I experimented with Android Auto for a while, but I just wasn’t terribly happy with its performance. Recently, however, all of that changed. I decided to give Android Auto another shot, and here are five ways it’s improved since I last used it.
From the days of the cassette-to-CD adapter to modern automotive entertainment systems, a soundtrack, podcast, or audiobook has always accompanied my driving. During my radio show phase, I would use an auxiliary cable and a pair of extra speakers rigged to the dashboard. Eventually, I got a CD player. Then, Bluetooth came along—and Android Auto.
Even with its GPS features and ability to interact with the voice assistant, I still found it easier to just punch in something on Google Maps and play it through the simple interface already built into my car. Before we get started, however, it’s worth noting that this is based on my experience with my two Android devices, and your mileage may vary.
Connections are (mostly) more stable, and you can do a lot more
Disconnections and stuttering are less of a problem than they were before
Android Auto has a long history of problems. When I first started using it with the LG series of Android phones, it never stayed fully connected for an entire trip. Getting disconnected from Android Auto was the bane of my existence. It’s no CarPlay, but it doesn’t get disconnected as often as it once did.
Wireless is still dodgy at best and can be a bit of a battery drainer. My wired connection is pretty stable overall, which also has the side effect of keeping my phone battery charged. I haven’t seen a communication error on my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 since January. If you’re seeing a lot of disconnect issues, the problem might be your cable.
I like USB-IF (IF is the organization that governs USB standards) certified cables rated for 10GB data transfer. It might not make much of a difference for some users, but since I picked up a few of these, I haven’t had too many disconnect problems with most devices that use them, including Android Auto.
I also quite like that I can do everything from listening to the news via something like Reuters, playing back a book on Audible, or just listening to some tunes via easily accessible features.
Navigation actually works in my car
Location services seem to be performing better
Some people have had issues with the app determining their location (which is kind of a drag for navigating), but I honestly haven’t had too much trouble with this recently. Lately, I’ve had to drive around a few unfamiliar parts of Denver and Boulder. I was worried about navigating, but Android Auto helped map things in real-time better than Google Maps had in the past. That was definitely a new experience.
On my old LG V60, the map would occasionally disappear or not show up at all. “North” and “South” disappeared a little too often for my taste. The directions were also very spotty. On my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, it works like a charm. I especially like that it remembers frequent locations (like my new doctor’s office) now and will suggest them as possible destinations.
Recent updates also make it easier to report road incidents, speed traps, road work, etc., which is very useful for longer trips or commutes. I’m interested in trying the new immersive view coming soon that Google plans to roll out very soon.
Quiz
Android Auto
Trivia Challenge
Think you know Google’s in-car platform inside and out — put your Android Auto knowledge to the test!
HistoryFeaturesConnectivityAppsSafety
In what year did Google officially launch Android Auto to the public?
Correct! Android Auto made its public debut in 2015, launching alongside compatible vehicles and as a standalone phone app. Google announced the platform at Google I/O 2014 but rolled it out to users the following year.
Not quite — Android Auto launched in 2015. Google revealed it at Google I/O 2014, but actual public availability for both cars and the companion phone app came in 2015.
What was the primary connection method Android Auto required when it first launched?
Correct! When Android Auto launched, a USB cable connection between your phone and the car’s head unit was mandatory. Wireless Android Auto came later and requires specific hardware support on both the car and the phone.
Not quite — the original Android Auto required a physical USB cable connection. Wireless connectivity was added later and isn’t universally supported even today, requiring compatible hardware on both ends.
Which voice assistant is natively integrated into Android Auto for hands-free commands?
Correct! Google Assistant was the built-in voice assistant for Android Auto until it was replaced by Gemini in late 2025.
The correct answer is Google Gemini. Since Android Auto is a Google product, it naturally uses Gemini for voice commands — though Google Assistant was the default until 2025.
Which of the following app categories is NOT officially supported on Android Auto?
Correct! Android Auto deliberately restricts social media browsing and similar visually complex apps to keep drivers focused on the road. Only categories like navigation, audio, and messaging apps with simplified interfaces are permitted.
Not quite — social media browsing is not supported on Android Auto by design. Google restricts app categories to those that can be used safely while driving, such as navigation, audio streaming, and simplified messaging.
What minimum version of Android is required to run Android Auto on a smartphone?
