A Complete Guide to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

If you’re anything like most of modern society, you probably lean on your phone for more than you’d like to admit. Distracted driving claims thousands of lives each year, and a large part of this problem is the huge distraction we have right at our fingertips: cellphones.

To keep drivers and passengers safe, two of the biggest smartphone manufacturers each created their own solutions to optimize traffic safety and make cellphones less tempting on long drives. There’s no doubt that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto revolutionize the driving experience, but which one would you rather invest in? 

What is Apple CarPlay?

Apple CarPlay is software that lets you connect certain iPhone apps to your car’s infotainment system. This feature enhances safety and allows drivers to use their phones without completely diverting their attention from the road. 

What can CarPlay do?

Because Apple understands that exploring new areas can be tricky, it designed CarPlay to take the hassle out of navigation. By working with map applications like Apple Maps and Waze, Apple CarPlay lets you track your route in real-time as you drive. 

If your job or family requires frequent communication, you can count on CarPlay to help you check voicemails and make calls. No need to worry about texting and driving dangers, either, because Siri can read your text messages out loud. This way, CarPlay fills you in on dinner plans or schedule changes while your eyes stay on the road.

If you live off good tunes and gripping podcasts, you can use CarPlay to stream on Spotify, YouTube Music, the podcasts app, and other entertainment-based apps. Once you start using CarPlay, don’t be surprised if you start looking forward to your daily commute. 

What is Android Auto?

Apple users aren’t the only ones with access to modern driving. Developed by Google, Android Auto is a kind of software that integrates your Android phone with your in-vehicle screen display. 

What can Android Auto do?

Like CarPlay, Android Auto works with navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps to provide real-time traffic updates. 

With Android Auto, there are no dull moments or boring drives. Connection to apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, NPR One, and Audible will entertain you as you head to work or the grocery store.

You can also send messages safely by using voice commands to prompt WhatsApp, SMS, Facebook Messenger, and other communication apps. Android Auto can also read texts aloud, eliminating the dangers associated with texting and driving.

What are the key differences between Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are incredibly similar. Right down to the navigation and entertainment apps they work with, these two platforms have a lot in common. To identify what differentiates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you have to think about how they work instead of what they do. 

Because Android Auto is a Google product, users report that Google Maps functions more smoothly on Android Auto than with Apple CarPlay. Google Maps is known to perform better than Apple Maps, so this is a big deal for some drivers.

The next major distinction relates to communication. Apple CarPlay uses Siri for voice commands, and Android Auto uses Google Assistant. Remember this if you want access to Google Assistant's more expansive search engine capabilities and better contextual understanding. Android Auto is also compatible with more third-party apps, so you'd probably prefer Android Auto if you want access to a broader selection.

Setting up Apple CarPlay

First things first: before setting up Apple CarPlay, you have to verify that your iPhone and vehicle are compatible. View Apple's convenient list of compatible phone and car models, and then get started simplifying your driving experience.

To set up Apple CarPlay with a USB cable:

• Start your car and make sure Siri is on.
• For Wired CarPlay: Plug iPhone into the USB port (look for CarPlay or smartphone icon) with a Lightning cable.
• Wired + Wireless option: Plug in once with USB, then accept the prompt to connect wirelessly next time.

To set up Apple CarPlay wirelessly:

• Hold the voice command button on your steering wheel.
• Set the car stereo to wireless/Bluetooth mode.
• Find iPhone: Settings > Wi-Fi, enable Wi-Fi and Auto-Join for your car.
• Go to Settings > General > CarPlay and select your car.

Setting up Android Auto

Android Auto works with more than 500 vehicle models, and you can check the official list to see if your vehicle can host the software. If you have an Android smartphone that’s an 11 or later, you should be able to access wireless Android Auto. For non-wireless, you only need an 8.0 or higher.

To set up Android Auto with a USB cable:

• Before you begin, put your vehicle in park and verify that the infotainment system is powered on.
• Connect a USB cable to your vehicle’s USB port, then plug the other end into your phone.
• Follow the prompts on your vehicle’s screen and phone to complete setup.
• Check your user manual or contact your vehicle’s manufacturer for additional info.

To set up Android Auto wirelessly:

• Before you begin, put your vehicle in park and verify that the infotainment system is powered on.
• Open your phone’s settings and find the Bluetooth menu.
• Next, press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel to bring up the pairing menu. (If nothing appears, refer to your car manufacturer’s instructions.)
• Follow the on-screen prompts to connect your phone to your car via Bluetooth. (You may be asked to update Android Auto before setup continues.)
• Check your vehicle’s user manual or contact the manufacturer for more details.

What’s next for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

As technology evolves, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are only getting better. In May 2025, Apple introduced CarPlay Ultra, a new edition of the popular software that’s even more deeply integrated into users’ cars. With CarPlay Ultra, you can even control your vehicle’s temperature, speed, and radio. CarPlay Ultra is only in select Aston Martin models now, but Apple confirmed the company plans to release it in Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles.

Android Auto fans can also expect some major updates at the end of this year. Google is incorporating Gemini AI into vehicles, so you can soon hold natural conversations with your car and ask it to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

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