Google is leveling up Android Auto with something unexpected: mobile gaming. In the latest Android Auto 14.1 beta, users can now play full Android games directly on their car’s touchscreen — provided the car is parked and the games are installed on your phone.
The beta introduces support for four titles so far: Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, Farm Heroes Saga, and Beach Buggy Racing. This marks the first time full Android games (not HTML5-based mini-games) are playable through Android Auto, signaling a new direction for in-car entertainment when the vehicle is stationary.
To use the feature, players must download the games on their phones first. Once the car is in park, the games can be launched from the Android Auto interface in fullscreen mode — another first for the platform. However, the moment the car shifts out of park, the game is immediately closed and becomes inactive in the app drawer and switcher, ensuring safety remains a priority.
This development brings Android Auto closer to Google built-in car systems, which already offer access to a broader library of media and apps — including some games — as part of their native interface.
Although Google has supported casual HTML5-based GameSnacks games since 2021, this is the first time full Android apps are supported in a fullscreen experience. It remains unclear whether fullscreen support will expand beyond games in future updates, but it opens the door to potentially more immersive in-car apps when parked.
Google hasn’t confirmed a release date for the stable version of Android Auto 14.1 or whether more games will be added to the lineup. However, the addition is part of the company’s March feature drop and appears to be one step toward offering more comprehensive infotainment options during downtimes like charging, waiting in line, or resting during road trips.
Early testers, such as 9to5Google, have confirmed the feature works as expected — smooth gameplay, quick app shutdown when shifting gears, and intuitive touchscreen controls. Still, this is not intended to turn your car into a gaming rig. It’s more of a convenient distraction while parked, such as during EV charging sessions or long waits.
As more cars adopt larger displays and better in-car connectivity, infotainment systems like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are expected to evolve beyond maps and music — and this beta might be the first sign of a more app-rich ecosystem ahead.
