Si tu car is not compatible with Android Auto, there are alternative ways to enjoy the smart platform just the same. If you have an Android phone, you may be able to use part of the Android Auto experience even if your car can't run it natively.
In this article we explore the Different ways to configure Android Auto and its basic tools, even in other cars. Of course, the full experience and its maximum benefits are enjoyed when there is compatibility, but knowing that there are options helps when thinking about alternative uses.
How to use Android Auto in an unsupported car
In order to enjoy the Benefits of Android Auto In a car that does not support it by default, you have to make a small investment in apps or accessories. Otherwise, you can use the Google Assistant's driving mode, but the experience is noticeably affected. With this as a starting point, the article shows the alternatives to using Android Auto.
From a tablet
It tienes an Android tablet that you are not using, you can turn it into a kind of Android Auto for driving around the house. It won't be integrated into the car, but you can load the same apps on it and they share the same interface. What you have to do is install an Android Auto emulator, such as Headunit Reloaded. This is a paid app, it costs 4,89 euros, and it has a free trial version. Check if it works for you.
The app works as an Android Auto receiver, connecting to your phone via cable or wirelessly. Then, you can start using the tools and apps that Android Auto integrates for its users from the tablet interface.
Android Auto on your phone if your car is not compatible
You don't have an extra tablet lying around your house. No problem. There are options to use Android Auto if your car isn't compatible. Phones with Android operating system can run the Auto version independently. It is not the old version of Android Auto for mobile phones that worked quite slowly and had an annoying interface. Instead, using Headunit Reloaded from your mobile phone you can access a complete emulator of the Android Auto experience in your car.
In practical terms, it's a bit of a chore and ends up being useful only at specific times. For everyday use, it's better to use alternative, faster options. To run it, you have to activate Android Auto developer mode, start the server, run Headunit Reloaded and choose to connect to itself. From that point on, the phone works as both the server and the Android Auto client. The interface opens on the phone's screen, and being a little smaller, it can hinder some of the design and interaction successes of the new version of Android Auto.
Cars with Android radio
There are a significant number of cars that have radios that run the Android operating system. They are not necessarily compatible with Android Auto, but they have their own version of Android. The radios use a full version of Android, different from Automotive, but with the synchronization of Headunit Reloaded they can become key to your smart driving experience.
Using the Headunit Reloaded app and when synced with the Android radio, you will see the traditional Android Auto interface. The best recommendation is to use the trial version, check that the apps and tools you need work, and only then upgrade to the full paid version.
Compatible screens
If software solutions are not entirely satisfactory, another alternative is to purchase an accessory in the form of a compatible screen. Multimedia screens that run Android Auto are an excellent option because they have everything integrated to work fully. The price of these types of devices varies, but you can find a compatible screen starting at 100 euros. In addition, they are devices that usually also come with support for CarPlay. At the end of the day, they are accessories for those who drive frequently and regardless of the navigation system and assistant they have chosen.
New radio modules
If your radio is not compatible with Android Auto, you can buy a new one that is. It requires an investment and modifications to the car's configuration, but the result is satisfactory when you think about definitively improving the driving experience.
The downside to this decision is the cost. Just like a multimedia screen, the investment for this type of thing does not go below 100 euros. Perhaps you are not willing to pay that amount to add driving assistant functions to your car.
Additional alternatives to Android Auto if your car is not compatible
Driving mode is the last free and possible recommendation for an Android Auto-like experienceIt's the only completely free experience, and what it offers, unlike Headunit Reloaded which requires payment, is a bar below Google Maps.
When you start your route, you can access limited options for giving commands and directions to the Google Assistant. It's nothing more than that. Very different from the apps and the full Android Auto experience, but also taking advantage of the fact that it can be used without spending a cent.
This driving mode has reduced ambitions. Google developers removed the dashboard, but it still has options for quick access to calls, messages and multimedia content. The interface is tailored to be more driver-friendly, but it remains a distant cousin of Android Auto.
In case your car is not compatible with Android Auto, there are alternatives you can try to enjoy the experience. However, try out the free options before you decide to shell out the money to ensure your car will perform properly. Try out the different options until you find the one that best suits your driving needs.