CarPlay recently expanded its widget capabilities with the release of iOS 26, and it appears Android is gearing up to do the same. A recent APK teardown of an Android Auto beta build suggests that Google is testing a new feature—currently codenamed “Earth”—that could bring customizable widgets to Android Auto dashboards. According to Android Authority, this feature would allow users to install widgets from their phones directly onto the Android Auto interface. While the functionality is still under development, early testers managed to get it partially working.
When enabled, this feature introduces a new type of widget reminiscent of Android Auto’s existing Taskbar Widgets, which are primarily used for quick media controls in apps like Spotify or YouTube Music. The difference is that these new widgets are much larger and resemble the ones found on smartphone home screens, offering a more dynamic and informative experience.
What Android Auto Widgets Might Look Like
Screenshots shared by Android Authority reveal that these widgets could appear along the side of the screen—similar to how media apps like Spotify or Podcasts are displayed next to navigation apps such as Google Maps. Early examples show widgets for Calendar, Chrome, Clock, Contacts, Digital Wellbeing, and even Google Drive. It also appears that widget sizes may be adjustable, though it’s not yet clear whether this depends on the app or the widget itself.
In the current test version, some widgets—like the Clock app’s timer—can be viewed but not fully interacted with, suggesting interactivity is still being fine-tuned. If Google continues refining this feature, Android Auto could soon offer a richer, more personalized dashboard experience. It would mark another step forward for the platform, following Google’s recent integration of its Gemini AI assistant into Android Auto.
