Planning a road trip with your friends or family, or heading out for your day job? Elevate your trip with the best Android Auto apps available on your smartphone. These apps promise seamless connectivity with your car’s infotainment system and help you access your smartphone functions without leaving the steering wheel.
This list of best apps for Android Auto has everything from navigation, music, and news to weather updates. So, get ready to rev up the engine and have a nice trip with the best Android Auto apps you can get right now!
What is Android Auto?
Created by Google, Android Auto uses Bluetooth or USB cable to seamlessly connect your Android smartphone with your car’s infotainment system.
This lets you directly access crucial phone functionalities, such as music, navigation, messaging, etc., on your vehicle’s dashboard display. The familiar voice-supported interface makes it easier to stay focused on the road while enjoying the perks of your smartphone.
Plus, using Android Auto is relatively straightforward. You can plug your phone into your car’s USB port or use wireless connectivity. However, wireless Android Auto is limited to newer vehicles and smartphones running Android 11 or above.
Android Auto is a powerful tool to stay connected to your device while driving. By pairing the service with these best Android apps, you can effortlessly enhance your travel experience.
1. Google Maps – Editor’s Choice
No matter where you are, Google Maps will help you find your way. Its smart navigation system, voice-controlled interface, and robust features promise safe and enjoyable travel. Plus, the app comes pre-installed on most Android smartphones, ensuring easy accessibility on Android Auto.
Besides directions, Google Maps offers live traffic information, satellite views, and alternative routes and suggests nearby places and businesses to explore. Moreover, you can use Google Maps offline, keeping you safe even in the nowhere land – making it one of the best Android Auto apps one the market.
Lastly, you can personalize Google Maps to your taste when using it on Android Auto. This can include your preferred customizations for voice guidance, map styles, views, etc. In short, Google Maps on Android Auto can improve your travel experiences without messing up your safety.
Highlights
- Comes pre-installed
- Seamless interface
- Multiple navigation tools
- Supports offline maps
Price: Free
2. Spotify – Stream songs, podcasts, and more
A car ride without music is no fun. Period! If you confirm, choose Spotify for Android Auto. While there are several reasons for this, the personalized experience Spotify offers remains my favorite. You get instant access to what you love, thanks to sections like liked songs and recently played.
The app boasts a clean interface featuring a diverse collection organized into multiple categories: genre, language, and mood. Its library includes millions of songs from renowned global stars, podcasts, and audiobooks. There is something worthy of listening to on every journey.
Spotify’s seamless integration with Google’s voice lets you enjoy music without leaving the wheel. Plus, there is a free version to get started. However, the premium subscription offers certain perks like personalized streaming, no ads, and offline playback of downloaded songs.
Highlights
- Vast collections of songs
- Audiobooks and podcasts
- Offline support with Premium plans
- Budget-friendly app
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $4.99)
3. Waze – Popular Android Auto navigation app
If Google Maps is not your cup of tea, you can switch it with Waze. Surprisingly, Waze is also a Google product with an equally impressive interface and features like the others. Enjoy smooth navigation through detailed directions, real-time traffic updates, suggestions for routes, eateries, pharmacies, gas, parking, and more.
One of my favorite features of Waze is data crowdsourcing. This means millions of users can send the latest updates on crashes, police checks, traffic jams, or any other mishaps. You can view these details on your car’s dashboard.
Plus, Waze offers efficient integration with voice commands on Android Auto, allowing you to focus only on your ride. Plus, you can customize the settings to suit your preferences. For instance, you can turn the sound on or off, start alerts, etc. Its simple interface makes it an ideal navigation tool for Android Auto.
Highlights
- User-friendly interface
- Supports customizations
- Multiple tools
- Has data crowdsourcing
Price: Free
4. YouTube Music – Best music app for Android Auto
YouTube Music keeps you connected to music while you rev the engine. Its presence as an Android Auto app is no different from the mobile app version. Here, too, you get instant access to 100M+ songs that can make your journeys fun. No matter what your taste in music is, YouTube Music can serve you well.
