All About Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

[Nairrk]

Android Auto 13.8 update now rolling out

After debuting in beta earlier this month, Google is now rolling out the Android Auto 13.8 update to users, but don’t expect many changes.

Android Auto updates arrive more or less on a monthly basis, with the latest v13.8 update appearing to be an overall minor patch. Google doesn’t provide an official changelog, but this update likely delivers various bug fixes behind the scenes among other tweaks.

In our brief testing, we’ve not noticed any direct user-facing changes with this latest update. This update also doesn’t address a “reboot” issue that made headlines last week despite affecting a very small number of users.

In the code of Android Auto 13.8, we noticed further work on “new parked apps.” Google first started adding this language to the app in the v13.7 update that rolled out early this month.

We believe this to be related to Google’s efforts to bring more apps to Android Automotive and Android Auto, a program which bore its first fruits last week as Google announced support for “dozens” of new streaming and gaming apps for cares with Android Automotive. Google says on a developer page that this program will extend to Android Auto “at a later date.”

New strings in Android Auto 13.8 continue to build on this, with further additions for apps that work while the vehicle is parked.

• <string name=”open_new_app”>Tap to open</string>
• <string name=”open_new_parked_app”>Open while parked</string>

These changes are not yet user-facing, though.

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[Nairrk]

Android Auto’s reboot issue was seemingly caused by obscure developer settings

If you recently heard about strange reboot issues with Android Auto but didn’t run into those problems yourself, it seems the reason is that these issues were seemingly caused by developer settings.

Alarms were sounded last week regarding a potential new Android Auto bug that was causing smartphones to reboot at random while using Android Auto. That traces back to a Reddit thread where five separate users were reporting the same behavior. Android Auto would start up on their car’s display, but would cause a “soft” reboot on their phone when they interacted with certain parts of the experience.

“Soft” reboot in this context means that the Android Auto session ends and the device goes into a locked state, rather than going through a full reboot.

We couldn’t find additional reports of this behavior on Google’s support forums or other typical channels where Android Auto problems surface.

That appears to be due to how this reboot “issue” arose, as it was apparently tied to some fairly obscure Android developer settings.

In a Reddit comment, one user found on February 21st that disabling the developer settings for “Force Desktop Mode” fixed the problem. It was claimed that the Android Auto 13.8 update, rolling out now, fixed the problem, but it appears that the version installed makes no difference in this case. The problem did first appear with Android Auto 13.4, though, and downgrading to version 13.3 fixed the problem for some. So, at some point, it stands to reason that a later Android Auto update will fully solve this problem, even if the fairly obscure developer setting seems to be the root cause.

Meanwhile, there were more widespread problems with wireless Android Auto recently, as users were running into problems with the latest updates that caused wireless connectivity to break. It’s unclear if the latest release, Android Auto 13.8, solves these problems.

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[Nairrk]

Android Auto 14.0 releases in beta with prep for defrost buttons, Maps alert controls

Google has released the first Android Auto 14.0 update through its beta program and while there are no major user-facing changes, code behind the scenes continues work on temperature controls.

As we first reported earlier this month, Google added strings in Android Auto 13.9 (which is now rolling out widely to all users) which suggested some form of temperature controls as a native feature of Android Auto. The context in which those controls would be added is not yet clear, but Android Auto 14.0 continues work on this.

Strings added in Android Auto 14.0 include front and rear defrost toggles, which are not live in the actual app yet.

• <string name=”control_defrost_front”>FRONT</string>
• <string name=”control_defrost_rear”>REAR</string>

This latest update also suggests Google is working on an option to control alerts from Maps in Android Auto, specifically referring to incident reports. This appears to be preparing a new “Alerts” section in the settings menu which would possibly have a toggle for incident reports.

• <string name=”ALERT_SETTINGS_CATEGORY_TITLE”>Alerts</string>
• <string name=”NAVIGATION_ALERT_SETTING”>Get alerts for reported incidents and other conditions that may impact your drive</string>

Google faced some criticism following the rollout of incident reports on Android Auto and CarPlay due to their somewhat intrusive design, so this toggle could be aiming to solve that. Without the feature live, though, it’s hard to say for certain.

