Key Takeaways
- Apple CarPlay enhances security with simple app management.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are each appropriate with tons of of apps and telephones.
- Apple plans enlargement into the instrument cluster, which can add extra widgets.
Possibly you need to get from Level A to Level B and wish some navigation, otherwise you merely need to cost your cellphone and jam out to some tunes on Spotify for the drive there. You do not have to only awkwardly put your cellphone within the cupholder and play it by the cellphone’s measly audio system — until you are seeking to make the journey depressing for the folks within the backseat, after all.
Fortunately, relying in your cellphone and your automobile mannequin, you may be capable of plug your phone into the automobile or pair it by way of Bluetooth and make the most of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. They’re each a option to make the most of your cellphone’s apps by the automobile’s infotainment system. Each of the car entertainment platforms can do quite a bit, however in addition they have their limits.
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For those who’re questioning which one is healthier, I’ve accomplished the give you the results you want. Beneath, you will discover detailed breakdowns of the options for each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay which can hopefully allow you to resolve which one you favor should you’re attempting to decide on between selecting an iPhone or Android as your subsequent cellphone.
Check out whether or not your automobile is appropriate with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Android Auto vs. CarPlay compatibility
One platform is clearly the winner
First, that you must examine and see whether or not or not your automobile is appropriate with these techniques. You are able to do so by taking a look at your proprietor’s handbook, however you can too discover protection on vehicles which are appropriate with Apple CarPlay here and Android Auto here.
As you possibly can see, Android Auto has 500 fashions that it’s appropriate with and Apple CarPlay has over 800, which makes it an enormous benefit for iPhone customers. The oldest mannequin of automobile that works with each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is the 2014 Kia Soul, so in case you have a more moderen automobile, there is a good probability will probably be appropriate with one or each of them.
However Apple CarPlay being appropriate with greater than 300 extra vehicles than Android Auto should not be misplaced on anybody. You will discover that electrical autos like Rivian and Tesla aren’t included within the appropriate lists, as a result of they’ve their very own techniques constructed into the automobile that may deal with a whole lot of the options that these have.

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Android Auto vs. CarPlay leisure choices
Activate music apps and never video apps
Having streaming choices in your automobile could seem foolish, however do not deny that it could possibly be helpful. In fact, you are not capable of stream apps that present you movies by your infotainment techniques when you drive for security causes. However, if you’re parked, there are methods to go about streaming Netflix, Hulu, and different streaming companies. For each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, you will want an adapter — just like the Magic Field — that may convert the wired setup of those right into a wi-fi one which helps streaming companies.
One other option to go about it’s by utilizing a display mirroring app to kind of forged your display onto your infotainment system, just like how you’d forged it onto a TV at dwelling. There are different apps that act like a medium between your cellphone and the automobile’s display, and it is the identical factor for each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as it is a security subject greater than anything. Android Auto did set up Google Solid in certainly one of its most up-to-date updates, which can allow you to forged instantly into the automobile’s display when parked.

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If you wish to hearken to music and podcasts, each platforms work properly sufficient. For those who click on into Apple Podcasts, you are capable of scroll by and select a particular episode or podcast from the platform’s record. For those who use Android Auto, although, you possibly can’t do that — as a substitute, you need to use Google Assistant by voice controls to ask it to play an episode. It may well get irritating as a result of the AI might not perceive which episode you need to play, particularly should you’re looking for a brand new podcast that you have not downloaded but. The shortcoming to scroll in Android Auto is a security function that makes issues arduous to seek out.
When listening to music apps, third occasion choices like Spotify and Pandora work very properly. In Apple CarPlay, you possibly can scroll along with your finger in your automobile’s touchscreen to seek out the best tune or playlist that you really want. Android Auto would not allow you to scroll when you’re driving, so you could use voice controls. It makes it arduous to seek out the model of a tune that you could be be searching for.
Android Auto vs. CarPlay navigational choices
Each can get you from place to position fairly properly
Whether or not you favor to make use of Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, or a wide range of different navigational apps, likelihood is you will not have many issues with both Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. They’re going to present up on the automobile’s display and direct you to the place that you must go. Google Maps is constructed into Android telephones whereas Apple Maps is constructed into iPhones. It would not matter which one you favor, or if you wish to go together with a 3rd occasion app, as these all combine properly. For those who’re used to utilizing Google Maps in your cellphone whereas strolling, it’s kind of completely different planning a route by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, because it would not all the time take into account choices in your route if you wish to add a cease at, say, a fuel station.

