The pros and cons of Android Auto

Android Auto brings apps from your Android device to your car’s display unit. From there, you access music, phone calls, news and weather, maps and more, directly from the vehicle’s infotainment system. The platform lets you use the touchscreen or voice commands to navigate apps.

Android Auto via Gemini can even answer your questions and respond to you. You can use it to navigate to a restaurant, ask the system to call a family member or friend, or listen to a specific song on your favorite music streaming service.

While it can be a great tool for long car trips, the platform has its share of problems. Message notifications are enabled by default and can be distracting while driving. Another problem is that Gemini doesn’t always respond correctly. Some users also complain about how Android Auto can have connectivity issues and disconnect frequently, especially when using a wired connection.

Android Auto is a handy tool designed to be the brains of your car’s screen. Several apps work with the system, including Google Maps, which users say is one of Android Auto’s best features. Being able to type in an address and have a map display it on the screen and audibly guide you to your destination is useful, especially since the alternative is to use Google Maps via Bluetooth and mount the phone on your dashboard. You can even interact with the screen by touch when you’re stationary, making it quicker to set up a route.

Additionally, voice commands are another handy feature that enhances the Android Auto experience. When voice commands work as expected, you can use them to set a destination, listen to your favorite songs, or simply have a conversation with Gemini on the go.

Another huge advantage of Android Auto is support for a huge library of third-party apps. Compatible apps like Spotify, YouTube Music and Waze automatically appear on your car screen once you install them on your phone. Besides these essential apps installed by almost every Android Auto user, you can even find niche options like PlugShare and ABRP, suitable for electric vehicle owners.

Android Auto may be more convenient than using your smartphone while driving, but it does have some drawbacks. One of the biggest complaints concerns Gemini and the way it handles user requests. More often than not, the voice command feature may misunderstand your query, respond with incorrect wording, or simply stop altogether. After testing it on my own car, this was the case several times.

Google Maps may be something that users find easy to use, but it also has a less interesting feature. When you connect your smartphone to your infotainment system, your last used navigation app will automatically display as soon as Android Auto loads. It’s also worth noting that navigation apps can constantly use data, even without a set route. To avoid this, you can download offline maps for areas you visit frequently or simply disable background data access for your favorite navigation app until you want to use the app again.

Receiving messages can also be quite problematic as they can distract you while driving. When you receive a text message, you will receive an on-screen notification accompanied by an alert tone, which may cause you to look at the screen for a while. That said, you can disable these settings on your phone to help.