Samsung or Google phones can use Android 10 or later, while Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Note 8 models work with Android 9 or later.
Remember that all phones require an active data plan and 5GHz wi-fi support. Most phones have the latter, but if you’re experiencing connection issues, it may be down to this.
What apps can I use?
From navigation to music, there are several apps compatible with Android Auto. See our list of our favourite Android Auto apps below:
Amazon Music – An alternative to Spotify for your favourite tunes.
Audible – Amazon’s app for audiobook playback.
Facebook Messenger – Reply to messages sent to your Facebook account through voice-to-text.
.Google Maps – Google’s own navigation app.
ZapMap – Locate an EV charging station quickly using this app, which lists chargers by maximum charging speed. It also tells you if they’re in use or out of order.
Spotify – A popular music and podcast app.
WhatsApp – You’re able to hear messages you’ve been sent and send messages, or place and receive phone calls, via voice control.
Waze – A third-party navigation app with several useful features, such as incident reporting, police car warnings and more.
How much does Android Auto cost?
Android Auto is free to use and the app is free to download to your phone. However, you may be subject to some data charges if they’re not already included on your mobile phone plan.
Some manufacturers include Android Auto on higher trim levels only, or as an optional extra on entry-level models; but it’s becoming increasingly common for brands to include it as standard, along with Apple CarPlay.
Pros of Android Auto
There are several benefits to using Android Auto – and it’s often down to the software that comes with your car.