The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission (100) comprising a single-stage planetary gear train (110) in combination with a two-stage planetary gear train (120), and provision being made for a brake band (B1) assigned to the large sun gear of the two-stage planetary gear train (110) and a brake coupling (B2) assigned to the planet carrier of the two-stage planetary gear train (120). In order to reduce idling vibrations, the brake band (B1) and the brake coupling (B2) are actuated simultaneously for at least some of the time during an operating state in which the internal combustion engine is idling.