You can use Android Auto with a de-Googled phone, and it’s easier than you think

Everyone knows the obvious apps that you'll miss without Google: Gmail, Maps, Photos, etc. However, it's the Android features that rely on Google Play Services that are sneakier. One such feature is Android Auto, but it's easier than you might think to use on a de-Googled Android phone.

That's always the catch-22 with switching to a Google-free version of Android. Everyone is prepared to give up the popular apps, but you quickly realize it's about much more than that. Certain things that feel like core Android features are actually completely reliant on Google Play Services. In the case of Android Auto, there's an easy workaround.

The de-Googled OS is the best for Google

GrapheneOS is the answer

This is going to sound weird, but it will make sense after I explain. GrapheneOS is a version of Android made specifically to run without Google apps and services. It also happens to be the best way to use Google apps if you care about privacy and Android Auto.

For those unfamiliar with GrapheneOS, it's essentially a custom version of the Pixel software with all the Google stuff stripped out. And I do mean fully stripped out. There's no Play Store, no Google apps, no signing in with a Google account, and none of the underlying framework that enables things like Find Hub , Google Wallet, and Android Auto (but more on that in a bit).

It's not a custom ROM

Now, you might be thinking, "Sounds cool, but I'm not dealing with the hassle of installing a custom ROM." The folks at GrapheneOS don't refer to it as a "custom ROM," and a big reason for that is how it's installed.

If you've messed around with installing custom ROMs on Android phones in the past, GrapheneOS is a very different experience. You don't have to worry about manually downloading and transferring files. The process mainly happens in your browser, and it only requires a few clicks and taps to get it installed on a supported device .

Putting Google in a sandbox

Google has to keep its hands to itself

As I said, GrapheneOS is fully Google-free, but it doesn't have to remain that way. It's entirely possible to install Google apps, including the Play Store and even Google Play Services, on GrapheneOS. However, it's not the same as a regular Android phone.

Android Auto, the Play Store, and Google Play Services are available to download from Graphene's own App Store. These are official apps, but when you install them on GrapheneOS, they're sandboxed. This means they operate like any other app on your phone. They don't have the special access and extensive privileges that they do on regular Android phones. Play Services, in particular, is automatically granted tons of permissions without your input — but not on GrapheneOS.

This system is what makes it possible to use Android Auto — a service that relies on Google Play Services — in GrapheneOS. So, let's go ahead and do that.

Android Auto, de-Googled

Put Google in the back seat

With all that in mind, let's actually use Android Auto with GrapheneOS. First, you'll obviously need GrapheneOS on your phone. Plug your supported device into a computer and follow the instructions with the official web installer .

Once you've got GrapheneOS up and running, go ahead and open the App Store. Scroll down and select "Android Auto" from the short list. You'll notice that it has a few "Dependencies" listed at the bottom — these will automatically install along with Android Auto. Tap the "Install" button, then confirm with the following pop-ups (make sure to allow the Network permission).

Next, we need to manually enable a few Android Auto permissions. Open the Settings on your phone and go to Apps > Sandboxed Google Play > Android Auto. Toggle on "Allow permissions for wired Android Auto" or "Allow permissions for wireless Android Auto" (or both). You'll also want to turn on "Allow to reroute audio from device to car" and "Allow permissions for handling phone calls." Lastly, if you want notifications, go ahead and enable "Notification access settings" as well.

Now you can connect your phone to the Android Auto head unit like you normally would. This is where you'll likely run into the one big limitation with GrapheneOS and Android Auto. In order for apps to appear in the Android Auto interface, they must be installed from the Play Store. Apps installed from F-Droid or any other alternative app store won't be available.

Typically, signing in to the Play Store would add your Google account to the entire phone. However, as explained above, in GrapheneOS, it's no different than signing in to Letterboxd or Reddit. In fact, you'll discover that you have to grant the Play Store the same permissions to install apps as a third-party app store.

That's all there is to it! Sure, it's a bit of a bummer that you have to use the Play Store with Android Auto, but at least GrapheneOS allows you to do it without Google taking over your phone. Many of the great open source apps that you might download from alternative stores are also available in the Play Store. It's a compromise, but one that's worth it for me.