4 the reason why I choose CarPlay over Android Auto

Abstract

• CarPlay tends to be extra dependable, and it is current on an extended record of autos.
• It additionally integrates higher with iOS (and different Apple platforms) than Android Auto does with the Google ecosystem.
• A narrower app choice may very well work in CarPlay’s favor.

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing in opposition to Android or Android Auto. Whereas my every day gadget is an iPhone 16 Professional, I’ve owned a number of Android telephones over time, and I might really like extra excuses to make use of Android when driving. I wish to see the complete scope of what fashionable smartphone tech affords, particularly in the case of integrating with EVs.

Should you compelled me to choose an in-car platform, although, I might most likely go together with CarPlay. There are a number of the reason why, a few of which boil all the way down to pure desire. I am even anticipating to have my opinion swayed in some unspecified time in the future, whether or not by extra time with Android Auto, or future upgrades. Perhaps Apple will really launch its next-generation CarPlay in some unspecified time in the future, however I am not holding my breath on that one.

1 CarPlay appears to be extra steady

Your mileage could range

Whereas Android Auto is hardly a catastrophic mess, CarPlay is extra dependable total. It has an unfair benefit, in fact — there are far fewer iPhones available on the market than there are Android units, and all of them come from a single firm, so it is inherently simpler to troubleshoot. A posh technical scenario is a part of the worth Android customers pay for having extra app, gadget, and interface selections.

Reliability is completely important once you’re driving, even on your infotaiment system.

Usually, I might facet with product freedom, however reliability is completely important once you’re driving. At finest, nobody needs to must fiddle with their cellphone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive situations, a bug might get somebody misplaced, or trigger a distraction on the worst doable time. Contemplate an expertise from Apple’s personal historical past — the unique model of Apple Maps led some drivers into the Australian desert.

2 Wider car compatibility

In lots of nations, anyway

Merely put, it is extra seemingly that any car you purchase, lease, or lease will help CarPlay, whether or not outdated or new. It should not be a shock — whereas Android is an open-source platform utilized by quite a lot of cellphone makers, iPhones are extra standard within the US and Canada, in addition to Germany, Japan, and the UK. It simply is smart for native automakers to focus their improvement Apple’s method, and even Korean automakers cannot faux that the majority Individuals have a Samsung cellphone. Compounding the whole lot, Apple bought a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You possibly can probably purchase a decade-old junker that is CarPlay-ready.

Android Auto is more and more commonplace and sometimes accessible side-by-side with CarPlay, so this is not essentially an enormous benefit anymore. However for automotive procuring or journey, it is most likely safer to have an iPhone in your pocket.

3 Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem

The cliché is true

To Google’s credit score, Android Auto is more and more well-designed and well-integrated with the remainder of Android. I am a bit of jealous, in reality — I (and lots of different iPhone homeowners) would like it if CarPlay was tied into Google Maps and Google Calendar as a substitute of Apple’s personal apps. However the CarPlay expertise tends to be smoother, and can even pop up iOS Calendar occasions and HomeKit controls mechanically in its multi-app dashboard. As I strategy my house, I can set off my storage door opener with out having to arrange a routine or speak to a voice assistant, since a button seems onscreen every time I am inside vary.

The CarPlay expertise tends to be smoother, and can even pop up iOS Calendar occasions and HomeKit controls mechanically.

We might see Google leapfrog Apple every time it will get round to integrating Gemini into Android Auto — think about having the ability to inform your automotive “placed on my favourite music whereas I drive to work, however I have to go to a charging station first.” It appears unlikely that Apple Intelligence will deal with something like that till Siri will get a rumored overhaul in 2026.

4 A narrower, extra polished expertise

Much less is extra

It sounds counterintuitive, however I really take pleasure in the truth that fewer apps run in CarPlay than Android Auto. After I’m about to drive someplace, I do not desire a lengthy record of apps to type via — I desire a handful of optimized ones. I care even much less about Android making it simpler to drive video apps like Netflix to work. As good as that may be whereas sitting at a charging station, or ready to choose up my son from college, I might quite nobody in my automotive (myself included) be tempted to look at Smiling Associates or Downton Abbey whereas they’re flying down the freeway.

I desire a handful of optimized apps after I’m about to drive someplace.

CarPlay additionally feels extra visually slick than Android Auto. This can be a minor and extremely subjective level, however with CarPlay, I do not really feel like I am lacking out on the polish corporations like Rivian and Tesla pour into their all-in-one working techniques. Android Auto is extra utilitarian — one thing I respect, however does really feel a bit of underwhelming at occasions.