Android Auto overrides your car's native infotainment system with a familiar, smartphone-like interface. It's extremely easy to set up and relatively straightforward to use, but you'll want to add third-party apps to get the full experience. Whether you want to listen to music or chat with your friends, here are the best Android Auto apps.
Tidal
When it comes to musical quality, Tidal isn't fooling around. The Android version of Tidal, the artist-owned music subscription app, works on more than 400 cars that support Android Auto, as well as third-party head units and Auto's own phone interface. The Tidal global music and video streaming platform seeks to bring artists and fans together via exclusive artistic content. With Tidal, you can stream songs and discover new music, while members can also download tracks and music videos to listen to or watch offline.
Create your own playlist or use one of Tidal's, curated by music editors and artists. Use the app to listen to whatever hi-fi album, playlist, or radio station you have on repeat. Stream music with no interruptions. The Premium subscription, which offers unlimited music on multiple devices like smartphones, computers, and tablets, plus access to Tidal X events, costs $10 per month, while lossless hi-fi costs $20 per month, offering subscribers the same Premium subscription content but delivered in lossless, CD, and Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) quality (1411kbps as opposed to 320kbps standard streaming). Try it for free for 30 days.
Google Play
Pandora
There's a reason why radio is so strongly associated with driving, and that's because you can't spend time picking your next tune. Pandora is perhaps the top music streaming service for personalized music radio that learns as you listen, continually serving up better and better recommendations as you listen more. Unlike traditional radio, you can skip songs you're not interested in - though the number of skips available is limited on free accounts.
You can remove limitations on skips and replays, as well as ads, for just $5 a month, and you can also turn Pandora into a Spotify-style on-demand streaming service for $10 a month. We'd stick with the radio just for convenience's sake, but it could be worth it if you really come to love your Pandora recommendations. The new version now features podcasts, where you can discover your favorite podcast or get personalized recommendations based on your listening habits. There are more than 100,000 podcast episodes available, with more added every day.
Google Play
Scanner Radio
If you're the type to keep your ear to the ground while on the road, Scanner Radio is happy to oblige, offering up live audio from over 7,000 fire and police scanners, weather radios, radio repeaters, air traffic, and marine radios all over the planet. You can turn on notifications for alerts any time a scanner hits more than 3,500 listeners, ensuring you're in on the latest major events. Also, you can check in with the scanners nearest to your location, view the top 50, and browse the directory by information genre. You're always up to the minute and in the know with Scanner Radio. A paid version for $3 removes the ads. The newest version has been updated for Android 10.
Google Play
NPR One
Just because you're in the car doesn't mean you've left the world behind - it's usually quite the opposite. If you can't abide miles of commercials, jingles, product hawking, and mindless chatter, you can stay connected to what matters with NPR One. You get the latest local, regional, national, and international news in a cohesive, curated narrative flow. With NPR One, it's not a one-way street: You can skip stories you're not interested in, and the app knows not to present that genre to you again. Likewise, a light tap on the light bulb tells the app to give you more of that kind of story. You can search for your favorite shows, programs, and podcasts, and enable a sleep timer with five presets. While on the go, you can skip, pause, and search without taking your hands off the steering wheel.
Google Play
This popular messaging app gives drivers a hands-free way of receiving and sending messages. When used in conjunction with Android Auto, you can simply tap on the message as it appears on your car's display, then use your voice to draft and send replies. If you're using GPS or another app at the time, messages will appear in the top third of your display, so you can craft your response without switching app screens and potentially missing your turn.
Updated versions feature new privacy settings that let you control who can add you to groups. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Groups. The app now supports call waiting, so you can choose to accept an incoming call while you're on another call. You can now require a fingerprint to unlock the app by tapping Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint Lock to set up unlock with a fingerprint.
Google Play
Amazon Music
Amazon Music works similarly to Google Play Music, but it's probably preferable for Amazon Prime subscribers. Any music tied to your Amazon account - be it in the cloud, music you've uploaded to the service, or songs found on your phone - will all be available when you decide to use Amazon Music with Android Auto, alongside features like Prime Stations. Voice commands are also available for hands-free use, meaning you can say "OK, Google" followed by a phrase like "Play Call Me Maybe on Amazon Music." The most recent update debuts free streaming music, so you can listen to top playlists and thousands of radio stations for free.
Google Play
OverDrive
Your local library - not to mention some 20,000 others, with 90% located in the US - is always at your fingertips with OverDrive, and you can read as many books as you want for free. While you can borrow e-books, audiobooks, and streaming video from your library using OverDrive on your Android device, the audiobook functionality comes in especially handy while you're driving. With OverDrive, you're never too late to check out a book, place a hold, or worry about getting the books back on time. The app takes care of that. All you need is a valid account with a participating library, school, or other institution.
Google Play
Spotify
Spotify is still the largest music streaming service in the world, and it would have been a crime if it wasn't compatible with Android Auto. Thankfully, it is, so you have access to Spotify's massive database of available songs, albums, and artists. If you're not subscribed, you can still get access to music streaming for free, just with ads. If you want to download your songs for use in places without mobile data, or if you're on a limited data package, then you'll need a Spotify Premium subscription for $10 a month. We have a guide to help you get a discount on that though. Getting set up with Android Auto is easy - just plug your phone in and you're good to go. Spotify is constantly updating the app for smooth functionality.
Google Play
Facebook Messenger
We have other messaging options in this article, but if you're already using Facebook Messenger to keep in touch with friends and family, then you don't want to change just because you've gotten into your car. If you have Facebook Messenger on your phone, then any incoming messages you receive will be sent to your Android Auto (if active), so you can keep up with everything. You can also have Android Auto read your messages out loud, and you can tap a large button to send a pre-typed "I'm driving right now" message in reply to any of your messages. It's simple integration, but it's certainly welcome for driving when you want as few distractions as possible.
Google Play
Waze
You can get all sorts of useful real-time information about the road ahead from the active community on Waze. The app also offers turn-by-turn directions, reroutes you based on traffic, and alerts you about accidents, hazards, and police locations. You can also use it to share your ETA and progress with friends and family, which is ideal when you're meeting up somewhere. Throw in info on points of interest, the best gas prices nearby, and Facebook integration, and you have one of the best navigation apps around.
Google Play
Google Play Music
Google Play Music's integration with Android Auto gives you an easier way to listen to and control your music while driving. Use voice commands like "OK Google" and "Play..." to start a playlist, play a specific song, or listen to a specific genre of music. You can also use your car's display to navigate the app, where you'll be able to see music recommendations, recently-played content, or mixes made using songs and artists you've previously listened to. Of course, in either case, you need to have Google Play Music properly set up and already be signed in.
Google Play
Pocket Casts
Listening to music in the car is one thing, but the best podcasts can make a drive so much more bearable. Pocket Casts is one of the best podcasts apps on the Android platform, and it's now fully compatible with Android Auto. When paired with the Android Auto UI, you'll get the usual play/pause and back/forward controls, and you can browse podcasts, set filters, and capitalize on previously-made "Up Next" queues. The latter playlists need to be made before you launch Android Auto, however, so you may still need to fiddle with your phone before hitting the road.
Google Play
Audible
Music and podcasts are two things you can listen to while driving, but let's not forget books, which can also help you pass the time. Audible delivers on that, thanks to its robust compatibility with Android Auto. Along with the ability to play audiobooks, you can adjust playback speed - between 0.5x and 3x - and skip between chapters. Best of all, you can navigate the Audible store and view your wish list, the best sellers list, and an assortment of genre-specific categories, so you can add new books even when you can't access your phone or computer.
Google Play
