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Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
The Android Auto beta program is open again. That’s right, more users can now enroll to download new builds and get access to unreleased features before they receive the go-ahead for everybody else.
While critics claim that we’re all running Android Auto beta builds, considering the number of bugs in stable releases, the beta program is there for a reason. It allows users to try out new features and improvements before they make their way to production devices.
Furthermore, a beta build allows users to find, report, and help Google diagnose bugs in an early stage, so the search giant can resolve all issues before the production rollout begins.
The Android Auto beta program has been closed for more than a year, so Google’s decision to make more seats available isn’t necessarily a surprise. It’s unclear if Google added new spots to the program or if the company conducted the typical spring cleaning and removed inactive accounts.
Enrolling in the Android Auto beta program doesn’t guarantee immediate access to new features. However, some of the users who managed to reserve a seat in the program claim that immediately after installing the most recent beta build, they received Gemini and the new media player interface with the wavy progress bar borrowed from the Google Pixel.
The rollout of Gemini started in late 2025 and is still underway for production devices. It’s not exclusive to beta builds, and this is also the case with the new progress bar, as some users who aren’t part of the program also received this feature.
Otherwise, it’s important to remember that running beta builds comes with an increased likelihood of bugs. This means that you are not supposed to use these builds as your daily driver, especially if you rely on Android Auto for navigation for your commute.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
However, in my experience, there’s not much difference from a stability perspective between beta builds and stable releases. The builds published as part of the beta program are generally refined, but bugs can always go through, depending on your hardware configuration.
Google is currently experimenting with several features as part of the program, although most aren’t yet enabled for users and require additional tinkering to be activated. For example, Google is preparing widget support in Android Auto, and according to code hiding in version 16.8 beta, the feature is an advanced development stage, suggesting that a production rollout is around the corner.
The widgets will most likely go live for beta users first – meaning that you might be one of the first users to get access to this feature if you enroll in the program – before the production rollout begins for everyone else later this year.
If you want to enroll in the Android Auto beta program, click this link and follow the on-screen wizard to complete the process.