Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Not long ago, Google's Android Auto update policy included just a single release per month, making the wait for fixes and improvements fairly frustrating.
Beginning in 2022, when the company expanded the beta program and turned it into a more consistent effort to improve Android Auto, the rollout pace has been significantly accelerated, with new builds landing almost weekly.
For example, Google shipped Android Auto 10.2 beta only a few days, allowing testers to take the latest build for a spin. The purpose is obvious: users try out this pre-release version and then provide feedback to let Google resolve potential glitches before the production rollout begins.
As it turns out, Android Auto 10.2 was a pretty stable build, so today, the company promoted this version to the stable channel. The rollout system relies on a phased approach, so the update is delivered to devices in stages, with some users having to wait up to several weeks before getting the new version.
Fortunately, Android devices allow users to sideload applications, and the Android Auto 10.2 APK installer allows them to install the update without waiting for the Google Play Store rollout. The Android Auto 10.2 APK build is available here, and once you store it on your device, tap the file to begin the update.
If you have never installed an app update manually, you must unblock the non-Google Play Store support. Android blocks third-party app sources by default, but you can safely proceed with the update if you download files from trusted sources.
You don't have to remove the existing Android Auto installation, as the new files automatically replace the old ones. When the process is complete, you can launch Android Auto normally.
If you're looking for a changelog, Google did not provide one, but this is no longer a surprise. The search giant rarely shares such information, so users must discover the new features in Android Auto builds by exploring every bit of the application.
For example, Android Auto 10.2 enables a new search icon in music apps. This feature allows users to type a song's name, the artist, or the album they want to listen to. The experience is similar to navigation apps, with Android Auto automatically blocking the keyboard when the vehicle starts moving. As in the current Android Auto versions, only voice input is allowed if the car is in motion. The new search option will be available in all audio apps running on Android Auto, including Spotify and YouTube Music.
However, the new feature isn't yet live for all users, as Google seems to enable it with a server-side switch. The company hasn't announced the feature, but I expect the availability to increase gradually in the coming weeks as Google collects more reliability data.
For example, Google shipped Android Auto 10.2 beta only a few days, allowing testers to take the latest build for a spin. The purpose is obvious: users try out this pre-release version and then provide feedback to let Google resolve potential glitches before the production rollout begins.
As it turns out, Android Auto 10.2 was a pretty stable build, so today, the company promoted this version to the stable channel. The rollout system relies on a phased approach, so the update is delivered to devices in stages, with some users having to wait up to several weeks before getting the new version.
Fortunately, Android devices allow users to sideload applications, and the Android Auto 10.2 APK installer allows them to install the update without waiting for the Google Play Store rollout. The Android Auto 10.2 APK build is available here, and once you store it on your device, tap the file to begin the update.
If you have never installed an app update manually, you must unblock the non-Google Play Store support. Android blocks third-party app sources by default, but you can safely proceed with the update if you download files from trusted sources.
You don't have to remove the existing Android Auto installation, as the new files automatically replace the old ones. When the process is complete, you can launch Android Auto normally.
If you're looking for a changelog, Google did not provide one, but this is no longer a surprise. The search giant rarely shares such information, so users must discover the new features in Android Auto builds by exploring every bit of the application.
For example, Android Auto 10.2 enables a new search icon in music apps. This feature allows users to type a song's name, the artist, or the album they want to listen to. The experience is similar to navigation apps, with Android Auto automatically blocking the keyboard when the vehicle starts moving. As in the current Android Auto versions, only voice input is allowed if the car is in motion. The new search option will be available in all audio apps running on Android Auto, including Spotify and YouTube Music.
However, the new feature isn't yet live for all users, as Google seems to enable it with a server-side switch. The company hasn't announced the feature, but I expect the availability to increase gradually in the coming weeks as Google collects more reliability data.
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