Android Auto has quietly grown into a full dashboard platform, and a surprising number of apps now plug into it without most drivers realizing what is possible. I want to spotlight five specific apps and tools that already work with Android Auto, often in ways that go far beyond basic music and maps, so you can unlock features that usually stay buried in settings menus or niche app stores.
1. YouTube & Netflix: Video Streaming Integration via Android Auto
YouTube and Netflix are starting to appear in cars through Android Auto as part of a new wave of in-dash video support that Google is rolling out. Reporting on upcoming in-car experiences explains that Android Auto is finally getting video streaming apps and browsers, with Google explicitly adding video players as a supported category. Separate coverage of the same update notes that Google has announced Android Auto will support web browsers and video apps, confirming that the platform is being treated as a full infotainment environment rather than just a projection surface for navigation. These changes are designed for parked use, so playback is expected to be limited to times when the vehicle is stationary, but the presence of big-screen apps like YouTube and Netflix in the dashboard is a major shift in what drivers can expect from their head units.
In practice, this means that when you plug an Android phone into a compatible car, the Android Auto interface can expose dedicated tiles for video services during rest stops, charging sessions, or while waiting in a parking lot. The broader Android Auto FAQ explains that the system already manages categories such as navigation, communication, and media, and that Google tightly controls which app types appear to keep the interface safe and consistent. Adding video streaming and browser categories within that curated framework signals that Google expects drivers and passengers to treat the car as a secondary screen, but only when it does not interfere with driving. For commuters who routinely sit at fast chargers or parents who need to entertain kids in the back seat, having official support for YouTube or Netflix on the dashboard, instead of juggling a phone or tablet, changes the stakes of in-car downtime and pushes Android Auto closer to a full-blown entertainment hub.
2. Roadtrippers: Underrated Travel Planning On Your Dashboard
Roadtrippers is one of the most powerful travel planning tools on mobile, yet many Android Auto users never realize it can feed their dashboard with far richer trips than a simple point-to-point route. Guidance on underrated Android Auto-compatible apps highlights that there is a whole class of travel and navigation tools that plug into the platform but do not get the same attention as default mapping services, and it specifically calls out underrated Android Auto apps that enhance road trips with smarter planning. Separate travel coverage explains that The Roadtrippers app is available on Android and the web and lets drivers create, customize, and optimize multi-stop itineraries, including scenic detours, roadside attractions, and campground stops. When that planning work is done on the phone, Android Auto can surface the route and key waypoints directly on the car’s screen, so you are not re-entering addresses while sitting in the driveway.
Once Roadtrippers is connected, the Android Auto interface can present turn-by-turn directions that reflect your curated itinerary instead of a generic fastest-route suggestion. That means a cross-country drive in a 2022 Toyota RAV4 or a weekend loop in a 2019 Honda Civic can follow a carefully plotted sequence of national parks, diners, and photo stops, all synced from your phone. Because Android Auto is designed to keep distractions low, the app’s rich planning tools stay on the handset, while the car display focuses on the next maneuver, arrival times, and distance to the next stop. For travelers, the implication is significant: rather than relying on a single mapping app’s idea of “best,” you can use Roadtrippers to design the trip you actually want, then let Android Auto execute it in a clean, glanceable format that respects the safety constraints of driving.
3. Custom Apps Unlocked Through Android Auto Developer Mode
Android Auto hides a developer mode that, once unlocked, can open the door to more advanced app behavior and testing, including custom integrations that most drivers never see. Detailed instructions on how to access these options explain that users can tap repeatedly on the version number in the Android Auto settings to reveal a hidden menu, and that unlocking Android Auto developer settings enables toggles for features like unknown sources, app logging, and layout experiments. While this menu is primarily intended for developers who are building or debugging Android Auto apps, it also exposes controls that can influence how third-party apps appear on the car display, which can be useful for power users who understand the risks. For example, enabling certain flags can allow sideloaded or in-development apps to show up in the Android Auto launcher, even if they are not yet broadly distributed through the Play Store as car-ready experiences.
