Distracted driving is likely one of the most harmful issues you are able to do whereas behind the wheel. It places you and everybody else on the highway in danger, and whereas it ought to go with out saying, it’s clearly one thing we do not condone.That mentioned, there are occasions when you might want to keep related, even when in your automotive. Whether you are following turn-by-turn navigation, making a hands-free telephone name, or controlling your music on a protracted highway journey, doing all of it together with your gadget is a should.That’s why Google created Android Auto within the first place — software program that is accessible in your telephone to present you a method to do the entire issues talked about above in your automotive as safely as attainable. Android Auto: AvailabilityAndroid Auto launched in March 2015 as a particular Android interface designed to be used in your automotive. Google eliminated the power to run Android Auto straight in your telephone’s show, so you’ll need to both run it on a supported automotive’s infotainment system or have a suitable aftermarket head unit put in.So lengthy as you have got an Android telephone working model 8.0 or later, you simply want the Android Auto app to get issues began. If your telephone is working Android 10 or later, Android Auto is already constructed proper into your telephone and does not have to be downloaded.Android Auto: How it really works(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)Android Auto is a projection platform in that it runs out of your telephone to show on a suitable infotainment head unit display. That means, Google can replace the platform by way of the Android Auto app, whereas builders can do the identical with their apps after they run on the platform.Five core capabilities make up Android Auto: turn-by-turn navigation, telephone name assist, audio playback, messaging, and voice help. They are, by far, the handful of options you are most definitely going to make use of whilst you drive, and make up the lion’s share of the third-party apps you’d have the ability to entry. That being mentioned, the Google Play Store does not run on Android Auto, so you do not flick through apps and obtain out of your automotive’s display. You do it out of your telephone — mainly, if the app is in your telephone and it really works with Android Auto, it ought to seem onscreen.(Image credit score: Android Central)When every part is in place, working Android Auto is fairly easy. When you first hook up with the automotive’s infotainment system or head unit, prompts often seem on each the telephone and head unit screens indicating a profitable connection. It’s a extra seamless connection now, be it wired or wi-fi, however with older Android telephones working something earlier than Android 10, you might have to open the Android app in your telephone first, then plug in a USB cable to your automobile’s predominant USB port to start out Android Auto in your automotive’s show.That’s not at all times mandatory on newer autos, together with head items from JVC, Kentwood, and Pioneer, that are all more and more supporting wi-fi connectivity. Still, if that is not an possibility, you may at all times plug in by way of a wired setup.Android Auto: Going the wi-fi route(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)Fear not in the event you’re driving a automobile that does not provide wi-fi Android Auto as a result of you have got methods to allow it utilizing a dongle or adapter to bridge the connection. Plug within the dongle or adapter to your automobile’s USB port, set it up, and your telephone connects to the dongle/adapter wirelessly, negating the necessity to plug it in straight. These sorts of units are rising in quantity, a few of that are value paying for due to how dependable they are often. Just a few of the standouts embody the AAWireless, Motorola MA1, and Ottocast U2-X. If your automotive does not have Android Auto in any respect, you may convey it in completely with one thing utilizing its personal built-in show, just like the Car and Driver Intellidash, in lieu of putting in an aftermarket head unit.Android Auto: Using the apps(Image credit score: Android Central)Android Auto has gone by way of some visible adjustments over time, so when you get it up and working, you will discover that the person interface now has a special look. You even have the choice to alter the wallpaper that seems on the interface, in the event you like. Google first revamped the interface to raised management the whole UI utilizing your automotive’s bodily knobs/buttons in the event you by no means need to (or cannot) use its touchscreen.It then gave the UI a facelift in 2022 with its “Coolwalk” redesign, and it has been one of the best ways to make use of Android Auto due to the way it improves multitasking to enrich the app drawer. Not solely do you see your entire accessible apps in a single place, however you additionally shortly get to the apps you utilize most on the house display.It can show the final three apps you opened, together with a brief app launcher that seems both under or beside the principle display. Tap on any of the three predominant screens to go full display, or faucet on the underside left icon to modify to full display or the app grid. Notifications, like messages or calls (amongst others), seem from the highest of the display after they are available in, letting you faucet to pay attention or settle for/reject as you want.(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)For essentially the most half, the apps do not include a steep studying curve, although the Android Auto variations do not at all times provide all the identical options the telephone ones do. For instance, you would need to apply most settings for an app in your telephone since Google’s restrictions power builders to maintain issues easy. A very good instance of that’s the means Google Maps and Waze run on the platform the place many of the mapping and driving settings are within the telephone app. You can simply search for a vacation spot on the automotive’s display, however you will not have the ability to launch both app in your telephone whereas Android Auto is working. That’s not the case with most different apps. If you need to make any adjustments. That’s nice for passengers who can flick through music streaming apps to seek out one thing to play however not as perfect in the event you’re making an attempt to do it behind the wheel.Messaging apps have their very own limits. Google Assistant will learn incoming messages aloud for you in the event you select to listen to them, and you’ll both reply by way of voice-to-text or ship an audio recording. Some apps allow you to use computerized canned responses as a