Introduction
Contents
- Introduction
- Editor’s Choice
- What is Apple CarPlay?
- What is Android Auto?
- Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Differences
- Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Installation Statistics
- Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Demand Statistics
- Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Market Growth Statistics
- Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Users Statistics
- Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Customer Satisfaction Statistics
- Conclusion
Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Statistics: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are the two most popular systems that connect your smartphone to your car’s screen. They let you use apps for directions, music, calls, messages, and more without taking your eyes off the road. Made by Google and Apple, these tools are always being updated to work better and faster.
Many drivers want to know which one is the best. By checking out stats, user preferences, and market share, we can determine which system gives a better, safer, and more enjoyable ride. This article will examine “Android Auto vs. Apple CarPlay Statistics – Which is Better?”.
Editor’s Choice
- The installation rate of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has increased by almost 90% over the past three model years.
- By April 2023, 98% of new cars had Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Almost 80% of new car buyers want these phone connection features.
- Harman International Industries uses systems like QNX and Linux and has a 25% market share.
- 43% of people between 60 and 69 years old and 53% between 50 and 59 years old prefer Apple Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- In May 2025, Apple rolled out “CarPlay Ultra,” the next version of its in-car system.
- A 2024 report by Morgan Stanley found that the usage of Android Auto by people who stream music dropped by 7%.
- A recent McKinsey survey found that nearly 50% of car shoppers would avoid buying a car without smartphone connection features like CarPlay or Android Auto.
- In May 2025, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, which appeared in new Aston Martin cars. This upgraded version gives drivers more control over vehicle features and a smoother, more custom experience.
What is Apple CarPlay?
CarPlay is an infotainment system created by Apple that works with your iPhone to provide seamless integration on your car’s dashboard. It lets users control various iPhone functions using the car’s touchscreen or voice commands. The interface of Apple CarPlay is even a feature that makes people differ. The system copies the familiar iOS design on the car screen to allow iPhone users to use it easily. It also gives various applications like music apps and navigation, mostly used for a decent driving experience.
What is Android Auto?
Android Auto is an automobile infotainment system invented by Google that optimises the driving experience by syncing the driver’s Android device with their vehicle dashboard. It perfectly connects the user’s smartphone, the car dashboard, and the navigation system. It includes functions like driver-friendly buttons, navigation, music played back, and even calling. Android Auto aims for simplicity and easy usage, allowing the user to reach the required function quickly.
Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Differences
Aspect | Apple CarPlay | Android Auto |
Third-Party App Support | Limited third-party app compatibility |
Greater third-party app compatibility |
Customization |
No customization of the app display | Select which apps to appear, and view multiple apps simultaneously |
Google Apps | Works with most Google apps |
Limited Apple app support (only Apple Music) |
Navigation Control |
Tap the arrow buttons to move the map | Zoom and scroll like on a phone, tap the grey alternatives |
Generative AI | Not available |
Generative AI to help manage texts (early 2024) |
Interface Design |
A slick, well-designed interface | Customizable interface, split-screen function |
Voice Assistant | Siri |
Google Assistant |
Default Navigation |
Apple Maps |
Google Maps |
Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Installation Statistics
- The installation rate of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has increased by almost 90% over the past three model years.
(Reference: informa.com)
Year | Android Auto | Apple CarPlay |
Mid-year 2017 |
35% |
35% |
Mid-year 2018 |
48% | 50% |
Mid-year 2019 | 69% |
70% |
Mid-year 2020 |
89% | 82% |
Mid-year 2021 | 92% |
90% |
Mid-year 2022 |
90% | 91% |
Mid-year 2023 | 91% |
92% |
Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Demand Statistics
(Reference: straitsresearch.com)
Android Auto | 20% |
Apple CarPlay |
80% |
- By April 2023, 98% of new cars had Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Almost 80% of new car buyers want these phone connection features.
- Regarding customer happiness with car entertainment systems, Tesla and BMW are leaders.
- Tesla’s advanced system, combined with its electric cars, has a high satisfaction rate of 86%.
(Reference: straitsresearch.com)
- The above chart shows the satisfaction rating of information systems.
Tesla’s infotainment system | 86% |
BMW’s iDrive |
80% |
- BMW’s iDrive system also gets good reviews, with 80% of owners happy.
(Reference: straitsresearch.com)
DENSO | 20% |
HARMAN |
25% |
Alphabet |
35% |
Others |
20% |
- Three companies dominate the car infotainment operating systems market. Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, leads with its Linux-based Android Automotive OS, holding about 35% of the market.
- Harman International Industries uses systems like QNX and Linux and has a 25% market share.
- Denso Corporation is third with 20%, using QNX, Linux, and Android systems.
(Source: straitsresearch.com)
- China is the biggest car maker worldwide, producing more than 32% of all vehicles. The U.S. is second, making up 12% of cars and trucks globally.
- In 2022, distracted driving deaths in the U.S. rose by 22%, reaching 3,142 fatalities, more than the year before.
- Europe saw a 10% increase, with 2,999 more deaths due to distracted driving.
- China’s distracted driving deaths went up 8%, adding 2,120 more deaths than the previous year.