From a broader perspective, this hidden layer underscores that Android Auto is not just a static projection system but a living platform that can be tuned and extended. The same reporting notes that these developer settings should be approached cautiously, because toggling the wrong option can destabilize the interface or surface apps that are not optimized for driving. However, for fleet managers, tech enthusiasts, or companies piloting in-house tools, developer mode can be the bridge between a standard dashboard and a customized environment that surfaces specialized navigation, dispatch, or logging apps. As Android Auto continues to expand into categories like video and browsers, the existence of this developer channel hints at a future where more niche apps can be tested and refined in real cars before they reach the general public, giving early adopters a way to shape how the platform evolves.
4. OsmAnd & Other Open-Source Map Alternatives
OsmAnd is a standout example of an open-source mapping app that can step in for expensive subscription-based navigation services while still working smoothly with Android Auto. A detailed overview of open-source tools points out that there are open-source Android apps that replace expensive subscriptions, covering categories like cloud storage, password management, and media playback, and that many of these projects are designed to match or exceed the capabilities of paid competitors. In the mapping space, OsmAnd builds on OpenStreetMap data to provide offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and specialized layers for hiking, cycling, and public transport. When paired with Android Auto, those capabilities can move from the phone to the dashboard, giving drivers a privacy-friendly, subscription-free alternative to commercial navigation apps while still benefiting from the car’s larger screen and steering wheel controls.
The open-source ecosystem around Android also includes projects like Joplin, Bitwarden, Nextcloud, Fossify File Manager, and Grocy, which are highlighted as proof that users do not always need to pay recurring fees to get robust functionality. Some of these tools, such as media players and podcast clients, already expose Android Auto interfaces, and community discussions confirm that at least one open-source podcast app, AntennaPod, works on Android Auto and is distributed through Google Play, Github, and F-Droid. For drivers, the implication is that a carefully chosen set of open-source apps can cover navigation, audio, and productivity needs without locking them into proprietary ecosystems or subscription bundles. OsmAnd in particular shows how that philosophy translates directly to the road, letting a driver in a 2018 Volkswagen Golf or a 2021 Hyundai Kona rely on offline, community-driven maps through Android Auto, which is especially valuable in rural areas or on international trips where mobile data is limited or expensive.
5. AAWireless: Turning Wired Android Auto Into Wireless
AAWireless is a compact hardware adapter that plugs into a car’s USB port and converts a wired Android Auto connection into a wireless one, effectively upgrading older head units without changing the dashboard. Coverage of in-car platforms notes that there are alternatives to Apple CarPlay that you did not realize existed, and that Android Auto-compatible solutions can deliver similar dashboard features even when the vehicle did not ship with the latest connectivity options. AAWireless fits squarely into that category for Android users, because it is designed specifically for Android Auto and does not attempt to bridge or emulate Apple CarPlay at all. Instead, it pairs with an Android phone over Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth, then presents itself to the car as if the phone were physically plugged in, so the existing Android Auto interface appears on the screen without a cable dangling from the center console.
In real-world terms, that means a driver with a 2017 Mazda CX‑5 or a 2019 Ford Focus that supports wired Android Auto can gain wireless convenience that was previously reserved for newer models with factory Wi‑Fi. The adapter preserves the familiar Android Auto layout, including navigation tiles, communication apps, and media controls, while letting the phone stay in a pocket or wireless charging tray. For commuters and rideshare drivers, the stakes are practical: fewer cables to manage, faster setup when hopping in and out of the car, and less wear on the phone’s USB‑C port over time. In the broader dashboard landscape, devices like AAWireless illustrate how Android Auto’s flexibility allows third-party hardware to extend the platform’s reach, giving Android owners a way to modernize existing vehicles without waiting for a full infotainment upgrade or switching to a different ecosystem.
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