Is it possible to make an app that simulates Android Auto? - Android Auto General

I currently use Screen2Auto and while it is working overall I'm still having issues.
I'm not a developer or anything, just an end user.
I'm curious why no one has come up with an alternative to Android Auto. I.e., an app that will run on an unrooted phone, make the car's headunit think it is interfacing with Android Auto, and allow you to mirror any app that is on your phone.
Are unrooted phones just too locked down to operate an app like this?
Is there a special key or something that the car's headunit requires for communication?
Is it just too onerous of a job to make an app like this?
Just curious. Seems like there would be quite a demand for an app like this.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bitspice.automate ... this was an awesome attempt to do exactly what you are looking for. It was intended to be an AA replacement, and I was an early adopter/beta tester. The biggest problem was they were never able to find a way to get it to the head unit *legitimately*.The next biggest problem was that everytime they came up with something better than AA, Google would make changes and break it. Several times functionality would have to be changed / removed because of changes to Google's Terms of Service.
Ultimately it becomes a battle between Google's unlimited (seemingly) resources and the developer writing the app.

I'm looking for something a little different than the above. I'm looking for something that mirrors your phone's apps on the car's touchscreen.

Related

[Q] Mirrorlink

Is there any way to get mirrorlink working on the Nexus 6?
Not sure what mirrorlink is. Do you mean Miracast? If so, I don't believe it works. Chromecast works great for screen mirroring your Nexus 6 to a HDTV.
Found this searching for compatibility... One application for MirrorLink for those that didn't know is Pioneer head units like the AppRadio so you can mirror your phone's screen onto it...
any luck?
Is MIrrorlink compatible with the nexus 6? If so, anybody know how to enable it?
My understanding....
spillytime said:
Is MIrrorlink compatible with the nexus 6? If so, anybody know how to enable it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have been told neither Mirrorlink nor AppRadio are compatible with Lollipop in general and the nexus 6 specifically. Your only option at this point is Android Auto which works well if you have the supporting HU from Pioneer. However, at this time, not many developers have made their applications compatible with it. When the 2016 car models start rolling out with AA preinstalled in their HU, then I believe we will see a flood of apps moving into the platform.
Google needs to start supporting MirrorLink on Nexus phones. I have a Nexus 6 and the Pioneer AVH-4100NEX.
Android Auto has been a horrible experience so far. It worked at first, for a couple of months, and then I don't know why (Android update maybe?) but suddenly it stopped working and hasn't worked since.
Even when it did work, there were some VERY annoying things:
1) if your phone is plugged into the USB cable, Android Auto launches, and as long as you're still plugged in I couldn't find any way to temporarily get out of Android Auto (such as if I want to check my email or some other app on the phone). Or if I want to listen to a YouTube video (or watch it from my phone, lets say I'm the passenger ok?), then I'd have to un-plug the USB which means my phone isn't charging.
2) The other really annoying thing is that Android Auto limits developers in how many screen clicks user would need to do to get to content (including, clicking the down arrow to browse through a long list). Where this is a problem for me for example, is my Spotify playlists. Android Auto will only display about 10 or so of my playlists.
So I find myself disconnecting the phone from the cable and just streaming over bluetooth.
In fact at first I was really upset that my phone was no longer launching Android Auto at all and stopped working with my Pioneer AVH-4100NEX, but now that I am just able to leave the phone charging all the time and have full access to my phone apps, all my spotify playlists, and am just streaming over bluetooth I'm not really sure I want to fix Android Auto.
What I really want at this point is to just MIRROR my phone screen to my head unit. This way no matter what I want to watch or listen to, it doesn't matter if "Android Auto" supports it or not. I can put on YouTube videos, or anything I want.
So this gets me back to Mirror Link, I don't know why Google or Motorola is not supporting it, MirrorLink from what I've seen should be another viable option for Android users (and for now I think a better option than Android Auto)
I'll be posting this reply as a separate topic as well, here and in Google's forums because it needs some attention.
Thanks
Ill repost this here as well
You have to take into account the many laws in different places concerning cell phones and driving. In some places you can get a ticket just for having your phone in your hand while driving. And now they are cracking down even harder on it. Also some OEM have been known to block some cars from working with devices like that. It was found that one samsung device had a list built into the OS that blocked a number of different cars from working with Android Auto. This I can only assume came from the Car manufacturer.
If I had a nickel for all the distracted drivers around me, well, I'd have a lot of nickels!

