Google’s smart platform for cars, Android Auto, needs no introduction. As you may know, it allows for control multimedia, take calls, or lets you use Google Maps to navigate while driving without taking your eyes off the road. In fact, the platform also got a redesigned music player UI very recently. But, according to a report, Android Auto is now less preferred by drivers, while YouTube Music is still popular.
A survey report suggests that Android Auto is losing its users, but YouTube Music is staying strong
The news comes via 9to5Google, which spotted a post on X from a popular tech analyst, Max Weinbach. The post highlights key findings from the Morgan Stanley Audio Entertainment Survey report. Per the shared details, Android Auto is losing its users. The platform saw a decline in year-over-year user engagement, with 7 percent fewer drivers using it.
It’s worth noting that there’s no mention of the reason behind this drop. However, it’s safe to say that previous Android Auto users switching to iPhones could be one of those. While Google seems to be losing its users from the Android Auto platform, YouTube Music is still being preferred by many users for streaming music, listening to podcasts, and more.
What’s interesting is that CarPlay users are using Google’s music and podcast streaming service more compared to Android Auto users. As mentioned earlier, this could be due to a large number of CarPlay users on the road.
Car listening has seen a significant drop in the last year, though
Speaking of overall service share, YouTube sits at the top alongside SiriusXM with a 12% share. The platform leaves behind its rivals like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more.
All that said, overall car listening has dropped to 27 percent in 2024, a steep decline of 18 percent, from 45 percent reported back in 2017. For those curious about social media, TikTok is reportedly emerging as a “key discovery platform,” according to the report.
