Google doesn’t want you to sideload Android Auto apps. I did anyway

I’ve seen a lot of people deeply invested in Android Auto, but I never did because I assumed it was little more than a navigation system and media playback controller. Of course, you can read the messages or Receive Google Meet callsbut it felt like his size. You get what Google allows.

However, I recently found out that this is not the case at all. You can go far beyond what Android Auto offers out of the box and even install third-party apps from outside the Google Play Store.

Google puts strict limits on what Android Auto can do, but it’s capable of much more. Here’s how you can download third-party apps to Android Auto and make it more useful than what Google ships by default.

I’m sure most of you have only used Android Auto with Google’s out-of-the-box apps like YouTube Music, Spotify, Google Maps, phone app, etc. But I’m sure you’d also like to just play a YouTube video or stream an episode of a show when you’re stuck in traffic.

A few days ago, I found out that you can actually download apps to Android Auto, and the process is surprisingly simple. You don’t need to root your phone or do anything particularly complicated. The steps can be divided into three simple parts.

Step 1. Enable Developer mode on your Android phone

First, you will need Unlock Developer mode on your Android phone. visit the Settings programgo away About sectionand tap the build number seven times. Once complete, you will receive a toast notification confirming that Developer Settings have been enabled.

Next, you need to enable the installation of applications from unknown sources within Android Auto, and this is only possible after the Developer Mode is enabled.

Go to do it Parameterschoose Programsand then select Android Auto. On the Android Auto app information page, tap Additional settings in the application. On the next screen, scroll all the way down Version and permissions information division and hit it ten times.

After activation, you will receive a confirmation toast notification Developer Mode is unlocked for Android Auto. Click now three point menu in the upper right and select Developer Settings. From there, scroll down and Enable unknown sources.

The final step is to install a program called Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD). This app essentially serves as an unofficial showcase for third-party Android Auto apps, allowing you to download and install them directly on your phone so they appear on your car’s screen.

Since AAAD is not available on Google Play Store, you need to download the APK from here developer’s GitHub releases page and install it manually. It should be noted that Google Pixel, OnePlus, Realme and Oppo devices have known issues. For these, the developer offers you a separate fix that you need to install.

You may also need to allow installation from unknown sources on your Android phone for this to work.

Once AAAD is installed, open it and go through the installation process. You’ll need to grant a few permissions along the way, including disabling the installation of unknown apps, notifications, and Google Play Protect.

One more thing: AAAD’s free version limits you to installing an app every 30 days. You’ll probably want to get the Pro version, which unlocks unlimited downloads for a one-time fee of $4.

Once you have access to AAAD, you will be able to download all third-party apps that developers have developed for Android Auto. This means that your car’s Android Auto can now do more than what Google officially offers.

One of the best apps, in my opinion, is CarStream, which lets you watch YouTube videos on your car’s screen. Google does brings native YouTube streaming to Android Auto later this year on supported vehicles from BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and others, but it will only work when the car is parked.

CarStream even works when the car is in motion (which, of course, you shouldn’t be doing in the first place), and it lets you watch YouTube videos on your car’s screen just like any other display. The interface is easy to navigate using your phone and you can use your phone’s keyboard to search. You can also sign in with your Google account to access YouTube Premium features.

Another program that I find quite useful is called AAMirror. It allows you to mirror your Android phone’s screen directly to your car’s dashboard. At first it might seem unnecessary, but it’s actually handy for playing videos stored on your device or streaming content from a web browser.

If I were to download only one app from the third-party store for Android Auto, it would be Fermata Auto. It’s an all-in-one multimedia app that covers almost everything: streaming YouTube videos, playing locally stored videos, screen mirroring, watching TV via IPTV links, and even running a web browser on Android Auto.

Through that browser, you can access services like Prime Video and Netflix right on your car’s screen. It’s pretty much a one-stop shop for all the multimedia features you’d want on your Android Auto unit.

So, is it really a good idea to install third-party apps on Android Auto?

So is this something you should try yourself? Probably not.

There’s a reason why Google doesn’t officially allow most of these apps in Android Auto. They can be distracting and watching videos or browsing the internet while driving is a terrible idea. There’s really no argument around that.

Of course, learning that Android Auto can run a web browser, YouTube, and even screen mirroring has completely changed the way I view my car’s screen. But honestly, most people use Android Auto exactly the way Google intended. Maps, music, calls, messages and more.

It’s also worth noting that Google regularly fixes sideloading apps in Android Auto. If you pay for AAAD, it may stop working before you use it much. Also, there’s a 50-50 chance that the latest Android update on your phone has already removed everything, which could prevent any of it from starting.

Again, to be clear: Sideloading apps is possible in Android Auto, but I wouldn’t recommend it to most people. It’s a fun thing to know about, but it’s probably for the best.