LF: Android Auto Experience, without the Wires

feedback non-existent in H/U forum so thought i'd try my luck here.
seeking recommendation to be installed into RSX
back in January I looked into Android Auto/CarPlay from the brand names but they require USB connection to phone = dealbreaker
not looking to DIY a tablet into the dash
LF a 2DIN head unit that works very similiarly to AA without the wires.
I'm looking to have run this app pretty much on default
http://www.androidcentral.com/hands-automate-android-auto-your-phone
will be installing myself
to be used with Galaxy Nexus GSM on 4.3...quite long in the tooth my next phone is likely Note 5 or the new LG Nexus
convenience is key. I just want to enter the car and have BT auto connected to the phone and ready to stream music without having to pull out my phone.
voice-enabled messaging, google apps, backup cam, capacitative touch screen are all requirements. volume knob, 2gb ram, quad-core processor and large community dev support would be nice.I didn't look at Hufei and AN-21 because their specs are dated as they've been around for a while now. I've been waiting for android 5.0 head units to hit the market but it's taking forever.
i'm not an audiophile so as long as the sound quality isn't worse than a stock Honda radio I'm good which is only mediocre at best.
I think you're confused about a few things.
1. Android Auto requires USB, period. It doesn't work any other way.
2. AutoMate is not the same as Android Auto. It's a launcher that looks sort of like Android Auto. It has nothing to do with your other phone, bluetooth, etc. It's standalone. If you want to stream music from your phone you're gonna have a bad time.
The NU3001 is the best (i.e., most modern) head unit available today. Because the source code is available the community has developed a ROM that is car friendly and does work with bluetooth streaming, Google Now, etc. You can run AutoMate on it if you want but I finally uninstalled it as it's just a (pretty) layer that gets in the way between your maps/music/phone apps and you. There are variants available with a physical volume knob but to my knowledge they don't have one for a Honda.
alaninsitges said:
1. Android Auto requires USB, period. It doesn't work any other way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto has Wifi support built in, but AFAIK my Headunit app is the only way to make it work at present, unless you have access to some unreleased devices/apps.
To Original poster: I don't think a solution with all the features you want exists yet. We've been waiting for decades for useful, robust implementations of the sort of environment that Android Auto and CarPlay provide.
I hope that within the next 2 years we will have solutions that are useful and "just work". The ones we have now clearly need work and seem as immature as Android 1.x and 2.x compared with the Android 5.x/6.x level solutions we want.

Use car headunit without android auto

I'm thinking it may be possible to make an app that mirrors what is shown on the phone screen to the car headunit by emulating the Android Auto communication protocol. Touches on the headunit screen could be transmitted back to the phone for interaction with the apps. Most of what Android Auto does is screen display over USB and some touchscreen interaction with the user so it may not be hard to get some of the features.
Does this already exist? If not, do we know if anyone is working on this?
Yes, this is possible.
I am not aware of anyone planning to do this. Google would surely ban an app on Play that does this, as they did with my AA Headunit app. So, along with IMO little demand for this, there is little financial incentive to do this.
I've considered doing this myself, but I'm concentrating on my Headunit app at this time.
Most people with Android Auto compatible HUs will IMO want to use AA (or Apple Carplay if iPhone), rather than mirroring over AA protocol. If they want true mirroring, there are open protocols for this.
(One exception might be for cars with factory AA compatible HUs, if those HUs do not support mirroring.)
I think devs may be more friendly to using open mirroring protocols, rather than using a secret, undocumented protocol that will get the apps booted from Google Play.
mikereidis said:
(One exception might be for cars with factory AA compatible HUs, if those HUs do not support mirroring.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is specifically what I'm thinking about. Maybe I want to look up yelp reviews, watch a youtube video, or browse the web on my car headunit while parked when the headunit does not specifically support streaming other than android auto. There is some added value to having a car with an android auto capable headunit if there is a way to do things not supported by google/the car manufacturers.
If the protocol is simple enough, this may be possible with a rooted device. Since it sounds like android auto is pretty much video/audio streaming over USB, this may not be hard to do.
How a developer can get money doing this is another question. This certainly would be something you could not sell in the play store. I'd certainly donate for a good app but I know that is a difficult way to make money unless you have a large audience.
communication between Auto and phone
Is anyone still working this?
I am interested in knowing how the communications between Android Auto and phone is? Communications seems complete gibberish. Are they using any particular Android protocol for communication?

