With the war on distracted driving came many different innovations to keep drivers’ eyes and hands focused and away from their smartphones. Over 3,000 people died in 2019 due to distracted driving, which shows how serious a problem this is.
This is why it is not surprising that hands-free technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become expected features in cars. They help keep drivers looking at the road and away from their phones, as they can do most of what they need to do with voice control alone.
Because Android takes up nearly 70% of the market for mobile operating systems, it’s a no-brainer that Android Auto is a big player in that field. Furthermore, because of how popular it is, it’s not a surprise to have people asking questions about it all the time. For instance, can you use Android Auto without data?
The good thing is, if you’re looking for an answer to that question and many more, you’re in the very best place. So let’s get right into what you’re here to know.
Are you looking for an answer to the question “Does Android Auto use data?” Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
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Does Android Auto use data?
Cellular data in the USA is so expensive. As a result, many people calculate before they do anything to use. Also, suppose you’re out of cellular data on your smartphone, or you’re in a new region where you just can’t get service. In that case, you’re going to be disconnected from the internet. If this happens, you’ll probably be asking yourself, does Android Auto use data?
Well, the answer to that is a big yes. Android Auto app gives you access to apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, music streaming platforms, chat apps, etc. Unfortunately, the functionality of all these apps is very dependent on the internet. Without being connected, you’re bound to run into some problems when trying to use Android Auto.
How much data does Android Auto use per hour?
Now that you have the answer to the question, does Android Auto app use data, the next question on your lips is likely to be exactly how much data it uses? There’s no solid answer to that, as it depends on the applications you’re using.
For instance, for navigation, Waze uses about a fifth of a megabyte every hour, which means you’d have to use it for five hours straight before using just a single megabyte.
Music streaming apps are the heaviest consumers of data in Android Auto app. Streaming music at the highest audio quality will take about 150 MB of data from you. So, if you’re not someone who streams music when driving, your data consumption will be minimal.
Android Auto, on its own, takes in minimal amounts of data, though, so even after several hours of leaving it on, you should have barely used a megabyte.
How much data does Google Maps use on Android Auto?
Data usage for Google Maps on Android Auto depends on the distance you travel. After all, unless you’ve downloaded Android Auto offline maps, the application will need to constantly download more information on the new areas you’re driving into.
As a result, Google Maps background data will typically consume about 0.7 MB for every 10 miles that you drive. This is more than Waze, but many people prefer Google Maps.
Suppose you’re looking for how to reduce Google Maps data usage. In that case, the best two ways are to download the Android Auto offline maps beforehand and follow the same route you usually do. Taking detours will involve downloading new data that isn’t cached.
Will Android Auto work without Internet?
By getting Android Auto offline maps, you may be able to use Google Maps on Android Auto without being connected to the internet. However, you’ll only be able to get navigation instructions for the localities with their map information downloaded.
Also, suppose your application supports it, such as Spotify. In that case, you can download music from their platform and save it to your device.
However, to use pretty much any other aspect of Android Auto, you will need a data connection. Without it, you won’t have Google Assistant helping you out with things, you won’t be able to stream music from YouTube Music or Spotify, and you won’t be able to have the news read out too.
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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