Android Auto seems to be preparing support for more calling apps

Ben Schoon | Oct 7 2024 - 1:10 pm PT

Android Auto currently only supports using your phone’s default dialer app for making phone calls, but that may soon change as the new Android Auto 13.0 update prepares support for third-party calling apps.

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.

While there are multiple apps that can let you receive calls on Android Auto, such as WhatsApp, you can’t make calls. That’s only available through voice commands with selected apps or through the dialer app, which can only use the one pre-installed on the connected smartphone.

Over the weekend, Android Auto v13.0 started rolling out to users without any visible changes, but some updates behind the scenes. As we first reported, this includes more work on a “Car Media” feature that can access local media on the car (such as the radio), but also includes some interesting new flags.

The update includes multiple mentions of “external dialer” support, but without much context. The three added flags mention an “allow list,” enabling an app, and also a “kill switch” that appears to be used when switching between dialer apps (the same terminology is used in the context of messaging and wireless Android Auto in other flags).

“Dialer__external_dialer_allow_list”
“Dialer__external_dialer_enabled”
“Dialer__swap_call_start_app_kill_switch”

These flags on their own don’t reveal much, but there is some interesting context to look at. Firstly, the folks over at Android Authority point to a page from Google where a “Calling” category for Android Automotive is detailed. This functionality is existing, but has not yet been extended to Android Auto. It’s also limited to selected apps.

Sadly, that page doesn’t specifically mention anything about calling apps on Android Auto itself.

Google previously announced that WhatsApp would support calls on Android Auto, but in a limited capacity on Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices. That option appears on specific contacts where you can select to make the call via WhatsApp rather than your normal cellular carrier.