XDA ran a piece this month walking through three hidden Android Auto Developer Settings that regular users never see, and the punchline was the one every long-time Android Auto driver already knows: the platform is a lot more capable than the head-unit UI suggests. Unknown source apps, an unlocked category picker, and a video renderer flag all sit behind Developer Options waiting to be turned on. The seven Android Auto power-user apps below take advantage of those toggles, and each covers a different job the stock Auto experience refuses to.
What to look for in a power-user Auto app
The criteria that make an Android Auto add-on worth installing:
- Works with Developer Options unknown-sources toggle. If the app fails to appear on the dash after that, it is broken.
- D-pad and rotary-controller friendly. Steering-wheel controls should navigate the app.
- Handles Auto’s small screen sizes gracefully. 1024x600 is common; wider ratios are increasingly the norm.
- No dark-pattern ads on the head unit. The dash is not the place for popups.
- Runs safely at highway speed. Anything that requires visual focus for more than 2 seconds fails the test.
- Works over both wired and wireless Android Auto. Some third-party apps break the wireless connection.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Starting price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Android Auto | Base platform, official | Yes | Free | 4.4 |
| AAAD | Sideload non-Auto apps to dash | Yes | 5.99 USD one-time | 4.6 |
| Fermata Auto | Video and audio player | Yes | 7 USD one-time | 4.5 |
| Custom Info | Live vehicle telemetry on dash | Yes | 3.49 USD | 4.4 |
| Torque Pro | OBD2 scanner, engine data | 7-day trial | 4.95 USD one-time | 4.5 |
| Car Launcher AGAMA | Full-screen tablet dash launcher | Yes | 5.99 USD (Pro) | 4.5 |
| AutoZen Car Assistant | AI voice assistant for driving | Yes | 4.99 USD/month | 4.3 |
The apps
1. Android Auto, the base you build on
Android Auto is the platform itself, and getting it configured right is the first hidden-settings win. Enable Developer Options by tapping the version number 10 times in Auto’s About screen. Unlock Unknown Sources, boost video resolution, and enable the extra media apps toggle. Suddenly a lot of sideloaded apps appear on the dash that never did before.
Where it falls short: Google Assistant is being deprecated in Auto in favor of Gemini in many regions, which affects voice control quality. Some head units are stuck on old firmware that ignores Developer flags.
Pricing:
- Free: Everything.
Platforms: Android with a car head unit or Android Auto Wireless dongle.
Download: Google Play | Aptoide
Bottom line: Start here, then turn on Developer Options before installing any other app on this list.
2. AAAD (Android Auto Apps Downloader), the sideloader
AAAD is the app that gets any Android app onto the dash, even ones Google refuses to whitelist. Install a browser, YouTube, Netflix, a video player, a mobile game, the tools of your choice. Requires Auto’s Developer Options unknown-sources toggle. On a Pixel 8 the dash showed Firefox and VLC alongside Maps within 60 seconds of pairing.
Where it falls short: Google occasionally patches the sideload path in Auto updates, so the app breaks for a week now and then. The developer chases every patch. Not recommended for use while driving; passenger use.
Pricing:
- Free: 3 sideloaded apps.
- Paid: 5.99 USD one-time for unlimited.
Platforms: Android.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: The single most powerful add-on for Android Auto. Cheap, active dev, works.
3. Fermata Auto, the video and audio player
Fermata Auto is a full-featured media player designed for the Android Auto UI. Plays local audio and video files, streams from network shares (SMB, NFS, WebDAV), and integrates with Trakt for watch history. YouTube playback via yt-dlp is one setup screen away.
Where it falls short: Video is meant for passengers or parked use. Configuration for network sources takes patience.
Pricing:
- Free: All features on tablets and phones; Auto-connected use limited.
- Paid: 7 USD one-time removes the Auto-mode restriction.
Platforms: Android, Android Auto.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: The right pick for a family with kids in the back seat. Passenger media, done right.
