Android Auto needs to be updated

bluemetal04

I use Android Auto all the time in the car, for obvious reasons. But I just got a notification from the app saying that it needs to be updated to continue using it. Problem is, there's no updates through graphene, and can't update it from Auora/play stores. What do I do?

5rlyn

This isn't anything to worry about, once Grapheme has an updated version they'll push it to devices. Its just a quirk of the AA implementation running through their apps

bluemetal04

Kinda funny that a update came out after I posted this lol it's a little behind on the version but it's an update regardless.

matchboxbananasynergy

We test new Android Auto versions to ensure they work on GrapheneOS and then push them through the Apps app when they're ready to go.

airyz

is there anything that can be done to work around this in the mean time? as there doesnt yet seem to be an update available for Pixel 5a.

Depending on how android auto is determining that an update is available, I thought blocking network access could potentially prevent the issue, but it seems you are not allowed to block network for android auto. If I am using a wired connection I dont see why android auto requires network permission?

I'm have concerns if there is not anything that can be done to work around the issue without updates, as official support for Pixel 5a will be ending soon. I would prefer to be able to keep using android auto even after official support ends, but it seems it can be broken at any time it decides an update is required.

I dont see/understand any reasoning why the update is actually required to keep it functional, and I assume its just google being google? I worry that after official support ends, one day google will decide I need an update which I won't be able to get, even though I'd be perfectly happy to continue using whatever version I am currently on.

To be clear, I'm fine with no longer receiving support or updates, thats to be expected. but it would be great if whatever version is available when support ends, continues to work in to the future :D

GrapheneOS

airyz Why can't you update Android Auto via our app repository client? It should be happening automatically. It needs to be kept updated or it's going to break from Google Play and the software on the cars getting updated past it. They don't support using an old release of it.

Aru

Blocking network for AA works fine. Using it thay way since day one.

airyz

Aru which version do you have? I thought I remembered being able to block it, but my current version won't let me

Edit: never mind, I found the culprit. If you have the setting in "Settings > Sandboxed Google Play > Android Auto > Allow permissions for wireless android auto" turned on, the permissions page won't let you disable network access 🤦. I'll still need to check if this allows me to use AA without updating however

GrapheneOS

airyz Wireless Android Auto inherently requires network access. You have to used wired Android Auto if you want it to have minimal permissions, Wired Android Auto only requires granting it special USB access. Wireless Android Auto requires a huge amount of radio/network access far beyond what regular apps can get. The Network permission is a small part of what the wireless Android Auto toggle grants to it. It mostly grants access unavailable to regular apps. We've reduced the special access both wired and wireless Android Auto require to a bare minimum, which is simply more complete USB access for wired Android Auto. Wireless Android Auto still requires far less than it normally would but it needs to be able to connect in a complex way requiring a lot of radio/network access.

airyz

GrapheneOS I can't update because android auto just isn't showing up in the 'Apps' installer

airyz

airyz I restarted my phone and the update is showing up. Apologies for the inconvenience!

I am still wondering about whether android auto will continue to work after end-of-life support? Since afaik the 'Apps' repo is just providing mirrors of the official android app, will it be possible for end-of-life devices to access the latest mirror, even if its not officially supported or verified? It would be a shame to lose android auto at end-of-life when i assume most other things will continue to work without updates, but I understand and appreciate if its too much work on the graphene team.