You plug in your phone, Android Auto fires up on the dash, and then — Error 21. Or the connection drops. Or the map freezes mid-turn. If you've been told "just use a VPN" and hit this wall, you're not alone.
Here's the thing: Android Auto doesn't have a native VPN client, and it doesn't play nicely with one running on the phone by default. The wireless head-unit connection can choke when all your phone's traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel. But that doesn't mean you have to choose between privacy and navigation. The fix is split tunneling — telling your VPN to exclude Android Auto's traffic from the tunnel so the car connection stays stable while everything else stays protected.1
We tested the leading VPNs on Android Auto across three criteria that actually matter for in-car use: split-tunneling reliability, connection stability under real driving conditions, and app UX when you're one tap away from merging into traffic. These are the things actually worth buying.
The Best VPNs for Android Auto
1. NordVPN — Best Overall for Reliability
NordVPN's Android app is the gold standard for Android Auto users. Its split-tunneling feature — called "Split Tunneling" in the settings — lets you explicitly exclude Android Auto from the VPN tunnel while securing everything else. In our testing, this eliminated Error 21 and kept the wireless connection rock-solid across multiple drives.2
The app is clean and fast: you can set up split-tunneling rules once and forget them. Nord's massive server network (5,400+ servers in 60 countries) means you're never hunting for a fast node, and the kill switch works independently of the split-tunnel rules — a nice safety net if you ever toggle the VPN off and on while driving (pull over first).
Who it's for: Anyone who wants a set-it-and-forget-it solution that just works, drive after drive.
2. ExpressVPN — Best for Speed and Ease of Use
ExpressVPN has long been the speed king, and its Android app lives up to the reputation. For Android Auto users, the key feature is its "Split Tunneling" option, which lets you choose which apps bypass the VPN. It's dead simple: toggle Android Auto off the VPN list, and you're done.3
Where ExpressVPN shines is raw throughput. If you stream music, use navigation with live traffic rerouting, or take work calls via a VoIP app while parked, ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol keeps latency low and bandwidth high. The app interface is minimal — no buried menus, no confusing toggles. That matters when you're setting things up before you pull out of the driveway.
Who it's for: Speed-focused users who want the fastest possible tunnel for everything except Android Auto, with the simplest setup.
3. Proton VPN — Best for Privacy (and a Solid Free Tier)
Proton VPN brings its Swiss-privacy pedigree to Android Auto with a feature set that punches above its weight. The split-tunneling implementation works well — you can exclude Android Auto and keep your browsing, messaging, and other apps behind Proton's secure tunnel. The free tier is genuinely usable: no data caps, no ads, just a smaller server selection and slightly slower speeds.1
For privacy-first users, Proton VPN's no-logs policy has been independently audited, and its apps are open source. The Android app includes a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and support for WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. The free tier is enough for basic browsing and navigation security, making it the best entry point for drivers who aren't ready to commit to a paid plan.
Who it's for: Privacy-conscious users who want a trustworthy free option or a reasonably priced premium plan with a proven no-logs track record.
How We Tested
We evaluated each VPN on a Google Pixel 7 connected to a 2023 Honda Civic's wireless Android Auto system. We tested split-tunneling by excluding the Android Auto app from the VPN tunnel while routing all other traffic through the VPN, then driving a 30-minute mixed route (highway + city streets) while monitoring connection stability, map responsiveness, and audio streaming quality.
The critical finding: split tunneling is non-negotiable. Without it, Android Auto's wireless connection drops within minutes as the VPN interferes with the head-unit handshake. With it, all three VPNs maintained a stable connection for the full test duration.1
What to Look for in a VPN for Android Auto
- Split tunneling: Must be able to exclude Android Auto from the VPN tunnel. This is the single most important feature.
- Connection stability: The VPN should not drop or reconnect during drives, which can cause Android Auto to reset.
- App UX: You'll be interacting with the VPN app from your phone while driving (ideally before you start moving). Clean, one-tap controls matter.
- Server network: More servers = less congestion = faster speeds for music and navigation data.
- Kill switch: If the VPN drops unexpectedly, a kill switch blocks all traffic — but make sure Android Auto is excluded first.
Disclosure: Recomate earns affiliate commissions from some of the links in this article. We only recommend products we've tested and stand behind — the things actually worth buying.
