I'm an iPhone user, but Gemini with Android Auto beats Siri in the car any day - here's why

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Close Home Innovation Artificial Intelligence I'm an iPhone user, but Gemini with Android Auto beats Siri in the car any day - here's why Gemini can help with a variety of tasks when behind the wheel. All you need is an Android phone and a car with Android Auto.

Written by Lance Whitney, ContributorContributor May 28, 2026 at 5:31 a.m. PT

Using Google Gemini in the car — Lance Whitney/ZDNET

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As an iPhone owner, I primarily use Siri through CarPlay when I'm driving. Apple's voice assistant can handle basic tasks like giving me turn-by-turn directions, making phone calls, sending texts, checking my calendar, creating reminders, and playing music and podcasts. For more challenging questions that stump Siri, I've been turning to ChatGPT.

But since my Toyota Camry supports Android Auto as well, I wanted to see how Google Gemini would fare as my in-car assistant. With that in mind, I've been using Gemini with my Android phone when I'm behind the wheel. I've given it a variety of tasks to perform and questions to answer.

Also: Does Android Auto make your phone overheat? Try these 8 ways to cool it down

With Google's AI, you can send emails and messages, ask for playlist suggestions, get information on local restaurants and businesses via Google Maps, set reminders, ask any question on your mind, play a game, listen to a story, and more.

How did Gemini perform in my experience? You'll have to read on to find out. But here's how I've been using Gemini and how you can, as well.

How to set up and use Gemini in the car

What you need: To rev up Gemini through Android Auto, you need an Android phone and a car that supports Android Auto. Check Google's "Find your ride with Android Auto" page to see if your car's stereo or multimedia system is compatible.

If you have the right phone and car, let's go through the initial steps.

1. Set up Gemini on your phone

First, you must set up Gemini as your AI assistant on your phone. If you haven't already downloaded the Gemini app, grab it from its page at Google Play.

Also: 4 Android Auto apps I highly recommend for your next road trip - beyond Maps and Spotify

To enlist Gemini as your default assistant on most Android phones, go to Settings on your phone, select Apps, select Assistant, and then tap "Digital assistants." Tap the option for Gemini, select Switch to confirm your action, and then tap the button to "Use Gemini."

Set up Gemini on your Android phone — Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

The process is different on Samsung phones. Here, head to Settings, select Apps, and tap the option to choose default apps. Tap the entry for Digital Assistant app and make sure it says Google. If not, tap the entry on the next screen and change the selection to Google. To confirm that Gemini is the default on your Samsung phone, hold down the power button. A window should pop up telling you that Gemini is your new AI assistant from Google.

Set up Gemini on your Samsung phone — Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

2. Set up Gemini for hands-free use

To use Gemini in your car, you want to be able to activate it hands-free. For this, open the Gemini app on your phone, tap your profile icon, and select Settings. Tap the option to talk to Gemini hands-free, and then turn on the switch for "Hey Google." Tap the Turn on button and then tap Done.

3. Check for Android Auto

You should already have Android Auto installed on your phone, as it's been built into Android since version 10. To check, go to Settings and tap "Connected devices." On a Samsung phone, tap the setting for Android Auto. On other Android phones, select Connected preferences and then tap Android Auto. If you don't have the app, download and install it from Google Play.

Also: Android Auto runs faster and smoother now thanks to my 4 easy tweaks

Check for Android Auto — Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

4. Connect your phone

Next, connect your Android phone to your car. You can do this through a wired USB cable or a wireless Bluetooth connection. For a wired connection, you need Android 9 or higher; for a wireless one, you need Android 11 or higher.

After connecting your phone, go back to the Android Auto settings on your device and tap the "Connect a vehicle" button. If your phone is plugged in via USB, the connection is automatically established. If you're going the wireless route, choose the option to connect using wireless Android Auto, and then opt to connect using Bluetooth.

Connect your phone — Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

On your car's multimedia screen, go to Settings, select "Bluetooth and devices," tap the button to add another device, and then tap the button to search for devices. Select the name of your phone on your car's screen after it pops up. The same pairing code appears on your phone and the car screen. Confirm the code on both devices.

