Android Auto added to BYD Atto 3 – nine months behind schedule

The BYD Atto 3 from China – Australia’s third-most popular electric car – is now equipped with Android Auto smartphone mirroring technology, almost nine months after the feature was scheduled to be made available.

In a post on social media platform Facebook, BYD’s Australian distributor announced Android Auto functionality has been included in the latest over-the-air software update for the Atto 3 – five months after Apple CarPlay was added in January 2023.

While Apple CarPlay can only be activated through a wired USB connection, Android Auto can be used either wired and wirelessly, allowing owners to use the Atto 3’s wireless phone charging pad and mirror their smartphone apps at the same time.

The introduction of Android Auto in the BYD Atto 3 comes more than nine months after the technology was scheduled to be rolled out in the electric car.

In July 2022, BYD announced Android Auto would become available alongside Apple CarPlay via a software update in the third quarter of 2022 (between July and September).

According to analytics firm Statcounter, approximately 37 per cent of Australians use mobile phones with Android operating systems, compared to more than 62 per cent of those who have Apple smartphones.

BYD’s Facebook post also announced the latest update includes “enhanced Apple CarPlay function, enhanced FM radio experience and improved sunroof functionality”, though owners have reported issues with their infotainment systems after downloading the software.

Two owners complained the software update had removed their saved data from the Atto 3’s integrated satellite navigation system, causing an inconvenience of having to re-enter saved details such as addresses.

The 2023 BYD Atto 3 is priced from $48,011 before on-road costs in its entry-level ‘Standard Range’ grade, while the ‘Extended Range’ variant is priced from $51,011 plus on-road costs.

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