With Android Auto, you can keep your focus on the road while still accessing maps, music, podcasts, messages, phone calls, and more from your Android smartphone. Designed to work with Android Marshmallow 6.0 and up, your favorite apps can appear on your dashboard while driving, providing you with a more connected digital experience.
With Google Assistant built-in, you can issue voice commands hands-free to remain safe on the road. If you have an Android device and want to get started, follow our guide on how to set up Android Auto.
Do you own an Apple iPhone? Be sure to check out our guide on how to set up Apple CarPlay to access what’s important to you while you’re on the road.
Acquiring the necessities
Before we can get started with Android Auto, you’ll need to make sure that you have everything required for the experience. As a starter, you will need an Androidsmartphone running Android Marshmallow 6.0 or greater. Wireless Android Auto, available on some vehicle stereos, requires Android 10 or higher. Some Samsung Galaxy devices, including the S8, S8+, and Note 8, will work running Android 9.0 or greater.
Additionally, you will need a car or stereo compatible with Android Auto. To check if your vehicle or stereo is compatible, visit Google’s website, where they list all brands currently supported and which models support wireless Android Auto. If your car or stereo does not support a wireless connection (most will require a wire), you will need a USB cable to connect your smartphone.
Setting up Android Auto (Wired)
The most common type of Android Auto connection is wired, which uses a USB cable to connect your smartphone to your car stereo. Ensure that you select a cord with the proper connectors; for example, a car with a USB-A port and a smartphone with a USB-C port will need a USB-A to USB-C cable for the connection process. When ready, follow these steps to connect your Androidsmartphone:
Step 1: Ensure that you are in a safe location and put your vehicle into Park.
Step 2: Turn on, and unlock, your Androidsmartphone.
Step 3: On your smartphone, if not already present, download the AndroidAuto app from the GooglePlay store.
Step 4: Using the USB cable, plug your smartphone into your vehicle.
Step 5: Your smartphone will display a Welcome to Android Auto screen; if it does not, check your car’s stereo display for any confirmation prompts.
Step 6: Accept Google’s notices and permissions by clicking OK or Next.
Step 7: From your vehicle’s touchscreen, select AndroidAuto if it has not automatically launched. For more information on your vehicle, contact your automotive manufacturer or reference your vehicle’s instruction manual.
You can now begin using Android Auto in your vehicle. For more assistance using Android Auto, reference our How to use Android Auto guide.
Setting up Android Auto (Wireless)
Some new stereo units and vehicles offer Android Auto Wireless connectivity. If you choose, you can use the wireless option to use Android Auto without needing to plug your smartphone in with a USB cable. Remember to check Google’s website for compatibility to see if your smartphone and stereo both support the wireless feature.
Step 1: Ensure that you are in a safe location and put your vehicle into Park.
Step 2: Turn on, and unlock, your Androidsmartphone.
Step 3: On your smartphone, if not already present, download the AndroidAuto app from the GooglePlay store.
Step 4: On your vehicle’s stereo, navigate into settings, then locate the Bluetooth option. For more information on your using your car, contact your automotive manufacturer or reference your vehicle’s instruction manual.
Step 5: On your smartphone, open the Settings app, then select Bluetooth.
Step 6: Within the Bluetooth menu on your smartphone, select your car to begin the pairing process; you may need to confirm a PIN.
Step 7: Once connected, your smartphone will display a Welcometo Android Auto screen; if it does not, check your car’s stereo display for any confirmation prompts.
Step 8: Accept Google’s notices and permissions by clicking OK or Next.
Step 9: From your vehicle’s touchscreen, select AndroidAuto if it has not automatically launched. For more information on your using your car, contact your automotive manufacturer or reference your vehicle’s instruction manual.
You can now begin using Android Auto in your vehicle. For more assistance using Android Auto, reference our How to use Android Auto guide.
Maybe your vehicle’s stereo has gone kaput, or perhaps it’s time for an upgrade. Maybe you’re just tired of humming along to a washed-out, tinny sound. Whatever the reason, an aftermarket head unit is usually the solution. Many people have Android smartphones and would also like to take advantage of Android Auto, which allows popular phone features to be projected into the vehicle’s dash. No matter the need, there are several options available, but before you run out and buy a new stereo, consider these things first:
How much room do you have: Different vehicles have different dash configurations that make picking a head unit a bit more challenging. Some vehicles have what is known as a double-DIN stereo, which is essentially two “slots” stacked together. Others have a single-DIN stereo, which is a smaller space overall. You’ll need to know which units will fit before shopping.
Installation: Many car audio shops will install anything purchased in their store, but if you’re buying online, you’ll need to make sure your local shop will accept the job. Installing yourself is an option, but newer vehicles’ electronics are very complex and there may be additional parts (brackets, mounts, etc) that you didn’t know you needed.
Other vehicle systems: In some vehicles, removing the stereo will cause all sorts of problems with other systems, such as airbags, climate controls, and theft deterrent systems. It’s important to know how your vehicle will behave once the stock head unit is removed.
Appearance: If you have an older vehicle, you may want to preserve the stock look of the dash. In these cases, a custom install or running your smartphone separately might be a good idea, because Android Auto head units take up a lot of space. They also don’t look particularly period-correct. In other cases, make sure that the head unit’s color scheme and appearance fit with the rest of your vehicle’s interior aesthetic.
Google developed Android Auto for motorists who are frustrated with their car's native infotainment system. Like rival software Apple CarPlay, Android Auto gives drivers the option of embedding a familiar, smartphone-like interface into their touchscreen.
Android Auto puts commonly used smartphone apps and features right in your car's dashboard. It overrides the native infotainment system with a familiar, easy-to-use interface that many motorists prefer. It reduces dangerous distractions, at least according to Google (but not according to AAA), and it makes upgrading an older car with new features a breeze.
Like most things in our digital lives, Android Auto and smartphones in general have to be updated frequently with the latest software, but the update process here is a bit different than you may think. The important thing to remember when thinking about the best way to update Android Auto is that the images and functions you see on the screen in your dash are a direct projection from your smartphone. That means that the version of Android Auto you’re using is a reflection of the version of Android your phone is running. It may not be possible to run the latest version of the software on older phones, but newer versions of the phone software will allow you to see the latest version of Android Auto as well. Here's how to update Android Auto.
