We spend a lot of time in our cars these days. With the advancement of technology, it was only a matter of time before our smartphones met our vehicles in some capacity. This is where systems like Android Auto come into the picture.
Android Auto is such a great innovation in keeping our eyes on the roads ahead of us instead of on our smartphones. This app helps combat the threat of distracted driving, which is the cause of thousands of deaths in the United States every year. When drivers can focus on the road more, they are less likely to get into these potentially life-threatening accidents.
It’s evident from this that Android Auto is really cool to have in your car. However, there are many limitations put in the software for safety purposes. For instance, some applications cannot be installed at all. Also, some applications which can be installed cannot be used unless parked. This can be annoying, especially as, in some instances, you might have valid reasons for using these apps that do not border on being unsafe.
This is why it is crucial to learn how to unlock Android Auto. Those without rooted Android devices may be curious as to whether there are ways to unlock Android Auto without root. Thankfully, the answer to this is yes. Once you do this, you can use Android Auto in many new ways. Keep reading. This article will tell you all that you need to know.
Do you have a particular question about unlocking Android Auto without root? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Unlock Android Auto without root VS with root
The technology community is always at work trying to find ways to make apps and operating systems work better for the end user. That’s why it is no surprise that with Android Auto, it took them no time to figure out a way to unlock it as long as you had a rooted Android device.
However, since not everyone has a rooted device or wants to take the risk of rooting, there was a need for a way to unlock Android Auto without root. Fortunately, that came up, and it works perfectly fine. So take my word for it.
When you compare a method that requires rooting and one that does not, each side has certain advantages and disadvantages.
Unlock Android Auto with root
When you opt to unlock Android Auto after rooting your smartphone, you’ll most likely be best served using AA AIO Tweaker. Of course, you must go through the stressful and potentially risky process of rooting your Android smartphone. Still, if successful, you have much more control over your Android device. This applies to the Android Auto unlocking too.
With AA AIO Tweaker, you can do cool things such as forcing full screen, reducing how long notifications appear on the screen, disabling automatic wireless connecting, turning off touch limitations, and so much more. Unfortunately, these are features you typically do not get access to if you decide to unlock Android Auto using an unrooted smartphone.
Unlock Android Auto without root
Look, I understand if you don’t want to root your device. There’s that fear of voiding your warranty or turning your smartphone into an expensive brick. Don’t worry. There are many others like you, and if you’re not too tech-savvy, that way is probably better.
Thankfully, you can still unlock Android Auto without root, which is a huge relief. Of course, you don’t get access to as many additional customization options. However, you can still install many popular apps, giving you much extra control over the stock Android Auto platform.
To unlock your Android Auto system without a rooted phone, you will need to use a tool called Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD). Using this, you can install specific third-party Android Auto apps very easily. While you don’t have the option to install pretty much anything, your options are quite helpful and will usually satisfy all your needs.
How to unlock Android Auto without root in 4 steps?
Now, if you want to unlock Android Auto without rooting your smartphone, I will show you the steps that you need to follow to get this done using Android Auto Apps Downloader. There’s little risk in this, and if you follow the steps precisely, you should be able to get the whole thing done within a few minutes.
Note that you don’t even need a computer or developer options to get this done! It makes it as easy as possible for the less tech-savvy amongst us.
Well then, let’s get into the steps that you will need to follow.
Step 1: Download AAAD from GitHub
You will need to first download the latest version of the APK for Android Auto Apps Downloader from the official GitHub page. You can find the APK near the top of the page here.
Step 2: Install AAAD on Your Android Phone
Once you have downloaded the APK file, install it on your Android device. This shouldn’t take more than a minute to install. Don’t worry, you don’t need to enable any settings before you start the installation process, unlike with the methods that require a root.
Step 3: Install Any of the Third-Party Apps
You can now open the app on your phone, either from the Installation Complete prompt or your App Drawer. If the app asks for any permissions, give it the appropriate access.
Now, you will see three sections of apps: Multimedia Apps, Mirroring Apps, and Others.
The first section gives you ways to use streaming apps like CarStream, which lets you watch YouTube videos in your car.
The mirroring apps can mirror your Android smartphone screen directly to the one in your car instead of needing to use the toned-down interface that Android Auto forces you to use. The advantage is that you can technically use apps that are not supported, though you will have to interact with your phone to use them.
Others simply contain various apps that can be used for other things.
Step 4: Connect to Android Auto and Enjoy!
Finally, you can connect to your car the way you typically do, and you should now see the apps you installed among your car’s Android Auto apps. Tap any of them on the screen to get started using them. Just like that, you’ve been able to unlock Android Auto without root!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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