Android Auto 14.0 will likely be released to the stable track, and in turn all users, in the next couple of weeks, though an exact timeline is hard to pin down. Since there’s nothing directly user-facing in the update, though, it’s likely that Google is using this to patch other ongoing bugs or prepare to launch other new features.

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[Nairrk]

Android Auto 14.1 starts rolling out in beta with support for Android games

Google is on a hot streak of releasing new Android Auto versions, with Android Auto 14.1 having just started rolling out to beta users with promised support for select Android games playable on your car’s display.

Announced earlier this month, Android Auto is getting support for allowing certain Android games to work on your car’s display, mirroring the functionality available in cars that have “Google Built-in,” aka Android Automotive.

With the new Android Auto 14.1 update, Google has officially started rolling out support for games.

On installing this latest update – now available via the Android Auto beta program – we found that installed Android games showed up on our vehicle’s display. Angry Birds 2 and Beach Buggy Racing were both available to play, only while the vehicle was parked. As soon as the vehicle is shifted out of park, the game closes immediately and is grayed out within the app drawer and app switcher.

We tested both Angry Bird 2 and Beach Buggy Racing with a Pixel 9 Pro Fold connected via wireless Android Auto to a 2025 Subaru Forester. Both games opened perfectly well, though Google doesn’t seem to be doing much (or asking developers to make changes) to optimize these titles. Angry Birds 2 wouldn’t go past a “internet required screen” (presumably as we hadn’t opened the game previously on the device) while Beach Buggy Racing still showed “tilt” controls as an option. That said, Beach Buggy Racing did work fairly well in our test, with the game running relatively smoothly.

This also introduces a brand new behavior to Android Auto where apps are entirely fullscreen. When this happens, a swipe gesture from the top of the “screen” (which can vary depending on your vehicle) exposes an “Exit” button as seen in the clip below.

Supported games on Android Auto currently include:

• Farm Heroes Saga
• Candy Crush Soda Saga
• Angry Birds 2
• Beach Buggy Racing

Google is expected to extend this list over time, but it’s also still unclear how the company plans to roll out this functionality to users. As mentioned, it’s only live for now in Android Auto 14.1, which is only available in the beta track. In theory, 14.1’s release to the stable track should happen within the next few weeks, but it’s possible that Google could leave this test locked behind beta versions. Google just released Android Auto 14.0 to the stable track earlier this week.

It’s hard to say for certain, but we’ll probably get more details soon.

 

[Nairrk]

You can play these games on Android Auto

Android Auto has begun adding games that users can play while the car is parked, and they don’t even need to be installed on anything more than your phone. Here’s a list of every game available on Android Auto, and a little about how it works.

Games are not a new concept for Android Auto, and they’ve existed in a limited form factor via GameSnacks. The GameSnacks app was something users could download to Android Auto in their vehicle. You can think of it like one of those off-brand retro gaming consoles one could buy at a department store — it includes tons of games that are good for a quick fix but nothing incredibly popular and in-depth.

Google recently announced that another option would be available for Android Auto users, and it doesn’t require extra downloads. According to the company, the games that appear on your in-vehicle display would come directly from the paired phone, and any compatible title would appear without a download. This is only an option when the car is in park, for very obvious reasons.
As displays get bigger in cars with Android Auto, the feature will likely be a nice addition, especially if you need to kill some time.

What games can I play on Android Auto?
The list, for the time being, is slim. Google announced the feature in March 2025, and the list is set to keep growing as developers add compatibility. Since the game needs to be playable from the device and the in-vehicle display, work needs to be done to the app in some capacity.

Below is a list of the current games that can be played when an Android device is connected to Android Auto…

• Farm Heroes Saga
• Candy Crush Soda Saga
• Angry Birds 2
• Beach Buggy Racing

How to open games in Android Auto
As mentioned, these games will simply appear on the Android Auto display if they’re installed on the user’s phone. From there, it’s as easy as opening them up and playing. The functionality is currently in beta, and it may not work all the time. Downloading the latest Android Auto 14.1 update will open up the feature, and in our experience, games immediately became available on the in-vehicle display.

