If you drive an older car, you probably don’t have the benefit of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a connected ride. There are several options available to bring Android to your car, such as an entertainment system, for navigation, and even for monitoring vehicle performance.
3 Ways to Add Android to Your Vehicle
Android is a bit more flexible than Apple CarPlay. This makes it more suitable for DIY projects like adding Android Auto to your vehicle. There are three options available here, each progressively more complicated.
- android phone/tab
- Android Auto head unit
- Provide the infrastructure for your passengers to bring their own Android devices
Android Auto is really worth considering. With a host of apps supported (from Google Maps and Spotify to Waze, Amazon Music, various podcast players), the key to using the system while driving is the Google Assistant. With full integration with your phone’s address book, telephony software, and messenger, you can tell it to make calls, send messages, and even set reminders—all while you’re driving.
Of course, you have to be careful when driving, so Android Auto also has a pause function. This is automatically initialized when you spend too much time interacting with the system, encouraging you to put your attention back on the road.
Here is a list of some of the main things that Android Auto can do.
Impressed? You can add this to your own car. Let’s look at each of these options in turn.
1. Connect your Android phone or tablet
Clearly, connecting an Android device to your car is the simplest option.
While Android is a permanent feature in many cars today, it may not be in yours. The easiest way to change this is to connect your Android device to your car’s existing audio head unit (i.e. car stereo). There are various options available here, from Bluetooth to USB. Our guide to connecting an Android phone to a car stereo can help here.
However, with this option, you cannot use Android Auto. Instead, you can rely on any of the Android Auto alternatives available on the Play Store. These include:
If all you need is a navigation tool, you can use Google Maps or Waze (or any alternative). Together with the Google Assistant, you can use voice commands to tell apps to plan your route.
Mount your Android device
Before making it a permanent addition to your car, the most important thing to do is mount your phone correctly. To droid your journey with an Android smartphone, you’ll need a suitable dashboard or windshield mount tailored to your particular device.
You can also find tablet mounts, though these are more complicated to install. Dash and window mounts, and even brackets that plug into a car’s charger port, are available, but they take up space. They also draw attention to your tablet, which can make your vehicle a target for thieves.
2. Install an Android Auto compatible head unit
Arguably the best way to add Android to your car is with a new head unit.
If you’re not sure what this means, it basically means replacing your existing car stereo with an in-car system that looks like an Android tablet. You will still be able to connect your phone via Bluetooth or USB for calls.
With an Android Auto head unit installed, you can access everything from maps and music to phone calls and the Google Assistant. With integration with your car stereo, it’s a great replacement. Additionally, some models (at the more expensive end of the scale) include OBD-II compatibility for performance display and diagnostics.
Note that if your car doesn’t have the space required for a larger head unit, dash mount options are available.
Check out our guide to the best Android Auto head units for some examples and pricing ideas. Once you’ve installed it, our Android Auto user guide will help you get started.
3. In-car entertainment for your passengers
Whether you use Android Auto or an Android device connected to your car’s audio system, you can entertain your passengers with music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
If your passengers prefer to enjoy their own choice of entertainment (and put you in control of the car’s audio), you can give them what they want. This simpler option means you can provide power and internet to your passengers’ Android phones or tablets for entertainment purposes.
Something like this 9 in 1 car charger adapter for your car’s power outlet (aka “cigarette lighter”) can be routed through the rear of your vehicle and mounted so rear passengers can keep their devices powered up.
Meanwhile, a mobile hotspot in the car it will make sure that your passengers have enough data. Just make sure the data plan is not capped…
Monitor your car performance with Android
OBD-II is an on-board diagnostic system found on almost all cars made after 1996, and can be used to display information on any car-linked Android device using an inexpensive Bluetooth OBD-II interface.
With this device connected, you can use OBDeleven, Infocar or any other OBD-II Android app to monitor car performance and diagnose problems.
The benefits of this approach speak for themselves: up-to-the-minute monitoring of your car’s health that can help you catch any faults before they turn into problems and a potential breakdown.
You don’t need a new car for Android Auto
As mentioned above, major car manufacturers are beginning to introduce Android (and Apple CarPlay) as an in-car entertainment management system.
However, the truth is that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a new car to take advantage of this. All the hardware, applications, and peripherals you need to make it work already exist.
It doesn’t matter if you plan to install an Android Auto head unit, connect your phone or tablet to your car’s audio system, or give your passengers all the power and internet access they could ever need for their own Android devices.
You can have Android in your car whatever your budget.