Full-Screen Mode for Android Auto

 Android Auto updated to include a full-screen mode    

Google has been fairly busy improving Android Auto lately, and one of the latest ideas is a full-screen mode. Android Auto has been updated to include a full-screen mode, allowing users to utilize the entire screen estate for a more refined experience, especially when running apps or games. If you've been using Android Auto and CarPlay, you probably know that both phone mirroring systems display apps in a windowed mode, with the app launcher remaining on the screen for easy access to essential apps and features. With the update, Android Auto apps and games can now run in full-screen mode, maximizing screen real estate. This approach makes sense, considering Android Auto and CarPlay are designed to be used behind the wheel, so usability should be optimized for reduced distraction.

This means you no longer see the app launcher or anything else than the game itself, with Google trying to use the entire screen estate for a more refined experience. When you run an app or game in full-screen mode, you can return to the Android Auto app launcher by swiping down from the top of the screen. Android Auto displays two options: a back arrow and an exit button, and tapping the latter returns you to the home screen. When in full-screen mode, Android Auto displays two options: a back arrow and an exit button. Tapping the exit button returns you to the home screen. However, Android Auto is evolving at a fast pace, and an announcement released last year at Google's I/O developer event indicated that a full-screen mode would eventually be required. The company announced that games, video apps and browsers were coming in beta to Android Auto. After approximately one year, the first titles are now going live for users enrolled in Google's testing program. This approach makes sense, considering the new app categories coming to Android Auto.

To return to the Android Auto app launcher from full-screen mode, swipe down from the top of the screen. Games need as much screen estate as possible, and watching a video on YouTube or Netflix wouldn't make sense if you can't run it on the entire screen. Not being able to do so would significantly impact your viewing experience, especially on small screens. However, everybody will benefit from this new full-screen mode once it becomes generally available, and you can imagine a movie would look better on a large screen. The other reason for releasing a full-screen update is that an app launcher wouldn't even make sense when you're watching a video or playing a game. These apps are only available when the vehicle is stationary, so you can afford to make extra gestures, such as the swipe down to reveal additional controls, to interact with Android Auto. 

The first Android games are now available on Android Auto as part of version 14.1 beta, and one of the subtle improvements is the ability to run them in full-screen mode. The full-screen mode won't be available when the car is in motion, so you won't be able to run Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, YouTube Music or any other app on the entire screen. These apps make more sense in a windowed state or on the Coolwalk screen, though we'll get more information about Google's approach when the full-screen mode lands on production devices. To enable full screen, you need to follow these steps:- 

In your car's infotainment system, navigate to device connections and find the Android Auto settings. 

Uncheck the option to disable the split screen functionality. 

Reconnect your device to Android Auto, either wired or wireless. 

Your device may automatically recalibrate the screen as per the updated settings.