ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Android Auto is great, but these apps add real value.
- You can use apps for entertainment, navigation, and added safety.
- Just have the app on your phone to get started.
Android Auto loyalists know it’s already a great app for navigating and managing your media while driving. But you may only be getting some of the benefits if your use stops there.
There are hundreds of apps that are compatible with Android Auto. They don’t do much differently in the car than on your phone, but taking advantage of their car version helps keep you much less distracted. Plus, the apps on this list make your life easier all around (at least they have for me). The best part is how easy it is to set them up — all you need to do is make sure they’re on your phone and then connect.
Also: I was a big wireless Android Auto fan, until I tried wired – now I won’t go back
1. Fuelio
This is probably the Android Auto app I use most often. Fuelio shows you all nearby gas stations and current prices. That capability alone is worth using the app, because you can find the closest spot in an emergency or save a little money here and there by heading to a different station down the road. There’s rarely a huge difference from one station to the next, but I can usually save about 10 cents a gallon by taking a quick look, and those savings add up.
Fuelio also lets you log your mileage and cost so you can see how well your car is operating and how much you’re paying, and log any service and repair costs so you have that information easily at hand if you ever need it. This feature has come in handy several times when my oil change sticker fell off, and I needed a quick reference for when I last had the oil changed.
2. Pocket Casts
I tend to listen to podcasts more than music while I’m driving, and I always have multiple episodes of several podcasts on deck. I’ve tried a few podcast apps, but Pocket Casts is the best.
Also: Android lets you ‘bubble’ apps for easy access now – how it works
The app handles several platforms, has silence-trimming features that make each episode go by faster, and the queue feature works flawlessly. In addition, the interface is much less cluttered than any other media app.
3. SpotHero
If you’ve ever parked in a crowded city for a concert or sporting event, you know the struggle of simply finding a spot and wondering if you overpaid. SpotHero helps you find available parking spots in both decks and surface lots, purchase a spot in advance, and see different options around where you need to go.
The Android Auto version doesn’t let you purchase a booking (you’ll need to do that on your phone), but it does let you pull up your reservation, see details like the time slot, navigate to your spot, and open your pass on mobile if you need to scan it.
4. Weather & Radar
I’m a bit of a weather geek, and sometimes just seeing the forecast isn’t enough. The Weather & Radar app is one of the few tools that lets you see an actual live radar on your car’s screen.
Also: Gemini on Android Auto can access my photos, emails, and calendar – why I’m OK with that (mostly)
If you’re on a road trip and see ominous clouds ahead, you can take a quick look to see if they’re going to skirt by you or if you should perhaps make an early pit stop for lunch. If you’re driving in severe weather, you can use the app to keep an eye on strong cells headed your way. The tool even supports a side-by-side view with Google Maps or Waze for keeping your navigation in view.
5. GameSnacks
This is one of the built-in Android Auto apps, but it’s probably the most used tool in my car. GameSnacks is an app with a lineup of games you play on your car’s touchscreen. The games are all pretty basic and reminiscent of early 2000’s flash games. My kids have played countless games while we’re waiting in the car, and it’s the perfect rebuttal to the question, “Can I play a game on your phone?” I even fire up some games myself when I want to put my phone down and spend some time with software that’s not designed to suck me in or trick me into paying real money.
Bonus app: PlugShare
This one’s an honorable mention: I don’t have an electric vehicle (EV), so I haven’t personally used this one, but I have friends who swear by it. The PlugShare app for Android Auto is essential for EV owners. It lets you find the closest charger from any network, search by plug type, see current reliability based on user reviews, report issues with chargers, navigate to charging stations, and more.
Also: Got an old car? Android Auto is easy to add: 2 ways, starting at $20
The most useful part of this app is that it lets you search nearby amenities, too. For example, if you need a charger near a public restroom or one that’s located close to food options.
