Photo: Florin Profir/autoevolution
Google rarely talks about Android Auto's future, but it doesn't mean the company isn't hard at work on improving the experience with the app.
The numerous updates landing online regularly prove that Google is committing to polishing Android Auto, and now a new build is close to getting the go-ahead for production devices.
Android Auto 12.1 landed this week for beta testers, giving pro users the chance to try it out, find bugs, report them to the parent company, and contribute to a more stable experience before everybody gets the same update.
The update is shipping to users already enrolled in the beta testing program, but anyone can download the new version using the stand-alone APK build. You need to download the Android Auto 12.1 beta APK and tap the file to initiate the update. If required, you must grant the update special permissions to complete the update.
Android Auto 12.1 comes without a changelog, but this is hardly surprising. Google sticks with the old and outdated release notes, letting users all alone in their struggle to discover the chances the search giant includes in new updates.
I installed the update on my phone but couldn't notice a new feature. Ironically, the app crashed two times after I updated to this version, but the experience now seems more stable. I have no idea what caused the post-update crashes, but Android Auto shut down approximately 10 seconds after launching in both cases.
I run Android Auto wirelessly with a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Google recently announced big changes for Android Auto, and the most notable is the new supported app category. Google will allow video apps on Android Auto, meaning the company is finally opening its doors to YouTube in the car. YouTube is already allowed on Android Automotive when the vehicle is parked but is blocked on Android Auto.
Google will also start bringing more Google Play Store apps to Android Auto. The company will start scanning apps built for large screens and testing them for potential compatibility with the car experience, eventually bringing them to Android Auto and Android Automotive. This basically means that any app built for large screens could eventually land in the car if it is part of the supported categories.
We're still in the early days of this ambitious strategy, and it's important to know that the support for all these apps is not tied to a certain Android Auto update. However, you should keep the app up-to-date to ensure you get all the latest refinements and improvements.
If everything works according to the plan, Google should start the Android Auto 12.1 rollout to production devices next week. I'll let you know when this happens and provide the download links for the APK installer.
The numerous updates landing online regularly prove that Google is committing to polishing Android Auto, and now a new build is close to getting the go-ahead for production devices.
Android Auto 12.1 landed this week for beta testers, giving pro users the chance to try it out, find bugs, report them to the parent company, and contribute to a more stable experience before everybody gets the same update.
The update is shipping to users already enrolled in the beta testing program, but anyone can download the new version using the stand-alone APK build. You need to download the Android Auto 12.1 beta APK and tap the file to initiate the update. If required, you must grant the update special permissions to complete the update.
Android Auto 12.1 comes without a changelog, but this is hardly surprising. Google sticks with the old and outdated release notes, letting users all alone in their struggle to discover the chances the search giant includes in new updates.
I installed the update on my phone but couldn't notice a new feature. Ironically, the app crashed two times after I updated to this version, but the experience now seems more stable. I have no idea what caused the post-update crashes, but Android Auto shut down approximately 10 seconds after launching in both cases.
I run Android Auto wirelessly with a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Google recently announced big changes for Android Auto, and the most notable is the new supported app category. Google will allow video apps on Android Auto, meaning the company is finally opening its doors to YouTube in the car. YouTube is already allowed on Android Automotive when the vehicle is parked but is blocked on Android Auto.
Google will also start bringing more Google Play Store apps to Android Auto. The company will start scanning apps built for large screens and testing them for potential compatibility with the car experience, eventually bringing them to Android Auto and Android Automotive. This basically means that any app built for large screens could eventually land in the car if it is part of the supported categories.
We're still in the early days of this ambitious strategy, and it's important to know that the support for all these apps is not tied to a certain Android Auto update. However, you should keep the app up-to-date to ensure you get all the latest refinements and improvements.
If everything works according to the plan, Google should start the Android Auto 12.1 rollout to production devices next week. I'll let you know when this happens and provide the download links for the APK installer.
Google News