Users can sideload apps to Android Auto, expanding its functionality beyond the official catalog. This allows for activities like watching videos and browsing the web, improving the user experience in vehicles with limited app options.
Android Auto has restrictions limiting the available apps to those found in the Google Play Store. However, by sideloading apps, users can significantly enhance the functionality of Android Auto, allowing for more versatile usage beyond the official offerings.
To begin sideloading, users must unlock developer mode on their Android phone. This involves accessing the Settings menu, navigating to 'About Phone,' and tapping the 'Build Number' seven times to enable it. A similar process is used for unlocking developer mode within the Android Auto app.
Once developer mode is enabled, users should install the Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD), which acts as an unofficial app repository. After downloading the .apk file for AAAD, users can access various applications that can be installed on Android Auto. Note that the free version of AAAD allows only one download every 30 days, while the Pro version is available for $4.
One popular sideloaded app is CarStream, which allows users to watch YouTube videos on Android Auto despite the absence of an official YouTube app. While an official version is set to launch later this year for several car manufacturers, CarStream provides a solution in the meantime.
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Users can sideload apps to Android Auto, expanding its functionality beyond the official catalog. This allows for activities like watching videos and browsing the web, improving the user experience in vehicles with limited app options.