Android Auto now includes Gemini – here’s what you can do with it

Use Android Auto in your car? Well, you may notice a major upgrade that makes in-car interaction feel more natural, conversational and responsive.

If you’ve recently updated your Android Auto and Google apps, you may have spotted something new in your car: Gemini AI. It’s now built in, replacing Google Assistant with a smarter in-car helper that Google says is designed to let drivers “speak naturally, have a back-and-forth conversation, and get more complex tasks done” from the car display.

So instead of relying on rigid voice commands, Gemini makes interacting with your car feel more natural and conversational. You can talk to it as if there’s a passenger beside you – one that actually listens.

But how exactly can Gemini help you while you’re on the road? Here’s a closer look at what this AI upgrade can actually do.

A more natural voice command

With Gemini, you’ll no longer need exact phrases or strict commands. Instead, you can ask follow-up questions and issue multi-step requests in a natural way. For example, you can ask for a route with stops along the way or request help while changing plans mid-journey.

Google says that this new experience is built around “voice commands that actually understand you” without needing scripts or shortcuts.

Real help while you’re on the road

One of Gemini’s biggest upgrades is its ability to act like a real co-pilot. It can suggest places to stop, help you find restaurants along your route, and adjust recommendations based on your journey in real time, according to Google.

It also connects with apps such as Gmail and other Google services, allowing it to surface useful information such as hotel details or meeting information directly from your emails while driving.

Smarter messaging and communication

Google says the AI system improves hands-free communication by helping you stay connected without distraction. It can draft messages, interpret incoming texts, and suggest natural replies while you keep your focus on the road. It can also describe images that have been sent to you.

In fact, we put this to the test by sending an image of a fluffy white dog sitting in a toy Lamborghini to our deputy reviews editor, Tom Wiltshire – Gemini accurately described exactly that, according to Tom.

Google also highlights its more conversational approach, allowing drivers to continue a dialogue rather than repeating commands each time.

Music, media, and everyday tasks

Beyond navigation and messaging, Gemini can also handle entertainment. You can request playlists based on mood, ask for podcasts, or switch between audio apps using simple conversational prompts.

This builds on Android Auto’s core goal of bringing “your favourite music, media, and messaging apps in the car” in a safe, simplified interface.

Initial verdict from a car reviewer

Tom recently tested the new Gemini software inside a car, and he says it doesn’t feel fully integrated yet, especially in how it needs to properly “talk” to apps – something Google Assistant may have done more seamlessly without being explicit.

Some requests also got lost in translation, Tom adds; for example, asking for a specific song often just returns other tracks by the same artist. It also has cross-app memory, which could be useful for some, but its value remains uncertain.

He said it’s still early days for the tech, though, and responses can be customised in the Gemini app, including limiting waffle and forcing clarification. Google only started rolling out Gemini on Android Auto last November, so its full potential is yet to be seen – and there’s bound to be some things that can be improved over time.

What this means for you

Android Auto is already designed to keep things simple and safe, reducing how much you need to look at your screen by handling key tasks like navigation, calls, and music in one place. With Gemini, that experience becomes more flexible and a lot more natural – more like chatting with a passenger than giving strict commands to a system, Google says.

In practice, this isn’t just a small feature update. It changes how you interact with your car. You can have more natural conversations, get smarter help with trips, and use your apps more smoothly. That’s all while keeping your attention on the road.

For many, this could feel like the first step towards having a proper AI co-pilot in the car.

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