Android Auto

560 'Android Auto' storiesJune 2014 - November 2025
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Android Auto is an extension of the Android platform which is highly optimized for use in a moving vehicle. The system is designed to cut down on the number of interactions you'll have with your smartphone so you can keep your eyes on the road.

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You should always focus on the road when you’re driving a vehicle, but maps and music can make the journey better. That’s why phone-powered platforms have become a favorite for many car owners. Android Auto is Google’s offering for owners of Pixel, Samsung, and other popular smartphones. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What is Android Auto?

Google’s Android Auto platform isn’t its own operating system. Rather, it is an extension of a connected Android smartphone that can display some apps, entertainment, and mirror messages on a car’s dashboard. The platform was announced in 2014 with tie-ins to Google Calendar, Maps, and other products. The original design mirrored Google Now with cards for weather, appointments, and infotainment such as music controls.

Later,in 2019, Google revamped the design of Auto entirely with a focus on apps and shortcuts, as well as deeper reliance on Google Assistant.

In my experience with the new Android Auto, the biggest positive change has been the new navigation system. Instead of the row of apps switchers, Google has opted for just three static buttons. There’s a home button off to the far left side of the display, with buttons for notifications and Google Assistant on the right side. Having the home button off to the right makes it just a bit easier to use since it’s closer to the driver.

Another big change that Google has made to the new Android Auto is the addition of Google Assistant “apps” on the homescreen. Filling out the app drawer on the new homescreen, you’ll see the likes of Weather, News, and more. These aren’t actually proper applications, but rather, buttons you can push to trigger what would otherwise be voice commands.

The new design has since been updated to include a gallery ofwallpaper options andpowerful Google Assistant shortcuts that can be customized by the user for essentially any action, like opening thegarage door, for example.

Android Auto is designed to help keep driver’s attention on the road rather than their smartphone. The platform limits users to just a handful of apps, primarily those used for media, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, and others. Mapping apps are also a core part of the platform, with Google Maps and Waze both offering apps. In 2021, Google opened up Android Auto to more third-party mapping apps, withSygic andTomTom quick to offer their own apps.

Traditionally, Android Auto connects to your vehicle over a wired USB connection, but it can also be done wirelessly. You’ll first need an Android smartphone using Android 11 or higher (or a Pixel/Samsung device on Android 9 and up), as well as a vehicle that supports wireless Android Auto. If your vehicle only supports a wired connection, thethird-party AAWireless dongle can be used to add that functionality to nearly any car.

What cars support Android Auto?

Advanced infotainment systems are a crucial part of modern cars, and, in most cases, they come with support for Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay. Notable brands that support Google’s offering in at least some widely available vehicles include the following, and you can view thefull list here.

  • Audi
  • BMW
  • Buick
  • Cadillac
  • Chevrolet
  • Chrysler
  • Dodge
  • Fiat
  • Ford
  • GMC
  • Honda
  • Hyundai
  • Kia
  • Mazda
  • Mitsubishi
  • Nissan
  • Ram
  • Subaru
  • Toyota
  • Volkswagen
  • Volvo

There are well over 500 different vehicles sold today that include Android Auto support, and the list is constantly growing. For example, Porsche recently announced it would add support for Google’s platform starting in its2022 Porsche 911. At I/O 2021, Googleannounced that over 100 million cars on the road support Android Auto natively. The company also mentioned that future updates to the platform would enable better support for modern vehicle displays including the instrument cluster. Apparently, widgets may alsosoon come to Android Auto.

If your car doesn’t natively support Android Auto, you can add it with the help of a third-party head unit. Popular brands that offer Google’s platform includePioneer,Sony,Alpine,and others.

You can learn more about Google’s platform in our continued coverage below, andread our review of the updated design here.

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AAWireless TWO, one of the best wireless Android Auto adapters, hits lowest price yet

Avatar for Will SattelbergNov 24 2025 - 11:15 am PT

It’s been just over a year since thefollow-up to AAWireless’s original wireless Android Auto dongles dropped, and while we’ve seen a handful of discounts in the months since, it’s just dropped to its lowest price ever ahead of Black Friday.

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You can finally use Waze on your phone while connected to Android Auto

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 24 2025 - 10:15 am PT

Waze is picking up a trick from Google Maps in allowing Android Auto users to select locations for navigation on their phone’s screen, or access other parts of the app, instead of solely relying on the car display or voice.

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Google hints at Assistant shutdown in ‘March 2026,’ but seemingly only on Android Auto

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 24 2025 - 6:55 am PT

On a support page, Google is hinting that the end of Google Assistant is nearing, with the Gemini takeover apparently completing in March 2026 when Assistant will no longer be accessible… at least on Android Auto.

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AAWireless TWO+ brings its wireless Android Auto and CarPlay dual adapter to Amazon

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 21 2025 - 4:30 am PT

After launching in October, AAWireless TWO+ is now available for purchase via Amazon.

