Android Auto is one of the easiest ways to make your car smarter, but you might not realize the platform offers customization options to make it your own. Whether it's the system's appearance, changes to how it operates, or the notifications it sends, you can fine-tune Android Auto to your specific needs in several ways, making it even more useful.

Also: 6 Android Auto apps I wish I found sooner, because they make every drive easier

Here's a look at seven ways you can customize Android Auto. Some of these options are in your phone's settings app, some are in the Android Auto app settings, and some are hidden behind developer mode, but they're all easy to find and only take a minute to change.

Tired of seeing apps you never use in Android Auto? You can delete ones you don't want and prioritize the ones you do, so you don't have to scroll every time to find them.

Head to Settings, search for Android Auto, and look for Customize Launcher. You'll have the option to check or uncheck the apps you want to appear, or set a custom order rather than alphabetical order.

I generally like dark mode on all my phone apps, and it's the first option I look for when I download a new tool. Usually, Android Auto sets to day or night mode depending on the time of day, ambient lighting in your car, or even your headlights.