The 14 best Android Auto apps to keep you safe and connected

Android Auto is one of many Google ventures that often doesn’t receive much attention, especially when compared with Apple CarPlay. So we’ve taken it upon ourselves to dig up the best Android Auto apps available.

What you’ll need to get on the road

Google has several different automotive platforms, and the names are similar enough to cause some confusion. Right now most cars support Android Auto, though Android Automotive is likely to become more popular in the coming years. Android Auto uses your car’s infotainment system to display mobile apps that make your commute easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Android Auto’s UI will be seond nature to Android users. Simply connect your Android device to your vehicle’s charging port with a sturdy USB cable and follow the directions on your car’s display. Once you have the system set up, you can answer phone calls, ask for turn-by-turn directions, and even listen to incoming messages using the shortcuts on your steering wheel.

Google Maps

There’s no denying that the top-used app for Android Auto is Google Maps, seeing that it’s installed across a billion devices. It’s one of the most accurate and efficient mapping apps that provides turn-by-turn directions no matter where you’re located. Simply press the voice search button on your steering wheel, say the name of a businss or address, and your car display will show all the relevant details. There’s no need for a subscription and it’s constantly updated to boot. So, Maps is the number-one go-to for Android Auto users with its gigantic installation base, thanks to its fantastic directions when driving that few competitors can beat. Plus, the map is reactive to lighting, meaning light and dark themes are offered and switch automatically, such as when you enter a tunnel. So for everyone using Android Auto, Maps is an obvious choice for in-car navigation. Waze is also great (which is why it’s also on the list), but Maps packs many more features, such as offline functionality

Facebook Messenger

Out of all the messaging apps, Facebook Messenger is easily one of the most popular options. You can create messages through voice commands and listen to them as they are read aloud. This ensures users remain hands-free while they drive, keeping their attention where it belongs, on the road. So if you’re a text messaging addict that spends tons of time chatting on Facebook Messenger, rest assured the Android app works great with Android Auto.

Scanner Radio – Police Scanner

Habitually listening to emergency service scanners at home might not be for everyone, but you know what, listening while driving can help to avoid accidents and the like. Unlike relying on users on Waze to report issues on the road, you can listen to your city’s emergency scanners to look out for issues clogging the roadways.

While listening to emergency scanners is beneficial for those who spend their days working on the road, even if you’re not on the hunt for delays directly from the source, listening to a local scanner while driving keeps you up to date with your city’s emergencies. That is, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Autovaras: Android car assistant

When it comes to Android Auto, you’d expect a plethora of auto-focused apps, and while the choices are sometimes slim, depending on what you’re looking for, Autovaras is a standout thanks to its expiry date tracking. Simply input the dates for things like your next vehicle inspection, when your insurance is due, or when your tags expire. You’ll always have a screen accessible to you that contains this much-needed info, so you won’t miss any important dates, jeopardizing your license.

Autovaras may be a simple release, but it sure is a helpful one, and you can pick up the install for free, as there are no fees attached to this app.

Spotify: Music and Podcasts

If you’re looking for a single app that can play both your favorite podcasts and your favorite songs, Spotify is easily a top choice. Its library is enormous, and even the fledgling podcast library is growing by leaps and bounds, with a few shows that can only be found on the service. While exclusivity is rarely good for consumers since it removes competition from the market, there’s something to be said about the ability to carry your music library with you wherever you go, especially since you can access that library just about anywhere. Pair this with Google’s voice commands, and now you’re jamming to some tunes hands-free while driving.

Plus, there’s no need to pay for the premium version of Spotify if you don’t mind a few ads in between songs and podcasts. All around, Spotify is a highly accessible streaming service, and it works great with Android Auto.

Telegram

There’s a boatload of messaging apps to choose from, and many work with Android Auto as well as Google Assistant. The one that consistently stands out is Telegram. Sending messages is fast, everything’s encrypted, all content is synced account-wide (so you can pick up where you left off when moving from PC to Android), there’s a native PC app (no need for a web app here), and you can delete your messages at any time. Plus, the app is constantly updated.

There’s a lot to like here, and since Telegram works well with Android Auto along with Google Assistant, you can go hands-free with ease while driving.

Audible: audiobooks and podcasts

This one is for all of you audiobook fanatics out there. Commuting is a great time to listen to an audiobook, and thanks to Audible’s Android Auto support, you can easily launch into an Audible audiobook directly from Android Auto’s UI.

Amazon owns Audible, so the audiobook selection is superb. Plus, the app offers podcasts, too (a worry for some since conglomerates buying up shows will result in them controlling what used to be an open market).You can even purchase audiobooks packed with your e-books on the Amazon store, which is a great way to save on Kindle and Audible purchases. Best of all, Audible offers convenient features that make it easy to pick up where you left off as well as replay something you missed while distracted. It’s a great choice for on-the-go listening.

