Android Auto may soon be able to use your phone’s wallpaper as version 10.7 rolls out

Ben Schoon | Oct 25 2023 - 7:25 am PT

Google is currently rolling out a new update to Android Auto with version 10.7, but it only hints at a future where you’ll be able to have your car match your phone’s wallpaper.

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Android Auto updates have been rolling out quite frequently, with version 10.0 having hit the scene just in July. However, the nature of Android Auto app updates is that, generally speaking, there’s not much to look at on the surface level. That includes Android Auto version 10.7, which is rolling out now through the stable update channel.

Version 10.7 of Android Auto is an update pretty much devoid of any notable changes, but there are some signs of what’s to come under the hood.

We spotted a few strings that hint towards some battery tweaks (presumably for EVs), and also some tweaks to how apps can require the vehicle is parked.

Most notably, however, is a new string that points to Android Auto supporting your phone’s wallpaper on the car display. The new setting, presumably a toggle, is simply explained as:

Use phone’s wallpaper in Android Auto

The option should appear in Android Auto’s settings menu, but it’s not appearing just yet in our testing.

In the meantime, Android Auto did widely expand its selection of wallpapers a while back, but this new option to sync the wallpaper would obviously take that to a new level. Worth noting, though, is that Android Auto really only displays the wallpaper under the app drawer, as the new dashboard view really doesn’t leave much room for a wallpaper to be viewed.

It’s unclear when this new option will be available.