CarStream (previously YoutubeAuto) for Android Auto APK download and setup

2,440 Replies

Play Youtube Video on Android Auto using this app

Screen Shot 2017-12-31 at 10.04.28 AMVersion history :

29th Dec 2017 : v1.0 released

29th Dec 2017 : v1.0.1 released to fix install errors on Android API level < 21

30th Dec 2017 : v1.0.2 released with safety disabled. Safety was showing blank screen when fullscreen. Controller support for nontouch screen still pending.

30th Dec 2017 : v1.1.0 Controller support for non touch devices done. Includes fullscreen and back nav support as well.

1st Jan 2018 : v1.1.1 Fix for app not installed on Marshmallow and lower Android phones. Install this version if you face “App not installed” error

1st Jan 2018 : v1.1.2 Stability fixes and support to resume video if was playing before app was minimized.

2nd Jan 2018 : v1.1.3 Ability to open any website via “Google search” option. Also send any custom url from the phone app. The car app remembers the last url visited and loads it automatically.

2nd Jan 2018 : v1.2.0 Speech to text for youtube searches. Minor fix to controller inputs.

2nd Jan 2018 : v1.2.1 Possible first fix for audio volume not controllable.

3rd Jan 2018 : v1.2.2 Full screen videos can be toggled more easily due to floating toolbar. Speech recognising view not hiding bug fixed. Its clickable just in case it doesnt hide. Progressbar to show page load progress.

3rd Jan 2018 : v1.2.3 Possible second fix for audio volume not controllable on some cars

5th Jan 2018 : v1.2.4 Fixed black screen which appears sometimes. Possible third fix for volume control in some systems.

6th Jan 2018 : v1.3.0Night mode support for Youtube added. Switch on your headlights to see the magic.

9th Jan 2018 : v1.3.1 Full screen mode now persists across videos. No need to switch fullscreen mode for each video on a playlist. It also stays on across app launches. You also should see a slight page speed boost.

9th Jan 2018: v1.3.2 Initial implementation of playing local offline videos/music/images. To enable, open phone app, grant “external storage” permission, then long press on the home icon (to the right of back button) on the car to open the SDcard folders. Now you can select a file and play it fullscreen. (Demo)

12th Jan 2018: v1.4.0 Now you should be able to use steering mounted controls (for next and previous video). This update also allows a “somewhat” background playback which allows you to listen to the audio without the video, but the catch is that you have to select the video first using the UI and then switch to background mode. This update should fix any volume control issues you have been facing in the past. (Watch the Demo)

12th Jan 2018: v1.4.1 If you have crashed when accessing youtube purchased videos, this build will fix it.

13th Jan 2018: v1.4.2 Please uninstall all previous builds and install this one if “youtube auto” has suddenly disappeared from Android auto (from last 1-2 days). If you dont uninstall previous builds, there is a chance that 2 similar looking apps show up.

This is possible because Google has blocked my previous app. Still not 100% sure.

13th Jan 2018: v1.4.3 About link redirecting to 404 page fixed.

14th Jan 2018: v1.4.4 Safety Warning popup added which pops up everytime you start driving. This warning will disappear if you use handbrake/parking mode.

15th Jan 2018: v1.5.0Aspect ratio support to remove black bars. You can toggle between aspect ratios in full screen mode. Also irritating notifications have been removed.

15th Jan 2018: v1.5.1Fullscreen controls support for controllers, use right,left,up and center to seek, change aspect ratio and play/pause.

15th Jan 2018: v1.5.2Bug fixes for “I understand the risk” not clickable for some users. Fixed steering mounted controls not working the first time.

15th Jan 2018: v1.5.4Fix for “I understand the risk” button not clickable. Irritating notifications are back because without them there is no way to make steering controls work reliably. Will be fixed soon

18th Jan 2018: v1.6.0Youtube auto renamed to CarStream with new logo. Looks like google bannned again. So if previous app is not showing up, use this app.

19th Jan 2018: v1.6.1Youtube auto renamed to CarStream with new logo. Looks like google bannned again. So if previous app is not showing up, use this app.

25th Jan 2018: v1.7.0Bookmarks support added. Click on last icon on the top toolbar. Long press on a bookmark to delete. Demo

25th Jan 2018: v1.7.1 Italian and chinese translations added. Check the credits section for how to add more languages. Thanks to everyone (mentioend in credits) for translating.

26th Jan 2018: v1.7.2 External SD card support works with most devices. Look for the ‘external storage’ bookmark. French translation added.

