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Android Auto has become a must-have feature for many Android users, and Google’s numbers show that Android Auto adoption continues to grow.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Android Auto is already in more than 200 million cars, and more cars could come equipped with the phone projection system, especially since not all automakers are on board with GM’s controversial trend there is.
Android Auto is a great concept, but many longtime users have experienced difficulties where things don’t always work as expected. This is why power users can help Google improve the overall stability and reliability of the app, and from 2022 it will be easy for anyone to contribute feedback.
The Android Auto beta program allows users to download and install pre-release builds and gain access to new features and improvements in exchange for feedback. It’s a win-win process and works well, so it’s no wonder more users are interested in the beta.
If you also want to install the pre-release build, here are the five most important pieces of information you need to keep in mind before jumping into the beta program page.
Google wants your feedback.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Your primary role in the Android Auto beta program is to test all new builds and provide feedback to Google.
As I mentioned earlier, the purpose of this program is to allow you to try out new features in exchange for feedback. Google will use your feedback to improve new Android Auto builds before they are given the green light to production channels.
This means users can test Android Auto beta builds to make their apps more stable and reliable before others get their hands on them. As we’ve all learned the hard way, stable builds require further polishing, so this doesn’t always work as expected, but the beta program is designed to address the issues that Google is most concerned about. Please help me solve it.
It’s more likely to be a bug.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Beta builds of Android Auto provide access to the latest features (unless enabled through a server control rollout). This is the biggest reason why many users want to install Android Auto beta builds, but it’s important to remember that all of these updates are already available. – Release the software.
These builds have a beta flag and are more likely to run into issues. So don’t be surprised if something doesn’t work as planned.
If you find a feature that doesn’t work as expected, your mission is to report it to Google with as much detail as you can provide. The Android Auto team will use your information to resolve issues before the next stable update is greenlit.
Do not use it as a daily driver.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Which brings us to the next point. Beta builds of Android Auto can have bugs (though many know this is also true for stable releases) and should not be used as a daily driver.
This increases the chance of bugs that can prevent Android Auto from running when you need it most.
For example, if a bug breaks Google Maps in Android Auto, you won’t be able to use behind-the-wheel navigation until Google provides a fix (or until a workaround is found). So if you use Android Auto every day for work or your daily commute, you should use a stable build.
Beta and stable builds cannot be installed side by side.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Google doesn’t allow users to install Android Auto beta along with stable releases. This means you have to choose one method or the other, so if you choose a beta build, you won’t receive a stable build on your device.
Moving from beta to stable is easy. All you need to do is remove the beta version of Android Auto and exit the testing program.
You can return to the beta program at any time in the future by enrolling in the program or downloading the APK installer. However, each release must be manually installed.
How to download Android Auto beta builds.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
The easiest way to get the beta version of Android Auto on your device is to enroll in the testing program.
Once approved, all new beta builds will be automatically sent to your device through the Google Play Store. The release system works the same way as for stable releases, and if you enable automatic updates, you’ll get new beta builds once Google ships them.
However, if you do not want to enroll in the program and only want to install a specific build, you can sideload the beta release onto your device using the standalone APK installer. By default, Android only allows apps from the Google Play Store, so you’ll need to enable special permissions on your phone.
If you choose this method, you won’t automatically receive future Android Auto beta updates. The only way to get new versions from the Google Play Store when they are released is to sign up for the beta program. Similar to automatic updates, sideloaded builds contain the same features and potential bugs.
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