New Android Auto Update: Version 11.8 Now Available for All Users

While the search giant typically ties new features to a server-controlled rollout, keeping Android Auto up-to-date is still recommended from a stability and reliability perspective. New Android Auto versions could include fixes and performance refinements despite seemingly not exhibiting breaking changes.

This appears to be the case with Android Auto 11.8.

The new version has recently been promoted to the stable production channel without a prior beta release. It’s the second time Google has skipped the beta update and given the go-ahead to the stable update directly, so everybody can now download Android Auto 11.8 on their devices.

Google ships Android Auto updates through the Google Play Store so that users will receive the new version in stages. It means that some users will get the new update in the coming days, while others will have to wait up to several weeks to be offered the latest update.

Meanwhile, those who can’t wait for Android Auto to be updated to version 11.8 can get the new version by manually downloading and installing the update. The process is called sideloading, allowing users to download the Android Auto 11.8 APK installer on their device to initiate the update. Once the file is downloaded on the phone, users must browse to its location and tap it to begin the update.

As for the new features in Android Auto, one of the most notable refinements lately is the support for phone icons and wallpapers.

Google has tried to create more consistency between devices, allowing the stock icon pack and the home screen wallpaper to sync with the Android Auto screen. This means that the phone’s stock icon theme and background will appear on Android Auto, eventually making the switch from a mobile device to a car more seamless.

The feature was announced earlier this year for Samsung phones, but I have already spotted similar integration on other Android devices, including Xiaomi. However, the non-Samsung support feels half-baked, as users have complained of broken Android Auto icons after this feature was enabled on their devices.

Meanwhile, Google also keeps refining Android Auto with additional fixes, and earlier this week, the company managed to iron out a bug breaking down voice commands in WhatsApp. However, the search giant wasn’t the one to blame for the problem in this case, as the bug resided in the latest WhatsApp version published on the Google Play Store. Google worked with WhatsApp to diagnose the glitch and ship a fix, so users who can’t send messages via Google Assistant when Android Auto is running should update the messaging app to the latest build to receive the patch.