Android Auto allows owners to connect and use their Android smartphones while driving. Here we introduce some of its best features.
Like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto is a service for connecting mobile phones to cars and allowing drivers to use their mobile phones through the car's infotainment system.
What is Android Auto?
Android Auto is a system that allows your car’s infotainment screen to display content from your mobile phone. The system is similar in most respects to Apple CarPlay, in that it allows drivers to use common features from their mobile phone, including making calls, listening to music and using navigation software, from the car’s screen.
Users connect their phone to the car using a USB cable and can control Android Auto’s functions through steering wheel controls, touchscreen interfaces or through knob and rotary controls.
Like other services, Android Auto also includes voice activation and recognition, allowing drivers to speak commands or dictate messages.
Functions of Android Auto include Google Maps (which acts as a free navigation and traffic information service), Google Play music player and traditional phone and messaging applications.
Android Auto also includes third-party application support, with the list of currently supported apps including Spotify, Stitcher, Skype and TuneIn Radio.
The service doesn’t work globally and is restricted to the UK, the US, New Zealand, Mexico, Italy, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Canada and Australia.
Which cars support Android Auto?
Android Auto is available on models from 40 different car makers, including Audi, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Suzuki, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Examples of models with Android Auto compatibility include the Audi Q7, Hyundai i40, Volkswagen Golf and Volvo XC90.
Globally, there are far more Android phones than there are Apple iPhones, so it’s no surprise to see so many car manufacturers signing up to offer the service. Expect the number of manufacturers involved, and the number of cars offering Android Auto, to increase dramatically in the coming years.
Can I add Android Auto to an older car?
Yes. You can add Android Auto to an older car that doesn’t have its own infotainment screen by purchasing an aftermarket head unit display. Kenwood and Pioneer both currently produce head units that are compatible with Android Auto. Average prices for head units are around £300.
Will my phone support Android Auto?
Android Auto works on any mobile phone running Android software, and particularly version 5.0 (Lollipop) of the software or later.
There is a vast array of mobile phones running Android software, with the likes of Samsung, Sony, HTC and LG all producing Android handsets.
Are there any alternatives?
If you have an iPhone rather than an Android phone, you can use Apple CarPlay instead. Apple CarPlay offers many of the same features as Android Auto and is available on a similarly vast range of vehicles. Read our full introduction to Apple CarPlay here.
Other services include MirrorLink, which is available for both Android phones and offers some basic functionality. Microsoft’s Sync service also works with both Android and iOS devices.
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