4 the reason why I favor CarPlay over Android Auto

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing in opposition to Android or Android Auto. Whereas my each day machine is an iPhone 16 Pro, I’ve owned a number of Android telephones through the years, and I would really like extra excuses to make use of Android when driving. I wish to see the complete scope of what fashionable smartphone tech presents, particularly in terms of integrating with EVs.

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

1 CarPlay appears to be extra secure

Your mileage might differ

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

Usually, I would facet with product freedom, however reliability is totally important once you’re driving. At greatest, nobody needs to should fiddle with their cellphone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive situations, a bug may 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.

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2 Wider automobile compatibility

In lots of international locations, anyway

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Merely put, it is extra seemingly that any automobile you purchase, lease, or lease will help CarPlay, whether or not previous 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 common within the US and Canada, in addition to Germany, Japan, and the UK. It simply is sensible for native automakers to focus their growth Apple’s method, and even Korean automakers cannot fake that almost all People 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 could possibly probably purchase a decade-old junker that is CarPlay-ready.

Android Auto is more and more commonplace and infrequently obtainable side-by-side with CarPlay, so this is not essentially an enormous benefit anymore. However for automotive purchasing or journey, it is in all probability safer to have an iPhone in your pocket.

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3 Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem

The cliché is true

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To Google’s credit score, Android Auto is more and more well-designed and well-integrated with the remainder of Android. I am slightly jealous, actually — I (and lots of different iPhone homeowners) would like it if CarPlay was tied into Google Maps and Google Calendar as an alternative 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 at any time when I am inside vary.

We may see Google leapfrog Apple at any time when it will get round to integrating Gemini into Android Auto — think about with the ability to inform your automotive “placed on my favourite music whereas I drive to work, however I must 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.

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4 A narrower, extra polished expertise

Much less is extra

It sounds counterintuitive, however I really get pleasure from 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 kind by way of — I desire a handful of optimized ones. I care even much less about Android making it simpler to power video apps like Netflix to work. As good as that could be whereas sitting at a charging station, or ready to choose up my son from faculty, I would moderately nobody in my automotive (myself included) be tempted to look at Smiling Mates or Downton Abbey whereas they’re flying down the freeway.

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 firms like Rivian and Tesla pour into their all-in-one working programs. Android Auto is extra utilitarian — one thing I respect, however does really feel slightly underwhelming at instances.

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