Android Auto 12.1 APK Pushed to Stable Channel [Download]

Highlights

Google’s revealed new features coming to Android Auto as well as Android Automotive OS. The search giant’s latest I/O 24 was all about Gemini AI, insinuating that AI is going to be a big part of Android ecosystem. AI Assistants are coming to Android Auto and Wear OS, whether you like it or not.

Google recently published a blog post named Android for cars, unveiling what’s coming to Android Auto, built-in Google cars, and Android Automotive OS (AAOS)

With Google’s new initiative, Car Ready Mobile Apps, running regular apps on Android Auto can make it possible to run ChatGPT on your Android Auto in the near future. Gemini can already replace Google Assistant on you Android phone.

For one, you can now watch episodes of your favorite shows on HBO Max and Peacock as these platforms will come to Android Auto. Games like Angry Birds will also be released later.

The best part is the Car App Quality Tiers feature will streamline the process of adapting existing apps for cars. Furthermore, through the Car Ready Mobile Apps Program, this initiative aims to introduce mobile applications to automobiles without requiring any additional development effort from developers.

Read all about Android Auto Car Ready Mobile Apps for Compatibility with More Apps here.

Android Auto is also implementing new Google Cast (formerly Chromecast built-in) feature which will be integrated for Android Auto and cars with Android Automotive OS. This feature allows you to seamlessly cast video content from your phone or tablet to your car’s display, providing even more entertainment options.

Google is working on real-time battery information on Android Auto on Google Maps; great for electric vehicles. Planned trips from Google Maps from phone to their cars would be a great feature to have.

What’s new with Android Auto 12.1?

Google just released a major Android Auto v12.1 under stable channel featuring new Material Your design for your phone settings app; which complements Coolwalk UI on your Android Auto. Google is also brought a permanent toggle for Weather widget for car head unit featuring new Coolwalk UI.

The new UI is streamlined to match the Material You Design across all the apps on latest Android OS. Android Auto also lets you completely disable Message Notifications.

The latest update brings weather widget, Taskbar widget, toggle side panel and bottom panel depending on the car head unit display size and orientation.

The new Coolwalk UI will also now reflect connected smartphone’s icon pack in taskbar and wallpaper in settings.

The latest update may have fixed Android Auto automatically switching to Google Maps when users request navigation through Google Assistant bug; found in previous update.

Google Podcasts is no longer available as the app nears end-of-life, and the official replacement, YouTube Music is here for Android Auto integration. If you have the Google Podcast app available, it is wise to uninstall it.

Android Auto 12.1 stable version is now available for download. The update should automatically apply your Android theme by changing the layout to Material You design. The buttons and toggles are now round. The theme is also darker and will switch depending on the phone configuration.