Android Auto is designed to prioritize audio, automatically lowering music volume when notifications, calls, or navigation alerts occur. This feature, known as audio ducking, ensures important sounds are heard clearly. Introduced in Android 8.0, it briefly reduces audio for SMS, social media, and Google Maps directions.

While usually temporary, Android 14 also includes hearing safety features that may lower volume after prolonged loud listening. To stop the ducking, users must disable app notifications, though this prevents alerts entirely. Major apps like Spotify and YouTube Music do not offer settings to override this behavior.