Play Youtube Video on Android Auto using this app
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.
8th Feb 2018 : For raising bugs or enhancement requests please visit https://github.com/thekirankumar/youtube-android-auto/issues
 | (1531499 hits) Youtube Auto Latest Version Download |
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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I still can’t figure out how to play music in the background
I installed v1.4.3 and it works. Thank you Kiran.
Is it possible to add a Next Video Button in full screen mode?
Hi. Can you add at About button the version of soft? Because I don’t know what version I install and work good or wrong.
Thank you!
Added in 1.5.3
Version 1.5 can’t switch in night mode
Version 1.5 cant see the the “I understand risks” button and cant initiate the app.
on my huawei, the warning the button still there and stilk need to click it
Not even I since 1.4.4 version
Hello videos are not in full screen, could you fix that? I have black bars on the left and right and the controls are sometimes delayed. I use the Kenwood DNX7017DABS.
Can you make other apps like WhatsApp, Facebook or games like Angry Birds etc. to mirror in Android Auto.
Night mode is not working after version 1.5 and also there is no handbrake/parking mode option to disable safety warning where is this option? Can you make separete check box for this?
Hi,
It works great! I downloaded the 1.5 V.
Is it possible to develop a videoplayer without connection?
Thank you so much!!
You Can play local video “holding for long time” home button
Here how You Can enable and use YouTube Auto to see local video
https://youtu.be/FAd6inLslqg
Thanks, Great!!
Hi Kiran. 1.5 works fine. But when switch the video to the next without leaving the top row with icons search. Can I fix it?
Excuse me, is there any way to improve YouTube screen resolution?
Guys, he would require donation to keep up his work. Do support him for this initiative. He is doing great in keeping up the updates and improving the software as per the feedbacks.
Hi,
I tried Youtube Auto in my Volkswagen Polo HighLine Plus, and its not working and more over its not showing any options for YouTube Auto, am I missing any settings or is it not supported in Polo…
please help.
Hi, thanks for the app. One brief question, does this app work with Android auto in phone(not connected with car)? Because it doesn’t seem to run properly, and I won’t have my car for the next 15 days to test it there. Thank you
Only car
Kiran why can not I answer the phone on the touch screen when I run you tube?can you solve something?thanks.
Good day, in version 1.5.1 there is no video switching by buttons on the steering wheel, it was working on version 1.4.2.
I’m confused. When I open the YouTube app that I’ve downloaded from here, it tells me to open android auto and click a button that says “receive from phone”.
There is no button like that anywhere I can find. I’ve tried accessing the YouTube app by selecting audio and choosing one of the audio apps but it doesn’t show up. What am I doing wrong?
Hello,
ich have a VW Golf from 2017 with the Compositon Media Radio in it. I use the Amazon fire Tab 5 for Android Auto, without ab Problem so far.
Last Weekend I tried Youtube Auto. The app in Version 1.4.4 is loaded on my tab. In your description you say, that I have to start the app on time on the tab, because of asking for some permissions. But the app does not ask for. it starts without any prompt.
In the car Radio then I can see Youtube Auto, as descriped. But when I touch on the Icon at the Radio, I will start for about 1 second, and Close then, without a prompt. nothing happend more. I tried it different times.
What could be the Problem? may be that the fire tab is not approved for android Auto?
Thank you for your app and your help.
Hi, it work. But when i try to search.
I can’t change keyboard language to my local language. Do you know how to add it?
I am so thankfull for this app! You are the best!!!
I only can search with speak command. Keyboard doesn’t appear.
I’d be so happy if you’ll make more apps like this, to connect with android auto.
Like:
-Facebook
-whatsapp
- Internet browser
- some Games
- Netflix
The app is working on Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Greets from Switzerland!
Not even I ,since 1.4.4 version, can see the ” understand risk” button as hidden under controls.
Anyway , great job !!
Updated 1.5.1. Everything is fine. Very well now that vidio with the entire screen and there is a pause. But it remains the top line on the video, if you turn one clip it does not, then when you enable the following video it is. And so after one video
Thanks for the fabulous effort! On version 1.5.1, the ” I understand the risk” message still pops up when car is in motion. When I click the green bar using scroll wheel button (non-touch screen), the message did not go away.
