For decades, we were accustomed to using a different interface for each car manufacturer we encountered. But in the mid-2010s, things changed as big brands brought their platforms to vehicles. Google was no exception. Android Auto lets you use any Android phone, including budget smartphones, to run a modern and user-friendly interface on almost any car’s infotainment system. Let’s go through Android Auto’s history and functionality, including how to set it up in compatible cars.
Android Auto is different from Android Automotive, which is an open source, full-featured operating system that powers some cars’ infotainment systems, like in the Polestar 2. In contrast, Android Auto requires a paired Android device connected to a compatible infotainment system to work, similar to other systems like Apple CarPlay.
History
Android Auto was announced during the 2014 Google I/O. About a year later, Hyundai’s 2015 Sonata was the first car to support it. The app has come a long way since then, with a significant redesign in 2019 and consistent updates afterward. Android Auto has gradually expanded to more countries and many new makes and models. It now works with almost every recent car and receives regular updates and new features.
How Android Auto works
Android Auto requires a constant connection between your car’s compatible infotainment system and your Android phone. The computing is done on your handset, which projects various apps and content on your car’s screen, making it easier to interact with your favorite software while driving using a dedicated, driver-friendly interface.
You can use your favorite apps for navigation, music, podcasts, and more through your car’s screen. Android Auto comes on top of your car’s existing infotainment system without replacing it, so you can use your car’s built-in navigation apps or switch to Android Auto whenever you want. And, of course, you can access your text messages and calls and choose to give quick, preset replies.
Sticking with Android Auto gives you access to the apps and media you’re used to on your phone (plus your saved settings). It also lets you tap into important Google features like Google Maps and Google Assistant for hands-free voice commands. These allow you to ask it to turn your lights off when you leave, start the washer when you’re on your way home, or open your garage door when you’re close to home. In addition to these fancy tasks, it can perform basic ones, such as telling you about the weather, setting timers, and sending messages without interfering with your driving.
Latest and greatest Android Auto features
Android Auto enables around 250 tools and Android apps for your car, with new features added all the time. Some of the important recent highlights include:
- An interface redesign makes apps easier to use on a wider variety of screens, with a split car display to share important information.
- Smarter Google Assistant features provide quick access to features you want when driving and timely updates, arrival times, missed calls, and more.
- WhatsApp compatibility.
- Limited Waze compatibility.
- Increased support for sharing digital car keys on Pixels, Samsung phones, and iPhones.
- Touchscreen progress bars for music and podcasts, so users can skip around or jump to a certain place with a touch.
- Support for YouTube videos.
With additions like these, you can see how it’s important to keep Android Auto updated to the latest version, so everything stays current (more on this below).
Is my car compatible with Android Auto?
We have an updated guide you can look at to figure out if your new car’s system supports Android Auto. If your car is a few years old or newer, there’s a good chance it will work. Or you can look at Google’s list of compatible vehicles. Google also has a list of compatible stereos, which is particularly important for anyone who has done aftermarket upgrades to their system.
If you’re worried about your phone supporting Android Auto, it’s probably not a concern. Any phone that runs Android 6.0 or newer can support Android Auto. However, newer phones with the most recent version of Android are more likely to support the latest features.
Wired vs. wireless Android Auto
Depending on your car, you may be able to use Android Auto wirelessly. This means you can leave your phone in your pocket, and it automatically connects to your car wirelessly, letting you use Android Auto on your car’s screen without a cable connection. While this method is convenient, keep in mind that it depletes your phone’s battery and needs more resources to run than using a good old cable.
You can also plug your phone in with a USB cable to enable Android Auto. This method is more widely compatible, as some manufacturers don’t yet support wireless Android Auto. More importantly, using a cable ensures your phone’s battery is charged while driving, so battery problems aren’t a concern and you can charge a low-battery phone while you commute.
How to use Android Auto
Now that you know what Android Auto is, let’s see how to use it.
Use Android Auto with a wired connection
The easiest way to connect your phone to your car is to use a USB cable.
- In your car, switch on the ignition. Keep the parking brake on and the shift lever on P (or on neutral if you drive a stick).
- Plug your phone into your car using a USB cable.
- Most systems automatically prompt you to launch Android Auto. If your car doesn’t, you may need to press an App or Android Auto button.
- When plugged in for the first time, you’ll have to accept a couple of prompts on your phone and the car’s screen.
- Android Auto automatically opens on your car’s screen when the initial setup is complete. Before driving, a couple of cards appear on your screen to show you how it works and what you can do with it.
- If your car is compatible with wireless Android Auto, tap your car’s App or Android Auto button and select your phone. The connection is established automatically, without the need for extra steps.
- To update Android Auto, search for the app in the Google Play Store on your phone, and select Update if available. Updates may happen automatically, but you can push them manually if needed.
Use Android Auto with a wireless connection
If you don’t have a cable handy, here’s how to wirelessly pair your phone with your car. This may not work with all compatible cars, especially older models.
- In your car, switch on the ignition. Keep the parking brake on and the shift lever on P (or on neutral if you drive a stick).
- Navigate to your phone’s settings and search for Android Auto.
- Tap the blue Connect a car button.
- You’re asked to plug your phone into the car with a USB cable. Ignore that prompt and tap Connect using wireless Android Auto.
- If you have a compatible model produced in or after 2021, you may be able to press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel to pair your phone. Since this option only works with a few models, it’s better to tap Connect using Bluetooth and select Pair a car.
- Pair your phone with your car’s Bluetooth connection, like you usually would if connecting a regular phone to your car. This means you may need to make your car’s infotainment system discoverable before pairing them. In most cases, you must confirm the pairing code on both systems.
- Once paired, your phone automatically launches the Android Auto setup process on your car, and Android Auto automatically launches on your car’s screen.
- Next time you’re in your car, tap your car’s App or Android Auto button and select your phone. The connection is established automatically, without the need for extra steps.
- To update Android Auto, search for the app in the Google Play Store on your phone, and select Update if available.
Next time you drive, you can use Android Auto to listen to music playlists or one of our favorite podcasts, get to your destination using Google Maps, Waze, and even Here WeGo, send messages using dictation, or have the Assistant read them out loud to you. Not only can you use built-in apps, but you can also download new ones and customize your experience to make it more enjoyable.
Make your car’s infotainment system smarter
Android Auto has significantly changed the user experience for most drivers and made it consistent, regardless of the car they drive. It brings an innovative and connected approach that’s modeled after the way we use our smartphones, making it easier to interact with your car’s infotainment system.
The platform isn’t perfect, but it continues to improve and has even addressed some shortcomings that drove us crazy. Plus, we did tests and found that it’s a better option than CarPlay.