Android Auto add apps

Hi guys,
I have something I don't understand...
In the past I had a jailbreaked iPhone where I could add specific apps that I want in Apple CarPlay.
Don't know why thats not possible with a rooted s10...
I don't want mirroring or all the apps show in AA...
Can someone tell me if this is possible in Andriod Auto?
(Don't want to go back to iPhone... ) :highfive:
Peace!
Mo
Mo
For now the answer is no. If you are on version 4.7xxx this will not allow you to customize your apps on the screen. BUT, in a teardown of 4.7, there are strings that make mention of some new features coming, and that is one of them. So, for now it looks like we have to wait just a little bit longer for this feature to become live in a future release.
The main problem on Android is that any app to be used on AA should be adapted by its developer in order to work in AA. This means that no jailbreak or root won't help to make an app available on AA. I've heard somewhere that it is or it was (at that time) possible to view youtube clips on the car's infotainment screen, but I don't know how. The only apps usable for now on AA are the ones listed when choosing Apps for AA on AA's menu.
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk
Something I dont understand. Why does anyone even entertain installing android auto - just to read messages ?
It seems that millions of people are ??
Ignoring for a moment any personal blatent data mining of google apps generally.
There seems to be quite a few prerequisites for running it. Besides having a permanent data connection (In a car, and while travelling ??)
Then while nearly every head unit capable of running it, has already many built in apps to do most things like play music / radio, run various navigation programs, play videos etc. which are ignored in favour of what ever 'approved' apps are on our phones and that are heavily restricted.
And all the while after faffing about finding and connecting the usb plug just to make it work. Really ?
So just what are the compelling reasons for using it. I'm genuinly interested.
cleverdicky said:
Something I dont understand. Why does anyone even entertain installing android auto - just to read messages ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If all Android Auto did was read messages and allow Google Assistant through car audio, it would still be really good. But it does a lot more.
cleverdicky said:
There seems to be quite a few prerequisites for running it. Besides having a permanent data connection (In a car, and while travelling ??)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The data connection comes from your phone. It's not built into the car audio, although it could be, I guess.
cleverdicky said:
Then while nearly every head unit capable of running
it, has already many built in apps to do most things like play music / radio, run various navigation programs, play videos etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never seen a head unit with Tidal or Waze built in, can you link to the one you're talking about?
I have a Sony XAV-AX210 and it doesn't have GPS at all. Furthermore, it's practically unheard of for OEM head units to stay up-to-date with firmware, and they literally charge hundreds of dollars for updated maps for the built-in GPS.
And you're saying that even though I have everything on my phone, I should take the time to make USB sticks of all that stuff? LOL, WUT?
cleverdicky said:
And all the while after faffing about finding and connecting the usb plug just to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like a problem only you are having. Almost everyone I know plugs their phone in while driving, regardless of having a head unit that will connect to it.
Based on the latest version of CarPlay and Android Auto, I personally think Android Auto is really lacking outside of its map display, and CarPlay is just WAY better, but if you have an Android device, it's nice to have.
I have android auto because it is the only way I can get GPS maps for my truck without paying nearly 900$ for OEM maps. I have all permissions denied for android auto and nearly all Google apps disabled with permissions denied. I use AA mirror to mirror my phone and use osmAND for maps. YouTube vanced for background play of music. Once I get a Bluetooth obd 2 dongle I will use torque as well. My truck is a 2019 Colorado zr2. The sales sticker was misleading in that the truck does have turn by turn voice GPS that is a paid service from on star but didn't come with the maps app. In order to get the maps app for my truck I need to replace the OEM head unit with either after market or gray market device. So far my attempts of side loading a maps app to the head unit have failed.
OK if your stuck with manufaturers head units, especially running win ce, I agree you are limited to what apps you can run.
But you can still mirror your phone to the head unit and run apps you want like waze. Even the cheapest basic chinese headunit can do that.
And whether you use phone or head unit for data collection, you still need a data connection.
Many gps / maps dont need live data to work such as sygic or Igo, and require just occasional connections ( for traffic updates / weather ) but only if wanted. They still work without.
cleverdicky said:
Something I dont understand. Why does anyone even entertain installing android auto - just to read messages ?
It seems that millions of people are ??
Ignoring for a moment any personal blatent data mining of google apps generally.
There seems to be quite a few prerequisites for running it. Besides having a permanent data connection (In a car, and while travelling ??)
Then while nearly every head unit capable of running it, has already many built in apps to do most things like play music / radio, run various navigation programs, play videos etc. which are ignored in favour of what ever 'approved' apps are on our phones and that are heavily restricted.
And all the while after faffing about finding and connecting the usb plug just to make it work. Really ?
So just what are the compelling reasons for using it. I'm genuinly interested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hiii,
There seems to be quite a few prerequisites for running it. Besides having a permanent data connection (In a car, and while travelling ??)
=》 i have SIM card in my card and unlimited data..
Then while nearly every head unit capable of running it, has already many built in apps to do most things like play music / radio, run various navigation programs, play videos etc. which are ignored in favour of what ever 'approved' apps are on our phones and that are heavily restricted.
=》 true true but you can't watch video ... but I have carstream for that...
So just what are the compelling reasons for using it. I'm genuinely interested
=》 the only reason I need it, is because i want coyote displayed in my 10.1 auto screen and not anymore in my phone... don't want waze
It's so bad that an iPhone has the advantage of adding apps... :crying: :crying:
Grtzzz.

