YouTube is one of the best sources of entertainment for millions across the globe. Be it on a smartphone, smart TV, or a desktop, more than 2.70 billion people worldwide use YouTube every month. However, one bit of contradiction is that although you can normally watch YouTube on your smartphone, once you connect it to your car via Android Auto, you cannot access it. Of course, watching videos in a car can be dangerous, which is why Google omitted support for YouTube in Android Auto.

Watch YouTube on Android Auto

But what if you are sitting in a parked car, and waiting for someone to finish their grocery shopping? Yes, you have your smartphone, but modern cars come with an infotainment display that can give the latest tablets a good competition. While there is no official way to watch YouTube on Android Auto, we at TechPP have found an app that lets you do exactly that. Let us check it out.

Google blocks video apps natively

If you are an Android Auto user, you know that there aren’t that many apps that you can use with Android Auto. While there is great flexibility in using official Play Store apps along with open-source apps available on third-party app stores such as F-Droid, etc., on an Android smartphone or tablet, the same isn’t true for Android Auto. You shouldn’t resort to warranty-voiding tricks such as rooting your smartphone just to watch videos on your car’s infotainment display.

Google’s design philosophy for Android Auto is built around the driver’s safety. The platform exists to let the driver keep their eyes on the road while enjoying their music. You can have your map set up on your car’s dashboard and keep your eyes where they need to be. You can pair that experience with your favorite song, place, or attend a call, get notified about messages, all without taking your hands off your steering wheel.

Video streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, or even Amazon Prime Video fundamentally violate this safety directive. Google cannot guarantee that the driver won’t try to watch a vlog or a documentary while cruising down the highway at seventy miles per hour. This is the reason why they have blocked video apps on Android Auto.

The magic key is AAAD

To play YouTube or any video, for that matter, on your car’s dashboard, you need a specialized tool called AAAD, which stands for Android Auto Apps Downloader. AAAD is a standalone application that acts as an app store specifically designed for Android Auto. Here, you will find apps only for Android Auto. Meaning, you don’t have to search for apps and then check if they support Android Auto or not. The best part is that AAAD doesn’t require rooting your phone.

Previously, rooting was necessary for unlocking deep administrative privileges. But AAAD bypasses the need for root access by copying the digital signatures that Android Auto looks for. It tricks the car system into believing that the app you’ve installed was downloaded from the Google Play Store and approved for automotive use. You should remember one thing, though. When you open the Google Play Store and search for AAAD, you will see dozens of fake apps impersonating the original one.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD THEM.

The only safe link is given below, which redirects you to the official GitHub repository of the AAAD app. The apps that you otherwise see are ad-filled and scams that may take away your data. If you are in the process of watching YouTube on Android Auto, then you should get AAAD from the GitHub link below.

Download AAAD

Warning: TechPP does not encourage people to watch videos while driving a car. This guide is just for educational purposes and at best useful when you have safely parked your car.

You still have two options

AAAD is not the full picture; it is just a delivery truck and not the player itself. When you open AAAD, you will be presented with a list of apps that Android Auto supports. For watching YouTube and videos in general, you have two options:

  • CarStream: If you only want to watch YouTube on your car’s infotainment display, then CarStream is the app you should go for. It is essentially a custom web browser (WebView) that is specifically formatted for your car’s display. When you open this app, it loads the desktop or mobile version of the YouTube app, which lets you search, log in to your account, access your playlists, and play videos in full screen.
  • Fermata Auto: If you want to watch YouTube plus want to watch local videos, then Fermata Auto is the one that you need. On top of playing YouTube and your local videos, you can also stream IPTV channels and browse other websites. Do note that setting up Fermata Auto is a bit more complex to set up than CarStream, but it offers far more features for power users.

Since we are talking about videos, which don’t specifically mean YouTube videos, we will walk you through the steps to install Fermata Auto in your car, as that is the most viable option available.

Bringing YouTube to your car’s dashboard

Here are the steps that you need to follow to watch YouTube on your Android Auto.

  1. If this is the first time you are side-loading an app, you need to enable Unknown sources on your phone. To do that:
    1. Open Settings on your phone.
    2. Head over to Security and privacy.
    3. Tap on More security settings.
    4. Look for the option labeled Install Unknown Apps.
    5. Find the browser on your phone and toggle the switch to Allow.
  2. Head over to the AAAD GitHub link provided above and download the APK file on your phone.
  3. Tap the file and install it on your phone. If you see a Google Play Protect warning, then tap More Details and select Install Anyway.
  4. Open the AAAD app on your phone.
  5. Give all the required permissions, select Fermata Auto.
  6. Select a version and install the app on your phone.

One important thing to note here is that the free version of the AAAD app only allows you to download and install one application every 30 days. So, be sure that which app you want: CarStream or Fermata Auto. If YouTube is the only source you want to view videos from, then CarStream is best. But if you also wish to play local videos so that entertainment doesn’t depend on your network, then Fermata Auto is the best.

Now, let us bring videos to your car’s dashboard:

  1. Turn on your car’s ignition.
  2. Connect your phone via Android Auto, wirelessly, or through a wire.
  3. Open the Android Auto app drawer on your dashboard.
  4. You should see Fermata Auto. Tap on it and enjoy.

You can stream the videos on your phone and watch them in your car. On the other hand, you can open YouTube, search for your favorite content creator, and watch videos.

A caveat

New Android updates have brought some hurdles to this process. Starting with Android 14, Google has tightened the security around Android Auto. If your phone is running Android 14 or later, then there is a chance that the Fermata Auto or CarStream apps won’t show up. If that is the case, then you will have to purchase a wireless Android Auto adapter, specifically the AAWireless dongle.

Safety first

We cannot conclude and highlight once again the one important factor: driving safety. When you use such workarounds to do something that is not officially supported, then you take safety into your own hands. You should never, under any circumstances, watch a video when you are on the road. These tools are meant to enhance your experience while the vehicle is parked. If you want to create a local video playlist, then you should check out this tool that lets you download multiple videos from YouTube.

Was this article helpful?
YesNo