substitute. (Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)Over the years, Google’s finished an awesome job at ensuring Android Auto is backed by assist for almost each main app you may need within the automotive.I will not record off each single one, however among the highlights embody:Google MapsWazeTomTom GO NavigationSpotifyYouTube MusicAmazon MusicApple MusicTidalPandoraiHeartRadioDeezerNPR OneAudibleAudiobooks.comPocket CastsFacebook MessengerSignalTelegramWhatsAppSkypeSoundCloudChargePointVLC for AndroidPlexAndroid Auto: Talking to Google Assistant(Image credit score: Android Central)There are a number of methods to shortly and simply entry Google Assistant: you may faucet the microphone button onscreen, use the microphone button in your automotive’s steering wheel, or simply say “Hey Google,” or “OK Google,” if it is at all times listening. Some automakers will prioritize their very own voice assistants, requiring you to lengthy press the steering wheel voice button to get Google Assistant to pay attention.You can use the Assistant for absolutely anything, like asking concerning the climate, sending a textual content, taking part in a selected tune, and extra. You might ask it for the closest gasoline stations, electrical chargers, or the place there may be a superb place to seize a chunk close by.The Assistant proves extremely helpful exterior of Android Auto, but feels particularly at residence in a setting the place you need to preserve your fingers on the wheel. Whether you faucet the microphone icon or simply say “Hey Google” for really hands-free entry, it is a vital addition that makes the Android Auto expertise that a lot better and safer. Here are some examples of phrases that work completely superb on the platform:General instructions”Call mom.””What’s the weather like at [location]?””Do I need an umbrella today?””Turn off all the lights.””Turn on the outdoor lights.””Set the Living Room thermostat to 72 degrees.””Did the Rangers win last night?””When’s my next appointment?””Remind me to buy lottery tickets in the morning.”In Google Maps”Directions to the Magic Kingdom.””What’s my next turn?””Gas stations along my route.””Share trip progress with Dad.””Where’s the nearest Target?””What time does Costco open?””Avoid tolls.””How’s traffic on the way home?””Are we there yet?”In music/podcast apps like YouTube Music and Spotify”Play Panic at the Disco.””Fast forward 90 seconds.””Shuffle.””Next song (or next track).””Pause.””What song is this?””I don’t like this song.””Play (song, album, playlist) by (artist) on Spotify.”Android Auto: On your telephone (type of)Google beforehand provided a number of methods to run Android Auto straight in your telephone, the place the car-friendly UI was prepared to make use of proper then and there. The firm pulled the plug on that after releasing a separate app on Google Play known as Android Auto for Phone Screens. It primarily emulated the unique Android Auto app for earlier variations and was made as a stop-gap for units on Android 10 and 11 till Google might launch its Google Assistant Driving Mode integration.It finally phased out the Phone Screens app with Android 12 when Driving Mode was supposedly prepared, solely to then axe the dashboard portion of that applet and simply combine it into Google Maps as a substitute. It hardly bears any resemblance to Android Auto and cannot be thought of a correct substitute for utilizing the precise platform itself.(Image credit score: Android Central)But in the event you do need to give it a attempt in a automobile with out Android Auto, you must take these few steps:1. Go to Settings in your telephone and scroll right down to Google.2. Tap Search, Assistant & Voice.3. Tap Google Assistant after which scroll right down to Transportation.4. Scroll to the underside and faucet Driving Mode.5. Toggle Driving Mode on and apply the settings you like throughout the menu.(Image credit score: Android Central)Android Auto: Android Auto vs. Android Automotive(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)If you have not heard (or possibly you have got), there’s a totally different platform known as Android Automotive. This is a completely separate platform that runs natively inside choose autos, which means it is put in within the automotive’s infotainment system and does not actually need your telephone to run something.The apps that run on it require you to register straight by way of the automotive’s personal head unit. For occasion, you register to your Spotify account, and your profile seems there — once more, with out your telephone being a part of the equation. The solely time it may be in that case is that if you might want to use your telephone’s information to stream content material and route telephone calls.It’s not clear if or when Google will finally substitute Android Auto with Android Automotive, however in the intervening time, the 2 will work in tandem for the foreseeable future. The platform seems to be to be a giant a part of Google’s plans for the automotive house, however Android Auto stays essentially the most ubiquitous alternative for Android customers.Android Auto: Take it for a drive(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)It’s arduous to gauge what Google really thinks about Android Auto at this level. Is it right here to remain long-term or is it only a stepping stone to a extra built-in platform residing in autos themselves? I’m inclined to suppose the latter, however it’s not clear how lengthy earlier than it sunsets or outright replaces it. And whereas it is apparent the continuing focus will probably be tighter integration with choose automakers, Android Auto continues to be essentially the most ubiquitous and accessible proper now.It’s not with out its kinks, after all. It might be buggy, doing bizarre issues like displaying music taking part in with none sound popping out of the audio system, or Google Assistant fully misinterpreting what you really mentioned. I’ve definitely had some head-scratching moments with the platform since I first used it in 2015, however after I take a look at what the alternate options had been like over these years for Android telephones, nothing else actually stood out. For most Android customers, it stays the most secure choice to work with a automobile’s automotive stereo. Far from abandoning it, Google appears to be persevering with to make it higher, as evidenced by the Coolwalk replace in 2022, so time will inform what’s subsequent for Android Auto.
Unplug your Android Auto expertise
The AAWireless made an announcement from the beginning by liberating Android telephones to run Android Auto with out plugging in. Easy to arrange, and with an app to make changes and preserve it up to date, it is a nifty dongle to maintain in your automotive.