Features to Look for in an Android Car Stereo GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Connected Car Tech

Features to Look for in an Android Car Stereo

By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 4, 2020 Tweet Share Email Some Android car stereos actually run on the Android OS, while others simply provide connectivity to Android phones. Gebber86 / Vetta / Getty Images Tweet Share Email Connected Car Tech Android Auto Apple CarPlay Navigation The main difference between Android car stereos and head units that are designed from the ground up for iOS devices is that there’s no such thing as direct iPod control for Android. However, that’s actually a good thing. Since Android is an open platform, you can find car stereos that actually run on Android, and you can also find head units that are capable of directly interfacing with your Android phone or tablet via USB. This isn’t just the next best thing to direct iPod control—in some cases, it’s even better. Of course, if you prefer wireless connections, then the best Android car stereo for you is going to be one that supports Bluetooth.

Music Browsing and Playback

Depending on how you listen to music in your car, there are a handful of features that may or may not be important to you. If you have a lot of music or podcast files stored on your phone or tablet, then the best Android car stereo for you is going to be one that supports music browsing and playback through the head unit. This is the sort of functionality that your Apple-devoted friends are getting out of their direct iPod control head units, and it’s pretty nice. Instead of having to fiddle with your phone or tablet to queue up and play songs (which is necessary when you’re using an auxiliary input), you can just browse and select music through the head unit itself.

Android App Control

Of course, not everyone is still chained to physical storage media for their digital music. If you prefer your streaming services (i.e. Pandora, Spotify, etc), then what you’re looking for is a head unit that supports app control. These head units hook into your phone and take direct control of streaming radio apps. Again, this saves you the trouble of having to fiddle around with your phone when you want to skip a track or change the station.

USB vs Bluetooth

Although some head units are starting to offer USB connections for Android devices, compatibility isn’t always 100 percent. For instance, Pioneer’s maintains a list of the phones that its AppRadio line is compatible with. The list is long, but in some cases, an additional adapter is required. Depending on your listening habits, Bluetooth may be a better option anyway. In that case, the best Android car stereo for you is going to be one that supports the A2DP Bluetooth protocol.

Android Car Stereos

While the term “android car stereo” can be used in reference to head units that are compatible with Android phones and tablets, there are also a handful of car stereos that actually run on Android. This is a rapidly changing field, and even the latest models of Android car stereos lag significantly behind handsets and tablets. For instance, Clarion’s Mirage was the first OEM-grade Android-powered head unit. Released in Q1 2012, it ran on Android 2.2 Froyo. At that time, Froyo was already two years old. So if you’re looking for the best Android car stereo, and you want it to actually run the Android OS, make sure to check into what version it’s running. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Can You Use Factory Steering Wheel Controls With Aftermarket Head Units? How to Use an MP3 Player Like an iPod in a Car With No Head Unit How to Identify Aftermarket Car Stereo Wire Colors How to Use an MP3 Player in Your Car Using Direct iPod Control in Your Car How to Pair a Phone With Your Car What Android Auto Is and How to Use It How to Listen to an iPod in a Car Why Your Car Stereo Only Works Sometimes What Is a Single DIN Car Stereo? How and When to Upgrade a Car Stereo How to Listen to Pandora in Your Car The 3 Best Car Stereo Systems of 2022 How Difficult Is It to Replace a Car Stereo? How to Fix Common Car Amp Problems How to Fix a Car Radio That Won't Turn Off Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies