For years, in-car entertainment has been limited to music, maps, and messaging. However, the dashboard screen can offer much more when the vehicle is stationary, and Google seems to have recognized this. The company has decided to take a significant step toward expanding in-car entertainment options.
Until now, games on Android Auto and in cars with Android Automotive OS were reserved for a small group of developers participating in an early access program. That has now officially changed, as the games category has left beta and is now available for general release on the Google Play Store.
Requirements for publishing a game on Android Auto
The opening doesn't mean any game can simply appear on the dashboard. Google requires a series of technical and security conditions that developers must meet for their games to be suitable for the automotive environment. The idea is to avoid distractions and ensure stable operation on the various screens found in modern cars.
- Adapt the interface to the different sizes, resolutions, and orientations of vehicle screens.
- Prevent the game from being used while the car is in motion.
- Stop the audio when starting the engine and prevent it from resuming while driving.
- Ensure that all controls and interactive elements are accessible and usable.
- Declare compatibility with physical controllers where applicable.
- Restore the game state when reopening the game.
- Ensure smooth operation, without blockages or jerks.
- Test the game in the Android Auto and Android Automotive environments and pass the Google Play quality review.
In the case of Android Auto, the games are compatible with devices running Android 15 or higher . For cars that natively integrate Android Automotive OS, such as models from brands like Renault, Polestar, or Volvo, support is handled separately through the vehicle platform's dedicated channels.
How to prevent games from distracting the driver
One of the most critical technical aspects of this integration is isolating the function from active driving. European regulations and international vehicle ergonomics standards strictly prohibit any interactive visual element that could cause visual or cognitive distraction to the driver while the car is in motion.
For this reason, apps in this category are classified as parking-only and rely on the vehicle's sensors via the data bus. Both Android Auto and Android Automotive OS prevent the use of these games when driving restrictions are active. In Android Auto, the system automatically exits the game when it detects that the vehicle is in motion.
The protocols also require that the game's soundtrack stop the instant the car starts moving, with no possibility of resuming in the background while driving. Furthermore, to prevent an interruption caused by starting the car from forcing the user to restart, Google requires that, when the application restarts, it restores, as much as possible, the previous state.
First compatible titles and how to install them
The list of available games is still small, but it is expected to grow in the coming months. Currently, Google lists 29 compatible titles , including popular games like Angry Birds 2 and Candy Crush Soda.
To play any of the games compatible with Android Auto, simply install it on your phone: the game shortcut will also appear on your car's screen. For Android Automotive, you'll need to install the game from the vehicle's Google Play Store. Once installed, the game will only be available when the car is stationary, for example, while waiting for the kids to get out of school or during a break on a long trip.
The opening of this category provides a new avenue for developers to showcase their creations and for drivers to have more entertainment options during downtime. While the initial catalog is limited, the elimination of the beta phase paves the way for more titles to arrive on the dashboard in the coming months, provided they meet the strict safety requirements of the automotive environment.