When in a title, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t run entirely smoothly. With beta, these games don’t seem too optimized yet. These games will also open in full screen, which requires a swipe from one of the screen edges to showcase an “exit” button.

Even in beta, this is a fun addition that should only get better over time.

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[Nairrk]

Android Auto ditches Assistant mic icon for some with Gemini around the corner

It’s no secret that Gemini is coming to Android Auto soon, but it’s not here just yet. Ahead of the rollout, though, Google is removing the Assistant-colored microphone from Android Auto, seemingly as it prepares for the switch.

To recap the status of Gemini on Android Auto thus far, the new AI assistant started to appear in app updates last year. Over the past few months, there have been more sightings and some have even been able to activate both Gemini and Gemini Live on the platform. Most recently, the Android Auto 14.0 update added several new Gemini icons and language that hinted Gemini would replace Assistant entirely.

That’s no surprise, as Google confirmed that Gemini is coming to cars when it recently announced that the Assistant would be sunset on Android phones. Google said:

Additionally, we’ll be upgrading tablets, cars and devices that connect to your phone, such as headphones and watches, to Gemini.​

As we wait on Google to flip the switch on Gemini for Android Auto, the latest hint towards this happening is the intermittent removal of the Assistant-colored microphone icon on the platform.

For years now, the microphone icon that appears along the bottom/side bar in Android Auto has been themed to match Assistant. The multi-colored icon is visible through many of our own images of Google’s car platform, including the one below.

But this is starting to go away.

We noticed on Android Auto 14.0 that the microphone icon had ditched its Assistant colors for a completely white design. Tapping on it still brings up Assistant, but it’s a clear change.

This isn’t the final form of this icon, it seems, as previous evidence suggests that Android Auto will replace this icon with a purple gradient mic icon to better fit with Gemini’s branding. It seems that this switch is likely in an effort to subtly signal the switch. That said, as soon as we updated to Android Auto 14.1, the Assistant colors returned, so it’s hard to say for certain what Google has planned.

Android Auto 14.1 also notably brings support for select Android games on your car’s display, as we demonstrated earlier this week.

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[Nairrk]

Android Auto now lets you play games on your car’s display with this requirement

Last month Google announced that Android Auto would now allow users to play select Android games on their car’s display, but the requirement to do so is not what we initially thought.

Google announced in March that Android Auto would support select Android games to be played on your car’s display, but no details were directly provided on when the functionality would start to show up or what the requirements were outside of the few compatible games.

We spotted support starting to roll out with the Android Auto 14.1 update released in beta just last week. However, this was apparently just a case of ironic timing. While we spotted games going live right as we updated to this latest version, Google has since clarified to 9to5Google that this latest update is not actually required to play games on Android Auto. We’ve also since confirmed that games do work on Android Auto 14.0, the current stable release.

Rather, the requirement for playing games on your car’s display via Android Auto is linked to the current version of Android on your phone. You’ll need to have a device running on Android 15 in order to play games. No Android Auto beta versions are required, and game support is now rolling out to users.

In a footnote on the Android website, Google says:

Works with compatible apps and games. Requires compatible mobile device running on Android 15+. Vehicle’s touch screen must be compatible with Android Auto. Vehicle must be in park to play. Sequences shortened and simulated.​

As mentioned in our initial report, games only work when your vehicle is fully parked. They’ll still show up in the app drawer if the vehicle is in motion (or even in gear), but they’ll be blacked out until your put the vehicle in park. Currently, only a handful of Android games are supported for this functionality.

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[Nairrk]

Android Auto 14.0 update is now more widely rolling out

Google is rolling out the Android Auto 14.0 update to more users after initially releasing it in beta.

New Android Auto updates are released on a fairly regular basis, and they’ve been pretty quick as of late too. The Android Auto 14.0 update first debuted in beta in mid-March and brought with it some hints of climate controls in Android Auto and other small tweaks. However, those changes aren’t live in the update.

