Android Auto compatibility can be found on virtually every new vehicle, but drivers without infotainment systems typically rely on Android Auto for Phone Screens.
As the name suggests, the app replicates the Android Auto experience on your smartphone and has proved popular as the app has been downloaded more than 5 million times. Furthermore, it’s currently the second most popular free app in the auto and vehicles category on Google Play.
However, like Hangouts and Google Reader before it, Android Auto for Phone Screens is getting the axe. 9to5Google reports some Pixel owners with Android 12 attempted to use the app, but were greeted by a message saying “Android Auto is now only available for car screens. On your phone, try Google Assistant Driving Mode instead.”
Also Read: Google Launches Android 12 With New Car Smart Key Functionality
The publication reached out to Google and the company confirmed the app is being dropped on Android 12, but will apparently continue to work on older versions of the operating system – at least for the time being. However, it’s not all bad news as Google Assistant Driving Mode is the “next evolution of the mobile driving experience.”
Originally introduced in 2019, Google Assistant Driving Mode is available on phones with Android 9.0 or higher with at least 4GB of RAM. It can be accessed by using Google Maps or by saying “Hey Google, navigate to [destination].”
Besides featuring a more modern design, Google Assistant Driving Mode is voice-focused as users can make and answer calls as well as send messages and have them read aloud, simply by speaking.