Google pulls down Android Auto for phone screens, adds Assistant Driving Mode

Android Auto is no longer supported on phone displays and now requires a dedicated car screen to use.

After a design overhaul to Android Auto a couple of years ago, Google has now decided to shut down Android Auto for phone screens starting from Android 12. Last year when it was released for phones, Google called it a “stopgap” for users who needed an in-car experience but lacked a vehicle compatible with Android Auto.However, now Google is restricting the Android Auto only for car screens and not phones. Instead, Google has come up with “Assistant driving mode.”

“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 Automobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode,” said Google in a statement. Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience. However, the users using Android 11 or earlier can still use the old Android Auto App for now.

While opening dedicated Android Auto, some users are already getting notifications that Android Auto is now available only for carsand is no longer functional on the phone. While some Pixel devices running the Android 12 beta are getting pop-up notifications redirecting users to try out Assistant Driving Mode. Specifically, the warning notes that Android Auto is no longer supported on phone displays and now requires a dedicated car screen to use.