With specially curated playlists, YouTube Music ensures you can listen to your favorites without halting your car journey. Sections like Recaps, Listen again, Quick picks, etc., make navigation convenient and quick.
You can view all the information on your dashboard and instruct the voice assistant to enjoy a hands-free musical experience.
Highlights
- Vast song library
- Smooth navigation
- Hands-free controls
Price: Free
5. Facebook Messenger – Stay connected while traveling
Missing an important text while driving can cost you a fortune sometimes. This is why you need Facebook Messenger on Android Auto. Despite being old, Facebook Messenger thrives as a popular online messaging app. If you too use Messenger, Android Auto will help you stay connected on the go.
Once connected to your phone, Android Auto receives all your new incoming messages on Facebook Messenger. These messages appear on your vehicle’s dashboard. Thankfully, you can use Android Auto to read your text or create a response as you speak. Moreover, you send the pre-designed ‘I am driving at the moment’ template to your contacts for an instant revert.
If someone sends you images, files, or documents, Android Auto informs you about the delivery so you can access them later.
Highlights
- Easy-to-use interface
- Receives texts and narrates it
- Supports speech-to-text
- Has a pre-designed template
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.05)
6. WhatsApp – Text and calls made easy
WhatsApp is yet another stellar instant messaging service for Android Auto. Its straightforward interface and seamless integration with the Google app ensure you can connect to your contacts over texts and calls. FYI, the call feature works on the latest Pixel and Samsung smartphones running on Android 11 or up.
When connected, Android Auto displays new messages on your dashboard, keeping you in the loop while driving. In addition, it uses speech-to-text to create accurate replies without actual typing. Once done, the portal sends the revert to your desired contact or group instantly.
If you are using a navigation tool, too, your incoming WhatsApp messages appear in the top third of your dashboard display. This ensures you can simultaneously access both services.
Highlights
- Hands-free call and text
- Easy-to-navigate interface
- Clear display on the dashboard
Price: Free
7. Audible – Books on the go
Long-route travels need company, and what’s better than a book? No, I am not referring to a paper book but an audiobook. Audible is an exciting audiobook app that aligns perfectly with Android Auto’s dedicated Car Mode.
The content library of Audible is seemingly endless, credits to Amazon, so you can choose what you love. Moreover, when integrated with Android Auto, Audible offers plenty of tools to play audiobooks how you want. You can even find podcasts on Audible focused on a variety of topics.
Besides adjusting the speed of the audiobook narration, you can start a new book, resume listening to an older book, hop to downloaded titles, or play a section you missed earlier — everything the book lover in you will cherish during a car ride.
Highlights
- Multiple audiobooks
- Easy controls
- Houses podcasts
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.49)
8. Weather & Radar – Best weather app for Andriod Auto
Weather can be a major obstruction to your travel plans. Indeed, you won’t like that. The Weather & Radar app displays a detailed radar with color-coded data on your vehicle’s built-in display. There is also a satellite image displaying the weather conditions in your present location.
This weather app keeps you updated with constant alerts when paired with the Android Auto ecosystem. You can zoom in/out, pinch, and swipe the dashboard screen for different information.
The app interface is simple, featuring three main buttons: i, calendar, and layers. The i icon explains the color-coded system used in the radar. When using the calendar icon, you can get a seven-day forecast or a detailed view of the next day. Lastly, the layers give a clear view of weather intensity and location.
Highlights
- Multiple views
- Swift finger controls
- Color-coded radar
- Future weather forecasts
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
9. The New York Times – Your speaking news portal
You can’t read a newspaper while driving. But you can listen to all the latest updates globally with The New York Times app. The portal connects to the Android Auto app effortlessly, narrating the hottest stories in typical newspapers.
Regarding breaking news, this news app for Android flashes quick alerts across your screen. Moreover, when bored, you can access the crossword puzzle, play a podcast, or download an audio file from the app’s vast collection to play.
