AA Browser Android Auto Browser Wiki
AA Browser is the open-source web browser built for Android Auto head units. Stream video, manage tabs and browse the web on your car display - with an interface designed for the car, not a stretched phone app. This wiki gathers everything you need to install and use it.
- License
- 100% open source
- Platform
- Android Auto
- Requires
- Android 15+
What is AA Browser?
A purpose-built web browser that turns your parked time into useful screen time.
AA Browser is a free, open-source (GPLv3) browser made specifically for Android Auto head units. Instead of stretching a phone layout onto your dashboard, every control is sized and spaced for comfortable, glanceable use on a car display.
It doubles as an in-car media player: you can watch DRM-protected video with Widevine L3 support, open multiple tabs, save quick links and switch between desktop and mobile rendering - all from the console while you are parked or riding as a passenger.
Because it is open source, anyone can audit exactly how it works. Development is active, with regular releases adding features like multi-tab browsing, a quick-links dashboard, QR code sharing and support for vertical head units.
Built for the car
Material 3 automotive UI with large, driver-friendly touch targets.
Media ready
Fullscreen DRM video playback for YouTube, Netflix and more while parked.
Open and transparent
GPLv3 licensed with no hidden trackers and no URL logging.
Key features
Everything that makes AA Browser the most capable browser for car head units.
Automotive UI design
A purpose-built interface for car displays - no stretched phone layouts, every element sized for the dashboard.
DRM video playback
Stream DRM-protected content with Widevine L3, including fullscreen YouTube and Netflix during breaks.
AMOLED dark mode
A true-black theme tuned for night driving, plus a light theme and beta dark rendering for any website.
Multi-tab browsing
Open, switch and manage multiple tabs from a touch-friendly tab manager built for car screens.
Quick links dashboard
Up to six customizable shortcut cards with cached icons - one tap to your most-visited sites.
Session restore
Pick up where you left off by restoring all previous tabs or just the last page on launch.
Display scaling
Adjustable UI and content scale with presets or a custom percentage for any screen size.
Desktop & mobile mode
Switch between full desktop and mobile rendering of any website with a single tap.
Configurable controls
A floating action button with customizable behavior and corner placement for the URL bar and menu.
How to install AA Browser
Up and running in four steps - no ADB, no rooting, no PC required.
Requires Android 15 or later. AA Browser is for Android Auto only; there is no native iOS or CarPlay app.
- 01
Enable Developer Mode
Open Android Auto on your phone, go to Settings and tap "Version" ten times to unlock Developer Settings.
The build version sits at the bottom of the Android Auto settings screen.
- 02
Allow unknown sources
In Android Auto Developer Settings, turn on "Unknown sources" so apps outside the Play Store can install.
This toggle is specific to Android Auto, not your general Android settings.
- 03
Install AA Browser
Download the APK from GitHub Releases or use Obtainium for automatic updates.
Obtainium keeps the app updated without manual downloads.
- 04
Connect and launch
Install on your phone, connect to your car's Android Auto and launch AA Browser from the car display.
Some devices need you to open Waze once before AA Browser appears.
Always download from the official GitHub repository only.
Compatibility
Where AA Browser runs today and what to expect on newer Android versions.
- Android 15 Supported
Minimum required version - fully supported.
- Android 16 Supported
Verified and working with current releases.
- Android 17 Recommended via web app
PWA route is recommended; native APK support is still being confirmed.
- iOS / CarPlay Not available
No native app due to Apple policies; see alternatives below.
Using an iPhone?
AA Browser is built for Android Auto. Because of Apple's restrictions there is no native CarPlay app, but you can reach web browsing and video on CarPlay through verified alternatives such as Cartube, Carbridge or wireless adapters.
Important safety notice
If you are the one steering, do not use this app while driving. AA Browser is intended for passengers or stationary use only. Browsing while operating a vehicle is dangerous and illegal in most places - use it only when safely parked or as a passenger.
- Passengers OK
- Stationary use OK
- Never while driving
Privacy and transparency
A transparency-first philosophy: no hidden trackers, no URL logging, no personal data collection.
No URL tracking
Your browsing history stays on your device and is never transmitted to any server.
No IP logging
Your IP address is never logged or stored, and analytics are fully anonymized.
Minimal analytics
Only anonymous app-launch counts and version info are collected via a self-hosted instance.
Open source
Every line of code is public under GPLv3 - you can audit it yourself.
Self-hosted infrastructure
Analytics run on privately operated infrastructure with no third-party platforms involved.
No account required
No registration, no sign-in and no cloud sync - everything runs on your device.
AA Browser vs other Android Auto apps
How AA Browser compares to other tools people use on their head units.
AA Browser focuses on full web browsing and DRM video in one app. Other popular projects each solve a narrower problem:
CarStream
YouTube playback on Android Auto via APK sideload - video only, not a full browser.
Fermata Auto
Local video and IPTV player; great for downloaded media but not web browsing.
Screen2Auto
Mirrors your phone screen to Android Auto rather than rendering pages natively.
AA Mirror Plus
Advanced phone mirroring with extra passenger controls, again mirror-based.
If you want one app that browses, streams and manages tabs natively on the dashboard, AA Browser is the most complete option.
Version history
Recent highlights from the AA Browser release notes.
- Latest major release with refinements across the browsing experience.
- Continued improvements to stability and site compatibility.
- Major UI overhaul with a more modern look and support for vertical head units.
- QR code sharing to send URLs from the car to other devices.
- New settings page including user-agent selection.
- Bug fixes for sites that previously would not open.
When AA Browser shines
Real moments where a browser on the dashboard makes the difference.
Charging breaks
Watch a video or read the news while your EV tops up at the charging station.
Waiting in the car
Turn dead time in a parking lot into something useful without reaching for your phone.
Passenger entertainment
Let passengers stream and browse on the bigger, mounted display during long trips.
Quick lookups
Check weather, maps info or a website on a screen sized for the dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about AA Browser.
What is AA Browser?
AA Browser is an open-source web browser made specifically for Android Auto head units. It lets you browse the web and stream video on your car display with an interface designed for the car.
What Android version do I need?
AA Browser requires Android 15 or later. It is verified on Android 15 and 16, and on Android 17 the web-app (PWA) route is currently recommended.
Do I need to root my phone?
No. There is no rooting and no ADB required. You enable Developer Mode in Android Auto, allow unknown sources and install the APK from GitHub Releases.
Can I watch YouTube or Netflix?
Yes. AA Browser supports DRM-protected video with Widevine L3, so you can play fullscreen YouTube, Netflix and other web video while parked.
Is there an iPhone or CarPlay version?
No native CarPlay app exists due to Apple's policies. iPhone users can reach similar functionality through alternatives like Cartube or Carbridge.
How do I get automatic updates?
Use Obtainium pointed at the GitHub repository for automatic updates.
Is AA Browser safe to use?
It is open source and transparency-first, with no URL or IP logging. For your own safety, only use it while parked or as a passenger - never while driving.
Is this the official AA Browser website?
No. This is an unofficial community wiki. For downloads and source code, always use the official GitHub repository linked throughout this page.
Ready to try AA Browser?
Download from the official GitHub repository and start browsing on your car display today.