How to join (or leave) the Android Auto beta while it’s still open

Source: Android Authority

Google can be slow to roll out new features and functionality to its stable app versions, and few apps are more affected by this cautious approach than Android Auto. The digital driving aid is an essential part of the commute for many users worldwide, including myself. Since I crave faster development to bring much‑requested features to my dashboard sooner, I decided to rejoin the Android Auto beta tester program.

Yes, the program is open once again, but only for a limited time. Occasionally, Google opens up programs for its core apps, allowing a limited number of testers in before closing them again. This means you’ll need to act quickly if you want to join.

But how did I join Android Auto’s beta program, and perhaps more importantly, why? I detail my reasons, the steps to enroll, and how you can leave the program if you desire.

What is the Android Auto beta tester program?

It’s one of Google’s more exclusive beta tester programs. While other products from the company have plenty of testing slots, Android Auto’s program is carefully managed. Nevertheless, the beta tester program opens up many more possibilities for the user, such as early access to new features and additional functionality. In essence, early versions of the app offer a sneak peek at its future and incoming features — potentially including dashboard widgets, official video playback support, and more.

Joining Android Auto beta will give you access to bleeding‑edge features at the risk of a less stable platform with more bugs.

Importantly, there’s a reason that beta versions aren’t freely available. There’s a high chance that Android Auto beta testers will encounter more bugs and issues than those using the public version. These could be anything from major problems to minor annoyances. If you’re willing to contend with that, and you’re particularly impatient (like me), you can join the beta testing program for Android Auto with just a few steps.

How to join the Android Auto beta tester program

1. Open a browser, preferably Chrome, and log in with your Google account. (Desktop works well, but a mobile browser is also fine.)
2. Navigate to the Android Auto beta website.
3. Read the brief message explaining the purpose of the testing program, the risks of using it, and the potential privacy implications.
4. Click Become a tester.
5. Wait a few hours for the Play Store to update, then download the beta version.

Congrats, you’re now an Android Auto beta tester. The page should indicate your status.

Once you are part of the program, regularly check for updates on the Play Store, as beta versions are frequently revised. As a tester, report any issues you encounter and provide feedback to Google—this helps make the public release more stable and polished.

How to leave the Android Auto beta tester program

1. Open a browser, preferably Chrome, and log in with your Google account.
2. Navigate to the Android Auto beta website.
3. Click the Leave the program button.
4. Uninstall the Android Auto beta on your phone and reinstall the public, stable version from Google Play.

You’ve now left the beta tester program. Keep in mind that leaving will remove access to pre‑release features, and rejoining later isn’t guaranteed because beta slots are limited.

Think carefully about the pros and cons before deciding. If you need a reliable, bug‑free experience, you may want to stay on the stable channel. If you’re comfortable with occasional issues and want to try new features early, go ahead and join the beta.