Google launches standalone Android Auto app for Android 10 users

Google has released a new standalone Android Auto app for Android 10 users. Dubbed “Android Auto for phone screens,” the app restores the “broken” Android Auto experience to smartphones running Android 10. This app is an interim solution until Google’s revamped Driving Assistant mode for smartphones is available.

Android Auto has undergone several major changes over the past few months. At I / O 2019 in May, Google announced that it would replace Android Auto on phones with a new assisted driving mode. However, this wizard-based feature is still ongoing and it is not known when it will be available.

In the meantime, Google has made Android Auto part of the Android 10 operating system. While this eliminates the need for a separate app, this move has apparently broken Android Auto for some users. The Android Auto icon has reportedly disappeared from the app drawer on phones powered by the latest iteration of the Android operating system. People have no way to access Android Auto although it is built into their phone. The new “Android Auto for phone screens” app is Google’s answer to this problem. This app acts as a shortcut for the built-in Android Auto features of the system.

Meanwhile, those who have a phone running Android 10 and a car with an Android Auto compatible head unit do not need this app at all. They can just plug in their phones and enjoy the ride.

“This app allows you to use Android Auto on your phone screen with a phone running Android 10. If you have Android 10 and an Android Auto compatible car, you can project on your car screen without downloading this app. . Just plug in your phone to get started, ”says the app’s Google Play description.

Assisted driving mode

Google’s plan for Android in cars is to make it completely hands-free so that you can focus on driving and not on your phone screen. The driving mode powered by Google Assistant will seamlessly manage the apps for you. However, Google can’t say for sure how long it will take for the assisted driving mode to arrive. Once arrived, the new “Android Auto for Phone Screens” app should no longer be required.

For now, affected Android 10 users can download the app from the Google Play Store to make Android Auto run smoothly on their devices. Note that this app is only available for some Android 10 devices. If the app is not available for your device, you can try loading it from APK Mirror.