Android Auto

August 21, 2026 ยท View on GitHub

WizeStream integrates with Android Auto as an audio media app. The vehicle interface can browse supported WizeStream content, continue recent listening, accept supported voice-search requests, and control playback. For driving safety, Android Auto receives audio playback only: video and Listen-mode visualizers are never displayed on the vehicle screen.

Android Auto support was added after WizeStream 1.8.0. Install a newer build before following this guide.

Normal setup

  1. Install a current WizeStream build and open the app at least once.
  2. Connect the phone to Android Auto by USB or wirelessly.
  3. Open Android Auto's app launcher or Customize launcher settings.
  4. Enable WizeStream if it is not already selected.

Stable builds installed from a trusted source should be discovered automatically.

Testing a sideloaded build

Android Auto normally hides apps that were not installed from a trusted source. This includes debug, nightly, CI, and other manually installed APKs. To test one of these builds, enable Android Auto's developer option for unknown sources:

  1. Open Android Auto settings on the phone.
  2. Open About and tap Version and permission info 10 times.
  3. Approve the prompt to enable Android Auto developer mode.
  4. Open the overflow menu and select Developer settings.
  5. Enable Unknown sources.
  6. Disconnect and reconnect Android Auto, then check Customize launcher again.

This option is inside Android Auto. It is different from Android's general Install unknown apps permission, and it should only be enabled when testing an APK from a source you trust.

Available features

  • Car-safe media browsing
  • Voice-search playback for supported queries
  • Play, pause, previous, next, and queue controls
  • Media resumption after reconnecting
  • A bounded Continue listening section
  • Audio-only playback with no video or visualizer on the vehicle display

The visualizer style selected under Settings > Video and audio > Visualizer style applies to Listen mode on the phone only.

Troubleshooting

If WizeStream is still missing:

  • Confirm that the installed build is newer than version 1.8.0.
  • For a sideloaded APK, confirm that Android Auto developer mode and Unknown sources are enabled.
  • Force-stop Android Auto, reconnect the phone, and check Customize launcher again.
  • Open WizeStream once and start audio playback before reconnecting.
  • Update Android Auto to the latest version available for the device.

When reporting a problem, include the WizeStream version, whether the build is stable or debug, the Android and Android Auto versions, the connection type, and whether Unknown sources is enabled.

For Google's current testing requirements, see Test Android apps for cars.