Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Work on Android Auto is progressing well, with Google appearing more committed to improving the driving experience.
New releases are coming at a faster pace than before, and the beta program makes a major contribution to the end goal of making Android Auto more stable and reliable.
A new preview version went live a few hours ago, allowing users to test it before production deployment begins.
The Android Auto 11.9 beta is available for download for anyone who wants to see what’s next for the app, although these releases rarely bring significant changes from previous updates. Version 11.9 appears to be no different, as Google has likely focused on under-the-hood changes and subtle tweaking of the overall experience with the app.
Google no longer offers changelogs for its Android Auto updates, the only way to find out what’s new in version 11.9 is to install it on your device and search for changes.
The biggest change introduced recently for Android Auto users is the overhaul of the settings interface.
Google promised a modern look for Android Auto years ago, and although 99% of the app had already been refreshed, the Settings screen was stuck with the old, outdated interface. The worst part was that the Settings menu didn’t follow the system theme settings and didn’t have a dark mode, so it used a clear visual style regardless of your setup.
Starting with Android Auto 11.8, the redesigned Settings menu began rolling out to users, although the process is powered by a server-side switch. Installing Android Auto 11.8 or the new 11.9 beta does not guarantee that you will get the new settings interface today, but they are required once Google activates the server-side update on your device.
In the meantime, it is essential to remember that Android Auto 11.9 is still in the beta phase. This means that pre-release versions may include bugs that should no longer exist once the same version reaches the production phase, so you should prepare for a less stable and reliable experience. Beta versions are only intended for power users who want to try new updates early and help software companies fine-tune these versions before production deployment begins.
If all goes as planned, Android Auto 11.9 should be available next week for non-beta users. In the meantime, you can try it by signing up for the beta program or downloading the standalone APK installer. You don’t need to remove your existing Android Auto installation if you are part of the production line. Once you install the new version, all files are replaced automatically, so you move from stable rings to beta rings by installing the new versions. You should revert to production builds when Android Auto 11.9 becomes widely available if you expect a more stable experience.
