Android Auto finally gets Google Maps feature drivers wanted
Google Maps on Android Auto finally adds a live speedometer, filling a long-standing gap compared to Android phones and Apple CarPlay. The feature is starting to roll out, still very limited.
What you need to know
- Google Maps finally brings a live speedometer to Android Auto.
- Rollout is still very limited – only for select beta users with version 26.29.02.946673643.
- The speedometer appears next to the speed limit indicator and changes color when exceeding the limit.
Google is finally fulfilling one of the oldest wishes of Android Auto users. The live speedometer feature has been available in Google Maps on phones for a long time, and in 2024 Google added it to Apple CarPlay. Now it is starting to appear on Android Auto as well.
According to reports from Reddit, the feature is available to a small number of beta users, including at least one driver in Canada. As usual, this is a server-side rollout, so simply updating the app does not guarantee immediate access.
The speedometer appears next to the speed limit indicator and changes color if the driver exceeds the speed limit, making it easier to check speed at a glance without taking eyes off the road for long.
Google warns that the feature is for reference only and should not replace the actual speedometer in the vehicle.
The delay was surprising because Android Auto lagged behind Google Maps on phones and Apple CarPlay in this regard. With this update, Android Auto moves closer to feature parity, while Google continues to roll out other navigation improvements, such as a new immersive map interface with 3D buildings, better lane guidance, and clearer highway junctions.
Android Central opinion: This update deserves a 'finally' rather than a 'hooray.' A live speedometer is not some new AI gimmick, but a simple navigation feature that has been on phones and even CarPlay for a long time. I'm glad it's coming to Android Auto because it gives drivers one less reason to look at the dashboard, especially in unfamiliar areas with many speed limit changes. I just wish Google were as quick with practical quality-of-life features as it is with flashy additions.