Google Brings YouTube Background Play and More Than 700 Apps to Android Automotive

Google is launching some app updates for Android Automotive, the "Google built-in" car platform, with a rollout expected over the coming weeks. The changes bring more video apps, a new Play Store experience and increased flexibility, including allowing YouTube to run in the background while driving.

Play Store changes aim to fit more car displays

Vehicles running on Android Automotive can expect a new Play Store experience. Google says the updated design will better adapt to different car display sizes and orientations, while also improving categories and discoverability for apps. The company says there are more than 700 apps for Android Automotive right now.

More apps arrive, including video names

More apps are coming to Android Automotive, including "STARZ", "Firefox", "Ludo King" and "JioHotstar". Another video feature rolling out is background play for YouTube, assuming users have a Premium subscription. The feature lets people watch a video while parked and continue listening to the audio when they resume driving.

What readers gain from the change

For readers, the update makes Android Automotive's app experience more responsive to the shape and size of the screen in the car. The YouTube background-play feature also gives a smoother path from watching while parked to listening after driving resumes. Google first announced this functionality was coming in 2025, but this is the first time it has been announced for YouTube directly.

Android Auto is a separate but related change

The article also notes that Android Auto, the phone-projected platform, is getting video apps in the future, and Google is certainly hoping this same functionality can follow. In the past months, YouTube added support for background play controls on Android Auto through new media updates.

Other Android in Cars items listed with the story

The broader Android in Cars update list includes several other changes. Android Auto has rolled out game support and is no longer in beta. Another related report covers Google's explanation of what Android Halo does, with a video that talks less about AI and discusses how Gemini will use car cameras. Android Auto is also rolling out a fix that stops auto-playing music when a car starts.

Rollout timing and subscription note

Google says these Android Automotive updates are rolling out over the coming weeks, so the new Play Store layout, app list and YouTube background-play feature may appear gradually. The YouTube feature still depends on a Premium subscription, and the current app count cited by Google is more than 700.

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