Please try v1.5.2
You need more answers in your poll. For me, Youtube Auto is starting. I try it with my Mercedes CLA 200 (2017 Model) without touchscreen and Samsung Galaxy Note 8. When I’m not driving, everything is fine, but I can’t press that big message “I understand the risks” away… I can navigate to that button and press on it, but nothing happens.
Please try v1.5.2
It can’t control the next and previous song by steering wheel in 1.5.1 In previous version it works well!
Please try 1.5.2
yup, 1.51 can’t click anything on warning page. on non touch screen car
Please try 1.5.2
Workin perfectly. But maybe you can favorites section, which we can set favorite channels on phone. This will refuce distraction from road.
Goodmorning videos can only be seen if they are on
smartphone from sd no you could do something
thank you so much
hi, I have a hynday ioniq.
as soon as I start the application on android auto della macchiana, I get stuck in the black screen and after a while it closes everything.
I tried the latest version available.
What should I do???
Which phone ?
huawei P9 Lite
Hi. All downloaded all good until I go to the car where it keeps asking me to play the video in YouTube app. What am I doing wrong?
Next Version, Please add full screen function (hide bottom menu), thanks so much.
Sorry I’m translate from google.
Not possible because of Android Auto API
Using 1.52 version, still can not control the previous one with the next one
APK installed ok, app opens with no problem, find a video and hit send to car, open Android auto, I can see the app, I can go into the app on my stereo, but it just says “start playing from YouTube app first”. No other options.
Same as me
Go to the last tab (to the right of music icon at the bottom bar), click it twice. You should see android auto.
I can see youtube auto but it says “start playing from YouTube app 1st”
version 4.3 for audi a3 8v is the most convenient to use, later versions have different problems.
Ditto see the app in AA but no options or video certainly not what the video shows.
Can’t seem to get this to work. Android auto always says “Start playing from YouTube app first”. Tried Send to Car button, but no luck.
Tried V1.52 and 1.53
Android auto via Pixel 2 xl and Ford sync 3
Any help much appreciated!
Nevermore, all set!
For sync users you hit the bottom right button as if you were going back to Sync. Pretty sure you had that on your video, I just missed it.
Awesome app, LTC donation coming your way!
Salve scaricato come da video adesso lo vedo sulle app di Android auto ma x visualizzare i video o altro deve essere perfoza collegato all auto?
Sì
Scusate mi spiego meglio ho scaricato il tutto come da video adesso visualizzo l app youtube auto nelle app di Android auto x capire se funziona devo collegarlo tramite usb oppure dovrei visualizzarlo lo stesso? Xche se devrei visualizzarlo lo stesso mi esce solo la schermata cn il simbolo dello stop no quello del play
Scusate mi spiego meglio ho scaricato il tutto come da video adesso visualizzo l app youtube auto nelle app di Android auto x capire se funziona devo collegarlo tramite usb oppure dovrei visualizzarlo lo stesso? Xche se devrei visualizzarlo lo stesso mi da solo la schermata cn il simbolo dello stop no quello del play
Playlist in offline videos, please. Thanks for the great app
pop-up forms (in google search) arn’t fillable
I downloaded the 1.5 V.
I can not access the files located on the external SD card, only the files located into internal memory,
Also, the buttons to change video file offline do not work.
Can you help me?
Tks
I downloaded the 1.5 V.
I can not access the files located on the external SD card, only the files located into internal memory,
The “folders tree” doensn’t display an option to to enter the path of the SD card.
Also, the buttons to change video file offline do not work.
Can you help me?
Tks
Just a suggestion, you should make a Plex version of this app. I’d love to be able to watch Plex while parked in my car. I know there is an official app but it doesn’t play video. Good job on this app!
Any chance you’re going to create a youtube music app? Thanks for the work you’ve done on youtube auto.
the buttons to change video file offline do not work, it is normal?
Ho un problema con la tv in streaming tramite Google
Non mi compare la tastiera per effettuare il login di accesso al canale
Tipo dopo un po’ che guardo canale 5,
Mi chiede di effettuare il login ma come detto prima non mi compare la tastiera quindi non posso effettuare il login
Dovresti fare il login dal cellulare. Non è supportata la tastiera se non nella barra di ricerca di Google o di YouTube.
Lancia l’app di YouTube Auto dal cellulare, e fai il login da lì. Si salverà anche sull’auto
Bravo!!
After closing the app it says “Start playing from YouTube…” on my phones lock screen. How do you turn off this notification?