We often talk about Android Auto, Google’s proposal to bring our mobile apps to the car’s infotainment screen. Android Auto It is extremely useful when it comes to easily accessing the most important tools and functions of your mobile phone, such as navigation, communication and multimedia applications.

The Google platform is very popular both in Spain and in many countries around the world, but there are some exceptions. One of the places where it is not used is China. Google services have been blocked for years. Of course, this does not mean that Android users in China cannot connect their mobile phones to the car.

Even though Android is allowed in China, you can’t use Android Auto

If you’re wondering why you can’t use Android Auto in China but you can use Android, here’s why: Android is open source software. This means that manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Huawei can adapt the operating system and remove the Mountain View company’s software to comply with country regulations.

In the case of Android Auto, the platform relies heavily on Google services and tools (like Google Maps or Google Assistant), so it’s not a viable option in China. Instead of using Android Auto, Chinese Android phone users are turning to native designed platforms. comply with country regulations.

Some of the most popular options in China are Baidu CarLife and Huawei HiCar. The first of these belongs to Baidu, a company known for its search engine of the same name. Baidu CarLife It works similarly to Android Auto and offers easy access to Baidu Maps, one of the most popular mapping services in China. It is also compatible with both Android and iOS.

Promotional images from Baidu Maps, Baidu’s proprietary mapping platform. It has 565 million monthly active users and is one of the most popular mapping platforms.

Another available option is Huawei HiCar, an alternative to Android Auto that is compatible with the company’s mobile phones (it also works on Honor mobiles) and has been available since early 2020. Like Baidu platform, Huawei HiCar It provides access to multimedia and navigation applications installed on the mobile phone from the infotainment system of compatible vehicles.

Although Android Auto is blocked in China, the local alternatives we mentioned offer users the opportunity to connect their mobile phones to the car and use the applications they use daily without any major problems. As a curiosity it is interesting to note that: CarPlay is available in China For iOS users.

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