Like most Android Auto updates, the v14 release is rather small when it comes to new user-facing changes. Rather, the update is generally focusing on fixing bugs behind the scenes that only affect certain niche situations. Beyond that, the update is also delivering some further preparation for what’s to come with Android Auto.

We recently spotted that, for some users, the microphone icon that triggers Google Assistant has ditched the colors it’s used for years, instead adopting a solid white design. This is likely in preparation for the imminent debut of Gemini on Android Auto, which is also being built out behind the scenes, as evidenced by code in the Android Auto 14.0 update.

There are new features on the horizon, such as support for playing certain Android games on your car’s display through Android Auto, but that requires a newer update.

Android Auto 14.0 is now widely available after having first started rolling out in late March. You can check for Android Auto updates via the Play Store.

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[Nairrk]

Google rolling out auto-restart security feature to Android

With the latest Google Play services update, Android is rolling out a new security feature that automatically restarts (or auto-reboots) devices that have been “locked for 3 consecutive days.”

Update 4/16: Google has updated the changelog entry to add that auto-reboot is “optional” when it comes in the “future.” This addresses some concern from people who run continuous Android devices, with tablets somewhat fitting into that.

• [Phone] Enables a future optional security feature, which will automatically restart your device if locked for 3 consecutive days.

Original 4/14: Under Security & Privacy, the release notes for version 25.14 of Google Play services includes:

• [Phone] With this feature, your device automatically restarts if locked for 3 consecutive days.

By “Phone,” that should also extend to tablets, with the other device categories — Auto, PC (Play Games Windows app), TV, and Wear — excluded. An auto-reboot occurs if you haven’t used your phone or tablet for over 72 hours.

Restarting a device, returns it to a Before First Unlock (BFU) state where data is encrypted and harder to access as you’ve yet to enter your passcode, with biometric logins not yet enabled. On Pixel devices, the bottom of the lockscreen notes how you have to “Unlock for all features and data.” In comparison, data might be easier to access After First Unlock (AFU) when you are “signed in.”

GrapheneOS offers such an auto-reboot feature (18 hours by default, but users can set it between 10 minutes and 72 hours), while the iPhone picked up something similar with iOS 18.1 (Inactivity Reboot) last year.

Google Play services 25.14 will be rolling out over the next week or so. However, it might take a few more weeks before Android’s new auto-reboot feature is enabled. Given the nature of Play services, most Android devices out in the market today should get auto-restarts without the need for an OS update.

Google has yet to share any other details, including what specific Android versions are supported and if there’s a user-facing setting. It would also be nice if there was a message when such a reboot has occurred.

9To5google

 

[Nairrk]

Android Auto 14.2 starts rolling out, removes confusing hint at ‘Glasses’

After debuting in beta earlier this month, Google has started the rollout of Android Auto 14.2 to the masses, and with the removal of some confusing strings about “Glasses.”

Google’s Android Auto rollouts generally follow a pattern of a new update launching in beta a couple of weeks ahead of the start of the wider, public rollout. That’s the stage we’ve reached today. Android Auto 14.2 started rolling out via the stable track a few days ago, but won’t be widely available to all users for at least a few more days, if not a week or more.

As per usual, there are no major features attached to Android Auto 14.2, with the update instead mainly delivering bug fixes and other minor tweaks.

We’re highlighting this particular release as the update has made some behind-the-scenes changes since the beta release.

As reported on April 10, the initial Android Auto 14.2 release included strings around “Glasses,” which was taken to refer to smart glasses based on a Hindi translation in the app. The English version, however, was oddly worded and didn’t seem to align with that alternate translation.

• <string name=”GLASSES_OPTIONS_TITLE”>Glasses</string>
• <string name=”GLASSES_SETTING_TEXT”>Start navigation to launch Glasses</string>

While confusion remains, Google has removed these strings from the stable Android Auto 14.2 update entirely, though it’s possible some alternate translations remain.

We’ll update this post when Android Auto 14.2 is more broadly available. In the meantime, no Android Auto 14.3 version has yet to be released to the beta track.

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[Nairrk]

What Android Auto features are coming next?