27th Jan 2018: v1.7.3 Basic keyboard input added. Translations to finnish, portuguese, danish, turkish, french added. Thank you everyone

6th Feb 2018: v1.8.0 More translations added. Revamped local offline player. Now play SD Card videos with next and previous support. Also supports formats like MKV. Also Bookmarks issues have been fixed. For a full list of supported formats read ‘Standalone container formats’ on this page

6th Feb 2018: v1.8.1 Bug fix release,
issues related to local videos not playing correctly fixed.

7th Feb 2018: v1.8.2 Bug fix release for bookmark dpad support in non touch screens

8th Feb 2018: v1.8.3 Bug fix release for audio focus issues. If carstream overwrites other players, this version fixes it. Also local audio/video continues to play in background.

21st Jun 2018 : 2.0.0 Introduces a way to unlock carstream in rooted phones. Thanks to ‘slashmax’ for figuring out the trick.

The following message is shown if handbrake is not applied. Please make sure you use this app safely.
Android auto youtube warning

8th Feb 2018 : For raising bugs or enhancement requests please visit https://github.com/thekirankumar/youtube-android-auto/issues

Youtube Auto Latest Version
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Youtube Auto Latest Version
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How to install the app

How to watch local videos of all formats on SD Card

Raising bugs, enhancement for new features

CarStream is developed and maintained by me in my free time. In order to efficiently manage my time, it would be great if you can use github for raising bugs and feature requests. I have been using this blog’s comments section till now for this, but it doesnt scale well. So if you put anything here, it will mostly get ignored. So please use github. I know its painful to create a github account, but it helps me. Before raising a github issue, check if the same issue exists, otherwise it will most likely be closed.
Use this link to reach github issues page

Debugging black screen issue

Black screen when switching on Youtube auto is usually related to Power saver mode on your phone. Some phones have it as “aggressive doze mode” or “advanced battery optimization”. For youtube auto to work seamlessly, you have to switch off power saver mode completely or disable it just for Youtube auto.

Also sometimes you can follow this trick of switching on youtube auto phone app on phone and then connecting to the car. Please try this on Xperia and Huawei phones. Also some huawei phones are not compatible with android auto in general. Even Waze doesnt work. Source

Disabling the bottom bar in fullscreen mode

Many users have requested this feature of hiding the nav bar when in fullscreen mode. Unfortunately google doesnt support this feature and we can expect google to give an API in future version of android auto. So this is not feasible.

Source code

If you want to add new features or checkout the code visit https://github.com/thekirankumar/youtube-android-auto/ Pull requests for new feature are welcome.

Donation

If you like this app, please make a donation.

My bitcoin (BTC) address 1MHUymspbm3FgJexAFcvxxq6QdHS9bJjZh

My paypal address https://paypal.me/thekirankumar2

My litecoin (LTC) address LXRkN1JDm1weqDL6WKCQRTcqqfPnSiGaCQ

Credits

Unofficial Android SDK https://github.com/martoreto/aauto-sdk Without this SDK this project wouldn’t exist. Thanks to Martoreto for reverse engineering the Waze app and coming up with a easy to use SDK and a sample app.

VideoEnabledWebview https://github.com/cprcrack/VideoEnabledWebView This webview makes fullscreen videos easy to implement.

Thanks for helping with translation :

German : Timo Neumeier
Russian : Ilja Skobelev
Italian : Gabriele Rizzo
Chinese : Nelson
French : Adil Bousfiha
Finnish : Joona Ahveninen & Raitsa
Portuguese: Daniel Stuart
Turkish: Ufuk Ata
Danish: Hayrullah Celik
Bulgarian : Boby
Polish : Krzysztof Białek
Estonian : Magnus Jaaska & Olev Kaas
Spanish : César Formica & Miceot

If you want to translate to your local language, please visit the github repository and raise a pull request or just mail me the strings.xml file at [email protected]

Note

Disclaimer :This is my personal project and I maintain it in my free time. The work here is in no way related to my Employer. It is a hobby project where I have not committed to anyone about maintaining it. With Google blocking every move, its getting more difficult to progress. You can imagine how it would be to fight as a one man army against google.

Unblocking instructions

[21st Jan 2018] Google has blocked the app multiple times till now and its becoming difficult for me to release just a new version to unblock it. Here are some tricks to do it yourself when google blocks the app.

Google blocks the app’s package name. This is how apps identify themselves and google is able to block the app easily by just identifying my app’s package name and then blocking it. As a workaround, if you are an android developer, just clone the source code and change the package name in build.gradle as well on the google-services.json file.

If you are not a developer, I recommend you use APK Editor Pro app (Its a paid app, but the apks are available everywhere). It allows you to change package names of any app without creating the APK yourself.

