Any Android Auto for phones users - out there - Google removing it from Android 12

Forums › Android › Any Android Auto for phones users - out there - Google removing it from Android 12

lchiu7

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#289428 5-Sep-2021 09:26

I am a regular user of AA for phones. Get into the car, phone connects to car BT and AA starts up and I place the phone on a holder and then use AA primarily to receive calls and listen to (and occasionally use voice to respond) texts.

I rarely use Maps since most of the time I go out, I know where I am going!

Now it seems Google is removing the AA app from phones from Android 12 directing people to use the Driving Assistant. That would be fine except the Driving Assistant can only be activated when you start up navigation and most of the time I don't need navigation. Anyone else use Android Auto and are bit annoyed by the " upgrade"?

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Dingbatt

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#2772453 5-Sep-2021 10:08

So it’s still going to work for “Select Car Head Units” but not on your phone screen any longer. Another example of ‘Google knows best’ I guess. And “Google Assistant Driving Mode” implies Google Assistant. Is that officially available in NZ yet? I must admit I’ve just left my settings on Australia.

I don’t use AA in my car because I don’t like their application of do-not-disturb mode. I had built a RPi interface using OpenAuto Pro, as my car is too old to have AA or AC, but never installed it. When my Fold3 finally arrives I’ll just build a widget that has everything I need whilst driving and use that or use ‘the Aussie Sheila in my phone’ to control things by voice.

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Batman

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#2772458 5-Sep-2021 10:24

Time to install an android head unit!

mudguard

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#2772483 5-Sep-2021 11:32

I must admit I almost never use Android Auto despite it being in plenty of rental cars I use.
What is the attraction over Bluetooth?

To be fair my car has navigation inbuilt which I rarely use either (prefer Google maps on my phone if need be) but I like having the map displayed on the screen at all times.

d3Xt3r

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#2772487 5-Sep-2021 11:42

I was never a fan of Android Auto - felt too restrictive to me. I'd recommend checking out AutoMate instead - it's got all the basic features of AA plus more - like hands-free gestures, custom shortcuts etc.

lchiu7

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#2772489 5-Sep-2021 11:52

I guess it depends on your use case. I just want a handsfree interface so I can take calls (audio is routed to my BT head unit), see incoming messages and use the voice system to play them back and then reply, play audio from my phone when am streaming content and occasionally Maps. The AA for the phone works fine for that. I can bring up Driving Assistant mode but it only works after you start Navigation and set a destination which is pretty pointless when say I am just doing a supermarket run.

A AA head unit seems overkill since I already have a good head unit with DVD playe, BT, integrated reversing camera etc.

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everettpsycho

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#2772538 5-Sep-2021 14:57

I used to use it all the time but less so now. I either just have my phone on a mount playing music and I stop android auto loading so it charges more with the screen only in the skimmed down always on mode not fully on, or I'm using it for navigation and maps now has pretty much the same functionality. If I had an actual Bluetooth head unit that displayed music and let me change tracks Isaac of an older one I don't think I'd need the phone at all other than navigation.

GV27

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#2772543 5-Sep-2021 15:34

Mostly use the AA app interface on one car that just has an Aux port and no screen, so just phone mount and the big easy-to-use buttons, and AA itself on a newer Hyundai that we have for things like up-to-date maps, Spotify etc.

Which one of these is disappearing?

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lchiu7

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#2772585 5-Sep-2021 18:32

The mobile app

https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2021/8/20/22633755/google-android-auto-for-phone-screens-shutting-down-android-12-google-assistant-driving-mode

While I have a Bluetooth head unit that can play music from USB, and take and place calls over the car's audio system, what it won't do is play back and let me compose text messages or do navigation.

That's what the standalone Android Auto app can do for those of us who do not have an Android auto compatible head unit.

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Handle9

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#2773310 6-Sep-2021 23:15

Batman: Time to install an android head unit!

Having you ever had one? They aren't good for much except running CarPlay or Android auto.

lchiu7

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#2779019 15-Sep-2021 19:30

This might be the answer

https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/09/13/hands-on-with-google-assistant-driving-modes-long-awaited-home-screen-ui/

Navigation not required

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Batman

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#2779023 15-Sep-2021 20:03

Do you need to buy a new head unit?

Handle9

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#2779026 15-Sep-2021 20:10

Batman: Do you need to buy a new head unit?

Did you read the article? It has nothing to do with the head unit.

GV27

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#2779029 15-Sep-2021 20:31

lchiu7: The mobile app

Gah that sucks, I have a car that can't have a DIN unit transplanted into it so there's no option for a decent display - so I use my phone on a cradle and run the app.

I'm going to have to concentrate on my driving now, this is bullshit.