Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Google has completed the beta testing of another Android Auto version, so users can install a new stable build through the Google Play Store or using the stand-alone APK file.
Android Auto 10.1 entered the beta stage on July 22, but Google's accelerated release pace allowed the company to complete the testing by the end of the month.
As a result, the stable version of Android Auto 10.1 is now live, with the rollout happening through the Google Play Store in stages.
The phased approach gives Google more time to monitor the reliability of the process, eventually being able to suspend the rollout if it discovers major bugs. The strategy sometimes becomes more frustrating for users, as they must wait up to several weeks to receive the latest Android Auto version. It also leads to version fragmentation, as some users stick with older builds while others already run the latest releases.
If you don't want to wait, manually downloading Android Auto 10.1 is your best option.
The APK file allows you to install an Android Auto update without waiting. The phone brand and model make no difference if you configure it to allow apps from third-party sources. By default, Android blocks apps from outside the Google Play Store. During the APK installation process (also known as sideloading), you should see a permission request to configure the operating system to allow non-Google Play Store app sources.
The process involves only a few steps. You must download the APK file on your device and launch it using a file manager. If you already enabled sideloading, the update should complete in a few seconds.
Android Auto 10.1 comes without a changelog, so it's impossible to tell what's new without installing it. I already updated Android Auto on my device to the latest version. Still, I can't notice any significant change, so most likely, Google focused on under-the-hood improvements and performance optimizations. The new Google Assistant animation spotted by some in Android Auto 10 is still unavailable on my device, so the search giant hasn't yet started the rollout.
Considering it's a bug-fixing release, Android Auto 10.1 is a recommended update, especially if you've been struggling with various bugs in your car. Google has several widespread problems to resolve on Android Auto, including phone call issues, as users report that the sound is sometimes routed to the mobile device and not to the car's speakers. Others reported overheating issues, while some users claim that Google Maps keeps running on their phones after disconnecting them from Android Auto.
You can find the Android Auto 10.1 APK installer on this page, and use the comment box below if you notice something new and want to share it with the other readers.
As a result, the stable version of Android Auto 10.1 is now live, with the rollout happening through the Google Play Store in stages.
The phased approach gives Google more time to monitor the reliability of the process, eventually being able to suspend the rollout if it discovers major bugs. The strategy sometimes becomes more frustrating for users, as they must wait up to several weeks to receive the latest Android Auto version. It also leads to version fragmentation, as some users stick with older builds while others already run the latest releases.
If you don't want to wait, manually downloading Android Auto 10.1 is your best option.
The APK file allows you to install an Android Auto update without waiting. The phone brand and model make no difference if you configure it to allow apps from third-party sources. By default, Android blocks apps from outside the Google Play Store. During the APK installation process (also known as sideloading), you should see a permission request to configure the operating system to allow non-Google Play Store app sources.
The process involves only a few steps. You must download the APK file on your device and launch it using a file manager. If you already enabled sideloading, the update should complete in a few seconds.
Android Auto 10.1 comes without a changelog, so it's impossible to tell what's new without installing it. I already updated Android Auto on my device to the latest version. Still, I can't notice any significant change, so most likely, Google focused on under-the-hood improvements and performance optimizations. The new Google Assistant animation spotted by some in Android Auto 10 is still unavailable on my device, so the search giant hasn't yet started the rollout.
Considering it's a bug-fixing release, Android Auto 10.1 is a recommended update, especially if you've been struggling with various bugs in your car. Google has several widespread problems to resolve on Android Auto, including phone call issues, as users report that the sound is sometimes routed to the mobile device and not to the car's speakers. Others reported overheating issues, while some users claim that Google Maps keeps running on their phones after disconnecting them from Android Auto.
You can find the Android Auto 10.1 APK installer on this page, and use the comment box below if you notice something new and want to share it with the other readers.
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