4 methods so as to add Android Auto to your automotive

I am on document endorsing Apple CarPlay, however I do not dislike Android Auto — I simply desire considered one of them extra, given a selection. I would nonetheless somewhat use Android Auto than nothing in any respect, or over most automobiles’ built-in infotainment programs. Actually, I would gladly purchase a car primarily based on Android Automotive, just like the Rivian R2, since it’d save me the difficulty of connecting my telephone each time I need to drive someplace.

If you wish to add Android Auto to your individual automotive, there are solely two official choices from Google. There are third-party alternate options in case your automotive does not have native help, however count on to spend some extra cash within the course of, particularly if you’d like one thing slick.

1 Utilizing a USB cable

Essentially the most simple course of

In case your car is suitable with Android Auto — verify your handbook, or Google’s official compatibility list — USB setup might be the best methodology. Wi-fi pairing is not at all times an possibility, and when it’s, there are usually further steps concerned. Generally wi-fi is not even that handy post-setup, since you may need to plug your telephone in anyway if it is low on energy.

Comply with these steps for USB setup:

1. Replace your telephone to Android 9.0 or later if you have not already. You may additionally need to update the Android Auto app.
2. Flip in your automotive, however maintain it in Park. If you might want to, swap in your infotainment system (sprint show) as nicely.
3. Double-check that your telephone has a good mobile sign.
4. Join your telephone to your automotive with an acceptable USB cable. You could want to purchase a brand new one or an adapter — whereas most Android telephones are geared up with USB-C, many automobiles nonetheless use USB-A ports.
5. Your telephone must be routinely detected. Comply with any prompts in your telephone and/or your sprint show.

If there’s any bother, attempt restarting your telephone and/or your automotive. It is also that you simply want a special USB cable — some cables are solely designed to ship energy, not knowledge, and people are incompatible with Android Auto.

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2 Utilizing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Just a few extra hoops to leap by means of

That is trickier than you would possibly suppose. As I discussed, not each automotive that is suitable with Android Auto helps wi-fi pairing, so verify your handbook or producer’s web site earlier than persevering with. As soon as that is locked down, each your telephone and car have to have Bluetooth and 5GHz Wi-Fi enabled. Bluetooth establishes a handshake, whereas Wi-Fi handles the majority of Android Auto itself.

Assuming your automotive helps wi-fi Android Auto, here is the method:

1. Replace your telephone to Android 11 or later, and replace the Android Auto app.
2. Flip in your automotive, however maintain it in Park. If you might want to, swap in your infotainment system (sprint show) as nicely.
3. Make sure that each your telephone and automotive have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. In your telephone, you may toggle these radios through the use of the Settings app, or by swiping down from the highest to disclose Fast Settings.
4. Double-check that you have a good mobile sign.
5. In your telephone, go to Settings > Bluetooth to have it prepared.
6. Your automotive ought to have a voice command button on the steering wheel. Maintain this down for a number of seconds to set off telephone pairing.
7. Comply with any prompts in your telephone and/or sprint show to finish the pairing course of.

As soon as that is performed, your telephone ought to (usually) launch Android Auto each time you get into your automotive and switch it on. Some autos might make you faucet an Android Auto icon, and chances are you’ll want to modify gadgets utilizing sprint menus in the event you share the driving force’s seat with one other individual.

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3 Utilizing an aftermarket head unit

Store properly, however do not skimp

Quite a few firms promote aftermarket sprint shows — head items — that may add Android Auto to autos with out it. I am not going to record all of the accessible merchandise right here, however the most secure wager is to seek for well-reviewed items that particularly point out Android Auto help. You needn’t lay our a fortune, however do not be too low cost, both. Inferior items might have issues like gradual efficiency, weak contact response, or incompatibility together with your rearview digital camera wiring.

Then there’s the matter of set up. A 3rd-party head unit replaces the one constructed into your sprint, so you may need to put money into the time, studying, and instruments to deal with that your self, or else pay for a automotive AV specialist to do it for you. Most individuals ought to select the second possibility, significantly since you should buy a unit and have it put in in a single fell swoop.

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4 Utilizing an previous Android telephone

Your outcomes might fluctuate

Third-party apps exist that may flip an previous Android telephone or pill right into a head unit, corresponding to Headunit Reloaded Emulator (HUR). Some apps are higher than others, nonetheless, and your expertise will fluctuate primarily based on the machine you are utilizing — do not count on a Pixel 6a to run Android Auto in addition to your Pixel 9 Professional. So, on high of the app’s value, chances are you’ll find yourself spending on higher Android {hardware}, and/or a mount to maintain that {hardware} in place.

Keep in mind that you probably have a mount, there’s typically no want to make use of Android Auto. Fashionable smartphones are inclined to have 6-inch shows, and apps like Spotify and Google Maps are designed with driving in thoughts. Android Auto is simply extra handy for launching and controlling apps.

Headunit Reloaded Emulator

Helps you to use a secondary telephone or pill as a goal for Android Auto.

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