Can you use Google Voice with Android Auto?

What is Google Voice?

Google Voice is a virtual phone number service from Google that provides users with a phone number to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, and manage voicemail. With Google Voice, users can have a dedicated phone number that works on any device and rings all linked numbers simultaneously, such as a cell phone, landline, and computer (via the Google Voice website or mobile app).

Some key features of Google Voice include:

Free phone number – Users can select a dedicated local phone number or port an existing number to Google Voice.

Unified messaging – Voicemails, texts, and calls ring all linked devices so messages are never missed.
Call screening – Users can screen calls by listening to a caller’s message and decide whether to answer, send to voicemail, or block.
Free domestic calls – Users can make free calls within the U.S. and Canada.

International calling – Google Voice offers competitive international calling rates.
Call recording – Users can record inbound and outbound calls.
Transcribed voicemail – Voicemails are automatically transcribed for easy skimming.

Google Voice is available to users in the U.S. and select other countries. It works across devices and platforms, with apps available for iOS, Android, and the web. Users can access it via mobile number, Google Account, Gmail, or as a standalone service.

According to Google Voice usage statistics from SimilarWeb, the Google Voice app has over 10 million downloads on Android alone and over 500,000 monthly active users as of October 2022. Google Voice continues to be adopted by individuals looking for an affordable and unified communication solution.

What is Android Auto?

Android Auto is a platform developed by Google to extend the Android operating system to in-vehicle infotainment systems. It allows drivers to access apps and services from their Android smartphone on the vehicle’s dashboard screen. Android Auto was first announced in 2014 and launched in 2015.

With Android Auto, drivers can access Google Maps for navigation, Google Play Music, Spotify and other media apps for music playback, and Google Assistant for voice commands. It also supports popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram for hands-free messaging while driving. Calls can also be handled through Android Auto, with the car’s speakers used for phone conversations.

Android Auto requires the vehicle to be compatible and have Android Auto integration. The driver’s Android smartphone also needs the Android Auto app installed, which then connects to the car wirelessly or via USB cable. Once connected, the apps show up in a simplified interface on the car’s center screen.

According to a research by Straits Research, Android Auto holds 35% market share amidst in-vehicle infotainment systems as of 2023, making it the top platform ahead of competitors like CarPlay and Tesla’s proprietary software.^[1]

Overall, Android Auto allows drivers to minimize distractions and focus on driving by providing quick access to apps and services in a optimized interface designed specifically for the car.

^{[1] https://straitsresearch.com/statistic/in-vehicle-infotainment-system}

Connecting Google Voice and Android Auto

Google Voice currently has limited integration with Android Auto. Here are some steps to help connect Google Voice to Android Auto:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of the Google Voice app installed on your Android phone. You can download it from the Play Store if needed.

2. Open the Android Auto app on your phone and complete the setup process if you have not already.

3. Plug your phone into your car’s compatible Android Auto system using the USB cable. Android Auto should launch on your car’s display.

4. Say “OK Google” or press and hold the microphone icon to activate Google voice commands. This will access the Google Assistant connected to your Google account.

5. Say “Send a text message”. The Google Assistant will ask who you want to text and what message. Provide the contact name and dictate your message.

6. The Google Assistant will send the text message using your Google Voice number if it is set as the default messaging app on your phone. You may need to manually set Google Voice as default in your phone’s app settings.

7. Repeat these voice commands to place calls using your Google Voice number through Android Auto. The contacts and call history are synced from your Google Voice app.

While limited, this allows you to utilize your Google Voice number for calls and texts while connected to Android Auto. Direct integration and added features may be added in future updates to the Google Voice app and Android Auto.

Benefits of Using Google Voice with Android Auto

One of the major benefits of using Google Voice with Android Auto is the ability to have incoming text messages read aloud while driving (1). This allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road instead of glancing down at their phones. Android Auto can read incoming texts through the vehicle’s speakers, and users can dictate responses back hands-free. This is a key safety feature of the integration.

Another advantage is being able to get voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation through Google Maps via Android Auto (2). Instead of having to look down at a phone screen for the next turn, drivers can get clear directions from Google Assistant speaking through the car’s infotainment system. This makes navigating much simpler and safer without any visual distractions.

Overall, the integration between Google Voice and Android Auto enables key phone features like messaging and maps to be accessible hands-free using voice commands. This allows drivers to stay focused on the road for a safer driving experience.

Limitations

One of the biggest limitations of using Google Voice with Android Auto is the inability to make Google Voice calls directly through Android Auto. Even though Google Voice is connected and enabled in Android Auto, users still have to use their regular cell phone number and mobile plan for making calls through Android Auto. There is currently no option to select Google Voice as the calling service within Android Auto.

