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Waze for Android Auto now works on your smartphone's display

Drivers who prefer to use Android Auto on their phone's display can now choose Waze for navigation.

Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin Senior Writer, Electrified Cars
Antuan started out in the automotive industry the old-fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. He now has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience behind the wheel of hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and traditional combustion vehicles. For each car he tests, Antuan covers more than 200 miles behind the wheel and evaluates driving dynamics; acceleration and braking performance; range; and efficiency. Antuan's goal is to use his extensive car knowledge to educate CNET readers and help with their next car-related buying decision. Whether you're EV-curious, an EV-enthusiast or a combustion-car loyalist, Antuan will bring you the unbiased advice, reviews, best lists and news you need. You can reach Antuan at antuan.goodwin@cnet.com
Expertise Nearly two decades of testing, driving, reporting on, writing about, reviewing, and editing content about electric and ICE cars. Category focus is on electrified cars, EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, ICE cars, EV infrastructure, EV chargers, EV adapters, EV news, auton Credentials
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Antuan Goodwin
Screenshot by Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Google's Android Auto software has been updated to allow users to select Waze as their navigation app when using the automotive interface on the phone.

Last year, Google's Android Auto interface for cars gained the option to select Waze for navigation, but only when connected to a compatible car's dashboard display. However, users who prefer or need to run Android directly on their smartphones have had no choice aside from Google Maps. This week's update fixes the ommision.

waze-android-auto-trio
Screenshot by Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Choosing Waze on the Android Auto phone interface is handled just like it is in the car. Double-tapping the navigation icon in the bottom bar now brings up a list of available navigation apps where you can select Waze if it's installed and set up on your device. The advantage of using Waze inside Android Auto, rather than just opening the app, is that the new method also grants fast access to all of the audio, media and messaging apps that are also compatible with Google's car mode.

For now, Google Maps and Waze -- which is owned by Google -- are the only Android Auto navigation choices available. Recently, Apple also announced that it will be supporting third-party navigation apps, including Waze, in its updated Apple CarPlay software.