Android Auto running on the Desktop Head Unit, showing Waze navigation and Spotify playback side by side
Navigation and music, right on your car's screen.

With the launch of /e/OS v2.0, we’ve added support for Android Auto. Follow along to setup Android auto with /e/OS.

Tip: The current implementation supports /e/OS from version A13 onwards. It requires the installation and use of certain Google applications. We are actively exploring solutions to eliminate these dependencies.

Steps to Install Android Auto

All four apps are installed through App Lounge.

  1. Search for Google and install it.

    App Lounge search results for “Google”, showing the Google app with an Install button

  2. Once installed, repeat the search for Google Maps.

    App Lounge showing Google Maps installed, with an Open button

  3. Repeat for Google Speech Recognition & Synthesis.

    App Lounge search results for “Google Speech Recognition”, showing the Speech Recognition & Synthesis app

  4. Finally, install Android Auto itself, then reboot the device.

    App Lounge showing Android Auto installed, with an Open button

Tip: Some /e/OS builds ship Android Auto as a placeholder “stub” package with no launcher activity, so App Lounge may keep showing “Open” instead of “Install” when you search for it. If that happens, remove it for the current user and search again (not from the same listing) to get a real Install button: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.projection.gearhead

Setup Android Auto on your Car

  1. Connect your /e/OS device with a Car that’s compatible with Android Auto. Only a USB cable that supports data transfer will work.

  2. If everything goes well, you should see the following screen. Tap OK if you agree:

  3. Tap on Continue if you agree:

  4. Android Auto will ask you to continue the setup on your /e/OS device. Tap on Go to phone:

  5. On your /e/OS device you’ll be asked to turn ON notification access for Android Auto. Settings → search Notification access shows Android Auto under “Not allowed”:

    Notification access settings page, with Android Auto listed under “Not allowed”

  6. Tap it, then turn on Allow notification access and confirm:

    Confirmation dialog: “Allow notification access for Android Auto?” listing what the app will be able to do

  7. It now shows as allowed:

    Notification access page showing the toggle turned on for Android Auto

  8. Once all permissions are granted, you’ll be able to see the Android Auto interface on your Car:

    Android Auto running on the Desktop Head Unit, showing Waze navigation and Spotify playback side by side

Troubleshoot apps not working with Android Auto

Sometimes apps like Spotify don’t work Android Auto (despite them being compatible). If you’re face this issue, follow the steps below:

  • Launch the Android Auto app on your /e/OS device.
  • Scroll to the bottom and tap Version 10 times.
  • Navigate to Developer settings by tapping the three-dot button at the top-right corner and taping Developer settings.
  • Scroll down to Unknown sources and turn it ON.