GrapheneOS, an Android-based operating system that primarily focuses on privacy and security features, finally supports Android Auto.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
The operating system ships without Google apps or services, and the team behind the project promises that it will “never include Google Play Services or any other implementation of Google Services.”
As a result, running Android Auto on GrapheneOS was, for many, a deal breaker, eliminating the chances of abandoning Android and moving to this more secure fork.
However, GrapheneOS also comes with a sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer, allowing Play Services to run on the operating system as fully sandboxed applications. This means that they will not benefit from any special privileges, so they will not be able to track you or collect data from the mobile device.
The compatibility layer allows GrapheneOS to support Android Auto, as the parent company recently announced. The first implementation of Android Auto will be part of the next release, although it will initially be offered as a public Alpha before moving to the production channel.
GrapheneOS will provide Android Auto with minimal required access, the team explains. The wired version “is about to work with 0 special access required.” It still needs a tilt at the moment, but the work continues.
The existing implementation in GrapheneOS comes with four permission toggles for different access options for Android Auto wired, wireless, audio routing control, and phone call control. However, no special access is granted by default.
GrapheneOS’ addition of Android Auto support is good news for users who don’t want to stick with Android long term, either for privacy reasons or due to the growing number of issues driving. It’s no secret that Android 14 has wreaked havoc in the world of Android Auto, causing a wide variety of issues, from broken connections to random disconnections and audio issues.
Android 14 also causes connection errors on Samsung devices, where it is integrated with One UI 6.0. No fixes are available at this time, but all the companies responsible for refining the experience say they are investigating, promising to deliver fixes soon.
Users might be tempted to ditch Android and upgrade to GrapheneOS for the full package, as switching to this privacy-focused alternative may offer improved security and perhaps a more stable experience on Android Auto. The latter is a gamble though, as one would normally expect a native Android Auto integration to work more smoothly, reducing the risk of connection issues.
If you want to try GrapheneOS, the easiest way to do so is to get a Nitro Phone 4, which is essentially a next-generation Pixel equipped with the operating system. However, keep in mind that Android Auto support is not ready yet, so it may still be a while before it becomes available to users on the stable channel.