What is Android Automotive and how does it work?

Android Automotive is Google’s in-car infotainment operating system, its version of BMW iDrive, Mercedes MBUX or Ford Sync.

What it’s not is Android Auto, which is very similar in name but a different service. Android Auto allows you to mirror your Android smartphone’s apps on the central screen in your car.

Android Automotive is a complete operating system which runs natively in your vehicle, and doesn’t require a smartphone to work.

So how does Android Automotive work, why is it good and why isn’t it so good? We’ve got your Android Automotive questions answered here, so keep on reading.

What is Android Automotive?

As the name suggests, Android Automotive is based on Google’s Android operating system commonly found in smartphones and tablets. However, Automotive has been specifically designed for cars.

It can power everything from the radio and navigation to the climate control and even the instrument cluster. It can also be used to provide access to a variety of apps and services, such as Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store.

Android Automotive works by running on a dedicated computer in the car. This computer is connected to the car's various systems, and it uses Android Automotive to control these systems..

Do you have to have a smartphone to use Android Automotive?

No. As Android Automotive is a native in-car operating system it doesn’t require your phone to work.

Is Android Automotive the same on every car?

No, Android Automotive is not the same on every car. As it’s a full-stack, open source platform, automakers can use it as the base to build their own in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems.

That’s good for manufacturers, as they can deliver a bespoke experience to drivers, but it also means your experience of Android Automotive can differ to a fellow driver with the operating system in a different make of vehicle.

This also means you get varying quality levels of Android Automotive implementation. Some manufacturers fully embrace the platform and integrate everything it has to offer, while on other vehicles it can feel more like an afterthought.

Does Android Automotive support Apple CarPlay?

Yes, but there’s a caveat. While Android Automotive does provide support for both Apple CarPlay, it’s up to vehicle manufacturers whether they want to enable the support in their vehicles. If you have an iPhone and want to know if CarPlay is supported via Android Automotive, check with the manufacturer.

What can Android Automotive do?

Unlike Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which project your phone’s apps onto the screen in your car, Android Automotive has control over all infotainment aspects of your vehicle.

Whether that’s providing controls for climate, allowing you to access the radio, or keeping track of your fuel level, driving distance and speed - it covers all the information you’re used to seeing on your vehicle’s screens.

With the integration of Google Assistant, it’s possible to control many of your car’s functions with your voice. Feeling a bit cold? You can ask Google to turn up the heat. Need directions? Ask Google to start navigation. All while keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the world.

Making and receiving calls, and having messages read out and dictating responses is also supported in Android Automotive.

Google Maps is the built in sat-nav option, giving you access to up-to-date and highly detailed maps, with route planning, traffic info and more all on your vehicle’s head unit. Waze and Here Navigation are also supported, for those who prefer alternative mapping solutions.

Another benefit of Android Automotive is the ability to play videos on your car’s screen when parked up. There’s already support for streaming services including YouTube and Crunchyroll, with more slated to arrive throughout 2025. Unsurprisingly, video apps are disabled while driving.

You can play games while parked with Android Automotive too, with Angry Birds the big-name title available on the platform, among others.

There’s also support for Google Cast, which allows you to wirelessly stream content (such as a video streaming app) from your smartphone to the Android Automotive interface.

What is Android Automotive and how does it work?

What Android Automotive apps are available?

While there are a range of Android Automotive apps available on the platform, the numbers are very limited compared to the wealth of options you find in the Play Store on Android smartphones.

There are a number of big hitters available right now, including the aforementioned Google Maps, Waze and Youtube, along with music streaming services Spotify, Soundcloud and Tidal.

You can view supported Android Automotive apps on the Play Store, but availability of these apps will vary by country, and there may be some supported apps which currently aren’t displayed in this list.

What you will find is a selection of audio streaming, radio, gaming, mapping, news, weather, parking and charging apps. And in 2025, we expect the number of supported apps to greatly increase as Google makes it easier for developers to adapt their applications for use in-car.

Not all implementations of Android Automotive support these apps, as manufacturers can opt to not include Google’s services in their build (such as Audi).