A Google spokesperson said: “Google Assistant driving mode is our next evolution of the mobile driving experience. For the people who use Android Auto in supported vehicles, that experience isn’t going away. For those who use the on phone experience (Android Auto mobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time.”
The decision to scrap the Android Auto for Phone Screens app has been on the cards since 2019. Back then, with the release of Android 10 Google decided to build most of Android Auto’s features onto the OS.
The tech giant also discontinued the previously available Android Auto app. If you had an Android Auto compatible car, this wasn’t an issue but if you had an older vehicle and wanted a driving friendly UI on your phone then you need another option.
That’s where the Android Auto for Phone Screens app came into play, with this app pre-installed on devices running Android 10 and above.