Google has confirmed that Android Auto for Phone Screens is going to be shtut down, and for some users it's already stopped working.
As 9to5Google reports, question marks were raised over Android Auto for Phones a couple of days ago when it stopped working for some users. Users running the Android 12 beta who attempt to load it are seeing a message stating it's only available for car screens and they need to use Google Assistant driving mode instead.
Sure enough, Google has now clarified the situation by releasing the following statement:
"Google Assistant driving mode is our next evolution of the mobile driving experience. For the people who use Android Auto in supported vehicles, that experience isn’t going away. For those who use the on phone experience (Android Auto mobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time."
Android Auto hasn't actually been around that long, first appearing in 2015, receiving a major user interface redesign in 2019, and expanding to 42 more countries since then. Now it's going to disappear off phones but remain available in vehicles.
To use Google Assistant driving mode instead, you'll need to be using a device running Android 9.0 or higher with 4GB of RAM and ideally Assistant notifications turned on and contacts permissions granted (to allow calls and messages when in use). The mode can be accessed by opening the Google Maps app, finding your destination, and tapping "Start." Alternatively, just say, "Hey Google, navigate to [destination]." While in use you can make and receive calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music.