Google is taking away the hottest feature of Android Auto in Android 12 – Times of India

If you are someone used to turning on Android Auto the moment you step inside your car then you are going to miss the feature you may have used the most. With the Android 12 update, Android Auto for phone screens is no longer supported. This means, you can no longer use Android Auto on your smartphone’s display and to use Android Auto you will need a compatible car screen.
With Android Auto for phone screens, you were able to project the interface of your phone to your car’s dash by simply connecting your phone. It offered large icons and offered support for Google Assistant as well. But if you wish to enjoy a similar experience now, you will have to use Assistant Driving Mode.
In a statement provided to 9to5Google, Google said, “Google Assistant driving mode is our next evolution of the mobile driving experience. For the people who use Android Auto in supported vehicles, that experience isn’t going away. For those who use the on phone experience (Android Auto mobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time.”
Assistant Driving Mode may look better on the car’s dash but it is not as user-friendly as Android Auto for phone screens. This is because to use it, you will need to use Google Maps and activate driving mode. It is only then you will get access to calls, messages and other apps on the larger screen of your car. Now, if you are heading to a known location, you may not always want to use Google Maps, without which you will be unable to access the feature. Android Auto for phone screens did not have any such requirements and all you had to do was to just connect your phone.
As per a report by XDA Developers, Pixel devices with Android 12 are already showing a notification that says Android Auto is only available for car screen and on phone, you will have to use Google Assistant driving mode instead.
So, until your Android phone gets the latest Android 12 update, you can continue using it but ultimately you need to shift to the driving mode or upgrade your car’s infotainment system.