(Source: autopacific.com)
- The above chart shows the demand rate for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by demographic group.
- Around 34% of people over 70 prefer Apple Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- 43% of people between 60 and 69 years old and 53% between 50 and 59 years old prefer Apple Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- Nearly 54% of people between 40 and 49, and even 52% of people between 30 and 39, prefer to have Apple CarPlay and Apple Auto.
Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Market Growth Statistics
(Source: gminsights.com)
Android Auto Market
- In 2024, Android Auto held about 47.3% of the market for apps used inside cars, making it the top platform in this area.
- The Android segment in car apps is expected to grow by over 9.5% annually from 2024 to 2025, showing strong future growth.
(Reference: novaoneadvisor.com)
Year | USD Billion |
2023 |
USD 14.99 |
2024 |
USD 16.49 |
2025 |
USD 18.14 |
2026 |
USD 19.95 |
2027 |
USD 21.95 |
2028 |
USD 24.14 |
2029 |
USD 26.56 |
2030 |
USD 29.21 |
2031 |
USD 32.13 |
2032 |
USD 35.35 |
2033 |
USD 38.88 |
- By mid-2023, Android Auto was installed in about 91.9% of new cars sold in the U.S., showing its popularity.
- At the Google I/O 2025 event, Google announced big updates to Android Auto. These include new video and web browser apps, and more weather apps.
- Android Auto works with almost every new car model today.
- Based on “Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Statistics—Which is Better?” Global Market Insights Inc. reported that around 250 million vehicles worldwide can now use Android Auto.
Apple CarPlay Market Statistics
- Over 90% of new cars have come with Apple CarPlay already built in for the last three years, which shows how common it has become in the auto industry.
- Based on “Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Statistics – Which is Better?” data, Wards Intelligence reported that around 33% of people planning to buy a new car say Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is a must-have feature for them.
(Reference: autopacific.com)
Total Industry | 48% |
Large Car |
45% |
Midsize Car |
44% |
Compact Car |
44% |
Sports Sporty Car |
53% |
Full-size Pickup |
43% |
Midsize Pickup |
42% |
Large SUV/XSUV |
53% |
Midsize SUV/XSUV |
52% |
Compact SUV/XSUV |
51% |
Subcompact SUV/XSUV |
59% |
Minivan |
48% |
- The global market for connected car technology, including Apple CarPlay, is expected to jump from about USD 12.4 billion in 2024 to USD 26.4 billion by 2030, a growth rate of about 13.3% yearly.
- In May 2025, Apple rolled out “CarPlay Ultra,” the next version of its in-car system. The first cars to get it are new models from Aston Martin in the U.S. and Canada.
- CarPlay Ultra gives drivers more control and information. It can show your speed, gas level, and tyre pressure on the dashboard. It also lets you change the display’s look with different themes.
- Apple plans to add CarPlay Ultra to more car brands over the next year, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Users Statistics
(Reference: emarketer.com)
Year | Android Auto users | Apple CarPlay users |
2022 |
27.0 million | 40.4 million |
2023 | 30.7 million |
47.6 million |
2024 |
33.1 million | 52.6 million |
2025 | 35.3 million |
52.6 million |
2026 |
37.3 million |
61.3 million |
Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Customer Satisfaction Statistics
Android Auto
- According to the 2024 J.D. Power APEAL Study, people using Android Auto gave it a satisfaction score of 832 out of 1,000.
- That score is higher than the average satisfaction score 805 for the built-in infotainment system, showing that Android Auto gives users a better experience than many factory-installed setups.
- A 2024 report by Morgan Stanley found that the usage of Android Auto by people who stream music dropped by 7%.
- Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay usage increased by almost 2% among the same group.
Apple CarPlay
- According to the 2024 J.D. Power APEAL Study, Apple CarPlay earned a customer satisfaction score of 840 out of 1,000.
- This is higher than Android Auto’s score of 832 and also above the 805-point average for built-in infotainment systems.
- This shows that people find CarPlay easier to use and more enjoyable than many factory-installed car systems.
- Even though some automakers are pulling back support for CarPlay, drivers still want it.
- Toptal highlighted in its report “Android Auto vs Apple CarPlay Statistics—which is better?” that nearly 50% of car shoppers would avoid buying a car without smartphone connection features like CarPlay or Android Auto.
- Apple CarPlay remains one of the top choices for in-car tech.
- Having smooth phone-to-car integration is a big deal for today’s drivers.
Conclusion
In 2025, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be important features in modern vehicles, allowing drivers to connect their phones to their car’s system easily. Based on the 2024 J.D. Power APEAL Study, Apple CarPlay scored 840 out of 1,000 in customer satisfaction, which is higher than Android Auto’s score of 832 and the average score of 805 for built-in car systems.
Even though some carmakers (like GM) are building their infotainment systems to control more of the in-car experience and collect user data, many people still want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A survey showed that about 33% of buyers say these features are a “must-have” when choosing a new car. We have thoroughly explored the topic of “Android Auto vs. Apple CarPlay Statistics – Which is Better?” in this article.