PhoneAuto app brings Android Auto interface back to smartphones

An independent developer has released a new open-source application called PhoneAuto, which restores the ability to use the Android Auto interface directly on a smartphone screen. This functionality was originally discontinued by Google in 2022, as the system was transitioned to be exclusive to integrated vehicle displays.

PhoneAuto utilizes a native, lesser-known developer tool known as the ‘head unit server’ to simulate a vehicle environment on a mobile device. This allows the app to project the full Android Auto interface—including navigation, music controls, and voice assistant access—directly onto the phone. This provides a cost-effective solution for drivers of older vehicles that lack modern infotainment systems, potentially saving them from purchasing expensive aftermarket hardware.

The application is currently in a beta testing phase. Early performance reports indicate that the interface is fluid and responsive when the phone is held in landscape orientation, though some latency and lag have been observed when using the device in portrait mode or on foldable screens. The app is being distributed via GitHub, with developers aiming for a more polished official release on the Google Play Store in the future.