New Android Auto 14.2 Beta now available for Download with enhanced compatibility

BySarang Updated on
Android Auto 14

Google is making big changes in how you install app on your Android device. The search giant has been transitioning towards Split APKs or multiple APKs format for better compatibility with your Android device and making the app light weight. This means, the bundles APKs will only install the components for your Android devices, making compatibility better and the apps run smoother. Split APKs is now coming to Android Auto starting with the latest beta version 14.2. Here, see how to download and install Android Auto 14.2 APKs file.

Starting with Android 11, Google released apps in Split APKs (multiple APKs) format. This means the app is split into several packages including the base and config APK files. This solves the compatibility issue and helps install apps like the Google Camera APK on any Android device featuring different dpi, screen resolution, screen size, architecture, and more.

Here’s what Google has to say to developers:

Since August 2021, all new apps must be published as App Bundles. If you publish your app to Google Play, build and upload an Android App Bundle. When you do so, Google Play automatically generates and serves optimized APKs for each user’s device configuration, so they download only the code and resources they need to run your app. Publishing multiple APKs is useful if you are publishing to a store that doesn’t support the AAB format. In that case, you must build, sign, and manage each APK yourself.

Google further adds:

Although it is better to build a single APK to support all your target devices whenever possible, that might result in a very large APK due to files supporting multiple screen densities or Application Binary Interfaces (ABIs). One way to reduce the size of your APK is to create multiple APKs that contain files for specific screen densities or ABIs.

So from now on, Android Auto will come in bundled APKs format. However, you can easily install it. But there’s an additional app you will need to download ins order to install the APKs, APKM, xAPK, even zip files.

Android Auto 14.2 beta update is now available for download, featuring better compatibility with Android devices and several bug fixes. The long-awaited Gemini Live feature is still not yet active for most Android phones. So we will need to wait further to test it.

What’s new with Android Auto 14.2 beta update?

Apart from the compatibility and bug fixes, the Android Auto team has addressed a fix for the following issues:

Bug Fixes

Gemini AI

As we reported earlier, Google’s AI assistant called Gemini will soon replace the conventional Google Assistant — a service that hasn’t seen significant updates in two years. With an update to the Gemini app container, it could help enable the new AI assistant based on Gemini Flash 2.0 on Android Auto, smartphones, Wear OS, and more.

Google is internally testing Gemini Live with 2.0 Flash; which is a multimodal LLM for faster response times. Gemini, if you don’t already know, is the new AI (assistant) from Google for smartphones capable of generative tasks as well as their reasoning model. It can perform tasks as the original assistant and more including calls, summarize messages, get directions, and may also help change Android Auto settings as it does for some phone. Here, download the latest stable Android Auto 14.1.151404 APK to potentially activate Google Gemini Live for eligible devices, for now.

Read more on: Get Ready for AI for cars with Gemini in Android Auto.

Support for new cars

The inclusion of Gemini Live code and support for new cars in Android Auto 14.1. APK Breakdown — a thorough examination of Android application packages — revealed several entries that hint at upcoming features:

<public type=”drawable” name=”ic_oem_generic_gwm”/>
<public type=”drawable” name=”ic_oem_modus”/>

Android Auto 14 beta adds support for two new cars, including the manufacturer GWM (Great Wall Motor, a Chinese automobile manufacturer known for its SUVs) and Renault Modus.

Temperature and AC control

Android Auto 14 beta adds critical feature for temperature control and AC control. You can now set the temperature to high, low, or turn off directly from Android Auto interface in eligible devices.

We found the following code in the latest stable update.

<public type=”string” name=”control_temperature_hi” id=”0x7f150442″ /> <public type=”string” name=”control_temperature_lo” id=”0x7f150443″ /> <public type=”string” name=”control_temperature_off” id=”0x7f150444″ />

We found the following code for AC control the latest update.

<public type=”string” name=”control_ac_off” id=”0x7f150442″ />
<public type=”string” name=”control_ac_on” id=”0x7f150443″ />
<public type=”string” name=”control_auto” id=”0x7f150444″ />
<public type=”string” name=”control_sync” id=”0x7f150445″ />

New windshield defrost feature addded to Android Auto

<public type=”drawable” name=”gs_windshield_defrost_front_vd_theme_24″ />
<public type=”drawable” name=”gs_windshield_defrost_rear_vd_theme_24″/>
<public type=”string” name=”control_defrost_front”/>
<public type=”string” name=”control_defrost_rear”/>

Also adds:

<public type=”drawable” name=”gs_mode_fan_off_vd_theme_24″/>
<public type=”drawable” name=”gs_mode_fan_vd_theme_24″/>

New Android Auto Maps app or feature

Google is potentially testing a new maps feature or app for Android Auto. Here WeGo maps is already supported for cars.

<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME”/>
<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME_DEV”/>
<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME_DOGFOOD”/>
<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME_FISHFOOD”/>
<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME_PREVIEW”/>

Download Android Auto 14.2 Beta APKs (zip)

New Android Auto 14.2.1515 beta bundled APKs is now available for download.

As we mentioned earlier, starting with Android 11, Google released apps in Split APKs (multiple APKs) format. This means the app is split into several packages including the base and several config APK files. This solves the compatibility issue and helps install apps like the Android Auto on any phone or car head unit.

How to Install Android Auto APKs?

  • Download the Split APKs / APKM / zip file from above for your app.
  • Transfer the APK file to phone storage.
  • Rename the .apkm file to .zip (Other formats are fine.)
  • Install Split Installer app from Github (SAI-4.5.apk) (Free and open source)
  • Launch the Split Installer app and grant all the permissions it requires.
  • Tap on Install from internal storage option in SAI.
  • Select all the APKS package or zip file from the phone storage.
  • Grant permission to install apps from unknown sources.
  • Let the installation complete.
  • Enjoy your installed app.

Sign up for Android Auto Beta

The Android Auto beta sign up is now available on Play Store. However, the latest version takes some time to reflect as it is a phased update. As an alternative, download APK from above or sign up for beta version here.

Download Android Auto from Play Store

The official Android Auto listing is now available on Play Store. However, the latest version takes some time to reflect as it is a phased update.

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Tech Expert & Software Developer

Sarang is an Android enthusiast, software developer, expert in the Android, phones, software, niche and has been a tech blogger for various other technology websites.

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