Unofficial Android Auto apps I installed to make my car screen more useful - and how

Unofficial Android Auto apps expand what's possible on a car's display, and this article explains how to sideload them. It outlines a step-by-step setup: unlock developer mode by tapping Build Number seven times, then enable Unknown sources, and access Android Auto’s Extra settings where Version is tapped ten times. The process uses Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD), an unofficial Play Store with a free version limiting one download every 30 days and a Pro option for $4. The author notes that even on older systems—a 2018 model—the extra apps can alter how Android Auto works, including video viewing and web browsing. The top pick is CarStream, offering YouTube-like functionality until an official app arrives.

Google plans an official YouTube app for Android Auto later this year for cars from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, and Volvo. Until then, CarStream remains the practical workaround, enabling video and browsing on smaller screens. The piece notes Android Auto’s limits and the balancing act between official controls and user customization, mentioning a separate guide on seven ways to tailor Android Auto.