Few things are more frustrating than asking your car to perform a simple task, only to be interrupted by a question you have answered countless times before. For Android Auto users, calling someone by voice can become an unexpectedly repetitive experience. Google now appears to be working on a solution that could make hands-free calling feel far more natural.
The issue is familiar to anyone who uses voice commands while driving. Saying “Call Robert” sounds straightforward enough, but if Robert has a mobile number, a work number and a home phone listed in your contacts, Android Auto may ask which one you want to call. Even if you always choose the same number, the system can repeat the question the next time you make the request.
Although this is hardly the biggest problem with Android Auto, it undermines one of the platform’s main promises: making everyday tasks easier without requiring drivers to look at or handle their phones.
According to findings reported by Android Authority, Google is developing a feature that would allow users to designate a preferred phone number for individual contacts. The functionality was spotted in Android Auto version 18.1.164344-release.daily, where code reportedly points to a new “Remember this choice” option.
If implemented as expected, the feature would allow drivers to select their preferred number during a call request and have Android Auto remember that decision for future calls. Instead of repeatedly asking whether to dial a mobile, home or work number, the system could automatically use the selected option until the user indicates otherwise.
The change could also benefit users who rely on Gemini for hands-free assistance. However, Google has not yet confirmed precisely how the feature will appear or whether it will work identically across Android Auto and Gemini. Details about its public release timeline also remain unknown.
The timing matters because voice assistants are becoming an increasingly important part of the driving experience. When someone is behind the wheel, even a minor interruption can feel unnecessary. A system that remembers preferences and responds predictably can help reduce distractions while making routine interactions less cumbersome.
Google may also be preparing visual improvements for Android Auto’s Phone app. Reported changes associated with the Material 3 Expressive design language could introduce larger, more prominent dial-pad buttons with rounded shapes, replacing the current minimalist appearance. Together, these adjustments could make the calling experience both easier to navigate and more intuitive.
Still, there is reason to temper expectations. The preferred-number feature has surfaced through an examination of app code, which does not guarantee that it will reach users in its current form. Android Auto updates can also introduce bugs, and a feature designed to simplify calling will need to work reliably before it can deliver its full benefit.
For now, drivers will have to wait for Google to confirm its plans. But the direction is encouraging. Android Auto does not necessarily need dramatic new features to become better; sometimes, remembering a simple preference is enough. If Google gets this right, a routine voice command could finally become as effortless as it was supposed to be.