Can I add music player to Android Auto?

Android Auto is Google’s infotainment system that extends the Android platform into the car. It allows you to control many of your phone’s features through your vehicle’s display and controls. Key features include navigation, calling, messaging, media playback, and voice assistance. Music playback is one of the core functions, allowing you to stream from apps like Spotify or Pandora.

The default music apps included with Android Auto provide a seamless listening experience. However, many users want more control and customization for their music library. This raises the question – can you add your preferred music player app to Android Auto?

Default Music Apps

Android Auto comes with two default music apps pre-installed for playing audio in the car – Google Play Music and Spotify. These apps have native integration with Android Auto and can be launched directly without any additional setup.

Google Play Music is Google’s own music and podcast streaming service. Since it is developed by Google, it has deep integration with Android Auto and allows you to easily access your library, playlists, and recommendations right on the Android Auto interface. You can use your voice to request songs, albums, artists etc. and it will immediately start playing them if available on your Google Play Music account.

Spotify is another popular music streaming app that also has built-in support for Android Auto. Like Google Play Music, Spotify allows you quick access to your playlists, stations, and recommendations using just your voice or the Android Auto screen controls. Premium Spotify subscribers get full access to Spotify’s extensive music library of over 70 million tracks.

Limitations of Default Apps

One of the biggest limitations of using the default music apps in Android Auto is the lack of choice and customization. By default, Android Auto only supports a handful of music apps such as Google Play Music, Spotify, and Pandora. This means you are restricted to using those apps even if you prefer something else.

The default apps also have their own restrictions. For example, according to a Reddit thread, the default YouTube Music app only loads the first hundred or so songs in a playlist [1]. The Polestar Forum also noted that YouTube Music lacks many features such as support for liking songs [2]. This can be frustrating if you rely on playlists or use YouTube Music as your main music app.

Overall, being limited to the default music apps in Android Auto means missing out on features, customization, and choice. For many users, the default apps simply do not provide the full experience they want for their music listening.

Benefits of Custom Music Apps

One of the main benefits of adding custom music apps to Android Auto is access to a wider selection of music services beyond the default options (source). While Android Auto natively supports apps like Google Play Music, Spotify, and Pandora, there are many other excellent music services that can’t be used on Android Auto by default. With custom integrations, you can access niche music services, streaming platforms from other countries, or even on-demand content libraries.

Custom music apps also allow you to tailor Android Auto’s music experience to match your personal preferences (source). If you have a favorite music service that you subscribe to and are used to on your phone, you can integrate it into your car’s system instead of changing habits and learning a new default music app. This ensures a more seamless and familiar experience.

Finally, custom music apps give you access to the full range of features offered by your preferred music service, beyond the basic playback functionality allowed through Android Auto’s default integration (source). This includes advanced capabilities like offline saving, smart recommendations, voice commands, and more. With custom apps, you don’t have to sacrifice functionality just to get music playback in your car.

Methods to Add Custom Apps

There are two main methods to add custom music apps to Android Auto – direct integration and using third-party tools. Here’s an overview of each method:

Direct Integration

Some music and audio apps like Spotify and Audible have been updated to directly integrate with Android Auto. This allows you to easily add them like any default app in Android Auto. The main benefits of direct integration are ease of use and full functionality within Android Auto.

The downside is that not all apps offer direct integration, so this limits your options. Apps need to be specifically designed to work with Android Auto, so if an app hasn’t added integration, you can’t use this method.

Third-party Tools

For apps without direct Android Auto support, you can use third-party tools like AA Music and Waze. These tools allow you to launch and control unsupported apps through the Android Auto interface.

The main advantage of third-party apps is they let you use almost any music or navigation app in Android Auto. The downside is that they offer limited functionality compared to direct integration, and may have bugs or issues.

Direct Integration

One option for adding a custom music app to Android Auto is through official, direct integration. However, this route comes with complexity and restrictions.

According to the Android for Cars documentation, media apps can be directly integrated with Android Auto by implementing specific requirements like MediaBrowserService and ExoPlayer. However, the process is complex as apps must provide full support for browsing, playback control, and other Auto features.

Additionally, Google currently only allows certain approved apps into Android Auto. According to redditors on r/AndroidAuto, options are limited to apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, etc. There is no official support for adding arbitrary or custom music apps through direct integration at this time.

So while possible in theory, directly integrating a custom music app with Android Auto may not be feasible for most users due to complexity and Google’s closed ecosystem. Workarounds through third party tools are more accessible alternatives.

Third-party Tools

There are several popular third-party tools that allow adding custom music apps to Android Auto:

• AutoApps – Developed by João Dias, this popular app lets you run almost any app on Android Auto. It works by mirroring the phone’s screen in a customized interface. Use cases include streaming music services like Spotify, YouTube, etc. that don’t natively integrate with Android Auto.

• CarStream – This app streams music from various sources such as YouTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, etc. It provides voice commands and steering wheel controls for easier use while driving.

• HR Player – Focuses on high resolution audio playback up to 192kHz. Supports various formats including FLAC, WAV, etc. Provides customized interfaces for in-car use.

These tools essentially act as middleware, intercepting commands from Android Auto and translating them into actions on your phone. This allows third-party apps to work seamlessly in the Android Auto environment. However, they may lack some native integration features.

Limitations and Issues

While custom music apps can add more flexibility to Android Auto, there are some challenges that come with using unsupported third-party apps. Many custom apps are not designed to integrate seamlessly with Android Auto, which can lead to bugs, glitches, and other integration issues.

One common problem is that custom music apps may not display properly on the Android Auto interface. Album artwork, playlists, and other elements may not show up correctly. Controls like skipping tracks or adjusting volume may not work reliably either.

There are also reports of custom apps causing Android Auto to crash or freeze up entirely. The apps seem to conflict with Android Auto’s software and can cause stability problems.

These integration problems likely stem from the apps not being fully optimized and tested for Android Auto. Since they are unofficial third-party apps, Android Auto essentially has to “guess” how to display and control them through the driving interface.

Using these unsupported music apps is a bit of a trade-off. You gain more choice in apps, but lose out on seamless integration and stability. Many users find the issues tolerable for the added music selection, but it can certainly be frustrating and unreliable at times.

Tips for Success

If you are looking to add a custom music player app to Android Auto, there are a few tips to ensure the best experience:

First, make sure your music app is optimized for use in vehicles through Android Auto. Look for apps designed specifically to integrate with Android Auto that are hands-free and easy to control by voice.¹ Apps like Spotify and Pandora work very well, while apps not designed for Auto may have limited functionality.

Second, add your music app directly through the Android Auto app if possible, rather than through a third-party app integration tool. Direct integration leads to the most seamless, glitch-free experience.² Using unofficial tools can cause issues with app stability.

Finally, if you do run into any problems with apps crashing or misbehaving in Android Auto, try rebooting your phone and head unit to refresh the connection. Make sure you have the latest versions of the Android Auto app, your music app, and your phone’s operating system.

With a fully integrated, Auto-friendly music app, you can enjoy your favorite tunes on the road easily and safely using voice commands and steering wheel controls.

Conclusion

In summary, while Android Auto’s default music apps provide basic functionality, there are benefits to adding your preferred music app. With some apps offering direct integration and third-party tools available, you can add custom music players to Android Auto. However, the experience may not be seamless due to limitations. The key is managing expectations and trying different options to find what works best for your needs. Ultimately, it is possible to add a music player to Android Auto beyond the default options.

To directly answer the main question – yes, you can add a music player to Android Auto, though the options are currently limited. With some effort, you should be able to find a solution that allows you to access your preferred music app. Just be aware of potential limitations in integration and functionality.