If you want to navigate while driving, your Android smartphone supports apps that could make it easier for you. Google's apps for vehicle navigation on your smartphone are Android Auto and the Google Assistant driving mode. Both apps have the same objective, but they're designed differently.

So, what are the differences between Android Auto and Google Assistant's driving mode? Let's dig deeper.

What Is Android Auto?

Android Auto launched in 2015 and is supported on Android 8 and above. It's designed to mirror your smartphone's interface on your car's dashboard display. The mirror function is accessed through a USB cable or wirelessly using 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Once connected, you can access the apps available on your Android smartphone and control them through your car's dashboard touchscreen display.

But the Android Auto app won't just project to any vehicle's infotainment system—you must have a compatible vehicle. If your vehicle is not compatible, you have the option to install aftermarket head units that can support it. The official Android Auto compatibility list is the best place to check.

Before, you could install the Android Auto app to use it on your smartphone’s screen if your vehicle didn’t support the Android Auto connection. However, Google no longer supports Android Auto app mode for smartphone screens, which was replaced by Google Assistant driving mode.

What Is Google Assistant Driving Mode?

The Google Assistant driving mode was launched in 2021, and it's supported on devices running Android 9.0 and above with at least 4GB of RAM. Unlike Android Auto, Google Assistant driving mode doesn't need to be downloaded and installed from the Play Store if you have a newer phone, since it's a standard feature in Android 12 and above.

It's easy to use driving mode in Google Assistant. If you want to activate it, just go to Google Assistant and say, "Hey Google, let's drive." You can also access it through Google Maps if you choose the Start Navigation option after searching for a location.

The driving mode screen doesn't need to be projected onto your vehicle's dashboard display. Instead, it allows you access to a user interface designed for hands-free driving while you're relying on voice commands to control it.

What Is the Difference Between Android Auto and Google Assistant Driving Mode?

Here are the main differences between Android Auto and Google Assistant driving mode.

Accessibility

man using phone for navigation

Now that Android Auto's mode for smartphone screens no longer works on Android, you have no option but to use Google Assistant driving mode if you’re not connected to your vehicle’s dashboard display.

It's worth noting that the Google Assistant driving mode is available in more countries than Android Auto. However, when Google Assistant driving mode was first introduced, it was only available in a few countries, but now it comes pre-installed on all smartphones.

Both Android Auto and Google Assistant driving mode can launch automatically if they detect you're in a moving car, but you must activate that setting. Similarly, you can set up Android Auto and Google Assistant driving mode to launch automatically when you connect Android Auto to your vehicle's Bluetooth.

User Interface

Android Auto on an infotainment system
Image Credit: Android YouTube Channel

While both the Google Assistant driving mode and Android Auto have the same purpose, they have slightly different user interfaces. The driving mode user interface for Google Assistant was redesigned with fewer options and bigger cards, making it look less cluttered than Android Auto. In addition, Google Assistant driving mode only includes multimedia apps (Spotify, YouTube Music, VLC, Podcast, etc.), Google Maps, text messages, and call options.

Android Auto supports most apps installed on your smartphone, including WhatsApp, YouTube, Calendar, Telegram, Google Chrome, and other third-party navigation apps such as Waze, Samsung Maps, and TomTom Go. If you're using the Google Assistant driving mode, though, then you're limited to Google Maps for navigation.

You can easily access other apps like WhatsApp and Google Chrome on your smartphone while the Google Assistant driving mode is running in the background. The user interface prioritizes voice commands and instructions, so you can drive without taking your hands off the wheel. However, you can still use your fingers to control the user interface in Google Assistant's driving mode.

The Google Assistant app can be activated in Android Auto, but it doesn't integrate into the user interface with any more cohesion than Google Assistant driving mode.

The biggest difference here is that you’re limited to using Android Auto only if it’s compatible with your vehicle’s infotainment system. On the other hand, Google Assistant driving mode is designed to be used to simply navigate using your smartphone’s screen with voice commands activated. If you want to learn more about other Android Auto alternatives, you can consider Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink.

Which Is Better: Android Auto or Google Assistant Driving Mode?

Car dashboard with infotainment showing Android Auto
Image Credit: Zaskoda/Flickr

Google Assistant's driving mode is less distracting to the driver than Android Auto, since you can control everything using your voice. It's also designed with a minimalist user interface that features basic apps that won't distract the driver.

However, Android Auto offers more apps and options than the Google Assistant driving mode. This means that you won’t be limited to Google Maps, and you can use other navigation apps like Waze on Android Auto. It's also cool that you can mirror Android Auto to your vehicle's bigger screen display and even activate Google Assistant, which you can keep running in the background.

If I had to choose, though, I would pick Android Auto over Google Assistant driving mode, since it offers more functionality. Another reason for my choice is that you could get in trouble with the law in some states if you’re relying on your smartphone while driving, even if you’re using Google Assistant driving mode.

Google also offers Android Automotive, which is different to Android Auto and comes pre-installed with the vehicle, allowing for customization by car manufacturers.

Android Auto and Google Assistant Driving Mode Enhance Your Driving Experience

Android Auto is convenient if you want to have your Android’s user interface on your car’s dashboard display. Alternatively, you can mount your smartphone on the dashboard and activate Google Assistant driving mode if your car doesn’t support Android Auto.

Regardless of your preference, both Android Auto and Google Assistant's driving mode can enhance your driving experience, and they will continue to do so until automakers give up on these systems altogether by launching their own similar features.