Start Your Update Engines: Android Auto 12.2 Stable Now Available for Download

The updates Google ships in 2024 stick with this “minor improvements” approach, but at least they land more frequently. The likelihood of getting a bug fix is much higher, albeit Google rarely provides updated changelogs.

This is also the case with Android Auto 12.2.

The new version landed in the beta channel a few days ago, and now it’s already prepared for the stable ring, thanks to a new release. The full version number is 12.2.6424.

Unfortunately, Google did not share new release notes, so users are again in charge of determining what’s new in this update. I already installed both the beta build and the stable release on my device and didn’t notice any changes. Google has most likely focused on under-the-hood improvements, which is why it’s important for users to download and install updates as soon as possible, especially if they struggle with a major Android Auto glitch.

Google has much work to do in the Android Auto world, especially after the latest announcements made at I/O. The company’s developer conference witnessed the highly anticipated confirmation of YouTube for Android Auto, as Google is finally lifting more restrictions and allowing video apps in the car.

If you’ve followed the news in the last couple of years, the support for YouTube on Android Auto has long been a top feature request. The reason is simple: YouTube is not allowed on Android Auto for safety reasons, but the app should still run in the car when the vehicle is parked. Google agrees with this approach, as this is how the company offers YouTube on Android Automotive, and now it’s working to bring the same configuration to Android Auto.

Video apps on Android Auto will first land in beta, but the search firm didn’t share any timing specifics, so it’s impossible to tell when this will happen. YouTube is already available on Android Auto with third-party methods, albeit some of them unlock the full experience without any limitations and even allow watching videos in motion – it goes without saying that this is a huge no-no, so if you look for ways to get YouTube in your car, please don’t watch videos when you drive.

Otherwise, the Android Auto 12.2 rollout has started through the Google Play Store using the same phased process Google typically uses for new updates. Anyone can sideload this new version today and avoid the painful time of waiting for the update to pop up on the Play Store by downloading the Android Auto 12.2 APK installer.