4. Custom Info, the live vehicle telemetry app
Custom Info paints live vehicle telemetry (speed, RPM, coolant temp, fuel level, torque) as a dashboard widget on the Android Auto screen. Works with any OBD2 Bluetooth dongle. Best used as a second-monitor performance display while the main screen shows Maps.
Where it falls short: Requires an OBD2 dongle (usually 10 to 20 USD). Some newer EVs expose limited data over OBD2.
Pricing:
- Free: Basic gauges.
- Paid: 3.49 USD for custom themes and unlimited gauges.
Platforms: Android, Android Auto.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: For the driver who wants a heads-up display without paying for a car with one.
5. Torque Pro, the OBD2 scanner
Torque Pro is the veteran OBD2 scanner app. Reads engine codes, resets check-engine lights, and graphs live sensor data. The Android Auto integration is compact, showing a curated set of gauges. Combined with a Bluetooth OBD2 dongle it turns any Android head unit into a real diagnostics tool.
Where it falls short: UI feels dated; the app is old. Sensor availability depends on the vehicle.
Pricing:
- Free: Torque Lite (limited).
- Paid: 4.95 USD one-time for Pro.
Platforms: Android, Android Auto.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Best-in-class OBD2 for Android. Buy once, use forever.
6. Car Launcher AGAMA, the tablet-mode replacement
Car Launcher AGAMA is for people whose “head unit” is actually an Android tablet mounted in the dash. Full-screen 10-foot UI, big touch targets, and a customizable widget grid that shows Maps, media, weather, and OBD2 side by side. Works alongside Android Auto or as a standalone dashboard.
Where it falls short: Not an Android Auto app in the strict sense (it replaces the launcher on a mounted tablet). Learning curve is steeper than swapping apps.
Pricing:
- Free: Basic launcher.
- Paid: 5.99 USD one-time for Pro (custom themes, more widgets).
Platforms: Android, tablet-mounted dashboards.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Right pick if you built a DIY tablet dash. Skip if your car has a proper Android Auto head unit.
7. AutoZen Car Assistant, the AI voice helper
AutoZen Car Assistant wraps a large language model in a driving-safe voice interface. Ask for directions, dictate a text, summarize the last hour of news, or negotiate a shopping list, all hands-free. Integrates with Android Auto to run the voice conversation through the car speakers.
Where it falls short: Subscription-only after trial. Latency is 1 to 2 seconds per exchange, which feels long compared to the built-in assistant when it works.
Pricing:
- Free: 30-day trial.
- Paid: 4.99 USD/month or 39.99 USD/year.
Platforms: Android, Android Auto.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: For drivers whose commute is long enough to fill with dictation and briefings. Skip if you rarely talk to your car.
How to pick the right one
- If you install one add-on, AAAD. It unlocks everything else.
- If you have kids in the back, Fermata Auto.
- If you want a performance overlay, Custom Info or Torque Pro (with an OBD2 dongle).
- If your dash is a mounted tablet, Car Launcher AGAMA.
- If you want a smart voice assistant while driving, AutoZen.
- If the head unit is not seeing an app it should, check the Android Auto Developer Options first.
FAQ
How do I unlock Android Auto Developer Options?
Open Android Auto on your phone, tap the version number ten times. That reveals Developer Settings, which include unknown-sources toggles, video resolution overrides, and the “extra media apps” flag.
Can I install any Android app on Android Auto?
Not with the standard toggle set. Sideloader apps like AAAD extend the app catalog by tricking Auto into showing non-approved apps on the dash. Use responsibly, mostly for passenger or parked use.
Is AAAD safe?
The app is legitimate and actively maintained. The apps you sideload through it are your responsibility. Do not sideload anything requesting sensitive permissions on a driving screen.
Which apps show live car data on Android Auto?
Torque Pro and Custom Info both display OBD2 data on the Auto screen. Both need a Bluetooth OBD2 dongle (10 to 20 USD).
Does Android Auto work wirelessly?
Yes. Wireless Android Auto is supported on Pixel and Samsung phones running Android 11+, plus many aftermarket dongles. Both wired and wireless modes support the apps on this list.