If your vehicle has Android Automotive built in (the actual OS, not the Android Auto app), your app library is getting a lot bigger.
Apps, apps, apps
Nearly 70 new apps are on the way, Google says, including popular streaming and gaming apps like Farm Heroes Saga, Paramount Plus, Plex, F1 TV, Red Bull TV, and NBC News. This pushes the total to almost 300 apps (you can see the complete list here).
If the notion of adding streaming apps to your car’s dashboard seems a little unsafe, the apps only work while your vehicle is in park — so you’ll be able to stay connected and entertained while in the school pickup line, while charging your vehicle, or while sitting in an unexpected traffic jam.
Also: Finally, I found a wireless Android Auto adapter that’s snappy, functional, and won’t break the bank
If you’re not familiar, Android Automotive is an operating system you can find in many newer vehicles. It’s the program that runs the infotainment system. Android Auto (without the -motive) is an app that lets you connect your Android phone for things like navigation and media control to a vehicle that runs on another OS. One of the biggest advantages of Android Automotive over Android Auto is that the former doesn’t need a connected phone to access Google services like Google Maps or Google Assistant.
Almost 100 vehicle models have Android Automotive, including 2022 and newer Chevrolet Silverados, 2023 and newer Honda Accords, 2025 and newer Ford Explorers, and 2024 and newer Nissan Rogues.
Coming soon
Google notes that the expanded apps will start with select Volvo and Polestar models, but wider availability is coming soon.
The app expansion stems from a Google initiative where the company collaborated with vehicle manufacturers to bring more apps to automobile screens. Instead of requiring developers to make all new apps, Google automatically distributes apps with large-screen compatibility to the Android Automotive app store. Given that Google is making it easy for new apps to be compatible, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the library continue to grow quickly. The last big expansion came just last month.