Google is constantly releasing new Android Auto updates, but new features often feel few and far between. What’s on the roadmap? In this post, we’ll break down new features coming to Android Auto.

Gemini will replace Google Assistant
Timeline: More news at Google I/O

Officially confirmed by Google itself, Gemini is on its way to Android Auto.

As Google Assistant fades away, Gemini’s debut has been foreshadowed by code findings and early previews in the software, but it hasn’t arrived just yet. From what we’ve seen, Google appears to be replacing Assistant with Gemini completely on Android Auto, and it also appears that Gemini Live functionality will be supported in the car as well.

While confidence that this was coming was already high, Google outright confirmed that Gemini would be coming to Android Auto (and Android Autotmotive) in recent announcements, including its Google I/O 2025 teasers. Presumably, more information on this release will be coming at I/O which takes place from May 20-21.

A light theme
Timeline: Sooner than later, but unknown

Having first appeared in 2023, Google seems to be still working on a light theme for Android Auto. This new theme would presumably be available alongside the existing dark design. The theme extends through the main UI as well as apps.

Based on the most recent manually-enabled peek, this new theme seems to be nearly ready for release, meaning it might arrive sooner than later.

Some have referred to this as the “Material redesign” of Android Auto. That’s not true. Google implemented (admittedly limited) Material You theming last year. It’s just easier to see on this new light theme.

Climate controls
Timeline: Any day now, but the bigger question is compatibility

Another feature Google is working on – which we first reported earlier this year – is support for climate controls. Google was building out the feature over the course of a few months and, recently, the buttons were manually enabled to show what it all looks like.

It’s still unclear when this functionality is rolling out (or who even needs it), but the bigger question is how it actually works. Android Auto generally doesn’t have access to your car’s various controls, but climate controls would obviously require pretty deep integration which, as of now, we’re not sure even exists on cars that support Google’s platform. This one is very much in “wait and see” territory.

Local media & radio control
Timeline: Unknown

As we first spotted in mid-2024, Google is working on some form of local media and radio controls within Android Auto. Google has been building out these features for seveal months, with hints of controlling FM/AM radio stations, accessing “Local media,” and more.

These features have yet to surface (aka be manually enabled) in any functional manner, but we did spot some icons within the Android Auto app related to the feature.

More calling apps
Timeline: Unknown

In one of its app updates, code was spotted regarding the addition of new calling apps on Android Auto. Specifcially, the code hints at “external dialer” apps. Information on this feature is incredibly limited, and there’s no word on when it might arrive for Android Auto.

Related coverage:

• Android Auto seems to be preparing support for more calling apps
• Android Auto getting WhatsApp calling with Pixel, Samsung

Controls for ‘Maps Alerts’
Timeline: Unknown

Hidden in a recent beta release, Android Auto laid the groundwork for controls over “Alerts” stemming from Maps. This appears to be related to Google Maps incident reporting which, for some, have been more annoying than they are helpful.

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[Nairrk]

Android Auto 14.3 update widely rolling out

Google is rolling out the latest Android Auto update widely, with version 14.3 now available through the Play Store.

Android Auto 14.3 launched in beta in April and started its stable rollout in early May. As of the past few days, the update has become generally available to all users through the latest Play Store update.

What’s new in Android Auto 14.3?

As is often the case with Android Auto app updates, there’s nothing user-facing to talk about here. Google uses these version updates primarily to address bugs and issues in the app that don’t always affect all users. Updates also provide an opportunity to set the stage for new Android Auto features.

In this particular version, Google seemingly delivered some of the remaining work to get climate controls together for Android Auto. It’s not live yet, but the interface is ready and waiting behind the scenes as of this latest update. Work on a light theme for Android Auto has also seemingly progressed with this update, but again, it is not live yet as we’ve noticed some have suggested is the case.

The next new feature on the docket for Android Auto is support for Gemini in place of Google Assistant. The transition was officially announced this week, and the rollout is set to start in the next few months.

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[Nairrk]

Android Auto gets video and browser apps ‘soon,’ more weather apps finally coming

Google has revealed that Android Auto is about to get more apps, including wider access to weather apps, and the arrival of video and browser apps in the future.

