Android Auto 11.1 Now Available

 Android Auto 11.1 is now available and Introduces new features

The work on Android Auto continues, and Google has just pressed the go-ahead button for another stable build. Android Auto 11.1 is now available for download, with users worldwide allowed to update through the Google Play Store or using the stand-alone APK installer. The Google Play Store rollout happens in stages, meaning that only a small set of users receive the update today. The process continues in the next weeks until the general availability phase is reached.

Google launches its year of updates in Android Auto and announces the arrival of version 11.1. This novelty, which is now available to all users through Google Play, includes a new icon that allows you to visually identify applications that only work when the car is stationary. This novelty, shown in the shape of a car, is superimposed on the icons of applications which cannot be used while driving. In this way, users will be able to know in a fairly simple way which applications they can use without putting their safety or that of other drivers at risk, it can be seen above GameSnacks and Personalize.

Meanwhile, if you don't want to wait and get Android Auto 11.1 today, you can download the stand-alone APK file and manually install it on your smartphone. The process takes a few seconds and requires special permissions to allow app installation from non-Google Play Store sources. Google did not share a changelog for Android Auto 11.1, but the new version doesn't seem to activate any big changes. However, the work has probably been focused on under-the-hood changes, as we already know that the search giant is developing new functionality that should show up later this year.

With this addition, Google seems to be adding another step in favour of road safety. The company has already taken other measures in this regard, such as limiting the speed of video playback in Android Auto or prohibiting the use of messaging applications while driving. In addition to this novelty, The Android Auto 11.1 update also includes, as usual, some bug fixes. However, note that Google has not published an official list of changes, so it is possible that there are other new features in the version that have not been announced. Taking into account the news that has already been announced, it is likely that it has fixed those sudden disconnections that were affecting some users since the December update, but, at the moment, this cannot be confirmed.

One of these big new features has already been enabled for some users, possibly as an early experiment. Google allows Android Auto to import the default icon pack from the mobile device, replacing the standard design on the infotainment system. The stock icons currently support only Samsung devices, but Google will probably add support for more OEMs before the feature reaches the broad availability phase. With this update, Android Auto creates more consistency between the app drawers on the smartphone and the head unit. The transition from one device to another is more seamless, making Android Auto feel like a more integral part of the Android ecosystem.

Google is also working on expanding this feature with wallpaper support. The phone background will eventually roam across devices and make its way to Android Auto, too. The feature is still in the works and has yet to appear for testers, but once it goes live, Google will convert Android Auto into a more natural extension to mobile devices. The app drawer will look similar to the one on the mobile device, using the same icon design and wallpaper. Google didn't share an ETA for these improvements, but considering the work is in an advanced phase, the rollout should begin in the near future.

Meanwhile, Android Auto 11.1 could also include more under-the-hood bug fixes, though, without a changelog, the only option is to install the update yourselves and see if any of the problems you've been struggling with are gone. In case you want to update to Android Auto 11.1, it is very simple and you just have to follow these steps, clarify that you need a mobile phone with Android 6.0 or higher and a car compatible with Android Auto as with previous versions.

Open Google Play on your Android device.

Tap on your profile photo.

Select “Manage apps and device.”

Press “Update all.”

If the update does not appear on Google Play, remember that you can always download the Android Auto 11.1 APK file from APKMirror. Also check that it has not been updated automatically. The specific version is 11.1.6402.