Android Auto app widgets mirror mobile setup, leak shows as release nears

Source: 9to5Google

Background

After appearing in previous leaks, Android Auto’s widget selection is resurfacing as the launch approaches. Gemini is the latest change to Android Auto, even though it’s been received with some friction. Google is now working on additional updates to round out the automotive version of Android, as shown in new leaks.

Widget Menu Details

The feature originally leaked as Google’s codename “Earth” project—an unreleased version of Android Auto—has been renamed to better reflect its purpose: adding widgets (as reported by Android Authority). The “car widgets” menu appears in Android Auto version 16.8.161804-release.daily. When tapped, the menu looks identical to the home‑screen widget selection page familiar to Android users.

Key elements of the menu

• Featured and Browse sections for quick access.
• Search bar to locate widgets more easily.
• Sample widgets shown in the leak include Calendar, Chrome, Google Drive, and ChatGPT.

Because Android Auto functions as an extension of your phone, it’s logical that widgets designed for Pixel or other devices would appear similarly on a car dashboard.

Potential Limitations

Google may restrict how certain widgets behave on the dashboard to ensure proper on‑screen rendering. At this stage, details about full functionality remain scarce.

Outlook

As with most features found in unreleased app versions, there’s no official timeline for an announcement. However, Android Auto widgets carry more weight than many other upcoming features, making a near‑term rollout plausible. With Google I/O on the horizon, the widget menu could be part of broader Android announcements.