Any workaround to have a working maps/GPS in android auto without google play?

gphnl

For various reasons mainly surrounding where I am for the next year, I cannot create a google account such that I can install comaps/organic maps/osmand from the play store. I tried organic maps from Accrescent, but that version won't work with android auto because it's not installed from google play.

Is there any workaround at all to get a map app working in the car's android auto system?

Thanks for your time.

NoahRaketic

gphnl No. Play Services is a dependency of Android Auto. You would need to install Android Auto via the GrapheneOS app store, which will automatically install the official Play Store and Play Services.

Probably9857

gphnl

Not at this time. (Edit: or maybe there is...MyIdentityIsntImportant)

However, there is a high-priority issue (open since May 2025, so maybe high priority doesn't mean what you might think)...

Anyway, if I understand this correctly, it would allow you to get apps from Aurora (or other sources), and as long as the .apk had a valid signature from Play Store, GrapheneOS would make it look like it was actually installed from there.

https://github.com/GrapheneOS/os-issue-tracker/issues/5406

MyIdentityIsntImportant

gphnl Is there any workaround at all to get a map app working in the car's android auto system?

Android Auto (AA) can be made to work with apps installed from outside the Google Play Store (the apps themselves will still need to support AA, but Comaps and Organic Maps do).

To do so, go to AA settings in Settings > Apps > Sandbox Google Play > Android Auto > Android Auto Settings. Then scroll down and tap Version 8 times. It should give you a message about enabling AA developer settings; accept it.

Then, tap the three dots in the upper right corner; it should list Developer settings there. Go there, scroll the list until you find an option that says Unknown sources. Enable it. That will allow you to run apps in AA that have been installed from outside the Google Play Store.

Hope this helps.

littlerack

gphnl Is there any workaround at all to get a map app working in the car's android auto system?

If you don't want to use Aurora site (in general not recommended by officials), then probably - No.
Also, even if you decide to use Aurora, you can consider to use Waze instead if OsmAnd/gmaps for navigation, as it may be (not guaranteed) less invasive privacy wise.

gphnl

I installed android auto via the graphene store but can't register a google account. I have no phone number I can use. Too bad.

NoahRaketic

gphnl You don't always need a phone number to register an account. Turn off any VPN before creating an account, and go to a place with public WiFi if you're concerned about anonymity.

W1zardK1ng

gphnl Try to create an account from playstore, normally that doesnt asks for a phone number, but if you try to login to that mail id from browser then it pops up to add a number. but as long its only used in the phone to install apps, that works.

gphnl

NoahRaketic Believe me I have tried numerous times and always it requires a number. When I have tried using a landline, it won't work because it requires SMS which I can't receive.

gphnl

MyIdentityIsntImportant Thanks but that doesn't work for map apps. They are the exclusion to that developer settings method. It will work for anything else but not any kind of GPS app.