Android Auto vs. Apple CarPlay: What's the Difference?

Android Auto and CarPlay are two smartphone integration platforms allowing you to interact with your phone more safely while driving. Both systems use your phone to do the heavy lifting of running apps and making calls while letting you view information and interact with your phone through a display built into your 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.

Overall Findings

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have similar functionality and availability. CarPlay is available in a few 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 third-party app compatibility. As of early 2024, Android Auto also has a differentiating factor with the announcement of the rollout of Generative AI to help users manage texts.

They also use different default apps for navigation, with Android Auto using Google Maps by default and CarPlay leveraging Apple Maps by default. They both allow you to switch to a different navigation app if you want, though.

The deciding factor, for most people, will be in which phone they use, as there is little reason to switch from Android to iPhone to access CarPlay, and vice versa.

Interface: Customization vs. Slick UI Design

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay both 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 allows you to select which apps you want to appear on screen, with a split screen function letting 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 design. 

Apps and Navigation: Android Auto Has Better Navigation

Android Auto uses Google Maps by default, while CarPlay uses Apple Maps. In most circumstances, Google Maps is the better option, but Android Auto and CarPlay allow you to switch to different map apps, so you can ultimately use whatever you want.

The more significant difference is that Android Auto allows you to zoom and scroll to view more of your route, and tap gray alternatives to switch your route, the same way you would on your phone, while CarPlay requires you to tap arrow buttons to move the map view and go back to the route options to change your route.

Android Auto has greater support for third-party apps, but Apple CarPlay also has a wide selection with no important holes. Apple CarPlay also works with most Google apps, like Google Calendar and Google Maps, while the only Apple app you can use on Android Auto is Apple Music.

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, at the core of their hands-free capabilities. These have the same basic capabilities, allowing you to place and receive hands-free calls and texts, play music, set and change navigation routes, and more. Android Auto, however, is now including options to help users better manage hands-free texting on the road.

While they offer similar functionality, Google Assistant has better natural language processing capabilities and third-party integration. That means it better understands your voice commands and works with more apps.

Final Verdict: Android Auto Has an Edge, But CarPlay is Very Strong

Android Auto and CarPlay offer similar functionality, and most vehicles that support one also support 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 navigation, a variety of music and podcast apps, and well-organized user interfaces. Android Auto's user interface is more customizable, and Google Assistant is more powerful than Siri, especially given its recent foray into Generative AI for Android Auto.

Still, it isn't enough of a difference to justify switching phones unless you're already in the market to do so.