- There are lots of apps that support Android Auto, and all you need to do to use them is download them on your Android phone.
- Apps like Google Maps and Waze make it easier for you to zip across places more efficiently.
- You can use apps such as YouTube Music and Spotify to jam on your favorite songs during your commute.
It’s great to have Android Auto in your car because it feels like a great part of the Android ecosystem. Google has added many features to Android Auto in the last few years; however, to use the interface to its full extent, you need apps. There are quite a few apps for Android Auto and here are the best of them. Let’s jump to our best Android Auto apps list.
Spotify
Spotify needs no introduction. It’s THE most popular service out there and is available on Android and Android Auto. Spotify on Android Auto allows you to choose music from your library or search it using the search bar. It then stays on the screen so that you can play, pause, or skip to the previous or next track.
All you need to do is download the Spotify app on your smartphone. The Spotify app should then be visible when you connect your device via wired or wireless Android Auto. Launch Spotify, choose a playlist and song, and you’re good to go. Spotify requires you to purchase a subscription for ad-free playback, and we’ve got you covered with the list of subscriptions.
Pros Cons Large selection of music Lots of ads Syncs perfectly with all your devices Playback controls, queues, and the interface are all intuitive
Google Maps
Google Maps is one of the apps that’s available by default because it comes preinstalled on your Android phone. The app, if you didn’t already know, makes commuting a lot easier thanks to its comprehensive and up-to-date directions with real-time traffic information, alerts like road closures, and accidents, and the ability to choose the fastest route to the destination.
Google Maps on Android Auto syncs with your Android device, meaning starting navigation on Android Auto will bring up the directions on your phone and vice versa. Overall, if you’re someone who often uses Google Maps to navigate, you will appreciate the way the Maps app works on Android Auto.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pretty much the best out there | None |
| Offline maps, live traffic, satellite terrain. | |
| Syncs perfectly with phone | |
Waze
If you don’t like Google Maps for some reason, Waze is a pretty good alternative. For starters, it reports accidents and road delays and helps you choose the best route to reach your destination faster. It also supports voice responses and integrates very well with Android Auto.
Things such as the ability to find the nearest gas station, nearest parking, and more make it one of the best alternatives to Google Maps.
Pros Cons Great Google Maps alternative Not as feature-rich as Maps Shows congestion, accidents, and fuel pumps Excellent real-time traffic updates and slick interface
YouTube Music
YouTube Music requires YouTube Premium, but it’s easily one of the top music streaming services. I made a switch from Spotify to YouTube Music last year, and I have nothing but positive things to say about the service. For starters, the music algorithm is exceptional, and we’ve discovered some of our now favorite music through the same.
YouTube Music effortlessly integrates into Android Auto and supports Google Assistant voice commands so that you can jam right away with ease. You can search for music or select it from your library and playlists. Overall, it’s easily one of the best apps for Android Auto.
Pros Cons Great Spotify alternative Requires YouTube Premium Queues and Library instantly accessible Search embedded to search vast library Snappy interface
PowerAmp
PowerAmp could be a great music player to listen to music offline. One of the best things about PowerAmp is it’s a powerful equalizer that you can use to tune your car audio. If you have an expensive audio setup in your car with an Amp, Subwoofers, and great-sounding speakers, you can use the equalizer to get the most out of the setup.
Not to mention, you could carry lossless music as PowerAmp supports high-quality music playback. No internet is required and it’s completely offline. While it is a paid app and costs $5, it’s one of the few best offline music players in the market.
Pros Cons Excellent for lossless music playback None Access to your library in a few taps Snappy user interface Queue helps you find out what’s next Has a powerful equalizer
Pocket Casts
If you love podcasts, as mentioned in our best Podcasts app article, Pocket Casts is THE app for you. It’s got one of the best interfaces on Android Auto and the overall experience feels great. There’s a queue button to check what’s playing next, alongside the option to favorite an episode, archive it, skip forward and backward, and the ability to customize skip time.
There’s an Auto Play function that picks an episode for you when there’s nothing left to play. All in all, Pocket Casts is a great app for podcasts that you should definitely check out.
Pros Cons Great user interface UI sometimes feels sluggish Wide library of Podcasts Lots of useful player options
Fuelio
If you’re trying to manage your fuel expenses or mileage and having a hard time, Fuelio is just the app you need. It shows you the nearby gas stations, records your trip, and fuel costs over time, and also calculates the mileage based on the fuel and expenses. Besides, Fuelio can also show you stations on route and show you detailed cost and fuel statistics over time.
Want to find where the cheapest or the best gas station is? Fuelio’s got you with its ability to use your location data to show you the best or the cheapest gas stations around that others rated at some point. The app is customizable and is overall one of the best fuel tracking apps on Android Auto.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent for finding nearby stations | UI feels dated |
| Can track fuel expenses | |
| Record trips and log mileage | |
Police Scanner
Police Scanners are great to help you avoid accidents. Relying on Google Maps and Waze for real-time updates sometimes works, but if you want quick updates from emergency departments, Police Scanner is the app to download on Android Auto.
Police Scanner could sometimes be a lifesaver if you spend most of your time driving. The announcements may help you avoid anything from potential disasters to traffic congestion and take alternative routes. Overall, it’s easily one of the best apps you can have on Android Auto.
Pros Cons Quick alerts None Decent interface Up to date information to stay updated
PlugShare
Do you own an electric vehicle? PlugShare is an app you should definitely have. Charging anxiety is real and PlugShare can help with that by finding nearby chargers. There are filters you can use to sort by fast chargers, kilowatt range of the charger, PlugScore for how good the charger is, and charging plug type.
The best thing about the app is that it updates in real-time and shows the chargers that are in use. Charging points that are in use appear gray, fast chargers appear orange and green means longer charging times.
Pros Cons Great for finding nearby charging points UI could’ve been better Charging points labeled by their speed Updates real-time, grays-out the charging point when in use.
TuneIn Radio
Love music but can’t let go of the old ways of listening and feeling nostalgic while driving? TuneIn Radio is for you. The user interface is exceptional, with tons of radio channels to choose from around the world. The player is well-designed and there’s also a map that shows you all the radio channels around you.
While the Radio library is quite comprehensive, we couldn’t find some of our local favorites in the subcontinent. While I can’t speak for other locations, it sure does look like there are lots of stations in Europe and the US. The app has adverts, and you need to purchase premium to remove them; however, they are not intrusive and should be fine.
Pros Cons Great user interface Station library is not as comprehensive Streams global radio stations Ability to favorite stations
Those were some of the best Android Auto apps you could use to enhance your car experience. Do you have an app that you use frequently with Android Auto? If yes, let us know in the comments below.
