Android Auto and CarPlay are two smartphone integration platforms that allow you to interact with your phone more safely while driving. Both systems use our phone to do the heavy lifting of running apps and making calls, while allowing us to view information and interact with the phone through a screen built into our vehicle.
Android Auto only works with Android phones, while CarPlay only works with iPhones. Each system offers similar functionality, but there are some important differences. Let’s see them!
Android Auto and CarPlay features
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have similar features and availability. CarPlay is available on some models that don’t support Android Auto, but most new cars that come with one also come with the other.
Some key differences include divergent interfaces, voice assistants, and support for third-party apps. From the start of 2024, Android Auto is also differentiating itself with the announcement of the launch of a general AI to help users manage texts.
They also use different default apps for navigation, with Android Auto using Google Maps by default and CarPlay taking advantage of Apple Maps by default. However, both allow you to switch to another navigation app if you want.
The deciding factor, for most people, will be which phone they’re using, as there’s little reason to switch from Android to iPhone to access CarPlay, and vice versa.
Android Auto
- Requires Android 8.0 or later.
- Wireless connection requires Android 11.0 or later.
- Customizable screen layout.
- Use Google Assistant for voice commands.
- It uses Google Maps by default.
- Wider compatibility of third-party applications.
- Includes generative AI to help manage texts.
Apple CarPlay
- Requires iPhone 5 or newer with iOS 7.1 or newer.
- Wireless connection requires iOS 9 or later.
- Well organized home screen.
- Use Siri for voice commands.
- Uses Apple Maps by default.
- Greater availability of wireless connectivity.
Interface: customization vs. elegant user interface design
Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have solid user interfaces. While CarPlay’s interface was historically better designed and easier to use, Android Auto has caught up with a customizable interface.
Android Auto lets you select which apps you want to display on the screen, with a split-screen feature that lets you view two or three apps simultaneously.
CarPlay doesn’t have that kind of customization, but it does have a well-designed interface that displays navigation, music, and Siri suggestions on the same screen without the need for a split-screen layout.
Android Auto
- Customizable app layout.
- Shows multiple apps at once, including split screen.
- Dark and light modes.
Apple CarPlay
- Well-organized interface that is not customizable.
- View navigation, music, and Siri suggestions on one screen.
- Dark and light modes.
Apps and navigation: Android Auto offers better navigation
Android Auto uses Google Maps by default, while CarPlay uses Apple Maps. In most cases, Google Maps is the best option, but Android Auto and CarPlay let you switch between different map apps, so you can ultimately use whatever you want.
The most significant difference is that Android Auto lets you zoom and pan to see more of your route, and tap the gray alternatives to change your route, the same way you would on your phone, while that CarPlay requires you to press buttons. Move the map view and return to the route options to change your route.
Android Auto has more support for third-party apps, but Apple CarPlay also has a wide selection with no major holes. Apple CarPlay also works with most Google apps, such as Google Calendar and Google Maps, while the only Apple app you can use in Android Auto is Apple Music.
Android Auto
- Uses Google Maps for navigation by default.
- It’s easier to see and adjust your route.
- Better support for third-party apps.
- It works with an Apple application (Apple Music).
Apple CarPlay
- It uses Apple Maps for navigation by default, although we can use any other
- More difficult to see and adjust your route.
- It is compatible with some third-party applications.
- Works with several Google apps (Google Maps, Google Music, Google Podcasts, Google Calendar, etc.).
Voice assistant: Google Assistant is more powerful
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay each have an AI voice assistant, in the form of Google Assistant and Siri,
Although they offer similar functionality, Google Assistant has better natural language processing and third-party integration capabilities. This means it understands your voice commands better and works with more apps.
Android Auto
- Use Google Assistant, which currently integrates Google AI to summarize texts and suggest relevant responses or actions.
- Supports voice commands for common tasks.
- Hands-free calling and texting.
- Wider integration with third-party applications.
- Better natural language processing.
Apple CarPlay
- A Siri.
- Supports voice commands for common tasks.
- Hands-free calling and texting.
conclusion
Android Auto and CarPlay offer similar functionality, and most vehicles that support one are also compatible with the other. With that in mind, there’s very little reason to choose one over the other for any reason other than compatibility with your phone or personal preference.
Both offer hands-free calling, texting and browsing, a variety of music and podcast apps, and well-organized user interfaces. Android Auto’s UI is more customizable and Google Assistant is more powerful than Siri, especially given its recent foray into generative AI for Android Auto.
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