60 frames per second. That's the headline capability Google highlighted for parked FHD video playback in its Android Auto overhaul, a change that also brings Material 3 Expressive theming, full-display layouts and floating widgets. Google said the redesign adds phone-style widgets, one-tap shortcuts and deeper Gemini Intelligence integration, while video will revert to audio-only once the vehicle moves. ZDNET also points out six phone-side controls you can use today to shape how Android Auto looks and behaves in compatible cars.

6 built-in customization options already exist in the Android Auto app on phones, and they pair with the platform-level refresh Google announced to increase personalization across phone-projected dashboards and supported head units.

What changed in the redesign

Google framed the update around three visual and interaction shifts. Material 3 Expressive brings phone fonts, wallpaper continuity and smoother animations so the car UI lines up more closely with a user’s phone, Google said. The interface now supports creating a full-display experience on dashboards that allow it, moving away from a boxed app area to one that can sit on top of an expanded Google Maps background with floating app bars and repositioning controls.

The third change is widget support: clocks, contacts, Google Home controls, weather and Photos can appear in a scrollable stack over navigation. Google’s demonstrations show those widget stacks floating over Maps and layered with music controls and message notifications, and the company said Gemini Intelligence will be woven deeper into car interactions to enable one-tap routines and message summaries.

Media and audio features also got attention. Google confirmed 60fps FHD video apps will run on Android Auto but only while the vehicle is parked or stationary; playback switches to audio-only once the vehicle starts moving. The company also announced Dolby Atmos support for compatible apps and cars, and a visual refresh for media apps such as YouTube Music and Spotify. Vehicle partners named in Google’s materials for initial video and audio support include BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata and Volvo, though Google hasn't listed specific models or said every brand will offer full feature parity.

Six ways to personalise Android Auto now

First, edit the app launcher.

Mastheads

ZDNET details that you can open Settings on your phone, search for Android Auto and choose Customize Launcher to hide apps you never use or set a custom order so the apps you need sit front and centre.

Second, force day or night mode. ZDNET shows how to stop the display switching based on ambient light and pick the theme you prefer, rather than letting the system decide automatically.

Third, create shortcuts and routines. The phone-side Android Auto controls let you build sequences that trigger multiple actions with a single tap, including sending messages or running Gemini commands that Google promises will be more deeply integrated into the car experience.

Fourth, tighten message privacy. ZDNET notes fine-grained settings that hide group conversations, mask or show the first line of incoming texts, control notification chimes and permit or block Gemini summaries of longer messages so drivers see only what they want while on the road.

Fifth, use widget stacks and one-tap shortcuts. The redesign surfaces phone-style widgets that can float over Google Maps while navigating, and the new one-tap shortcuts and app bars let frequently used actions sit above the map instead of being buried in menus.

Sixth, check media and audio settings. Beyond the system-level Dolby Atmos support Google announced, expect updated media app visuals and playback rules that shift to audio when driving. Because Google is splitting some features between phone-projection Android Auto and factory-installed Google Built-In systems, carmakers must enable full-display mode and media support on their head units for the complete experience.

Google also said Built-In systems will receive a distinct set of upgrades that go beyond the phone-projected experience, including more advanced media apps, tighter transitions and Gemini capabilities tuned to car-specific questions. Demonstrations accompanying the announcement showed the new UI on dashboards from Mini Cooper, BMW and Lucid, though Google didn't specify which vehicles or model years will support full-display mode or every feature.

For now, the phone-side controls ZDNET documented are available to users with the Android Auto app. The platform-level redesign will depend on both Google and automakers enabling the new modes and media support on a model-by-model basis.

Related Articles

The updated Android Auto features and interface refresh will roll out gradually through 2026, with the phone-side customization tools available to try now while carmakers decide which head units will support full-display and video playback features. Originally reported by zdnet.com.

This article was created with AI assistance.