Android Auto allows users to use Google Maps in their car again at the same time – Earth

Combined with Android Auto, you get a powerful navigation experience that allows you to focus on the road while going places. However, if you’re using Android Auto, there’s a strange limitation — you can’t use Google Maps on your phone and Android Auto in your car at the same time. It appears this has finally changed as some users on Reddit are reporting that they are able to use Google Maps in their cars and on their smartphones.

This strange limitation means that if you wanted to use Android Auto to display directions, the app would refuse to open on your Android phone, saying “your phone cannot display Google Maps while Android Auto is running”. For some, this was a major drawback, as the Android Auto version only included turn-by-turn navigation, ETA, distance remaining, and music controls. But now it can be used on both platforms.

This is important because Android navigation is a bit more detailed, showing a full list of directions, so if you have a passenger also keeping an eye on the road, they can help with the smartphone version and see next steps.

A similar feature was introduced briefly in February, but it was likely an unintentional glitch, as it was removed just two days later. However, many users have reported that it has been widely distributed recently, while some have already received it a few days ago. It seems that this feature is now here to stay, so you can safely tell the passenger you trust to help you on the road.