A Modern Android Auto Design That Adapts to Any Screen
Google’s new Android Auto design update brings a more flexible, car-first interface that can adapt to almost any display size and shape. The refreshed in-car UI redesign is built around Material 3 Expressive styling, carrying over your phone’s fonts and wallpaper while adding smoother animations for a more polished feel. A floating app row now sits on the left or right edge depending on where the steering wheel is, making core apps easier to reach without stretching across the screen. Crucially, the entire Android Auto experience — including the app drawer, notifications, apps, and new widgets — now sits on top of Google Maps, keeping navigation continuously visible in the background. For supported vehicles, Android Auto can also surface climate controls directly in the interface, tightening the link between the infotainment system and the car’s built-in hardware for a more unified driving experience.
Android Auto Widgets Turn the Car Display into a Custom Dashboard
One of the most significant changes is the arrival of Android Auto widgets, which turn the car’s screen into a more customizable control hub. Instead of relying solely on full-screen apps, drivers can pin glanceable, interactive widgets sourced from their phones directly onto the infotainment display. Google has already showcased widgets for Clock, Contacts, Google Home, Photos, and Weather, hinting at a broader ecosystem of Android Auto widgets from third-party developers in the future. This widget-driven approach makes it easier to check the time, call a frequent contact, adjust smart home devices, or peek at upcoming weather without digging through menus. Because the entire layout lives on top of Google Maps, these widgets complement — rather than replace — navigation, offering small, focused interactions that better suit quick, at-a-glance use while driving.
Music Apps on Android Auto Get a Safer, More Powerful Redesign
Media apps are receiving one of the most impactful upgrades in this Android Auto design update. Google is expanding its Car App Library so developers can build richer, safer music and podcast experiences that still respect in-car attention limits. Tabs in music apps now move to the top of the screen instead of the side, aligning more closely with modern mobile layouts and simplifying reach. Developers gain new templates with expanded headers for visual emphasis, spotlight sections for highlighting playlists or recommendations, and more grid variations for albums and shows. New components like chips, compact items, interactive headers, and progress bars allow more expressive layouts without clutter. A standout addition is the adaptive mini-player, which keeps playback controls visible while users browse. Popular music apps on Android Auto — including Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Gaana, PocketFM, and TuneIn — are already adopting these changes to improve usability on the road.
Video Playback, Dolby Atmos, and the Road to More Connected Cars
Beyond the in-car UI redesign, Android Auto is expanding into richer entertainment and audio experiences. Video playback support is rolling out for compatible vehicles and phones, allowing users to watch YouTube and other streaming apps in Full HD at up to 60fps while the car is parked. When driving resumes, video stops but audio can continue in the background, turning shows into de facto podcasts. Google is also enabling developers to create templated in-car experiences that can transition into the full app when the vehicle is parked, opening the door to deeper interactions that still respect safety boundaries. On the audio side, Android Auto is adding Dolby Atmos support in supported models from brands such as BMW, Genesis, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata, and Volvo. Together with tighter Maps integration and new voice- and agent-driven flows, these updates signal Google’s broader push to make Android Auto a central hub for connectivity and control in the car.