On the car screen, tap Yes when asked if you want to use Android Auto. You should then see the Android Auto interface on your screen.

5. Check for Gemini

Gemini is still rolling out as a voice assistant for Android Auto, so the AI isn't yet accessible to everyone. To check when you're in your car and Android Auto is active, say: "Hey Google. Are you using Gemini?" If the assistant doesn't understand your request, then you're still stuck with the older Google Assistant. But if it proclaims that it's using Gemini, then you're good to go.

Also: My 4 favorite Android Auto settings are seriously useful - but hidden by default

Check for Gemini — Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

You're now ready to chat with Gemini. To take the AI for a spin, just say: "Hey, Google" to activate it and tell it what you want. Now, here are some of the tasks I gave it and how it performed.

6. Ask about local places

First up, I was hungry for one of my favorite foods -- sushi. I asked Gemini to find some nearby Japanese sushi restaurants. The AI pulled up a list of nearby spots. One restaurant in particular interested me, so I asked for more information about it. Gemini then asked if I wanted to go there, at which point it served up driving directions via Google Maps.

7. Request a playlist of songs

In the mood for some summertime music, I asked Gemini to play a list of California songs from the 1960s. Here, the AI turns to YouTube Music by default. In response, it revved up a playlist of such songs as California Dreaming by the Mamas and the Papas, Happy Together by the Turtles, I'm Into Something Good by Herman's Hermits, and Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison.

Also: Google will let you watch YouTube videos on Android Auto now - is your car supported?

Request a playlist of songs — Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

8. Send a text

I needed to contact someone while I was driving but didn't want to fiddle with a phone call. Instead, I told Gemini to send that person a text. The AI asked me for the subject, which I supplied. The text went on its merry way.

9. Read an email

I was thinking about a recent ZDNET email I had received and wanted to check on its contents. Here, I asked Gemini to find the last email from ZDNET, and the AI read the entire message for me.

Also: I tested Gemini on Android Auto and now I can't stop talking to it: 5 tasks it nails

Read an email — Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

10. Get the latest information

As a huge Spider-Man fan, I've been keen to watch the new "Spider-Noir" series on Amazon Prime and was curious about its initial reception. I asked Gemini to give me the latest reviews of the show. The AI provided a general overview and read a few specific reviews for me.

11. Help me learn a language

My wife and I are planning a trip to Italy next year, and I'm trying to improve my language skills. For this, I told Gemini that I wanted to learn Italian. In response, it fired up an interactive language lesson to help me learn the meaning of certain words and how to pronounce them.

Also: My favorite Android Auto find is these hidden shortcuts that are highly customizable

Help me learn a language — Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

12. Play a game

To pass the time while driving, I typically listen to music or podcasts. But sometimes I want something more interactive. Here, I asked Gemini to play a game. The AI tuned up a trivia game about US history. At first, the questions were too simple. But I told Gemini to give me more of a challenge, and it did the trick.

13. Tell me a story

Here's another way to pass the time during a trip -- listen to a story. For this one, I asked Gemini to tell me a story about my cat, Mr. Giggles, suddenly knowing how to talk. The AI told me a fun and engaging story about Mr. Giggles taking control of the house (which he already has) through the power of speech.

Also: These 4 Android Auto settings made my daily commute less distracting - where to find them

14. Have a conversation

Finally, a good conversation is another way to stay engaged during a lengthy car ride. Here, I asked Gemini to start a stimulating conversation. It returned to the topic of Mr. Giggles speaking, and we discussed what he might say about his favorite foods, his least favorite household item (the robot vacuum), and other things around the house.

In the end, I liked the ease and effectiveness of chatting with Gemini in the car. Compared with having to use both Siri and ChatGPT with my iPhone, Gemini is more of a one-stop shop, helping me with everything from basic commands to more complex and interactive tasks. From now on, I'll be sure to take my Android phone with me when I drive so I can call on Gemini whenever I want.