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Relying in your automobile’s voice system, it may be simpler to make use of voice instructions with sure apps. However that does not have a lot to do with both Android Auto or Apple CarPlay and has extra to do along with your automobile’s system. Each of the techniques have been kind of put in place to assist prospects not have to fret about their automobile having a navigational card. These days, that saves prospects from having to pay for navigation constructed into their vehicles, as many sellers will simply advise them to make use of both Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. It really works out as a tie between the 2 techniques as a result of you should utilize your most popular navigational app fairly properly in each situations.
Android Auto vs. CarPlay messaging
Android Auto wins this battle
Android Auto is appropriate with extra messaging apps than Apple CarPlay is. It is principally as a result of there are simply extra messaging apps that folks use on Android telephones than iPhones — iMessage utterly dominates the Apple ecosystem. Apple CarPlay solely helps iMessage and WhatsApp, which each work properly in CarPlay. You are capable of hear your messages learn by Siri by your automobile’s infotainment system audio system.

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Android Auto is the higher possibility for a lot of people who find themselves attempting to message within the automobile. It really works with WhatsApp, Fb Messenger, Google Messages, Skype, Telegram, and extra. All of the messages will be introduced by the automobile’s audio system by way of the Hey Google command — you possibly can even ask Google to ship a message to somebody in your contacts record by way of a sure app by a voice command.
Android Auto vs. CarPlay upcoming modifications
Here is what each are planning transferring ahead
Whereas each of those techniques can do quite a bit, they every have plans for the long run that may make their respective customers excited. Apple CarPlay’s next-gen plans embody taking on extra than simply your automobile’s central infotainment display. The following iteration of this can deal with utilizing not solely the principle display but additionally on the instrument cluster, which is the display behind the steering wheel. This is able to give CarPlay integration to point out you your pace, oil and fuel, battery ranges for EVs, and extra. It is not recognized whether or not the instrument cluster will show navigational apps but, although.
It was first introduced on the Worldwide Builders Convention in 2022, so it has been within the works for some time.
Expanded units of widgets on dashboards are additionally coming, so you will get to see your calendar, the climate, and extra in case your automobile would not already present you them. There are some infotainment techniques that may already show these however the next-gen Apple CarPlay would make it customary. Additionally, local weather controls shall be dealt with by CarPlay.
The vehicles which are slated to obtain this replace embody:
- Acura
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Ford
- Honda
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Land Rover
- Lincoln
- Nissan
- Polestar
- Porsche
- Renault
- Volvo

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For Android Auto, there have been plenty of enhancements introduced at Google I/O. These included a brand new suite that works with Peacock and Max and the aptitude of taking part in in-app video by the infotainment system shall be coming to fashions from Polestar and Volvo. Zoom calls will be taken from the automobile as properly. There shall be video games like Indignant Birds out there to play, too.
Neither system means that you can management your radio by it, so your automobile’s AM/FM radio is completely different from any audio platforms that you simply run by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Neither system means that you can management your radio by it, so your automobile’s AM/FM radio is completely different from any audio platforms that you simply run by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It is one thing we would see ultimately, however neither Google nor Apple has found out tips on how to make it customary but. It may doubtlessly take management to new ranges and make the method of listening to music extra easy.

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Do you have to strive Android Auto or Apple CarPlay?
It comes which cellphone you have got or select to get
It is arduous to choose a winner between Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as a result of it largely is determined by the make and mannequin of your automobile and the cellphone that you have already got.
In a vacuum, should you’re interested by messaging by your automobile, Android Auto is the way in which to go. If you would like extra compatibility with fashions of vehicles, Apple CarPlay is the way in which to go. For those who’re seeking to stream exhibits within the automobile, you possibly can’t get a lot from both one simply but.
For extra developments sooner or later, Apple CarPlay has the sting. Navigational choices are combined, as you should utilize the native Google Maps app for each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are benefits to each, and you will find success with both one you select.
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Ultimate for Apple customers
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay is a platform that makes driving safer for customers, because it connects to a automobile’s infotainment system and permits for simpler management of generally used apps within the automobile. It makes use of navigational apps, leisure apps, and extra and gives a spot for them to operate within the automobile.
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Android customers like it
Android Auto
Android Auto is a cell app that permits customers to make use of different apps by their automobile’s infotainment system. It really works with Android telephones and tons of of apps.

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