Waze – GPS, Maps, Traffic Alerts & Live Navigation

Waze is an excellent navigation app in its own right and is still in active development. It works through crowdsourcing, and anyone can report accidents or other delays on the road so that the rest of us can see minute-to-minute information. That allows drivers to choose efficient routes. It’s brilliant, which is why Google bought the service.

But despite a lack of offline support, Waze still offers accurate real-time traffic, thanks to the work of its users. Plus, Waze integrates well with Android Auto, and you can even launch apps from within. Waze is an excellent travel companion.

Pocket Casts

Several streaming services offer podcast support, like Spotify and Audible, but if you’re looking for a dedicated podcast app, Pocket Casts is a mainstay dating from 2011. It’s an oldie but a goodie still going strong despite bad luck with its owners, where the company has been sold several times. Thanks to an intuitive UI and queuing feature that makes it easy to set up a list to listen to podcasts, Pocket Casts is perfect for long drives while keeping your hands free.

The app plugs into Android Auto just fine, as well as Assistant, ensuring your hands remain free even if you wish to change what you previously set up. So if you’re a podcast addict who requires control over your entire library for your commutes, Pocket Casts is a great place to start.

TomTom GO Navigation

TomTom has been in the satellite navigation game since 2004, so it would make sense that the company offers a handful of apps on Android, and TomTom GO Navigation is the big boy of the group. You can trial this navigation software for 30 days, fully featured, and if you like what you see, you can subscribe monthly for $5, go with six months for $16, or grab a year’s worth of directions for $25.

Offline maps are supported, along with lane guidance, real-time traffic alerts, and turn-by-turn navigation. There’s also a free option available that goes by the name TomTom AmiGO. Still, if you’re looking for TomTom’s full navigation feature set, TomTom GO Navigation is definitely the version you should try if you require robust map software that works offline.

Poweramp Music Player

There are tons of music streaming apps, but local music players are something of a rarer breed, especially the good ones. At the top of that list is Poweramp. It’s offered Android Auto support since 2019, and it’s a favorite, thanks to its clear design and awesome EQ. It also plays just about any format you throw at it, including FLACs, which makes it an excellent player for audiophiles with killer sound systems.

You won’t have to worry about compression degrading your favorite tunes, ensuring you get the best experience possible for your FLAC collection with an excellent 10+ band graphical equalizer built-in. You can try the full app for free for 15 days, and if you like what you see, there’s a full version unlock on the Google Play Store for $5.49.

TuneIn Radio

Okay, this is going to sound like a wild idea, but have you considered playing the radio through Android Auto? TuneIn Radio is an all-in-one radio app, and it offers over 100,000 radio stations from across AM, FM, and the internet. This includes news stations, as well as popular podcasts and live sports.

The app offers Android Auto support, and with all these stations available, you can listen to the radio while driving. The selection of stations is exponentially better than what’s built into most car radios, so it’s not such a crazy idea if you enjoy cruising music from around the world as you drive.

Podcast Addict: Podcast player

There’s no shortage of podcast players on the Play Store, but if you’re looking for something that works great with Android Auto and is also customizable, Podcast Addict is an excellent choice. You get an AA-specific UI for easy navigation, and you can customize the placement of the screen’s buttons to ensure they are where you need them to be to better build your muscle memory to keep your eye on the road. You also get access to tons of popular podcasts, though the app contains ads, which can be removed through a subscription.

Player for Rainwave

If you’re looking for something a little different when listening to the radio while driving, perhaps Player for Rainwave is just the ticket. This audio streaming app is centered around video game music, with Android Auto support built-in. It’s a free service backed by user contributions, so it doesn’t offer the support like the more prominent players in the streaming game. However, updates are abundant, and issues are squashed quickly.

An entire app dedicated to video game music might not appeal to everyone. Still, for those who enjoy chiptunes, especially while on the go, Player for Rainwave is an excellent indie release that fills this niche admirably. Best of all, you can rate songs and favorite the finest tunes, customizing your experience so that you can hit the road, no muss, no fuss.

Stay entertained and connected no matter where you’re heaed

This marks the end of today’s Android Auto app roundup. Hopefully, you found some useful apps to use in your car, whether you require the traffic reports in Waze or prefer to listen to a few tunes through Spotify or the built-in player that recently received some streamlining. So until the next update, enjoy the apps, and drive safe!

UPDATE: 2022/16/00 05:00 EST BY Steven Winkelman

This post has been updated to improve user experience and provide a brief overview of Android Auto and the setup process