Question The good old Android Auto Vivo Problem

Hey Guys,
i searched the Web for a possibility to get AA running on my X70 Pro+ with Origin OS Ocean....
Unfortunately there are only Posts and Threads about the X60 and other Vivo Phones and so on .
The issue seems to be the same.
Has anyone found a workaround to get AA running on Origin OS....?
I was hoping for Android 12 to get the Phone going, but no Idea what time we will get Android 12 and if Vivo sets permissions for AA then.
Cheers and greetings from Germany
Hi,
Right now, there is unfortunately no way to get Android Auto working. After Android 10 Android Auto only trigger car installation of it is a system application. Since there is not the case with Vivo and you couldn't mount AA as a system, you are out of options to make it work.
There is a slight, but really a slight option that it might work with the new Coolwalk version which will be available later this year.
Otherwise, the head unit direct version is also in preparation.
If you want the working AA now, the only realistic option is to buy an Android CarPlay dongle, or using a spare phone with older Android version as a buffer triggered from your phone hotspot (or with a separate sim card).
piskr said:
Hi,
Right now, there is unfortunately no way to get Android Auto working. After Android 10 Android Auto only trigger car installation of it is a system application. Since there is not the case with Vivo and you couldn't mount AA as a system, you are out of options to make it work.
There is a slight, but really a slight option that it might work with the new Coolwalk version which will be available later this year.
Otherwise, the head unit direct version is also in preparation.
If you want the working AA now, the only realistic option is to buy an Android CarPlay dongle, or using a spare phone with older Android version as a buffer triggered from your phone hotspot (or with a separate sim card).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the detailed explanation
Im looking for an EZ solution too
But from my knowledge the only work around right now is root the phone and make AA an system app
which is not EZ for vivo since it does not allow to unlock bootloader
There is simply no chance to run AA with x70 pro+ now. The only viable solution are android dongles running on past Android versions and triggering car AA. Or even better - if you have or can buy cheap an Android 8, 9 or 10 phone with full gps and at least 4g ram (could be with broken screen or scratches), you can use it as an interface.
The only way to have android auto to work on your vehicle is to have the one with Funtouch OS (which I have), other than that, you will waste your time in trying to find a way to make it work..
piskr said:
Hi,
Right now, there is unfortunately no way to get Android Auto working. After Android 10 Android Auto only trigger car installation of it is a system application. Since there is not the case with Vivo and you couldn't mount AA as a system, you are out of options to make it work.
There is a slight, but really a slight option that it might work with the new Coolwalk version which will be available later this year.
Otherwise, the head unit direct version is also in preparation.
If you want the working AA now, the only realistic option is to buy an Android CarPlay dongle, or using a spare phone with older Android version as a buffer triggered from your phone hotspot (or with a separate sim card).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will a dongle fix the connection issue?
piskr said:
Hi,
Right now, there is unfortunately no way to get Android Auto working. After Android 10 Android Auto only trigger car installation of it is a system application. Since there is not the case with Vivo and you couldn't mount AA as a system, you are out of options to make it work.
There is a slight, but really a slight option that it might work with the new Coolwalk version which will be available later this year.
Otherwise, the head unit direct version is also in preparation.
If you want the working AA now, the only realistic option is to buy an Android CarPlay dongle, or using a spare phone with older Android version as a buffer triggered from your phone hotspot (or with a separate sim card).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My head unit is after market and supports wireless. I know that my x fold won't hook up. Are you saying if I get carplay dongle I can hook my vivo wifi to it and it will work?
Sonicsoul25 said:
My head unit is after market and supports wireless. I know that my x fold won't hook up. Are you saying if I get carplay dongle I can hook my vivo wifi to it and it will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The head unit has to support Android Auto. Then you can choose from a variety of dongles. Even though they have more or less the same chip, they are different. Each producer tries to squeeze the most from the device, and they have a different approach.
Basically, you must avoid those, which don't clearly stated that some version of Android is installed. Without Android you gain nothing, it's only wireless connection - for IOS.
