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The best apps for Android Auto in 2020

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Whether you are using Android Auto on your phone or with your smartphone hooked up via USB, or on your car display natively, you are going to need apps to get the most out of the technology. Here are the best Android Auto apps available today.

Before you get started with Android Auto, you should check if your vehicle is compatible. We have put together a list of which car manufacturers and models support Android Auto for you.

Shortcuts:

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The Android Auto app should be your starting point. / © Google Play Store
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Entertainment apps for Android Auto

For those long drives across the country, having entertainment options at the touch of a finger - or a spoken sentence - can be the difference between a dull trip and an enjoyable ride. These are the best entertainment apps for Android Auto.

Audible

There’s nothing more satisfying, to me at least, than a good read on a long car journey. Of course, you can’t really do that behind the wheel, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get engrossed in the latest best-seller. Audible is an excellent audiobook app from Amazon. The regular Audible service is great, and its integration with Android Auto has turned out rather nicely. A subscription will set you back $15 a month, but there is a free trial for new users available.

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PocketCasts

For the podcast junkies among us, PocketCasts is one of the most critically-acclaimed smartphone apps. Did you know it has been adapted for Android Auto? When paired with your vehicle, you can browse podcasts and control play/pause from your dashboard. You can also set up a playlist of podcasts for a particularly long drive, but you need to do this from your phone before you set off. PocketCasts cost $4 to download, but it is well worth the money.

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You can use Pocket Casts with Android Auto./ © ANDROIDPIT
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Scout FM

What would driving be without the radio? Scout FM is a vault of radio shows and podcasts that you can listen to on demand. Sick of the drivel coming out of the local radio station? Don’t settle for it! The app will also endlessly play similar shows, kind of how LastFM works, so you won’t have to keep fiddling with the controls too often whilst driving.

scoutfm android auto
Scout FM is a great commuter radio and podcast app. / © Google Play Store
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iHeart Radio

iHeart Radio lets you stream radio stations from all over the world. If you love listening to the radio, with all of its unpredictability, but don't want to be stuck with the local selection, then this is the Android Auto app for you. The iHeart Radio is free to use, but a premium version allows you to choose from an unlimited number of songs, if you want to be a bit pickier.

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Spotify

If you love music, chances are you are already using Spotify. The streaming service that can be used for free (supported by ads) or via its subscription model is just about the most complete music app around. Fully integrated into the Android Auto experience, Spotify is the app for those long drives soundtracked by your favorite playlist. Premium subscribers can also download songs for offline play in remote areas where there is no mobile data available.

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Spotify is easily one of the best music streaming services, paid or free! / © NextPit
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News and services apps for Android Auto

Keeping up to date with world events whilst on the road can be tricky when you are used to the fast-paced, 24-hour news cycles that populate our daily lives. Luckily, with these apps, you’ll never miss a story while driving.

NPR One

NPR One is a great app for providing breaking news and reports from around the world. It’s free, although there are ads, of course. It covers a wide range of topics from politics to entertainment news. It’s also one of the customizable Android Auto apps - you can tailor news to the region which you are driving through.

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NPR One is a great news app for your Android Auto supported vehicle. / © Google Play Store
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New York Times

The New York Times app is a great way to receive news alerts whilst driving to work. The Android Auto support means that you’ll never turn up to the office in the dark about the latest developments. The app is free, but there are several subscription models starting from $14.99 per month. You’ll need one for the best experience.

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Navigation is probably the most practical application of smart technology in our vehicles. With these Android Auto apps, you can take the stress out of finding the best route to your destination. Never get lost again!

Waze

Waze is powered by a combination of Android’s Location Service and real-time information taken from its 100 million-strong user-base. It is one of the best apps in the world when it comes to factoring in construction works and traffic into its route suggestions. It can also provide up-to-the-minute updates on accidents and unexpected delays. It is fully compatible with Android Auto too.

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Waze is a super popular navigation app for drivers. / © NextPit
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Google Maps

We couldn't have a list of the best Android Auto apps without including the granddaddy of navigational tools, Google Maps. Maps is a crucial part of the Android Auto ecosystem and will probably be the app you end up using most, if you drive regularly. For some people the decision between Waze and Google Maps comes down to personal preference. They’re both great, though, in our opinion.

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You can also save Google Maps for use offline. / © NextPit
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Messaging apps for Android Auto

Sometimes you get messages when you are driving that you simply can't ignore. In our Internet age of quick communication, leaving a message unanswered for hours is to some poor social etiquette and to others unacceptable behavior. Fortunately, you don't have to text and drive to send messages on the road.

Facebook Messenger

The Messenger integration with Android Auto enables people to listen to and reply to messages using voice commands. If you have Messenger installed on your Android device, you’ll be able to listen to and respond to messages through the Android Auto mobile app or supported vehicle display.

Android Auto will play your messages for you, you just have to touch the speaker icon to hear the message read aloud. Drivers can give Android Auto voice commands to reply or message a friend on Messenger. There's no typing involved. You can also touch an "I’m driving right now" button to quickly send this message as a reply and let your friends know why you cannot send a proper reply immediately. If you don't want to receive messages at all while driving, you could always log out of Facebook Messenger.

facebook android auto
Send Facebook messages using your voice from your car. / © Facebook

Do you know of a great Android Auto app missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below and give us your reasons for why it should be included.

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David McCourt

David McCourt
Editor

David enjoys staying abreast of the latest technology and newest Android apps. Outside of the office, he can be found playing snooker and writing bad 00s indie songs.

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  • 7
    RowanRosh Dec 18, 2020 Link to comment

    Technologies are growing soo fast, still growing


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. Mar 28, 2019 Link to comment

    The fantastic music player "Playerpro' is fully Auto and assistant compatible.

    80% of the time voice commands work perfectly, unfortunately there are still too many occasions where it fails. This is either a auto fault or a fault with the cars microphones.
    Though there are occasions where auto is definitely at fault, I will select voice activation and auto will open, but gets stuck. A full reset is required..

    Peace 🖖


  • 1
    Paul S Nov 22, 2018 Link to comment

    We just got a new Ford Fiesta with Android Auto, having traded in a 2015 Fiesta that did not. I've been using Player FM as a podcast player for years, mainly because it will download episodes on Wi-Fi so you can listen without streaming (a bigger issue with certain data plans). Well, it came up on Android Auto right away. Another App I've been using is LibriVox, an audio book app that has 100s of public domain books free to download or stream.


  • Sravani Namburi 10
    Sravani Namburi Nov 21, 2018 Link to comment

    Hi Good Info Thanks for Sharing information

    prekyap


  • Alex John 7
    Alex John Nov 20, 2018 Link to comment

    thankyou sir for sharing.. informative !

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