Gemini in the car: what works in Germany with Android Auto and CarPlay

In short: what works in the car in Germany

Gemini reaches the car in three ways: through Android Auto from an Android phone, through Google Maps in Apple CarPlay from an iPhone, and directly in cars with a factory-installed Google system ("Google built-in").

Android Auto is furthest along. Gemini works there in Germany, and Google explains how to use it on its German help pages with German example phrases. With CarPlay, Gemini lives only inside Google Maps and only during navigation. In cars with Google built-in, Google launched Gemini first in English in the US.

The most important limitation for Germany is called Personal Intelligence. It is meant to let Gemini in the car know your emails, appointments and photos. Google has explicitly excluded the European Economic Area from this feature.

Android Auto: Gemini instead of Google Assistant

According to Android Auto Help, Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on most mobile devices and understands the same voice commands. Google has been rolling out Gemini in Android Auto worldwide since November 2025, in 45 languages according to Google. Germany is on the Gemini app's country list, and German is one of the supported languages.

Since 4 September 2026, Google has been gradually switching off Google Assistant on phones, as heise reports. That includes Android Auto: "Hey Google" then only reaches Gemini there.

You start Gemini with "Hey Google", the microphone icon on the car display or the voice button on the steering wheel. Gemini makes calls, writes messages, starts navigation and plays music, without you having to know fixed commands. Saying "Hey Google, let's talk" starts Gemini Live, a free-flowing conversation, for example to learn more about where you are heading.

Requirements according to Google: an Android phone with Android 11 or later and 2 GB of RAM, Gemini as the digital assistant on the phone, and a car that supports Android Auto.

What is missing in the EU: Personal Intelligence

Since 20 October 2026, Google has been rolling out Personal Intelligence for Gemini in Android Auto. Cars with Google built-in are to follow in the coming months. With your permission, Gemini can then access Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Photos, Maps, YouTube and Google Search. Google gives examples: on the way to the airport, Gemini finds the gate in your booking email, or it takes you to the doctor's appointment in your calendar.

In a footnote, Google excludes the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Nigeria. According to Google, the same exception applies to Personal Intelligence in the Gemini app. Where it is offered, it is a beta for personal Google accounts aged 18 and over. Google gives no reason for the exclusion, as Notebookcheck also notes.

It is unclear whether Gemini in the car in Germany can still look into Gmail through the older "connected apps". Google presented reading emails in Android Auto back in November 2025 without excluding the EU, and Google's German Maps help also lists "Summarise my latest emails" as an example. Notebookcheck, on the other hand, writes that in Germany Gemini in Android Auto only works without access to your Google apps. We found no clear statement from Google for Germany.

iPhone and CarPlay: Gemini only in Google Maps

There is no separate Gemini app for CarPlay. Since 21 October 2026, Gemini has instead been part of Google Maps for CarPlay; according to heise, it is included from Google Maps 26.43.1. During navigation, you tap the Gemini icon on the right edge of the screen and simply talk. You can ask about places along the route, avoid toll roads or report traffic jams and accidents.

According to 9to5Google and The Verge, the feature launched in the US and the global rollout is underway. Google Maps wrote on X that Gemini is rolling out everywhere Gemini is available. Germany is one of those countries, but there is no fixed date. On 25 October 2026, Google's own Maps help still said Gemini is not currently available for CarPlay. So it may take a while before the icon shows up for you.

Gemini does not replace Siri. Siri remains the iPhone's assistant for calls, messages and music. According to The Verge, Google has not said whether Personal Intelligence will come to CarPlay. In Germany it would be blocked anyway.

Cars with Google built-in and carmaker assistants

In cars with Google built-in, Google runs directly in the infotainment system, without a phone. Since April 2026, Gemini has been replacing Google Assistant there, including in older cars through a software update. According to Google, the launch starts in English in the US, with more languages and countries to follow in the coming months. Google gives no date for Germany or for German.

According to Google's help pages, switching is optional. You need to be signed in to your Google Account in the car and use a language setting that Gemini supports. Once Gemini is available to you, a prompt appears on the display when you start the car. Some features need a mobile data plan for the car.

Volvo lists Gemini for all models with a Google system from model year 2021, from the EX30 to the XC90. According to Volvo Germany, the rollout started in the US, with further markets to follow in the weeks after. Volvo's German help page says availability depends on model, model year and region.

The Mercedes-Benz MBUX Virtual Assistant is something different. It is based on a Google Cloud AI agent built with Gemini and is not a Gemini assistant in the narrow sense. Mercedes names the new CLA as the first model. The announcement does not say whether, or to what extent, the feature works in Germany.

What it costs and what you need

Google does not name a separate price for Gemini in the car, and the help pages for Android Auto and Google built-in do not list a Gemini subscription as a requirement. In other countries, Personal Intelligence requires a personal Google account and a minimum age of 18.

Android Auto: an Android phone with Android 11 or later and 2 GB of RAM, Gemini as the assistant, and a car with Android Auto.

CarPlay: an iPhone with an up-to-date Google Maps app and a car with CarPlay. Gemini only appears during navigation.

Google built-in: a compatible car, a Google Account signed in in the car and, depending on the carmaker, an internet connection or a data plan for the car.

Google itself warns that Gemini in the car can make mistakes and present wrong information as fact. So don't rely on it for safety-related questions while driving.