This limitation is frustrating for many Google Voice users who were hoping to route all calls through their Google Voice number while driving. As explained on Reddit, “Generally, the hands-free experience with GV is awful to non-existent. I always thought it was a limitation of Over-The-Top apps, I never used it with anything but the stock dialer.”

Essentially, Google has not enabled full Google Voice integration and calling abilities within Android Auto. Users can receive and listen to Google Voice voicemails, read and reply to Google Voice SMS messages by voice, but cannot actually make outbound calls using their Google Voice number when connected via Android Auto. This reduces the hands-free usefulness of Google Voice while driving.

Troubleshooting Issues

Using Google Voice with Android Auto can sometimes present issues that prevent full functionality. Here are some common problems and potential solutions:

If voice commands are not working properly, make sure to press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel until you hear a beep. Just a quick press may not activate the microphone (source).

The “Hey Google” wake word may not trigger Voice when connected to Android Auto. Try enabling the “Hey Google” toggle under Settings > Voice Detection in the Android Auto app (source).

If voice functions still do not work, restarting both your phone and car infotainment system can help reset the connection.

Check that the microphone is not muted and volume levels are turned up if Voice is not audible during calls made through Android Auto.

Using the latest versions of the Android Auto and Google Voice apps can ensure maximum compatibility.

Alternative Options

There are other Voice over IP (VoIP) services that can work with Android Auto as an alternative to Google Voice:

WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that also offers free VoIP calling. While WhatsApp itself does not integrate with Android Auto, some users have reported success using the separate WhatsApp VoIP client app to make and receive WhatsApp calls through Android Auto.

Viber is another messaging and VoIP app. Similar to WhatsApp, the Viber Android app itself does not work with Android Auto, but the Viber Out VoIP client allows making low cost calls through your Viber account while driving.

Skype also offers a Skype for Android Auto app that lets you use your Skype account to make and receive calls through your car’s infotainment system. This gives you access to Skype’s low VoIP calling rates on the go.

Other VoIP services like magicApp and JusTalk have Android Auto integration to make and take VoIP calls while driving. These provide alternative options to Google Voice for making low cost calls on the road.

The Future of Google Voice and Android Auto

Google continues to invest in expanding Android Auto’s capabilities and integrating it with more of its other apps and services (Google Blog, 2024). While there are currently no official announcements about expanding Google Voice’s integration with Android Auto, we can speculate on potential new features based on Google’s roadmap.

One area Google could expand is enabling full text messaging through Android Auto using your Google Voice number, instead of just receiving notifications. This would allow responding to texts completely hands-free while driving (Google Blog, 2023). Google may also integrate Voice more deeply into the Google Assistant on Android Auto, allowing you to place calls, listen to voicemails, and fully manage your Google Voice account by voice.

There are also opportunities to improve call quality and reliability when using Google Voice on Android Auto, as some users have experienced intermittent issues (Reddit, 2021). Streamlining the setup and configuration process would also help increase adoption and usage.

While the future roadmap is not certain, Google seems committed to expanding Android Auto’s capabilities and integrating it with more Google services. Deeper Google Voice integration likely makes sense given Voice’s strong existing user base. We may see more Voice features on Android Auto announced at upcoming industry events like Google I/O or CES.

Summary

To summarize, Google Voice is a free VoIP service that provides a phone number for calls, voicemail, and text messaging. Android Auto is a platform that allows you to access apps and services on your Android phone through your vehicle’s dashboard screen. While Google Voice is not natively integrated with Android Auto, there are a few workarounds to connect the two services:

Use the Google Voice app on your phone while connected to Android Auto to make calls and texts over data.
Link your Google Voice number to your mobile carrier number so calls are forwarded to your car.
Use a third party app like Assistant for Voice to access Google Voice via Android Auto voice commands.

The main benefits of using Google Voice with Android Auto are having access to your Google Voice voicemail and texts while driving. The limitations are not being able to natively place Google Voice calls with Android Auto voice commands. Overall the integration is not seamless, but with some effort Google Voice can be used safely in the car through Android Auto.

References

Google Support. “Set up & use Android Auto.” https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/6348019 Accessed Feb 28, 2023.

Google Voice Help. “Get started with Google Voice.” https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115061 Accessed Feb 28, 2023.

Android Authority. “How to use Google Voice with Android Auto for calls and texts.” https://www.androidauthority.com/how-to-use-google-voice-with-android-auto-3131122/ Accessed Feb 28, 2023.

Reddit r/GoogleVoice. “Has anyone managed to get GoogleVoice working on AndroidAuto?” https://www.reddit.com/r/Googlevoice/comments/9gb2nx/has_anyone_managed_to_get_googlevoice_working_on/ Accessed Feb 28, 2023.