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Android Auto - Official Support for Google apps stubs

  • /e/ version: all /e/OS versions supporting Android Auto
  • Device model(s): (see above)

Summary

Officially support the Google apps stubs as mentioned in https://community.e.foundation/t/how-to-run-android-auto-without-google-apps/64578 so that users can use Android Auto without most of the Google apps.

Description

The current official installation instructions https://doc.e.foundation/support-topics/android-auto request the installation of the Google app, the Google Maps app, and the Google Speech Recognition & Synthesis app, apart from Android Auto itself.

What is the improved behavior?

Offer an official way to instead use the Google apps stubs that are mentioned (with links) at https://community.e.foundation/t/how-to-run-android-auto-without-google-apps/64578. There is a second description at https://community.e.foundation/t/android-auto-and-fp5/78302, which links to the iodéOS instructions at https://iode.tech/documentation/android-auto/.

What does it bring?

It improves privacy: Depending on the desired functionality, users can opt for the installation of the Google apps stubs (with the exception of the Android Auto app itself). They can then use Android Auto in a more private way because the official Google apps are not installed.

Examples

In the Android Auto setup instructions for /e/OS, the official Google apps and the stubs are both mentioned. The user can use App Lounge to install the necessary stubs in /e/OS to successfully configure Android Auto. (Alternative installation methods are obviously possible as long as they can be easily used.)

Validation

Follow the Android Auto setup instructions for /e/OS. Opt for the installation of the stubs for the Google app, the Google Maps app, and the Google Speech Recognition & Synthesis app. Install the official Android Auto app. The user can use Android Auto as desired and connect their car with their /e/OS smartphone. The full functionality that is possible with the Google apps stubs can be used.