  • Download APK editor PRO (free version doesnt allow many features)
  • Open the settings and click “sign APK with” and select “key created by APK Editor”
  • Exit settings and come back to main menu
  • click “Select APK from app”
  • select the car stream apk
  • select “Full Edit”
  • click on the third tab on bottom called “manifest”
  • click on the second line from top called “manifest xmlns:android….
  • click on “package” and change the package name to anything you want. This is the most important step. You should use something which is unique to you. Use maybe your name or username in it. Do not use special character except “dot”. If your name is john doe, use maybe “com.johndoe.testapp” as the package name. Be creative here, because this is what google uses to block the app
  • Click save button, be careful not to press cancel.
  • Now click the build button on the top-right corner of the screen
  • This will take a few seconds and finish the creating a new APK
  • [IMPORTANT] Once it finishes, uninstall the old version of car stream. If you dont uninstall, the new APK wont install
  • Now go back to APK pro and press install the new apk you created which has your custom package name
  • After installation, Car Stream should work for you


If you get install issues with APK editor, try APK cloner. It doesn’t let you change package name, but it automatically chooses a package name and is easy to use and free.
If google blocks the apk again, come back here to this section for a new workaround.

8th Feb 2018 : For raising bugs or enhancement requests please visit https://github.com/thekirankumar/youtube-android-auto/issues

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2,440 thoughts on “CarStream (previously YoutubeAuto) for Android Auto APK download and setup”

  1. Anilkumar

    Google Play Services getting updated automatically,
    But I have kept a backup of Play Services 12.2.21 8n ny phone, Everytime I start to drive I used to uninstall updates of google play services and reinstall v 12.2.21 My kids love watching videos thru CarStream, It never distracted me ( as google says). By this method I am able to use all the Custom Apps for AA like CarStream (my favourite), AA Mirdror plus, Webview Auto, Widgets for AA. Developers please modify google play services apk with no self updating feature.

    Reply ↓
  4. Sbards

    To revert to stock Google Play Services unrooted you need to deactivate “find my device” under Android Settings -Security & location and then go to Apps – Google Play services – locate the menu button top right and select “Uninstall updates”. Do not update the Play services if prompted.you need to clear app and cache data and block your gps signal as well

    Reply ↓
  7. fae

    ho installato il service v 12.2.21 aa 2.91 su s9+ funziona benissimo prima non andava
    ma come si fa a bloccare gli aggiornamenti del play service?

    I installed the service v 12.2.21 aa 2.91 on s9 + works fine before it was not working
    but how do you block the play service updates?

    Reply ↓
  11. Ilija

    I have uninstalled Google Play Service app with ES Explorer but it auto-updated itself over night. I have disabled auto-updating apps in Google Play Store of course. We need new solution.

    Reply ↓
  14. Anilkumar

    ckeck this to disable auto update of play services
    /forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/delete-disable-downgrade-prevent-update-t3091832
    add https before the link

    Reply ↓
  15. Juliano Homero

    Tentei habilitar no meu android e não consegui.
    Parece que teve alguma atualização que bloqueou. Já acharam uma solução?

    Reply ↓
  17. Max

    Mine stopped working… not showing at all.. tried everything… please we need solution.. app is great but we need it to work

    Reply ↓
  20. Resty

    Is the update of the google play services is the cause of this? Ican see the carstream in the audio function but not on the other function

    Reply ↓
  21. piotr

    Hello how can i unistal gogle play services on my galaxy s8 non root. I try ES Esplorer files, but i dont know how.
    Please help me :)

    Reply ↓
  23. Shubham

    res/drawable-v21/$avd_hide_password__0.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_hide_password__1.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_hide_password__2.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_show_password__0.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_show_password__1.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_show_password__2.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    First type is not attr!

    Reply ↓
  24. Andygolf

    You have to take down to find the settings on Google and once I dump this with going to the applications of s8 and you can do a downgrade previous version.

    Reply ↓
  27. Shawn

    To downgrade Google Play Services you have to uncheck whatever Google app you have in Device Admin Apps. Does not require root.

    Reply ↓
    1. Shawn

      Settings -> Lock Screen and Security/Security Settings -> Other Security Settings/Additional Security Settings -> Device Admin Apps/Administrator Apps.

      Deactivate the Google apps. If you have Find My Device you should disable it. If you have issues uninstalling updates then make sure all apps are disabled in admin apps.

      Reply ↓
  29. ANYOL 727

    Llevo 2 días sin funcionar, desabilite las actualizaciónes automáticas y se actualizó Android al 7.0 y dejo de funcionar al poco tiempo, no aparece en Android auto. Alguien sabe como solucionarlo….

