Android Auto for phones will no longer be supported in Android 12. While it has long been known that this version for the mobile screen had its days numbered, now the Google team gives concrete details about its end.
There will no longer be versions of Android Auto for two screen types. Google will continue to boost the dynamics of Android Auto for cars and will give users a similar experience on mobile with the new Assistant driving mode.
Android Auto for phones will be replaced in Android 12 with the new driving mode
Since 2019, we already knew that Google’s Assistant driving mode would eventually replace the dynamics of Android Auto for mobile. And last year, Google started testing this new driving mode on Google Maps. A clear indication that the mobile version of Android Auto wouldn’t get much further.
And now, Google has confirmed that Android Auto for mobile will stop working from Android 12, giving way to the Google Assistant driving mode.
A Google spokesperson said, “Google Assistant driving mode is our next evolution of the mobile driving experience. For people using Android Auto in compatible vehicles, that experience isn’t going away. For those using the experience on the phone (Android Automobile app), they will be switched to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, the Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience.”
So while users will still be able to install Android Auto in Android 12, using some APK, it will not be functional. At some point, the app will show them a notice alerting them that Android Auto is only available for the in-car display and that they should use the Google Assistant driving mode on mobile.