Correct! Android Auto requires Android 9.0 Pie or higher to function. Google set this baseline to ensure the platform has access to the permissions framework and APIs introduced in Marshmallow.
Not quite — Android Auto requires Android 9.0 Pie as the minimum version. This ensures compatibility with the permission model and system APIs that Android Auto depends on to function properly.
What happened to the standalone Android Auto phone app in 2022?
Correct! Google discontinued the standalone Android Auto phone app in 2022 and replaced it with Google Assistant Driving Mode for phone-screen use. The car-display version of Android Auto remained separate and continued operating normally.
The correct answer is that the standalone phone app was discontinued and replaced by Google Assistant Driving Mode. This change affected only the phone-screen experience — the version that projects onto your car’s head unit remained intact.
Which feature does Android Auto use to help prevent distracted driving by limiting phone interaction?
Correct! Android Auto uses a purpose-built simplified interface with large buttons, limited app categories, and high-contrast visuals specifically designed for quick glances while driving. This reduces cognitive load compared to using a standard smartphone.
Not quite — Android Auto’s primary safety mechanism is its simplified, glance-friendly interface with large controls and restricted app categories. It doesn’t lock the screen or enforce airplane mode, but rather redesigns the UI to minimize distraction.
Which of the following smartphones was among the first to support Wireless Android Auto without a USB cable?
Correct! The Google Pixel 3 was one of the first phones to officially support Wireless Android Auto, announced alongside compatible 2019 vehicles. Google naturally prioritized its own Pixel lineup for early access to this convenient feature.
Not quite — the Google Pixel 3 was among the first phones to support Wireless Android Auto. Google rolled out wireless support starting with its own Pixel devices and select 2019 model year vehicles before expanding compatibility more broadly.
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Phone calls and voice commands run a little bit better
Making a phone call or using a voice command isn’t as much of a hassle anymore
One thing that’s occurred on multiple devices is a noticeable lag between the phone and media screens. On my vehicle, there’s a button I can press to use voice commands. In Bluetooth mode, it’ll bring up my contacts list when I say a name. It usually takes about two seconds. With Android Auto, I’ve noticed it takes about five seconds to start a phone call if I’m listening to music or an audiobook. It takes about three seconds if I’m not.
I also always had trouble with voice commands working properly. For instance, I’d ask to call my wife, but it would try to call a coworker instead. It was a similar situation for playing music or getting the correct part of an audiobook to load. For a long time, I just used Waze instead, but I’m happy to see Android Auto seems to have fixed these problems.
I’ve had very few issues with executing voice commands or phone calls since I started using it again.
The interface is far less clunky than it used to be
The menu and layout got in its own way
Interface clutter and clunkiness have long been a problem for Android Auto users. I think it’s a little weird that Android Auto has a game launcher (called Game Snacks), but I tried a few of the games out, and they’re not bad. I don’t really see their usefulness, though.
The app tray used to be a bit cluttered, and it feels like some of the additional app options (like Google News) are a bit of overkill, given that you really aren’t going to use them while driving. Crashing apps were a problem from time to time. But the worst was the random disconnecting from certain apps, like Maps, on my device while driving.
The display on my car is very clean and streamlined, which is a far cry from what it used to be.
Messages are handled better
No more bad voices and long rants
In the past, messages were really hit-and-miss. There were times when a message might pop up during a tough spot on the road, or the dictation sounded absolutely awful. Sometimes, the message would get cut off, or it would drone on and on. Luckily, that seems to have changed with recent updates.
My understanding is that Google Assistant was recently replaced with Gemini, which I’m not exactly pleased about, but it does seem to work better, so I’m being cautiously optimistic despite my reluctance to use an LLM for much of anything.
I’m going to be using Android Auto regularly in the long term
I was on the fence about revisiting Android Auto for a long time. Now that I’ve been using it daily for a few months, I’m finding it more valuable despite its flaws. Connectivity can still be a problem at times, but I’m going to keep using it. I don’t know if I need Google Cast capabilities or games, but it’s nice to have options. I’m speaking to my own experience revisiting Android Auto, but your mileage may vary.
If nothing else, I find the way the robot’s voice pronounces things (mine’s British for some reason) entertaining. It still has some quirks. I’m still trying to figure out why it’s British. But hearing it mispronounce “LOL” as “Loyle” is a small price to pay for something that finally works right. Either way, I’m enjoying using Android Auto again, but I readily acknowledge that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and the experience can be highly subjective in the end.
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Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