Android Auto has always been, by design, a bit restrictive when it comes to what types of apps you can download. Each app requires approval and has to fit within a certain category. In recent years, though, Google has been expanding what types of apps can run on your car’s display, and there’s another expansion right around the corner.

At I/O 2025, Google has revealed that Android Auto is gaining two new app categories “soon.” Browser apps and video apps will be available for Android Auto at some point in the future. Google specifically says that video apps on Android Auto will require the connected phone to be running Android 16, and even then, it will only work on “compatible cars.” It’s all but guaranteed that these video apps on Android Auto will require the vehicle to be parked.

Video apps will be supported on Android Auto, starting with phones running Android 16 on select compatible cars. If your app is already adaptive, enabling your app experience while parked only requires minimal steps to distribute to cars.

Google further adds that weather apps have “graduated from beta” on Android Auto and Android Automotive. Developers can now publish weather apps for either platform without additional approval, as long as it meets quality guidelines.

Back in December, Google updated its developer guidelines around weather apps for cars, leading some to believe that these apps were newly available. In reality, weather apps have been available on Android Auto since early 2023, but only a very select few have been approved. As of now, the floodgates are officially open, and you can expect many more weather apps to start showing up for your car.

The Weather app category has graduated from beta: any developer can now publish weather apps to production tracks on both Android Auto and cars with Google Built-in. Before you publish your app, check that it meets the quality guidelines for weather apps.

9To5google

 

[Nairrk]

Google teases media app updates for Android Auto, and they look good

Android Auto is set to pick up a few updates in the coming months, and Google has just teased another one with some changes to how media apps can look and work.

Media apps on Android Auto have largely used the same core layout for years now. There’s not much variance between apps, which is both a good and bad thing. On one hand, the consistency means it’s really easy to know where to go while behind the wheel, lessening distractions. On the other, it means that apps struggle to fit into their specific needs at times.

At I/O 2025 earlier this week, Google introduced two new changes to media apps on Android Auto.

The first change is to the browsing interface in media apps. The new “SectionedItemTemplate” will allow apps to show different sections in the browsing UI, with Google’s example showing “Recent search” above a list of albums.

The other change is the to “MediaPlaybackTemplate,” which is used as the “Now Playing” screen. It appears that Google is going to grant developers more flexibility in layout here, with the demo shown putting the media controls in the bottom right corner instead of the center, and in a different order than usual – although that might become the standard at some point. The UI isn’t drastically different or any harder to understand, but it’s a different layout than we usually see on Android Auto, which is actually a bit refreshing.

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[Nairrk]

Google building audio-only mode for driving ahead of video apps on Android Auto

Google will soon make it possible for video apps on Android Automotive to switch between video and audio modes when the car is in motion, right as Google plans to bring video apps to Android Auto.

Video apps already exist on Android Automotive, but they work exclusively when the vehicle is parked. This means that the content is cut off the moment the vehicle is in motion, which is a good thing in most cases, but can be a downside with some types of content. For example, video podcasts and sports games benefit from the visuals, but they aren’t required.

That’s exactly why Google will allow Android Automotive apps to switch between video and an audio-only mode when the vehicle is in motion.

Google explains during a developer video:

We’re also enabling audio while driving experiences for video apps on cars with Google built-in. You can now implement seamless transitions from parked video playback to audio-only listening while driving. Suppose you’re streaming a live sports event while getting curbside pickup. Now, you can continue listening to the audio when you start to drive again.​

For now, this is available in an early access program and only on cars running Android 14 and above through Android Automotive OS. App developers need to manually implement the feature.

The benefits are obvious, but the timing is also pretty exciting. Google confirmed this week that it will “soon” support video apps on Android Auto – the phone-based platform that works on car displays – and it stands to reason that this functionality could make its way over.

For now, though, there’s a lot of waiting. Not only do we need to wait for this new functionality to make its way to Android Automotive apps, but we also have to wait for video apps to come to Android Auto. Either way, though, Google is putting a lot into building out Android app functionality in cars, and there’s a lot to look forward to.

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