    Reply ↓
  30. federico

    hi!, i cloud make carstream run in my android, and in my car, but a few days ago, it stopped, so i tryed everything, so could you send me by email the carstream with the package name changer to com.federico.mylink.kk ?maybe that way google can not pull down the app in my account.

    thanks!

    Reply ↓
  31. apk games

    This is a very good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Simple but very precise info… Thanks for sharing this one.
    A must read post!

    Reply ↓
  34. Pedro

    Unquestioonably believe that which you said.

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    Reply ↓
  35. Michael

    Got it working again! Did what someone here said to do about removing admin access for the Google apps. This allowed me to downgrade Google play services.

    “To downgrade Google Play Services you have to uncheck whatever Google app you have in Device Admin Apps. Does not require root.”

    I’m running the following and it all works…

    Android Auto version: 2.9.574925-release
    Google Play Services version: 11.9.51 (440-177350961)
    Google Play Store version: 9.4.30-all [0] [PR] 191305435
    CarStream version: 1.8.3
    Samsung Galaxy S9+

    Reply ↓
    1. Ilija

      Yes, I did too. But after some time Google Play Services started to autoupdate again. With me, everything is OK until my phone is on data connection. As soon as I connect it to any wi-fi network GPS autoupdate itself in matter of minutes. And after I have to repeat whole uninstall GPS-reboot-install GPS procedure again. Also need to reinstall AA and reboot, to start CarStream working again. Bit pain in the ass but at least there is some solution. It would be best if there is way to stop GPS from autoupdateing even on wi-fi. Also, with old version of GPS my GMail app is not working so I had to switch to some other email client app. If somebody has simpler and cleaner solution please let us know.

      Reply ↓
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  37. Billy

    Works..go to setting on app google play unistall update.open play store setting uncheck auto update mirror download AA 2.9 ..open AA tap about on left top tab a few times on about android auto for developer mode to be active go to settings developer mode check unknown source ..plus follow instuctions for car stream

    Reply ↓
  38. Billy

    Down grade google service too.wont be able to use google store..unless you update get what you want then unistall updates on google play and google play service.

    Reply ↓
  40. Stephen

    Can someone please put these steps in for dummies? I’m using a pixel XL. Had it working but stopped with security update.

    Reply ↓
  41. piotr

    So how can i block autoupdate play service ?
    I disable autoupdate gogle play, but after this night i have new version gogle service.
    Please give me a method :)

    Reply ↓
  42. Bisheshwar

    Got the following error message when saving in Apk editor pro. 1.6. Pleasr help me.
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_hide_password__0.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_hide_password__1.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_hide_password__2.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_show_password__0.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_show_password__1.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]
    res/drawable-v21/$avd_show_password__2.xml: Invalid file name: must contain only [a-z0-9_.]

    Reply ↓
  43. Stephen

    Found an older version of Google play services, but when I uninstall updates and install older version I get a million notifications and the Google services has stopped every 2 seconds. Anyone know how to get rid of this?

    Reply ↓
    1. Anilkumar

      Download Google Play Services 12.2.21 compatible with your Phone Model. It will get automatically updated. So whenever you need to use Carstream uninstall Play services updates and install 12.2.21, Open AA on your phone and put Tick marks in the last three options under Developer settings. Afterall its a matter of 1 to 2 minutes only.
      this is the only way until a walkaround is found

      Reply ↓
  45. Tie83

    Everything works fine with an older version of Google Play Service (12.2.21) but it doesn’t last more than a day. As for now, I couldn’t find a solution do successfully block the automatic update of Google Play Service, without rooting the phone. I will try to restrict data usage of Google Play Service and see if it prevents it from updating.
    Anyone now another way (no root) to block the auto update ?

    Reply ↓
      1. Tie83

        Hello i tried every possible tricks and apps, even a firewall that I used to block all connections from Google Service. I never managed to block the update. My phone is new and I didn’t want to root my device. For the moment I stop searching until a solution is found. Too bad, it’s a great app.

        Reply ↓
      2. Tie 83

        The trick I used to make it work until the phone auto update no longer works. Now with GPS 12.2.21 and AA 2.9, my car doesn’t detect AA and I must update to open it again. I m sad because this app was gorgeous.

        Reply ↓
  48. Sinan

    Hi kiran , i follow ur programs , after last sansumg android update , we wre not able to use car stream player for youtube , pls help us …. we need new version of carstream player

    Reply ↓
  49. Gavin

    I can’t get it to work. Under the ear phones it shows the app but when i click the last button it doesn’t show it?

    Reply ↓
  50. Tim

    hi
    my samsung phone showed updated system information, i did it , that updated to Android 7.0
    but carstream can not work properly now
    how to fix this problem?
    thank you

    Reply ↓

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