear again after updating Android Auto?

Updates often reset user settings, especially when it comes to system applications (for example, Google Podcasts). To avoid this, disable auto-update for Android Auto in Google Play or use ADBcommands to block unnecessary packets (see Method 4).

Will Spotify work without podcasts in Android Auto?

Yes, disabling podcasts in Spotify does not affect music playback. You will still be able to listen to playlists and albums, but the "Podcasts" section will disappear from the interface. If the music is also missing, check the synchronization settings in itself. Spotify.

How to remove podcasts on Android Auto in cars with wireless. connection?

Disconnection methods are the same for wired and wireless Android Auto. The only difference is that after changing the settings you may need reconnect the phone to the car (forget the device in Bluetooth and connect again).

Is it possible to return podcasts back if you suddenly need them?

Yes, all changes are reversible. To return podcasts:

  1. Enable application synchronization back in Android Auto (see Method 1).
  2. Install or update podcast apps on your phone.
  3. Restart Android Auto.

If you used ADBrun the command with an empty block list: 

adb shell settings put global aa_media_apps_blacklist ""