If you're still using Android Auto on your phone, you'll see a message saying "Android Auto for phone displays will cease operating shortly" the next time you launch the program.


It appears that the Android Auto for phone screens app will be discontinued over a year after the firm stated its intention to do so. In its stead, you'll have to use Google Assistant's Driving Mode.


The Android Auto App Will Be Discontinued

Google previously stated its aim to disable Android Auto on phones in August 2021, thus the decision does not come as a surprise. At the time, the business provided the following statement (via Android Police):


The next step in the growth of the mobile driving experience is Google Assistant driving mode. People who utilize Android Auto in compatible vehicles will continue to have that experience. Those who utilize the Android Auto mobile app on their phone will be automatically switched to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, the built-in mobile driving experience will be Google Assistant driving mode.


Android 12 does not contain support for the Android Auto app, so if you have an up-to-date phone, you will be unaffected by this change. The program, however, continued to function on previous versions of Android, and it is still available for download as of this writing. Google hasn't specified how long the Android Auto app will be unavailable.


Even so, it's advisable switching to Google Assistant's Driving Mode before you're pressed. You must first enable it, and the setting to do so is somewhat hidden. Settings > Google > Settings for Google Apps > Search, Assistant & Voice > Google Assistant > Transport > Driving Mode is where you'll find it on your phone.


Android Auto Is No Longer Available for Phone Screens


Although customers have not completely embraced Driving Mode, many have found it to be slower and less dependable than Android Auto, it is the way of the future. We can only hope that now that it is going to become the sole way to navigate on Android, it will become a more refined and powerful product.

Meanwhile, Android Auto for phone screens has been added to Google's ever-growing list of defunct applications.