Google is removing the Android Auto mobile app and pushing people to the Google Assistant

Google is phasing out the “Android Auto for phone displays” app once Android 12 arrives later this year. The Verge received confirmation of the change and advice on what to use as a replacement.

That replacement? The Google Assistant driving mode, which is built into Google Maps, or the native Android Auto that is built into newer cars.

If you still like to use the experience on your phone, Android will transfer you to the Google Assistant driving mode. That includes the Android Auto for Phone Screens app that displays messages saying the service is “now only available for car screens,” with a link to the Google Assistant driving mode.

Any existing native Android Auto user in their car won’t notice any changes while Google makes the transition.

Some Pixel device users that are on Android 12 have already lost the ability to use the Android Auto for Phone Screens app. When it opens, it instead has a message that says “Android Auto is only available for car displays. On your phone, try the Google Assistant driving mode. “

The Android Auto for Phone Screens app was only supposed to be a temporary fix, while Google developed the Google Assistant driving mode. The change was announced in 2019, but it took until the end of 2020 to reach phones.

Now it seems to be ready for prime time, with the feature taking over in Android 12, meaning the staging app is no longer needed. Still, some tweaking will be needed for users who are used to the Android Auto experience for phone screens.

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