TL;DR
- Android Auto is adopting Material 3 Expressive, which includes smoother animations and better adaptability to all screen sizes.
- Users can eventually add home screen widgets for weather, smart home controls, and favorite contacts.
- YouTube video support (FHD) is coming to stable use, including a seamless transition to audio only while driving.
Android Show: I/O Edition 2026, Google has many surprises in store, from Gemini Intelligence to Googlebooks. There are new features for cars too, including a long-awaited upgrade that brings widget functionality to your car’s infotainment screen.
New features coming to Android Auto
Contents 3 Expressive
Google says Android Auto is getting Material 3 Expressive Design, with expressive fonts, smooth animations, and wallpapers that will transform your car from your phone. This new UX also gives Android Auto better adaptability, as the platform can now better adapt to car screens of any size or shape.
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home screen widget
We’ve seen Android Auto home screen widgets many times before, and now Google has finally officially announced them. With widgets, you can display more information and actions on your car’s screen even while you’re actively navigating. For example, you can add shortcuts, a one-tap garage door opener, a weather overview, and more to your favorite contacts.
Support for video apps and video-to-audio-only transitions
Android Auto is finally getting support for video apps too, starting with YouTube. Users will be able to watch FHD 60 fps videos in supported cars like BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Skoda, Tata and Volvo later this year.
Video playback is used when the car is parked and stationary, such as during charging or toilet breaks. When you start driving, Android Auto will switch from video to audio only in apps that support background audio. This allows you to continue enjoying your content safely.
Dolby Atmos and Music app refresh
Google is also bringing Dolby Atmos spatial sound to supported apps and cars, starting with BMW, Genesis, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Skoda, Tata, and Volvo.
Google also says that media apps like YouTube Music and Spotify are getting “visual tune-ups” that make them “even easier” to use in the car. It’s not immediately clear whether this refers to their use of a media playback template, which has been on and off since the beginning of the year.
Gemini Intelligence is also coming to Android Auto
Gemini is already on Android Auto (though users don’t like it that much), and Google is now upgrading it to Gemini Intelligence if your phone has it. With Gemini Intelligence, your car (via your phone) understands your context, anticipates your needs, and gets things done on your behalf.
For example, if you get a text from a friend asking for an address, the Magic Q feature on Android Auto will understand the context of the question, find the answer using information from your text messages, email, or calendar, and offer to send a reply with the correct information in a single tap.
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You’ll also be able to automate tasks like ordering DoorDash while driving, using only your voice with Android Auto.
Many of these features are also available in cars with Google built-in.
Cars with Google built-in this year will get better media apps, seamless video-to-audio transitions, and even access to meeting apps like Zoom.
Google Maps’ immersive navigation on eligible cars with Google Built-in will be even more accurate thanks to live lane guidance. Live Lane Guidance will sense which lane you are in and advise you in real time when you change lanes or exit. This will be done entirely in the car, analyzing the road through your car’s front-facing camera.
Feature Rollout Timeline
Google notes that these features will continue throughout the year for Android Auto and Google built-in cars. Historically, these features have taken weeks and months to implement, so don’t hold your breath. We’re still happy to see these new features in the pipeline, as they definitely improve the experience inside the car.
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