Can we play YouTube in Android Auto?
Android Auto is a car dashboard interface developed by Google to allow drivers to access smartphone apps and functions through the in-vehicle infotainment system. It extends the Android platform into the car by projecting a simplified interface onto the car’s display, allowing the driver to access key features like Google Maps, YouTube Music, messaging apps and more with voice commands to minimize distractions.
YouTube is the world’s largest video platform owned by Google, with over 2 billion monthly users. It allows people to search for, view, upload and share video content on the internet. While Android Auto was designed for apps optimized for driving, access to YouTube’s massive video library has been a commonly requested feature.
There has been debate around whether playing YouTube videos in the car is safe and aligns with Android Auto’s focus. While Google currently prohibits video playback, some workarounds have emerged. This article explores whether you can play YouTube videos in Android Auto, Google’s stance, and possible future support.
What is Android Auto?
Android Auto is a smart driving assistant developed by Google to allow you to use apps and services from your Android phone in a safer way while driving. It is designed for use in compatible vehicles and projects a simplified interface onto the car’s display, allowing drivers to access key functions and apps without having to handle their phone directly.
Android Auto was first announced in 2014 and launched in 2015. It extends the Android platform into the car, bringing the flexibility and capability of Android apps to the driving experience. With Android Auto, relevant information and apps are conveniently accessible on the dashboard display or via voice commands. This allows drivers to stay focused on the road while still having useful features readily available.
Some of the key capabilities offered through Android Auto include navigation with Google Maps, music playback, messaging, and voice assistance. Compatible apps on the user’s phone, such as media players and messaging apps, can be controlled through the in-car interface. Android Auto aims to minimize distractions and simplify common tasks to promote safer driving.
Android Auto app support
Android Auto has support for a wide variety of popular apps, especially those focused on navigation, music, and podcasts. Many major apps have been optimized for Android Auto, allowing for hands-free use while driving. Some popular Android Auto compatible apps in these categories include:
Navigation: Google Maps, Waze, Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps
Music & Audio: Spotify, TuneIn Radio, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
Podcasts: Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocket Casts
There are also apps for audiobooks, messaging, and voice assistants. Android Auto aims to provide a seamless connected car experience by supporting the most popular apps for driving safely.
Does Android Auto support video?
Android Auto was designed primarily as a driving assistant to minimize distractions, with a focus on apps and content that promote safe driving. As such, Android Auto does not natively support playing videos or other highly visual content that requires significant driver attention (source url: https://www.gm-navigation.com/how-to-play-video-on-android-auto/). The Android Auto interface is centered around audio, voice commands, and simplified touch interactions. Allowing video would go against Android Auto’s core purpose of limiting dangerous distractions while driving.
Can I play YouTube videos in Android Auto?
Unfortunately, you cannot directly play YouTube videos in Android Auto. The Android Auto app does not currently support any video playback functionality. This is by design – Google wants to minimize driver distraction by limiting Android Auto to just audio and voice-based apps. Playing YouTube videos would go against their goal of keeping drivers’ eyes on the road.
According to the SlashGear article, the Android Auto team at Google has no plans to add YouTube video capabilities anytime soon. They believe listening to music and podcasts is safer than watching videos while driving.
Workarounds to play YouTube videos
Although Android Auto does not natively support playing YouTube videos directly within the app, there are some workarounds that allow you to access YouTube content in your vehicle.
One option is to screen cast or mirror your Android phone’s display to your car’s infotainment system. This allows you to play YouTube videos on your phone, while mirroring the video feed to your car’s display. Apps like AAADroid Auto and CarStream enable this functionality.
You can also use third party apps not officially supported by Android Auto to access YouTube. Apps like AutoTube and YouTube Auto provide a simple YouTube interface optimized for in-vehicle use. These apps allow searching, browsing, and streaming YouTube videos directly within their own customized Android Auto interfaces.
While these unofficial apps don’t provide the full native YouTube experience, they do allow basic YouTube video playback as a workaround option until official support arrives.
Google’s stance on YouTube in Android Auto
Google has not officially enabled YouTube video playback within Android Auto due to concerns over driver distraction and safety. The Android Auto platform was designed to minimize distractions while driving by limiting apps to audio, voice commands, and simplified interfaces. Playing YouTube videos in the car could divert the driver’s attention from the road to the screen.
As stated in Google’s overview of developing for Android Auto, “Apps should minimize driver distraction and proactively promote driver safety. Android Auto enforces restrictions on distracting behavior to ensure apps don’t compromise safety.”
Allowing YouTube playback within Android Auto would go against Google’s focus on safety by enabling visually distracting video content in the car. Google has prioritized audio-only versions of apps like YouTube Music, Spotify, and podcast players for Android Auto to allow entertainment while discouraging drivers from watching video.
Tips for playing YouTube audio
While Android Auto doesn’t natively support playing YouTube videos, there are a few workarounds to get YouTube audio playing in your car:
The easiest option is to use YouTube Music. This is Google’s official music streaming app, which allows you to access the audio from YouTube videos. Simply login to the YouTube Music app on your phone and it will be available in Android Auto. You can then search for and play audio from YouTube videos.
Another option is to download the YouTube videos as audio files on your phone, either using a YouTube to MP3 converter site or app. Then you can play the audio files in Android Auto like any other music. Just note that downloading YouTube videos may violate copyright.
You can also use apps like TubeMate which allow you to download YouTube videos specifically for streaming audio in your car. These apps convert and optimize YouTube videos for Android Auto playback.
While not as seamless as watching videos, with some preparation you can still enjoy YouTube audio during your commute with Android Auto.
The future of video in cars
While Android Auto currently does not support video playback for safety reasons, there are signs that limited video support may be coming in the future. At CES 2023, Google announced updates to Android Auto including support for media apps to display content previews on the dashboard when parked. This could allow apps like YouTube to show video thumbnails or previews on the main display.
However, Google has not announced plans to allow full YouTube or other streaming video playback while driving anytime soon. The focus remains on limiting distractions and promoting safety. But video previews when parked hint at potential future capabilities as in-vehicle entertainment systems evolve.
Summary
YouTube videos are not directly playable on Android Auto displays for safety reasons. While the Android Auto app does support select media apps, video streaming apps like YouTube are not supported to minimize driver distraction. There are some workarounds like screen mirroring that allow you to get YouTube videos on an Android Auto display, but this defeats the purpose of Android Auto’s driver-friendly interface.
Google wants to promote a safe driving experience with Android Auto, so they are unlikely to ever add native YouTube playback support. The best option is to stream just the audio from YouTube videos if you want to listen to them in the car. Voice commands also make it easy to control playback without distractions.
In the future, self-driving technology may allow video streaming apps on car displays. But for now, Google is prioritizing driver safety, and YouTube on Android Auto seems unlikely. The takeaway is that while possible through workarounds, directly playing YouTube videos on Android Auto is not officially supported or recommended.