Since its advent in 2015, Android Auto has been a major hit and it’s used by millions to mirror features from an Android device to a car’s compatible dashboard.
The primary motive behind the development of Android Auto was to encourage drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the steering wheel.
If you live in one of the 36 countries where Android Auto is available and wanted to grab some information about it then you have landed on the right article.
In this article, we have shared everything you need to know about Android Auto coupled with a list of few compatible cars and smartphones that support Android Auto.
What Is Android Auto?
According to Wikipedia, Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features from an Android device, such as a smartphone, to a car’s compatible in-dash information and entertainment head unit.
As you might know, Google’s Android Auto is not a standalone operating system. Rather, it’s an extension of a connected Android smartphone or tablet.
Earlier, Android Auto relied on a working USB connection in order to function properly. However, in November 2016 Google added the option to run Android Auto as a regular app on an Android device. Sadly, Google has now discontinued this feature in favor of Google Assistant’s drive mode.
Luckily, newer Android smartphones from manufacturers like Samsung now support wireless Android Auto connectivity.
You can use Android Auto for navigation, responding to texts, controlling music playback, and perform many more tasks.
In July 2019 Android Auto received its first major UI overhaul, which brought an app drawer to Android Auto for the first time. The card-based menu of Android Auto displays the weather, missed calls, text alerts, and in-progress music. Additionally, your phone’s signal strength and battery percentage appear in the top-right corner.
As mentioned earlier, the main goal of Android Auto is to keep drivers focus on the road rather than their smartphone.
How Does Android Auto Work?
Android Auto works by casting a Google Now-like interface onto your car’s infotainment display via USB. You can even consider Google’s Android Auto as a simplified version of Google Now.
It is worth noting that, Android Auto doesn’t mirror your phone’s complete display as that would still be quiet distracting.
Rather, it has its own easy-to-use interface with cards you can swipe, legible menus, and large icons.
Since Google Assistant is integrated with Android Auto you can command it to make calls, play music from several supported streaming services, send dictated messages, and lastly use Google Maps.
Android Auto relies on the processor of your phone to power your car’s infotainment display. Once the car’s dashboard screen is completely overtaken by the Android Auto interface your smartphone blacks out to avoid all sorts of distractions. Android Auto supports many mainstream maps, music, and message applications.
Anyone using Android 9 or lower, can easily download the Android Auto app from Google Play. However, starting with Android 10, Android Auto is built into the phone as a technology that enables your phone to connect to your car display.
As a result, you no longer have to install a separate app from the Play Store to use Android Auto with your car display.
How To Use Android Auto?
Using Android Auto is a fairly simple task. That said, the only two things you need to care about are whether or not your vehicle supports Android Auto and is your smartphone compatible with Android Auto. Once you verify these two things you can follow these simple steps to start using Android Auto in no time.
Do note that, in addition to using Android Auto with a USB cable you can even use it wirelessly. Based on your smartphone and car configuration you can follow the steps that best suit you.
Set Up Android Auto With USB Cable
- Firstly, download the Android Auto application on your smartphone and make sure that your phone has a fast network connection.
- Next up, open the Android Auto app on your smartphone and follow the on-screen instructions to give Android Auto permission to access your phone’s features and apps.
- Lastly, pair your phone and car via Bluetooth and USB. On your car display, select Android Auto and follow the instructions to get started.
Set Up Android Auto Wirelessly
Only a limited number of Google and Samsung flagship smartphones support Android Auto wirelessly.
- Firstly, ensure that wireless Android Auto is turned on in your car’s settings and your smartphone has a strong and fast cellular data connection.
- Next up, pair your phone and car via Bluetooth.
- Lastly, on your car display, select Android Auto and withing a few seconds wireless Android Auto will be set up.
We advise our readers to set up Android Auto while their car is in the parking mode.
Which Cars Are Compatible With Android Auto?
Luckily, Android Auto is compatible with cars from more than fifty vehicle manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Mahindra, Alfa Romeo, Toyota, and others.
If you have bought your car after 2016 chances are your car is definitely compatible with Android Auto.
Additionally, most mainstream vehicle manufacturers have made their cars compatible after sales with Android Auto via a software update.
It won’t be a good idea to list more than 400 vehicles in this article. Consequently, you can check whether or not your car is compatible with Android Auto from the official website of Android Auto Compatibility.
List Of Cars Compatible With Android Auto
What Android Phones Work With Android Auto?
A majority of Android smartphones running on Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher work with Android Auto via USB. You can easily check whether or not your smartphone is compatible with Android Auto by downloading it from the Google Play Store.
Sadly only a limited number of Google, Nexus, and Samsung Android smartphones are compatible with wireless Android Auto.
Here’s a list of some mainstream Android smartphones that are presently compatible with wireless Android Auto.
| Phone Make and Model | Android Version |
|---|---|
| Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL | Android 8.0 or higher |
| Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL | Android 10.0 or higher |
| Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ | Android 9.0 or higher |
| Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ | Android 9.0 or higher |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 or S10+ | Android 9.0 or higher |
| Samsung Note 8, Note 9 and Note 10 | Android 9.0 or higher |
| Other Samsung models | Android 10.0 or higher |
Additionally, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Nexus 5X & Nexus 6P also support a wireless connection in most countries.
Does Android Auto Work Over Bluetooth?
