Are your favorite apps not showing up in Android Auto? You're not alone. Millions of users face this frustrating issue where apps mysteriously disappear from the Android Auto launcher.

The good news? Most problems can be fixed in just a few minutes. In this guide, we'll cover 4 proven solutions to get your apps back starting with the most powerful one.

Solution 1 : Install Third-Party Apps with AAAD

Best for: Apps that Google doesn't officially support (YouTube, screen mirroring, video players)

Here's something most people don't know: Google only allows certain app categories in Android Auto—navigation, music, messaging, and podcasts. If you want to use YouTube, watch videos, or mirror your screen, those apps simply won't appear no matter what you try.

That's where AAAD (Android Auto Apps Downloader) comes in. It's the original tool for installing third-party Android Auto apps without rooting your phone.

Why Use AAAD?

No root required – Works on any Android phone
No PC needed – Install directly from your phone
One-tap installation – Just tap and it's done
Free to use – No subscription, no hidden fees
Trusted by thousands – 2,200+ GitHub stars since 2021

Popular Apps You Can Install:

CarStream : Watch YouTube videos on Android Auto
Fermata Auto : Play local videos, movies, and IPTV streams
Screen2Auto : Mirror your entire phone screen to your car
AA Mirror Plus : Advanced screen mirroring with extra features
Performance Monitor : Real-time vehicle diagnostics and stats
AA Passenger : Additional controls for passengers

How to Use AAAD:

Download AAAD from the official GitHub releases page
Install the APK on your phone (enable "Install from unknown sources" if prompted)
Open AAAD and browse the available apps
Tap Install on any app you want
Connect to Android Auto and your new apps will appear!

Solution 2: Disable Battery Optimization

Best for: Apps that used to work but suddenly disappeared (especially on Samsung)

This is the number one cause of Android Auto apps vanishing. Your phone's battery optimization puts unused apps to "sleep" to save power. The problem? Sleeping apps become invisible to Android Auto.

Samsung phones are the worst offenders their aggressive power management can disable apps you haven't used in just a few days.

For Samsung Phones (One UI):

Open Settings → Battery and device care
Tap Battery → Background usage limits
Turn OFF "Put unused apps to sleep"
Tap "Never sleeping apps" → Add these apps:
- Android Auto
- Google Maps or Waze
- Spotify, YouTube Music, or your music app
- WhatsApp, Messenger, or your messaging app
- Any apps installed via AAAD
Go back and check "Sleeping apps" → Remove any Android Auto apps from this list

For Other Android Phones (Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc.):

Open Settings → Apps → Android Auto
Tap Battery (or "App battery usage")
Select "Unrestricted" or "Don't optimize"
Repeat for every app you want in Android Auto

Why This Works: When battery optimization is disabled, your phone keeps apps running in the background. This ensures they're always "awake" and visible to Android Auto when you connect.

After changing these settings, open each app once on your phone. This "wakes them up" so they appear in Android Auto immediately.

Solution 3: Enable Apps in Customize Launcher

Best for: Apps that are installed but not showing in Android Auto

Android Auto has a hidden setting that lets you control which apps appear in the launcher. Sometimes apps get accidentally disabled here, or new apps don't enable automatically after installation.

How to Customize Your Launcher:

Open Settings on your phone
Go to Connected devices → Connection preferences → Android Auto (On some phones: Settings → Apps → Android Auto → In-app settings)
Tap "Customize launcher"
You'll see a list of all compatible apps
Check/enable any apps that are unchecked
Drag apps up or down to rearrange their order
Disconnect and reconnect to Android Auto

What If the App Isn't Listed? If you don't see an app in the Customize launcher list, it means one of two things:

The app isn't compatible with Android Auto → Use AAAD to install third-party apps
The app is sleeping → See Solution 2 to disable battery optimization

You can also add custom shortcuts here! Tap "Add shortcut" to create quick actions like calling a specific contact or triggering a Google Assistant command.

Solution 4: Clear Cache and Restart

Best for: Random glitches, freezing, or apps that stopped working after an update

Sometimes Android Auto just needs a fresh start. Cached data can become corrupted over time, causing all sorts of weird issues—including apps not showing up.

Step 1: Clear Android Auto Cache

Open Settings → Apps → Android Auto (If you can't find it, tap "See all apps" or search for "Android Auto")
Tap Storage & cache (or just "Storage")
Tap "Clear cache"
Don't tap "Clear data" unless nothing else works (this resets all your settings)

Step 2: Clear CarmodeStub Cache (Samsung Only) Samsung phones have a hidden system app called "CarmodeStub" that often causes Android Auto problems. Clearing its cache fixes many issues:

Go to Settings → Apps
Tap the three-dot menu (top right) → Show system apps
Search for "CarmodeStub"
Tap Storage → Clear cache AND Clear data
Restart your phone

Step 3: Restart Everything

Disconnect your phone from the car
Restart your phone completely (power off, wait 10 seconds, power on)
Turn off your car and wait 30 seconds
Start the car and reconnect your phone
Check if your apps now appear

When to Clear Data (Full Reset): If clearing cache doesn't help, you can try clearing all data:

Settings → Apps → Android Auto → Storage
Tap "Clear storage" or "Clear data"
This resets Android Auto completely—you'll need to set up your car connection again

After clearing cache, make sure to re-check your Customize launcher settings (Solution 3) as some preferences may reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do my Android Auto apps keep disappearing?

Battery optimization is the main culprit. Your phone puts unused apps to sleep, making them invisible to Android Auto. Fix this by adding apps to "Never sleeping apps" in your battery settings.

Q: Can I watch YouTube on Android Auto?

Not with the official YouTube app—Google blocks video apps for safety reasons. However, you can use CarStream (available through AAAD) to watch YouTube while parked.

Q: Where is the Android Auto app on my phone?

On Android 10 and newer, Android Auto is built into the system—there's no separate app icon. Access it through Settings → Connected devices → Android Auto.

Q: Do I need to root my phone to use AAAD?

No! AAAD works on any Android phone without root. Just download, install, and start adding apps. No PC or technical knowledge required.

How to Fix Android Auto Apps Not Showing