Android Auto 14.1: A New Era of In-Car Gaming
The world of in-car entertainment has just taken a significant leap forward with the latest update to Android Auto, version 14.1. This new version has started rolling out to beta users, bringing with it the long-awaited support for select Android games playable on your car’s display. In this post, we’ll dive into the details of this exciting development and explore what it means for the future of in-car gaming.
A New Era of In-Car Gaming
With Android Auto 14.1, Google has officially started rolling out support for games on your car’s display. This feature is not new, as it’s already available in cars with “Google Built-in,” aka Android Automotive. However, this update marks a significant milestone in the development of Android Auto, as it brings this functionality to a wider range of users.
Testing the Update
We had the opportunity to test the latest update on a Pixel 9 Pro Fold connected via wireless Android Auto to a 2025 Subaru Forester. We found that installed Android games showed up on our vehicle’s display, including Angry Birds 2 and Beach Buggy Racing. Both games opened perfectly well, although Google doesn’t seem to be doing much to optimize these titles. Angry Birds 2 wouldn’t go past a “internet required screen” (presumably as we hadn’t opened the game previously on the device), while Beach Buggy Racing still showed “tilt” controls as an option. Despite these limitations, Beach Buggy Racing worked fairly well in our test, with the game running relatively smoothly.
New Behavior: Fullscreen Apps
This update also introduces a brand new behavior to Android Auto, where apps are entirely fullscreen. When this happens, a swipe gesture from the top of the “screen” (which can vary depending on your vehicle) exposes an “Exit” button. This new behavior is a significant change from the previous experience, where apps were not fullscreen.
Supported Games
Currently, the following games are supported on Android Auto:
- Angry Birds 2
- Beach Buggy Racing
It’s expected that Google will extend this list over time, but it’s still unclear how the company plans to roll out this functionality to users. As mentioned, it’s only live for now in Android Auto 14.1, which is only available in the beta track. In theory, 14.1’s release to the stable track should happen within the next few weeks, but it’s possible that Google could leave this test locked behind beta versions.
What’s Next?
It’s hard to say for certain, but we’ll probably get more details soon. In the meantime, you can try to sign up for the beta program via the Play Store, but it’s usually full.
Conclusion
The latest update to Android Auto marks a significant milestone in the development of in-car gaming. With support for select Android games playable on your car’s display, this update brings a new level of entertainment to the road. While there are still some limitations and uncertainties surrounding this feature, it’s clear that Google is committed to bringing this functionality to a wider range of users.
Actionable Insights
- Sign up for the Android Auto beta program to try out the latest update and experience in-car gaming for yourself.
- Keep an eye out for more details on how Google plans to roll out this functionality to users.
- Consider upgrading to a car with “Google Built-in” for a more seamless in-car gaming experience.
Summary
Android Auto 14.1 marks a significant milestone in the development of in-car gaming, bringing support for select Android games playable on your car’s display. While there are still some limitations and uncertainties surrounding this feature, it’s clear that Google is committed to bringing this functionality to a wider range of users. With this update, the future of in-car gaming looks brighter than ever.