4 reasons I always choose Android Auto over Apple CarPlay

• Customization is king
• Google Maps interfaces much better
• Gemini leaves Siri in the dust
• A Smart Home user’s best friend

As someone who travels a lot for work, I take my in-car experience incredibly seriously. Whether it’s making sure I have the best apps for my listening or that my user interface completely matches the vibe I’m looking for, I’m particular about anything related to my car and how I enjoy using it. So much so that I have both a work phone, which is an Android, and a personal iPhone. Each has its own uses, and I’ll save debating between using the two as phones for another day, but I’m here to say one thing that’s become very important to me — Android Auto beats CarPlay in a big way.

From usability to the wide range of apps available via the Google Play Store, to the settings that can be manipulated with ease, there are several reasons why I choose to run Android Auto over Apple CarPlay more times than not. However, we don’t have that kind of time or space, so I’ve chosen to put on paper (or screen, I guess) the four main reasons why I’ll always choose Android Auto over Apple CarPlay.

Customization is king

One of the biggest Apple gripes makes its way to your car screen

Simply put, you can customize just about everything when it comes to Android Auto, especially if you turn on developer settings. For instance, I’m able to swap the sides of my screen where the media selection and maps appear. The far side of the screen is a bit of a reach for me, and can be distracting. However, how often do you change your maps on road trips? Now, think about how often you change your media software. If you’re like me, you probably fiddle with your media a few more times.

Not only that, but your Android Auto app selection screen background is also your phone’s background more times than not. For years, people have been wanting Apple CarPlay to add image backgrounds, but instead, they just keep churning out the same style of gradient backgrounds that don’t really add a personal touch to your car. It makes zero sense why this hasn’t been done yet, but it’s yet another area where Android Auto beats CarPlay.

Google Maps interfaces much better

You don’t feel like you’re violating an unwritten law by using a superior map

I have a bit of a secret to tell you — even when I did or still do use CarPlay, I make sure Google Maps is my only navigation companion. However, you can always tell that Google Maps wasn’t exactly made to cater to CarPlay users, given the native OS always steers you back to Apple Maps. Instead, Android Auto uses Google Maps as its native navigation system, making synchronization much more seamless.

In addition to the software running smoother, things like satellite viewing are available to help users get a better sense of where the next turn is. Speaking of functionality, Google Maps is jam-packed with more helpful features than Apple Maps. I can save my parking spot with just a tap (Apple is supposed to do this automatically, but it misses), filter restaurants by dietary needs — which is super helpful when my vegan in-laws visit us — and generally navigate any area much better. Google has been at the Maps game for a lot longer than Apple, and it truly shows.

Gemini leaves Siri in the dust

When it comes to AI assistants, Apple is far behind

If Apple users are tired of hearing how much better Gemini is than Apple Intelligence or Siri, just cover your ears now, because I’m here to tell you that the difference is genuinely astounding. Siri was incredibly cool when it first released, and I’ll admit that it isn’t completely useless. However, when it comes to in-car personal assistants, Gemini beats it handily. The best usage of AI that we have in our non-autonomous cars right now is letting it handle vague tasks like, “Tell my wife I’m coming home, and then share my ETA with her.”

There’s a reason why some of the top automakers are ditching CarPlay for Android-based systems

Now, if you told Siri this, it might be able to handle take care of the first part, but when it comes to linking commands together? Forget about it. Gemini can do all of this and more much easily. There’s a reason why some of the top automakers are ditching CarPlay for Android-based systems. They’re popular worldwide, not just in the U.S., and there’s a good reason for that.

A Smart Home user’s best friend

Controlling my home from the car is a game-changer

As someone whose home is littered with Google Smart Home devices, having the ability to control them all from my car has been a complete game-changer. For instance, say you want to save on your power bill by turning up the thermostat on your way out the door in the mornings — a completely normal thing to do. With Android Auto’s Smart Home compatibility, you can tell Gemini to turn down your thermostat when you get into your car after work. Then, after your evening commute, you can come home and not have to worry about letting the house cool off before you get comfortable.

Apple has made some strides towards this with iOS 26, sure, but as I’ve already discussed, there’s real value in the native capabilities of an Android device versus Apple’s shortcuts. I’m sure iPhone users will be a bit perturbed that their beloved CarPlay OS is truly being stacked up against Android Auto, but the reality is that it’s for good reason. Apple can keep up in a lot of departments, but in-car entertainment simply isn’t one of them.