can you start a car with android auto

[BraxtonMarie]

No, you cannot start a car using Android Auto. Android Auto and its Apple counterpart, CarPlay, are infotainment systems designed to project a simplified, driver-friendly version of your smartphone's interface onto the car's central display. Their function is to provide access to navigation, music, messaging, and voice commands through Google Assistant or Siri. They do not have any control over the vehicle's critical systems like the ignition, engine, or locks.

Starting a car remotely requires a different technology, typically known as a remote start system. These systems are either installed as a factory option by the manufacturer or added as an aftermarket accessory. The ability to start your car with your phone is usually facilitated through a dedicated mobile app provided by the car manufacturer (like Toyota's app, FordPass, or myChevrolet) or a third-party security/remote start company (like Viper or Compustar).

These apps communicate with your vehicle's onboard computer via a cellular connection, sending a command to start the engine. This is a completely separate system from the infotainment features powered by Android Auto. While both the remote start app and Android Auto may be accessible on the same phone, they are not connected.

Feature	Android Auto / Apple CarPlay	Manufacturer's Remote Start App
Primary Function	Smartphone mirroring for media, nav, comms	Remote vehicle commands (start, lock, unlock)
Connection Type	USB cable or Wireless Bluetooth/Wi-Fi	Cellular data network
Controls	Infotainment screen (music, maps, etc.)	Dedicated smartphone app
Vehicle Systems	Audio, climate (adjustment only)	Engine, door locks, climate pre-set

If remote start is a feature you want, check your vehicle's specifications to see if it has a factory-installed system with a companion app. If not, you can explore aftermarket options that will add this functionality, but it will be independent of your Android Auto experience.

[LaMalachi]

Nope, that's not what it's for. Think of Android Auto as a safer way to use your phone's maps and music on your car's big screen. It's about what you do after the engine is running. To actually start the car from a distance, you'd need a specific remote start system, often through your car brand's own app. They're two separate things that just happen to use the same device—your phone.

[RichardAnn]

I used to think the same thing! Unfortunately, Android Auto itself can't turn the engine over. It's an entertainment and information hub. The phone-as-a-key or remote start feature is a different piece of technology altogether. Many newer cars do offer an app that lets you start the engine from your phone, but that app works over a cellular signal, not through the Android Auto connection. You'd use that app to start the car, and then Android Auto to pick your podcast for the drive.

[Nova]

As a tech enthusiast, I see the confusion. Android Auto is a software interface for driver distraction reduction, not a vehicle control protocol. The hardware required for remote ignition involves a separate telematics control unit that communicates via LTE. For example, GM's OnStar or Ford's Telematics system enables their respective apps to send start commands. Android Auto is simply a user-friendly projection service that operates within the confines of an already-powered-on vehicle.

[MacMarley]

Absolutely not. Let me be clear: Android Auto is for your screen, not your engine. It's a safety feature to keep your eyes on the road while using navigation or making calls. Starting the car requires a physical key, a key fob, or a dedicated remote start system that's built into the car's security and ignition computer. Don't get stranded thinking your phone can replace your key fob—it can't, at least not through Android Auto. Always check your car's manual for its specific remote capabilities.