Android Auto: everything you need to know

Android Auto was announced back in 2014 and started off as essentially a smartphone projection system for your car. Users could tether their Android smartphone, running Android 5.0 Lollipop or above, to their vehicle’s built-in infotainment system. Since then, the number of car manufacturer partners and compatible models, countries where it is supported, and features and capabilities of Android Auto have increased significantly.

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Below is everything you need to know about Android Auto. Check out what it has to offer, the various markets it covers, the vehicles and car manufacturers that support the platform, and finally, how to add it to your existing vehicle.

Functionality and features

As mentioned, Android Auto began as a non-independent system. This basically extended the functionality of your Android smartphone to the car’s dashboard head unit using a car-friendly user interface. With the older system, you had to tether your phone to the car with a USB cable. And of course, the car had to support the platform for this to work.

Things have changed quite a bit since then. Users can now use the Android Auto app without needing a compatible car or aftermarket stereo system. You can place the phone on a mount and connect it to your car system. This requires Bluetooth and an AUX cable or other alternatives. Of course, if you already have a car or a third-party stereo system that supports the service, you can keep using it just as before.

Even though Android Auto is still mostly dependent on your smartphone, that is slowly going to change over the next couple of years. As announced at Google I/O 2017, Android Auto will be built into car themselves, with Android controlling everything on the dashboard, from music to climate control, and more. Google showed off the new system in Audi and Volvo vehicles earlier last year, but other companies have yet to announce their participation.

At CES 2018, two companies, Kenwood and JVC, showed off Android Auto head units that will be able to connect to your phone wirelessly. To back that up, Google rolled Android Auto Wireless in April. There are some caveats though. For now, Android Auto Wireless is compatible with only certain phones – specifically the Google Pixel or Pixel XL, the Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, the Nexus 5X, or the Nexus 6P. You will also need a Wi-Fi certified HUD, with the options currently limited to a few from Kenwood and JVC.

If you do meet the limiting requirements, you no longer have to worry about physically connecting your phone to the HUD anymore. Android Auto Wireless is something that users have been clamoring for and it’s great to see it available now. That said, this feature is admittedly at a very early stage. But it can only grow and get better from here.

Android Auto functionality includes navigation via Google Maps and Waze, music control, voice control for replying to messages, making calls, and more. You can also use your third-party apps, including Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Skype, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts, Stitcher Radio, PocketCasts, and a whole lot more. You can find the full list of compatible applications here.

At the end of 2016, the company also brought system-wide “Okay, Google” support to the platform, making it possible to control essentially every part of your infotainment experience using your voice. That has been further improved upon recently, with the extremely capable Google Assistant making its way to Android Auto earlier this year. However, Google Assistant with Android Auto is currently available in the US.

Countries where Android Auto is available

The service was initially launched in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, and the US. Since then, Google rolled out support for the Android Auto app in several new countries including Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the US territory of Puerto Rico, Russia, Switzerland, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Cars Android Auto is compatible with

Many car manufacturers are a part of the Open Automotive Alliance, as you can see below. And the number of supported models has steadily increased. That said, there are still a few more manufacturers that we’re hoping will offer compatible vehicles. Bentley, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Koenigsegg, and Mazda are some of the big names would be great additions.

Aftermarket stereos Android Auto is compatible with

If you aren’t in the market for a new car, you also have other options. Add Android Auto support to your existing vehicle with compatible aftermarket stereos from Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony, JVC, JBL, and more. Find the full list of compatible models below. But if you are looking for the best options, do check out our roundup of the best Android Auto HUDs.

So, there you have it for this roundup of all things Android Auto!