New Delhi: Android Auto may soon gain the ability to cast media directly to the car’s infotainment screen. Android Auto version 15.9.6551 includes new code strings that point to Google Cast support being added to the Android Auto experience. While the update also introduces visual tweaks such as the latest Material 3 Expressive-style progress bar, the casting-related strings suggest a more functional upgrade could be in development.
Some reports also suggested that several newly discovered strings reference Android’s Media Router framework, which is commonly used for Google Cast functionality. These strings explicitly mention casting states such as Cast.Connected, Cast.Connecting, and Cast.Disconnected, along with the prompts reminding users to ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Some of the strings specifically reference car experience, while others mention a phone, indicating that Google may be testing multiple casting scenarios. This raises questions about how casting would work in practice within Android Auto.
One possibility is that users could cast media from their phone directly to the car’s display through Android Auto. Another is that the feature could enable casting between devices within the Android Auto environment, though the exact implementation remains unclear. Casting is already supported in Android Automotive OS, Google’s built-in car operating system that runs natively on select vehicles. Extending similar functionality to Android Auto would blur the lines between Google’s in-car platforms even further.
Google has previously hinted at expanding Android Auto’s capabilities, including support for video playback under certain conditions. While unofficial workarounds already exist to watch videos on Android Auto, native casting support could offer a more controlled and stable experience. For now, Google has not confirmed when or if casting will roll out to Android Auto users.