Most of them have Android 9 or 10, though in the last time 11 appears as well. That is really interesting, because with Android 11 you must have AA as a system app in order to trigger it on a head unit. It looks like producers now solve that issue.
And surprisingly, the core you get on the head unit, if everything goes ok, is not Android, it's IOS. In that core you have android apps including Google Play.
Since, as I said, every unit has a unique configuration, it's not possible to recommend any. The device that I bought is not in the market anymore, for example.
The very piece that you buy must play well with your car head unit and everything what is behind. And behind is a lot, managing systems for settings, audio and other customization.
You must be aware, when you connect AA dongle, it cuts every other setting related to its management out.
Therefore, the biggest issue might be that you'll lose calling via Bluetooth functionality. Because callings (and old style sms) goes different way than other features. My dongle does support calling but in limited way, without Assistant support and with custom made phone app, where the contact selection is rather difficult. And the next flaw is that it doesn't get along with my car audio system, therefore woofers are not engaged. The dongle doesn't have an equalizer, and I can't remedy it.
There is noticeable lag when starting apps and with commands, but otherwise there is no lag when running. Music, video and Gmaps function without glitches. Yes, you have YouTube, Netflix and any other video app you might be subscribed to. And video runs well with a decent resolution. You can load apps from store or as a sideload. And you can play local files, stored either in the dongle memory or on USB.
That's my experience, others may have different. You don't have necessary to buy a dongle, you can use an old phone with Android from 8 to 10 as a driver. Because, as you may already guess, your actual phone serves only as a hot spot (wireless and if you're lucky bluetooth too - tethering) to provide a signal for AA dongle.
If you want to buy a dedicated device, select one which has reviews from the users with as much as possible similar circumstances and priorities as you have.
piskr said:
The head unit has to support Android Auto. Then you can choose from a variety of dongles. Even though they have more or less the same chip, they are different. Each producer tries to squeeze the most from the device, and they have a different approach.
Basically, you must avoid those, which don't clearly stated that some version of Android is installed. Without Android you gain nothing, it's only wireless connection - for IOS.
Most of them have Android 9 or 10, though in the last time 11 appears as well. That is really interesting, because with Android 11 you must have AA as a system app in order to trigger it on a head unit. It looks like producers now solve that issue.
And surprisingly, the core you get on the head unit, if everything goes ok, is not Android, it's IOS. In that core you have android apps including Google Play.
Since, as I said, every unit has a unique configuration, it's not possible to recommend any. The device that I bought is not in the market anymore, for example.
The very piece that you buy must play well with your car head unit and everything what is behind. And behind is a lot, managing systems for settings, audio and other customization.
You must be aware, when you connect AA dongle, it cuts every other setting related to its management out.
Therefore, the biggest issue might be that you'll lose calling via Bluetooth functionality. Because callings (and old style sms) goes different way than other features. My dongle does support calling but in limited way, without Assistant support and with custom made phone app, where the contact selection is rather difficult. And the next flaw is that it doesn't get along with my car audio system, therefore woofers are not engaged. The dongle doesn't have an equalizer, and I can't remedy it.
There is noticeable lag when starting apps and with commands, but otherwise there is no lag when running. Music, video and Gmaps function without glitches. Yes, you have YouTube, Netflix and any other video app you might be subscribed to. And video runs well with a decent resolution. You can load apps from store or as a sideload. And you can play local files, stored either in the dongle memory or on USB.
That's my experience, others may have different. You don't have necessary to buy a dongle, you can use an old phone with Android from 8 to 10 as a driver. Because, as you may already guess, your actual phone serves only as a hot spot (wireless and if you're lucky bluetooth too - tethering) to provide a signal for AA dongle.
If you want to buy a dedicated device, select one which has reviews from the users with as much as possible similar circumstances and priorities as you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the wealth of information. I Think I will just use my spare phone to run it. Until another solution arises.

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