Connected Dashboards Growing
As of Q2 2025, just over one-third of Americans (13+) have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in their primary vehicle, according to Edison Research’s Share of Ear survey. Among those who have that tech and have driven in the past month, 83% use it regularly.
What Drivers Are Listening To
Even with CarPlay or Android Auto, AM/FM radio leads
- Among US drivers with CarPlay or Android Auto, 47% of in-car listening still goes to AM/FM radio.
- For cars without those systems, radio accounts for around 62% of listening.
- Streaming audio (Spotify, Apple Music etc.) and SiriusXM each accounts for about 20% of in-car listening among connected-dashboard drivers.
- Podcasts and “other” sources (CDs, audiobooks etc.) remain minor players.
Why Radio Keeps Its Lead
- Radio is built in; no need for extra setup.
- It’s simple and familiar compared with using apps or phone integration.
- Live content — news, weather, sports — remains radio’s strong point.
- Habit plays a large role: many drivers fall back to radio automatically.
Digital Gains, But Not Enough Yet
CarPlay and Android Auto give streaming and SiriusXM more opportunity to be heard. Their share jumps when the tech is available. Still, radio’s dominance is only reduced, not replaced.
Bottom Line
Edison’s latest data reveals that while CarPlay and Android Auto are becoming common and changing listening behaviour, AM/FM remains America’s top in-car audio choice — even in the age of CarPlay and Android Auto. Even among tech-enabled drivers, radio’s familiarity and built-in presence give it staying power.
