Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Android Auto 11.6 has just landed in the production stage, with Google now kicking off the rollout to devices not enrolled in the beta testing program.
The same version became available for testers approximately one week ago, and Google releasing it to production devices is a sign that the company didn't find any major bugs. We should expect Android Auto 11.6 to run smoothly, though we all know that the bug likelihood is never eliminated in the Android Auto world.
Unfortunately, Google did not share a changelog for this update, so it's again impossible to tell if Android Auto 11.6 brings major improvements.
However, we already know that big new features are on the horizon, including options to make the transition from the mobile device to the infotainment screen more seamless. For example, Google allows the stock icons and the home screen wallpaper to migrate from the mobile device to the infotainment screen, creating more consistency between devices.
The feature debuted with exclusive support for Samsung phones, but I also spotted the same wallpaper and stock icon roaming integration on Xiaomi phones.
Google is also working on AI-powered message summaries. The feature debuted earlier this year to create summaries of long conversations or busy group chats, providing the driver only with the essential tidbits. It's powered by artificial intelligence and offers relevant smart answers, including options to share the ETA to a destination.
These features aren't tied to a specific app update, but Google could improve the availability when new versions are released.
The Android Auto 11.6 rollout happens through the Google Play Store, and users will receive the update in stages. However, anyone can download the update today with the stand-alone APK installer. The manual update involves a process known as sideloading, which allows users to download the APK file and manually install the new version without relying on the Google Play Store for update distribution.
The Android Auto 11.6 APK is available on this page, and if you never installed an app manually, you need to grant special permissions for sideloading. You'll see a prompt when installing the app on your device (after downloading the APK file), with the update process typically completed in seconds. You also don't need to remove any existing Android Auto installation from your mobile device, as all files are replaced automatically during the manual installation.
The automatic rollout through the Google Play Store typically takes weeks, so it'll take a while until the update appears on your device if you don't want to install it manually.
As with every Android Auto update, Google has remained tight-lipped on the changelog, so let me know in the comment box below if you notice something new in version 11.6.
Unfortunately, Google did not share a changelog for this update, so it's again impossible to tell if Android Auto 11.6 brings major improvements.
However, we already know that big new features are on the horizon, including options to make the transition from the mobile device to the infotainment screen more seamless. For example, Google allows the stock icons and the home screen wallpaper to migrate from the mobile device to the infotainment screen, creating more consistency between devices.
The feature debuted with exclusive support for Samsung phones, but I also spotted the same wallpaper and stock icon roaming integration on Xiaomi phones.
Google is also working on AI-powered message summaries. The feature debuted earlier this year to create summaries of long conversations or busy group chats, providing the driver only with the essential tidbits. It's powered by artificial intelligence and offers relevant smart answers, including options to share the ETA to a destination.
These features aren't tied to a specific app update, but Google could improve the availability when new versions are released.
The Android Auto 11.6 rollout happens through the Google Play Store, and users will receive the update in stages. However, anyone can download the update today with the stand-alone APK installer. The manual update involves a process known as sideloading, which allows users to download the APK file and manually install the new version without relying on the Google Play Store for update distribution.
The Android Auto 11.6 APK is available on this page, and if you never installed an app manually, you need to grant special permissions for sideloading. You'll see a prompt when installing the app on your device (after downloading the APK file), with the update process typically completed in seconds. You also don't need to remove any existing Android Auto installation from your mobile device, as all files are replaced automatically during the manual installation.
The automatic rollout through the Google Play Store typically takes weeks, so it'll take a while until the update appears on your device if you don't want to install it manually.
As with every Android Auto update, Google has remained tight-lipped on the changelog, so let me know in the comment box below if you notice something new in version 11.6.
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