Games in Android Auto are officially here. You can play Angry Birds and Candy Crush on your car's display

Are you waiting at a charging station for your electric car to charge, or are you parked while someone “just for a minute” popped into a store? Exactly in such moments, Google now wants to entertain you. Games in Android Auto and in cars with Android Automotive OS are now a full-fledged part of the system, so you can make waiting more pleasant directly on the in-car display.

Why should games in cars become more common?

On September 21, Google announced on its developer blog that the games category for Android Auto and cars with built-in Google is transitioning from beta to general availability. Developers can now release games for cars in the Play Store through the usual channels, meaning for open testing and the final version. Until now, only selected partners had this option as part of early access.

This is not the first time games have come to cars. Angry Birds made its way to vehicles with Android Automotive OS back in 2024, as we wrote then. The difference is that any developer can now bring a game to the car, provided it passes the quality control that Google requires for in-car applications.

The game launches directly on the car’s screen, so you don’t need to reach for your phone. It is controlled by touch on the in-car display, and some titles also support a connected game controller.

Angry Birds, Candy Crush, and games for kids: what will you find in the offering?

Google has separate selections ready for both platforms in the Play Store – a list of games for Android Auto and a list of games for Android Automotive OS. In the first one, you’ll find well-known names like Angry Birds 2, Angry Birds Friends, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Farm Heroes Saga, or the racing game Beach Buggy Racing, including its second installment. My Talking Tom Friends and Draw a Stickman: EPIC 3 are also present.

However, a large part of the list consists of apps for the youngest – coloring books, puzzles, musical games, or apps for practicing writing and counting. These can be especially useful for parents waiting in the car with children. Most titles can be downloaded for free; only some premium versions are paid, such as BeeArtist PRO or LetraKid PRO for 129.99 Kč.

You won’t play behind the wheel. What else does Google monitor?

Games only work in a parked car. As soon as the car starts moving, the system blocks the game, and Google also requires developers to mute the sound at that moment and prevent it from being turned back on while driving. So, anyone who wants to pass the time by playing from the passenger seat on the in-car display is out of luck.

With Android Auto, there’s one more condition to consider: games only support phones with Android 15 and newer. Furthermore, you won’t find the entire Play Store catalog available, but only titles that developers have adapted for cars and that Google has approved.

Google also requires that when a game is restarted, it resumes where you left off, rather than starting from scratch. Developers are also advised to ensure games can utilize the entire display area, whether the car has a tall portrait screen or a wide panel across half of the dashboard.

Would you play on the in-car display while waiting in the car, or would you rather reach for your phone?

Sources: Android Developers Blog, Android Authority