How to Use Android Auto in Any Car Using Your Smartphone

Two years after the launch of Google Auto, we’re finally seeing the standalone app that doesn’t need a high-tech car for you to enjoy its benefits. Yes, it’s finally happening! In a blog post published yesterday, Google confirmed that the Android Auto experience can now be enjoyed on any car, as long as you own an Android device which can connect it to the car’s stereo system.

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Don’t need a high-tech car to enjoy Android Auto now.

This naturally means that apart from the 200 new models that support Android Auto, the millions of older car users can also plug in their Android device with the app downloaded to it. At the time of writing, the app had already been available in US, Europe, most of Asia, Africa and South America too. Even here in India, the app is available and working, no strings attached.

If for any reason you don’t see it in your region, you can always sideload from APKMirror.

How Does it Work

There’s really nothing to it. You only need to download the app, connect it to your car via Bluetooth or aux and then launch the Android Auto app. This will automatically trigger the entire UI of your phone to change and become something similar as shown in the image below.

Android Auto Screen

This UI is aimed to make it more ‘driver-friendly’ so you can enjoy driving your car while still keeping an eye on the road. The ‘Ok Google’ voice command will also be available for hands-free operation and controlling your navigation, quick text messages, or start playing music on Spotify or Google Play Music. You can even set up the app to launch automatically once your phone connects to your car’s Bluetooth.

Is That All?

No, in the coming weeks, voice commands will be ironed out to ensure the smoothest and safest operation. Other apps will also be able to make use of the Ok Google hotword to enable a fully handsfree experience. Whether or not it will fully work, remains to be seen. Till such time, we hope Google can work on making this product better and iron out any and every issue.

ALSO READ: GT Explains: The Different Levels of Autonomous Vehicle

Last updated on 03 February, 2022

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