Highlights
- Offers latest news updates
- Alerts for breaking news
- Crossword puzzle minigame
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
10. TuneIn Radio – Your favorite radio stations
If you are an old soul, you will love TuneIn Radio. This Android Auto app lets you stream 100,000+ different radio stations from AM, FM, and web. Its broad collection goes beyond 190 countries from across the globe. The variety offered here is quite impressive. You can find stations focused on sports, music, news, and even podcasts.
The app has an exclusive display format for driving, which you can use in place of the Android Auto interface. To start, mount your smartphone and tap the vehicle button. It offers options for quick access to your favorites, audio search, and recommendations. The vast collection and minimalistic interface make this portal an ideal substitute for the built-in car radio.
Highlights
- Built-in display format
- Radio stations from across the globe
- Straightforward navigation
- Podcasts included
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
11. CloudPlayer – Travel with your offline playlists
CloudPlayer is for anyone who loves sticking to their playlists rather than online streaming. The portal offers a user-friendly music player to play your downloaded songs and those stored on cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, etc. You can add CloudPlayer to the Android Auto apps list and enjoy offline listening on the go.
Exploring CloudPlayer is quite easy. You can browse different albums, artists, and genres or find your favorites from the recently added, top-rated, and most played categories. Moreover, you can play the radio when bored with music.
Highlights
- Streams music stored on cloud
- Supports radio stations
- Categorized collection for navigation
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
12. Fuelio – Smartest deals on fuel
Fuelio is an automobile-dedicated app that perfectly blends into the Android Auto ecosystem. This app lets you quickly find gas stations offering the lowest prices. Fuelio collects and aggregates data from multiple stations across the web to achieve this. Moreover, the portal records your gas purchases and expenses.
Fuelio displays charts representing fuel costs, fuel consumption, monthly expenses, etc. These valuable statistics help to track your driving schedules, gas expenses, and total consumption. This makes it a perfect Android Auto app for expanding your savings during travel expeditions.
Highlights
- Offers lowest priced gas stations
- Tracks fuel expenses
Price: Free
13. Podcast Addict – Listen what you love
Podcast Addict is an excellent Android Auto app for podcast listeners. The app houses an exhaustive content library featuring all the trending titles from renowned speakers. This includes politics, sports, comedy, news, and more podcasts.
With auto-downloads, Podcast Addict ensures you will never miss a new episode. Plus, the app is fully customizable. You can view playback speed and volume controls, skip episodes, browse new podcasts, downloads, bookmarks, etc.
When you connect your smartphone with Android Auto, you can view all these features on the dashboard. The excellent Google Voice assistant support helps you change the settings using voice commands while focusing on the drive.
Highlights
- Podcasts on various topics
- Auto-downloads
- Can control playback speed
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
14. Scanner Radio – Stay alert while driving
Scanner Radio keeps you updated about all the latest happenings around you. This popular app lets you listen to live audio from multiple fire and police scanners, air traffic, weather, and marine radio stations. The 10-Code chart makes it easy to understand the live conversations.
With Android Auto, Scanner Radio instantly alerts you about the events occurring in real time, saving you from mishaps. For instance, you can stream an emergency scanner for serious situations or a local one to keep updated about the emergencies around you.
The interface of Scanner Radio is ideal for use on Android Auto. For buttons, you only have a play and pause button. So, a single tap on either of the buttons, and you get your desired result.
Highlights
- Instant access to multiple scanners
- Simple interface
- Doesn’t support replay
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $2.99)
Yes, you can use Android Auto via Bluetooth. However, wireless Android Auto functionality depends on the car variant, phone model, and the Android version.
Android Auto gets new features during regular updates. However, to do it manually, you must launch the Google Play Store > Search Android Auto > Tap Update.
Wrapping up
Experienced driving skills and Android Auto is all you need to go on that long-planned road trip. But if you want to enhance your experience, this Android Auto apps list will serve you the best. I am confident you will find something useful from the options enlisted here. If you do, share your pick in the comments section. Also, keep visiting us for more detailed Android guides.
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