One complaint about Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle is app access. There are a growing number of compatible apps on both platforms, but unless a developer specifically builds out car features, an app won’t appear on your dash. That can be extremely disappointing if you were counting on support. In some cases, it may not even make sense, say if the app you want serves a similar purpose to one that made the cut.
There are a few ways of forcing apps into Android Auto, and some genuine benefits if everything works out. But I just don’t think it’s worth the effort, especially with the state of Android heading into 2027.
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Google
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Tensor G5
Weighing the pros and cons of sideloading
More pain than gain?
Naturally, the biggest perk is that you can enable not just alternative apps, but ones that support functions Android Auto wasn’t engineered for. AABrowser, for example, lets you browse the web. CarStream will let you watch YouTube, and you can even sideload games that go beyond the handful of titles that are officially approved.
My biggest concerns are convenience and security. To sideload apps, you need to at least enable unknown sources through Android Auto’s developer mode, and/or turn to third-party installation tools. Even if you don’t mind these extra steps, it’s crucial to spend some time verifying an app’s reputation via online forums. By definition, what you’re doing isn’t sanctioned by Google, or regulated via the Play Store’s review process. You could be loading malware onto your phone.
If an app isn’t a security threat, it might still be janky on a functional level, whether because it’s badly optimized or just pushing the boundaries of what Android Auto can handle. Also, as Google and phone OEMs push out new versions of Android, there’s the risk that those updates will intentionally or accidentally close the gaps that sideloaded software relies on.
All this might be worth the hassle if it weren’t for the fact that Android Auto is rapidly evolving. In conjunction with newer releases, automakers like BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Renault, Skoda, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz are beginning to roll out compatibility for video playback. This is currently restricted to YouTube, and you have to be parked — but still, the writing’s on the wall. It’s entirely possible that you’ll be watching Eraserhead in your car by this time next year.
The further the platform and its apps evolve, the less incentive there is to sideload at all, unless your app or your car just can’t handle Google’s upgraded tech. Arguably, some functions don’t even belong on a car’s dashboard. If I’m going to browse the web for instance, I’d rather do that directly on my phone, since it’s going to be more responsive. I’m not even sold on the idea of video. I’m rarely waiting in a car long enough to make it through one my short PEV videos, never mind a movie or a prestige TV show.
Don’t be discouraged
You can go your own way
To be clear, I’m not trying to prevent anyone from sideloading apps. I’m actually a fan of homebrew solutions, if often from a distance. Tech companies love to funnel users into channels they can monetize, so we need people willing to buck the trend and keep control where it belongs: in the hands of the people who own a product.
It’s important to pick your battles, however. The rails on Android Auto mostly exist for sound reasons, including preventing drivers from getting distracted. It’s probably more beneficial to consider how you could strip AI from Windows 11, or turn that gaming handheld into a desktop PC.
