4 the explanation why I choose CarPlay over Android Auto

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing towards Android or Android Auto. Whereas my day by day machine is an iPhone 16 Pro, I’ve owned a number of Android telephones over time, and I might truly like extra excuses to make use of Android when driving. I wish to see the total scope of what fashionable smartphone tech gives, particularly in relation to integrating with EVs.

In the event you pressured me to select an in-car platform, although, I might most likely go along with CarPlay. There are a number of the explanation why, a few of which boil right down to pure desire. I am even anticipating to have my opinion swayed in some unspecified time in the future, whether or not by extra time with Android Auto, or future upgrades. Possibly Apple will truly launch its next-generation CarPlay in some unspecified time in the future, however I am not holding my breath on that one.

1 CarPlay appears to be extra secure

Your mileage might range

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

Usually, I might facet with product freedom, however reliability is completely important while you’re driving. At greatest, nobody needs to must fiddle with their telephone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive eventualities, a bug might get somebody misplaced, or trigger a distraction on the worst potential time. Take into account 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 probably that any automobile you purchase, hire, 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 a wide range of telephone makers, iPhones are extra standard within the US and Canada, in addition to Germany, Japan, and the UK. It simply is smart for native automakers to focus their improvement Apple’s manner, and even Korean automakers cannot faux that almost all People have a Samsung telephone. Compounding every little thing, Apple acquired a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You can probably purchase a decade-old junker that is CarPlay-ready.

Android Auto is more and more commonplace and infrequently accessible side-by-side with CarPlay, so this is not essentially an enormous benefit anymore. However for automotive buying or journey, it is most likely 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 a bit jealous, in truth — I (and plenty of different iPhone homeowners) would find it irresistible 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 robotically in its multi-app dashboard. As I method my residence, I can set off my storage door opener with out having to arrange a routine or discuss to a voice assistant, since a button seems onscreen every time I am inside vary.

We might see Google leapfrog Apple every time 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 truly get pleasure from the truth that fewer apps run in CarPlay than Android Auto. Once I’m about to drive someplace, I do not need a lengthy record of apps to type via — I need a handful of optimized ones. I care even much less about Android making it simpler to drive video apps like Netflix to work. As good as that is likely to be whereas sitting at a charging station, or ready to select up my son from faculty, I might somewhat nobody in my automotive (myself included) be tempted to observe Smiling Pals 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 corporations 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 a bit underwhelming at instances.

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