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Gemini officially launches on Android Auto today, rolling out ‘over the coming months’

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 20 2025 - 9:00 am PT

As promised, Gemini is finally launching on Android Auto, but the rollout could take a while.

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Android Auto adding new Google Maps EV filters for charging speed, payment method

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 18 2025 - 7:40 am PT

Google Maps for Android Auto is picking up some new features for EV owners, with new filters in the works for charging speed and payment method when you’re searching for a charging station.

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Report: Tesla is working on adding CarPlay support, but ignoring Android Auto

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 13 2025 - 10:15 am PT

Tesla has among the most popular electric vehicles on the market, but the company has always avoided support for Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay. Now, Tesla is apparently considering a change, but ignoring Google’s side.

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Gemini starts rolling out on Android Auto with Live support [Gallery]

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 6 2025 - 9:05 am PT

After a lengthy wait, Google has started rolling out Gemini access on Android Auto through the latest updates.

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Android Auto prepares support for app widgets as latest updates roll out [Gallery]

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 29 2025 - 7:25 am PT

Google has some new Android Auto features in the pipeline, including support for app widgets on the dashboard as has been discovered in the latest updates.

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GM will ditch Android Auto and CarPlay from more cars, but not the one you’re driving today [U]

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 24 2025 - 10:53 am PT

GM continues its crusade of removing Android Auto and CarPlay from its vehicles, and that’s now going to include future gas vehicles instead of just EVs, while the carmaker is also building out a Gemini-powered assistant.

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Google Maps for Android Auto gets partial redesign to surface ‘Report’ button, hide suggested locations

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 22 2025 - 7:45 am PT

The Google Maps app for Android Auto is getting a partial redesign to better surface the “Report” functionality on smaller displays while also hiding suggested locations by default for some users.

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Here’s how fast AAWireless TWO+ switches between wireless Android Auto and CarPlay [Video]

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 21 2025 - 5:30 am PT

AAWireless TWO+is finally here to bring CarPlay support to what we think is the best wireless Android Auto adapter, and the way and speed at which it works is part of what makes it stand out from the crowd.

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AAWireless TWO+ turns wired Android Auto and CarPlay wireless, available today

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 20 2025 - 3:00 am PT

After a soft launchearlier this year, AAWireless TWO+ is now available as the company’s first wireless adapter fully ready for both Android Auto and CarPlay.

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Android Auto update revives GameSnacks

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 17 2025 - 5:30 am PT

Google has confirmed that the brief disappearance of GameSnacks on Android Auto was just a bug, and has since fixed the issue.

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Android Auto starts enforcing Android 9.0+ requirement

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 16 2025 - 8:00 am PT

After revealing the higher requirement over a year ago, Google has actually started enforcing that you’ll need to be running Android 9.0 or higher to install the latest Android Auto updates.

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Android Auto update breaks media and navigation ‘Quick Controls’ for some

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 13 2025 - 11:50 am PT
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Android Auto 15.2 is rolling out more broadly this week, but with the side effect of breaking the longstanding “Quick Controls” feature for some users.

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Android Auto seems to be removing its ‘GameSnacks’ collection

Avatar for Ben SchoonOct 6 2025 - 10:15 am PT

Through recent updates, Android Auto seems to be removing its “GameSnacks” collection of games that were available to play on the car’s display.

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Pixel Phone app rolling out Call Recording & Android Auto access, details global expansion

Avatar for Abner LiSep 29 2025 - 11:09 am PT
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Googletoday detailed a handful of recent and upcoming features for the Pixel Phone app, while officially detailing broader international availability.

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Android Auto bug causes giant apps and icons, and it’s been happening for months

Avatar for Ben SchoonSep 24 2025 - 12:30 pm PT

An ongoing Android Auto bug has surfaced again, with the issue causing icons and entire apps to be oversized with a zoomed-in look.

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Android Auto bug makes music player widget unreadable, but you can fix it

Avatar for Ben SchoonSep 15 2025 - 10:55 am PT

Google’s latest Android Auto update is causing a problem where the music player widget is unreadable, but you can fix it, at least temporarily.

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Google tells Pixel 10 owners to install this update to fix Android Auto issues

Avatar for Ben SchoonSep 11 2025 - 8:15 am PT

Since their launch last month, Google Pixel 10 devices have been affected by some Android Auto problems, but Google says a new update should fix that.

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Android Auto 15.0 rolling out widely, but don’t expect major changes

Avatar for Ben SchoonSep 9 2025 - 5:15 am PT

Following its launch in beta a few weeks ago, Android Auto 15.0 is now rolling out more widely through the general release channel, but despite its number, it’s not a major update by any means.

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Some Pixel 10 owners are already running into Android Auto headaches

Avatar for Ben SchoonAug 28 2025 - 10:15 am PT

Android Auto has a history of being finicky, especially with new phones, and that’s what some Pixel 10 owners are noticing out of the box.

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