Android Auto has been a big upgrade in my driving experience.
Having just purchased a compatible car after driving a tech-challenged Toyota Camry since 2012, the navigation, connection speed, and general functionality have all made going from point A to point B that much more enjoyable.
There was clearly something missing, though, that could have unlocked the full potential of my new Android Auto-compatible vehicle.
There were three specific apps that I needed to download to take this car infotainment system to the next level, and you can do the same right now.
My ultimate Android Auto setup for a distraction-free drive
The minimalist’s guide to Android Auto
WhatsApp
Messaging made easy
The most commonly used messaging app is available in Android Auto. With more than 3 billion users worldwide, having a car that is equipped to message them all is a game-changer.
Even better, the WhatsApp app in Android Auto provides absolutely seamless integration with the onboard voice assistant, so you can easily compose messages to send to your friends and family without looking at your phone while on the road.
As a US driver, WhatsApp isn’t entirely common for every person in my contacts. The majority of Americans aren’t as adept with WhatsApp as nearly every other country in the world, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its clear use cases.
This one is particularly important for me and my driving experience, as WhatsApp is the go-to messaging app that my wife and I use to communicate because she is an iPhone user.
Since she’s been giving me guff for texting and driving every once in a while, the ease and accuracy of the voice-to-text functionality is a welcomed solution for both of us.
SpotHero
No more expensive parking garages for me
If you’re a suburban or rural driver, the addition of the SpotHero app is probably not entirely necessary for your Android Auto setup, with parking spots and lots being free and plentiful throughout the area.
However, in the city of Chicago, where I currently live, parking is infamously hard to come by. As a result, the last-ditch options like parking garages are exorbitantly expensive, particularly if you don’t plan ahead and are in a high traffic area.
That’s why apps like SpotHero are a dream, providing access to more affordable parking options throughout the city, and the Android Auto app makes it even easier. It allows you to check and confirm your parking appointments, and you can rebook previous spots in just a few clicks.
You can’t, however, book a new parking spot directly from the SpotHero app, but when you book them on your phone and refresh the app, the new spots will pop up right away, so you can easily get into your spot without an issue.
GameSnacks
A parent’s dream
There’s nothing worse than being parked in the car with nothing to do. Whether you’re in line at school drop-off or stranded waiting for a tow, the boredom can be too much sometimes.
With the GameSnacks app on Android Auto, that boredom will be a thing of the past. It provides access to more than a hundred mobile-style games, like Fruit Chopper, 2048 Cube Merge, and Garden Bloom, which you can play on your in-vehicle display.
Just today, I was on dad duty while a technician came to make a second key for the car. I had to be present in the car to prove I owned it, and I had to watch after my little one, making it the perfect time to play some games.
We got in 10 rounds of Diamond Rush while our friend made our new key, and by the end, she was begging to stay in the car a bit longer, rather than go inside for lunch.
How to add apps to Android Auto
Doesn’t get much easier than that
If you’ve been clicking through your Android Auto setup trying to find a way to add apps directly to your vehicle, you’re probably a bit frustrated. That’s because you can’t download apps directly on Android Auto.
The way to add apps to Android Auto is by simply downloading apps to your phone.
Then, you’ll go to the Android Auto settings, scroll down to the Customize launcher option, and choose which of the available apps you want available in your vehicle. Most will be available by default, but it never hurts to check.
The future of Android Auto
Updates are coming
Android Auto’s March update added a lot of great functionality, but the best is still yet to come.
Recent update notes from Google point to even more advanced upgrades to the car infotainment system, including more seamless integration with radio and air conditioning controls and possible Gemini voice assistant functionality.
All that to say, Android Auto’s best days may still be ahead of us.
