The final farewell was consummated today, June 22: Android Auto for telephones, the application which adapted the smartphone to the requirements of driving, ceases to function on all mobiles. By default, Android Auto only works on cars screenalthough there are ways to keep its interface even if Google took it away from you.
Android 12 was a setback for Android Auto users on mobile: the dedicated application, which Google hasn’t updated since October 2021, has officially ceased to operate. This means that the car console can no longer be used on the phone screen, a very useful way to overcome the lack of Android Auto in the vehicle. Google Assistant’s driving mode replaces the missing functionality, but it’s not even the same remotely.
You can simulate that your mobile is a car
The official Android Auto app for phones does not work whether they are running Android 12 or lower. In reality, appears as unavailable in the Google Play Store. And no matter which APK is installed, Google clearly warns that “Android Auto becomes available only on car screens“.
Since the official solutions go through the use of the Google Assistant driving mode, a mode that not available in all countries and phones, it’s time to find an alternative that allows us to maintain the Android Auto that we know in almost all mobiles. And it does: Headunit Reloaded makes it possible.
It is not the first time that we recommend this application, it is a real wonder for those who want to make sure Android Auto is exactly the system they need in the car. And it allows to continue to use the vehicle interface on the phone screen, here is the process:
- Open Android Auto on your mobile. The easiest way to find it is to go to phone settings and type in “Android Auto”. Click on the result with this name.
- Once in the Android Auto menu, scroll down to the version number. Press several times and accept developer settings activation.
- Once you’ve enabled Android Auto Developer Settings, click the top three menu dots and choose “Start the main unit server“. Your Android mobile is ready.
- Download Headunit Reloaded on your mobile. It’s a paying app : it costs 4.89 dollars. You can make sure it works for you by trying the free limited version first.
- Open Headunit Realoaded, follow the setup steps and accept the permissions.
- Make sure to keep the phone horizontal (vertically it probably won’t look good) and click on the auto mode icon.
- The Android Auto initial setup will open. When finished, Headunit Reloaded will project the car screen on the phone.
The application takes care of receiving the screen projected from the Android Auto application for project it in turn onto the telephone plate. This way you have a 100% functional Android Auto, with all the options included and without having to go through the Google Assistant driving mode. Also, Headunit Reloaded should work on any mobile running Android 4.1 or higher.
