Mysterious Android Auto Change Enables New Icons on the Home Screen

Android Auto has replaced the default icons on the home screen with the stock design on mobile devices.

A screenshot posted on reddit by a Samsung Galaxy S10e owner shows Android Auto no longer using the default app icons but the ones developed by Samsung and available on the mobile device. The familiar Samsung design replaced all icons, including for first-party apps like phone.

It's unclear what triggered the change, but updating Android Auto to the latest version doesn't make a difference. The most recent build of Android Auto is 11 beta, with a stable release likely to take place early in the new year.

Several users have confirmed in the reddit discussion thread that they're seeing the new icons, too, though the feature feels half-baked for now. Android Auto only "imports" the stock icon design from the mobile device, ignoring third-party packs installed by the user.

While it's unclear if it's a bug or the intended behavior, importing the phone's stock icons could be the first step towards a more ambitious Android Auto update to keep the mobile device and the infotainment system in sync. Google might be planning a more consistent transition from the mobile device to the head unit, and offering a similar look that'll roam across devices could be part of the strategy.

Not long ago, Google was spotted testing new wallpaper features for Android Auto users. The company might allow users to synchronize the background on the mobile device and the Android Auto screen, allowing the same wallpaper to be enabled on the phone and in the car. Offering a similar icon pack could align with this strategy.

However, Google should also develop support for third-party icon packs, as the feature would otherwise not work as expected, eventually breaking the company's aim for full consistency when switching devices. Furthermore, not everybody is a big fan of Samsung's rounded icons, so offering an option to disable the feature is a must.

The work on this front is still in its early days now, though Google's strategy is as mysterious as possible. The whole thing could be just a bug, though I doubt this is the case, especially as the roaming icons align perfectly with Google's plan of making the transition between devices more seamless.

It's unclear if Samsung is the only OEM supported by the new Android Auto behavior, as other device makers also offer custom designs for app icons on mobile devices as part of their Android operating systems.