Android Auto can be very useful for many things. Whether you use it for Google Maps navigation or hands-free messaging, it helps keep your eyes and focus where they need to be while you’re driving: on the road. However, Google can be a little stingy with updates. So, if there is a new version of Android Auto with a must-have feature, here’s how to update it manually!
You will need the latest Android Auto APK file
The nice thing about the Android Auto update is that it doesn’t require any physical interaction with your car or its infotainment system. It’s all handled on your Android phone! According to Autoevolution, the first step to manually update Android Auto is to get the latest version of the APK file.
This is where a problem can arise. Since Google does not offer a standalone download source for the latest version of Android Auto, you will have to find it yourself online. However, it is essential that you download the APK file from a trusted source. Otherwise, you can accidentally download an APK file that is infected with a virus. APKMirror is a great resource of APK files for Android Auto.
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Once you download the APK file, it is as simple as opening the file on your phone and allowing it to be installed. If you’ve never installed an app from anywhere except the App Store, you’ll likely see a message asking to allow apps from third-party sources. Remember that you take this action at your own risk. Although APKMirror is generally considered a safe resource, anything is possible.
Once the APK file has been successfully installed, you are done! Congratulations, you just manually updated Android Auto!
Why do some people only get Android Auto updates?
Google is slowly rolling out every Android Auto update to a few devices at once. There is a good reason for that. However, it will be a little annoying if you are not in the first wave of updates.
As one might assume, the primary thing to consider when rolling out Android Auto updates is security. Therefore, Google is slowing down the deployments to prevent the mass spread of any issues its developers may have missed. This way, if there is an unexpected problem with the new update, it will only affect the number of people that Google has rolled out the update for.
For example, imagine that Google released an update to Android Auto that had a freezing issue when a phone call ended, or you received a new message notification. Naturally, this would be very annoying, and you want to mitigate the problem. Trying to solve this problem is an issue in itself. Imagine thousands of people trying to fiddle with a frozen infotainment system while driving instead of paying attention to the road. Sounds pretty bad, doesn’t it?
So, eventually, you might not see the Android Auto update until weeks after it started rolling out. However, understanding the reason for the subtraction levels makes it more likely. However, if you can’t wait to get those quick replies to messages or any new feature being rolled out in Android Auto, now you know how to update it manually
Related: How to add Android Auto to an older car