No Android Auto doesn’t work over Bluetooth. Well, there’s nowhere near enough bandwidth in Bluetooth to run Android Auto and communicate with the display. However, you can still use Bluetooth for streaming music and hands-free calling.
As mentioned earlier, the first time you connect your Android phone to a compatible Android Auto car, you are required to pair your phone and car via Bluetooth.
What To Do When Android Auto Is Not Working?
At times, due to poor internet speed, unreliable connectivity, poor quality USB cable, and many other reasons, Android Auto stops working.
Well, if you are facing connectivity issues with Android Auto then do try out these possible fixes.
Check Car & Smartphone Compatibility
Compatibility issues might be one of the primary reasons why Android Auto is not working for you. If you are setting up Android Auto for the first time then we advise you to check whether or not your car and smartphone are compatible with Android Auto.
If due to some reason you find that your car is incompatible with Android Auto you can swap your car’s infotainment system with an aftermarket unit.
Check Your USB Cable
Not all USB cables will work with all cars. Consequently, if both your smartphone and car are compatible with Android Auto then there might be some problem with your USB cable. In order to fix this issue, you can invest in a high-quality USB cable.
Check Your Car Or Receiver
At times simply restarting your car’s infotainment system might fix Android Auto problems. You can also check whether or not Android Auto is turned on in your vehicle.
Trouble Connecting To A Second Car
If you own two vehicles and find it difficult to pair your cars with Android Auto then follow these simple steps to fix the problem.
- Unplug your phone from the car.
- Open the Android Auto app on your phone.
- Select Menu ? Settings ? Connected cars.
- Uncheck the box next to the “Add new cars to Android Auto” setting.
- Try plugging your phone into the car again.
Best Android Auto Head Unit
If you own an old car or your newly purchased car doesn’t support Android Auto then there’s no need to worry as we have got you covered. Well, you can install a product in your vehicle named as Android Auto Head Unit.
An Android Auto Head Unit will upgrade your car and help you get features like hands-free calls, improved music playback, better GPS, and access to a wide range of apps.
Pioneer AVH-3300NEX 7″ Android Auto Head Unit
Pioneer is a well-known brand when it comes to car accessories and infotainment systems. The feature-rich Pioneer AVH-3300NEX a 7-inch touchscreen and it doubles up as a DVD and CD receiver. The internal AMP and DAC on this Android Auto head unit ensure that it produces good-quality sound.
Sony XAV-AX5000 Android Auto Head Unit
Another trustworthy Android Auto Head Unit on the list is Sony XAV-AX5000. The 7-inch display on this system is ideal for media consumption and in addition to Android Auto it also supports Apple’s Carplay.
Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX In-Dash Multimedia Receiver
If design aesthetics are on top of your priority list, then Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX might impress you. Similar to the other two systems on the list, this Android Auto head unit supports both Android Auto wired and wireless connectivity.
Android Auto Update: What’s New?
As you might know, Google updates the Android auto application on a regular basis. These updates are meant to resolve bugs, add new features, and to make newer Android smartphones compatible with Android Auto.
Some of the new noteworthy features that have been added to Android Auto are:
- Ability to turn off media notifications.
- Weather information in the status bar.
- Ability to hide/show apps in Android Auto.
- Bug fixes and other improvements.
Android Auto Bugs
Since it’s advent in 2015, Android Auto has encountered countless bugs. Some of the major bugs encountered by users are:
- unresponsive “Ok Google”, “hey google” command.
- errors activating voice-to-text.
- problems while responding to text messages.
- “The internet is unreliable at the moment” error message.
- This internet connection isn’t strong enough at the moment
- This internet connection isn’t stable at the moment
- “Internet connection is not stable” when sending + replying messages
- Upcoming turn notification bar disappears when switching screens
- Incoming text messages are read out in a different language
- Music does not resume after a phone call ends
- Notification banners hanging on screen
In addition to the above-mentioned problems, users have encountered numerous issues. Luckily, Google responds and fixes these problems quickly to make Android Auto usable.
Recently Google’s Android Auto team commented on to confirm that Google is aware of these issues and a fix is coming soon. Which means a new android auto update is on its way.
Android auto team has also acknowledged and mentioned a timeline of the issues that they have notified to the car/phone makers, which includes-
-
[Samsung]Â “Android Auto connection is poor” popup message
– The Samsung team has prepared a fix for affected phone models. (2/11/20) -
[Opel]Â Android Auto does not launch on 2016 Vauxhall / Opel cars
– The Opel team has investigated and prepared a fix. (11/28/19) -
[Nissan]Â Audio cutting out while listening to media on Nissan cars
– The Android Auto team has informed partners with the issue. (11/26/19) -
[Honda]Â Honda cars not able to use Google Maps
– Honda team has investigated and prepared a fix for affected cars. (11/18/19) -
[Nissan]Â Android Auto randomly crashing on Nissan cars
– The Android Auto team has informed partners with the issue. (10/23/19) - [OnePlus]Â Android Auto crashing on OnePlus phones
– OnePlus team is preparing a fix to address this issue. (8/21/19)
NOTE: It is advised to keep the android auto app updated as Google removes bugs and adds new features to the app on a regular basis. Additionally, always download the app from trusted sources like google play store.
Lastly, do not try to download the android auto apk file from untrusted sources as it may harm your device.
CONCLUSION
So this was all about Android Auto. Do share your thoughts and opinions on Android Auto in the comments section below.
