Android Auto’s five media updates: what changed and who gets them

Google has confirmed five recent Android Auto media changes: controls for more phone-based audio apps, a redesigned player, swiping between active sessions, autoplay updates and a wavy progress bar. They have not all arrived together, and the available reports do not identify one Android Auto version or phone model that guarantees access to every feature. 3

What changed in Android Auto’s media controls

1. Controls for apps without an Android Auto interface

Audio from apps that lack a dedicated Android Auto experience can now appear with playback controls on the car display. Google’s examples include browser audio streams and niche media apps; reporting also mentions YouTube audio. The controls cover basic actions such as play, pause and skipping, but they do not let drivers open the app to browse its other content. 34

2. A redesigned media player

Android Auto has a refreshed playback screen with controls arranged in a new layout. The updated template is intended to make controls easier to reach and adapt better to different display sizes. It has been reported for apps including Spotify, YouTube Music and Pocket Casts. 314

The redesign began appearing on the stable Android Auto 16.0 release. Reports specifically identify version 16.0.660224; that is an observed rollout version, not a confirmed minimum requirement for every media update. 1014

3. Swiping between active media sessions

Instead of opening another media app to change what is playing, users can swipe between active media-session cards. This feature was spotted in Android Auto 17.0.162144 beta. Google’s later recap lists session switching among its media updates, but the cited reports do not establish a universal stable-release version or guarantee that it is available on every installation. 83

4. Changes to autoplay behavior

Autoplay improvements are included in Google’s list of media updates. The available reporting does not specify exactly which connection or playback scenarios changed, nor does it identify a version that delivers the fix to every phone. 35

5. A wavy seekbar

The playback-progress bar now has a wave-like appearance as part of the redesigned player. Google has indicated that the design is staying. Reactions have been mixed, with some users criticizing the new look. 326

Which phones and versions get the updates?

The reports identify software versions where particular changes were observed—not a complete compatibility matrix. The redesigned player appeared with stable Android Auto 16.0.660224, while session swiping was reported in 17.0.162144 beta. Those version numbers should not be treated as requirements for all five updates. 108

The cited sources do not establish a Pixel-only or Samsung-only requirement, or provide a definitive list of supported phones. Google describes the changes as rolling out or widely available, so availability may differ between installations. 3

What users think of the redesign

The wavy progress bar has drawn divided reactions. There is also at least one user report of skip-forward and skip-back buttons disappearing for a particular media app after the redesigned interface appeared. That is an individual report, not evidence that the buttons are missing for everyone. 2646