The standalone app arrived in a time of transition. In June 2022, Google confirmed that older versions of the platform would also lose access “soon.” What is Android Auto for Phone Screens?Īndroid Auto for Phone Screens, meanwhile, was a stop-gap while we were waiting for Assistant’s Driving Mode. Just a few months after Driving Mode rolled out to everyone, Google confirmed that it would be the only interface for Android phones in the car, subsequently killing support for Android Auto for Phone Screens on Android 12 that year. The experience can also show music and navigation at the same time, with music support in YouTube Music, Spotify, and other apps. The default interface shows a “Where to?” search box for navigation, music recommendations, and shortcuts to send a text message or start a phone call using your voice. Later that year, it picked up a revamped interface.

Google Assistant Driving Mode arrived, finally, in January 2021. It was never intended to replace what you see in cars, as Google is still building on that experience today. While Google often kills products in a way that’s necessary to build something better, it’s pretty hard to see that argument this time around.Īnnounced back in 2019, Google Assistant Driving Mode was designed to replace the version of Android Auto that ran natively on your smartphone. Last week we reported that Android Auto for Phone Screens is set to die off in the very near future, leaving Google Assistant Driving Mode as the only path forward for Android users looking for a car-friendly user interface.

Is google drive going away in 2019