For many people, you may find yourself sitting in your car, waiting to be picked up, or taking a short break, thinking, "I wish I could watch a little Netflix now."
Maybe you can't wait to see the hot new series and movie, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Genie Make a Wish, or On the Come Up. This should seem simple, right, just open Netflix on your car screen. However, when you connect your Android phone to Android Auto, Netflix is nowhere to be found.
In this super detailed guide, we'll cover:
- Why Netflix isn't officially on Android Auto.
- The safe and legal way to set things up.
- Method 1: Mirror Your Screen.
- Method 2: USing an External Android Box.
- Method 3: Get Android Auto in Older Cars.
Why Isn't Netflix on Android Auto? It's All About Safety
First, let's talk about why you can't find the Netflix app in the Android Auto menu. It's not because Google or Netflix don't like you, it's for safety.
Android Auto and its Apple CarPlay are designed with the main goal of minimizing distractions while driving. The interface is simple, the buttons are eye-catching, the voice control is convenient, and it focuses on applications such as navigation and listening to music.
Video streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are deliberately banned. Why? Because watching movies while driving is extremely dangerous. This can be a serious distraction and is illegal almost everywhere.
Therefore, the official position is clear: No videos streaming while the vehicle is in motion.
But wait, doesn't that make this guide pointless? Not at all! Think about all the moments when your car stands still:
- You park your car in the parking lot and wait for the kids to finish their practice.
- You charge your electric car at a charging station for 30-45 minutes.
- You are on a long trip and stop at the rest area.
- You go to your appointment early and spend time in the car.
In this case, watching a movie on a large screen from the comfort of your mind is a great way to relax. This guide is made for that. We 100% advocate for safe, responsible viewing only when the vehicle is parked.
What You'll Need Before You Start
Before we start the steps, we make sure you have all the right gear ready. It's like preparing ingredients before cooking a great meal.
- An Android phone: This may seem obvious, but you'll need an Android phone running a relatively new version of the software (compatibility is preferably Android 11 or higher).
- A compatible car: Your car's infotainment system needs to support Android Auto. Most cars from 2016 and beyond support this feature. You can check the car's manual or quickly search online for your model and year.
- Good connection: You can connect your phone to the car using a high-quality USB cable. Some cars also support wireless Android Auto, which is even more convenient. It's a good idea to use a reliable connection, and for a fast, secure and stable experience, check out the Aoocci Car Wireless Adapter and Streaming Display series.
- Strong Data Connection: Streaming videos consumes a lot of data. Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, such as a cellular hotspot or public Wi-Fi, or a stable mobile data plan. You definitely don't want your movie to buffer when it's at its best!
- Power: Streaming videos can drain your phone's battery quickly. To avoid running out of battery on your phone, it's a good idea to use a reliable car charger. They are designed to keep your device charged even when watching streaming videos for extended periods.
Mehtod 1: The Step-by-Step Guide: How to Mirror Your Screen to Android Auto
Since Netflix is not an official Android Auto app, we have to use a workaround. This workaround is called screen mirroring. In simple terms, we will let your car display show you exactly what's on your phone screen.
Quick tip: This method requires "Developer Options" to be enabled on your phone. It sounds professional, but don't worry – it's pretty simple and safe if you follow these steps exactly.
Step 1: Enable developer options on your Android phone
This is a hidden menu on your phone that gives you more control. Here's how to unlock it:
- Go to your phone's Settings.
- Scroll down and tap "About phone".
- Locate the entry called "Version Number". Tap on it, about 7-10 times.
- After a few taps, you'll see a message saying "You're a developer now!" (or similar).
Great! You're a developer now. Don't panic; This will not change anything on your phone permanently.
Troubleshooting: Unable to Access Android Auto Developer Mode
If you can't enable Android Auto developer mode, check if you're currently in the app settings and need to enable this feature in the app. Go to Android settings, search for "Android Auto en", then open Android Auto from Settings and try again. (via: reddit)
Step 2: Turn on USB debugging
Now, let's move on to the new menu.
- Go back to the main Settings menu.
- You should see a new option called "Developer Options" or "System > Developer Options." TAp on it.
- Inside, scroll down until you find "USB Debugging". Turn on the switch.
- A warning message will pop up. Tap "OK" after reading.
This setting allows your phone to communicate with the car's systems for mirroring.
Step 3: Download the screen mirroring app
Due to official Google Play policies, the official store does not offer screen mirroring apps for Android Auto. Therefore, you need to download a trusted third-party app from outside the Play Store. One of the most popular and reliable apps is Screen2Auto.
To do this, you need to allow your phone to install apps from "unknown sources".
- The first time you try to download the Screen2Auto APK file (APK is the file format of the Android app), your phone will ask for permission. It will lead you to a setting called "Install Unknown Apps".
- Give your browser or file manager permission to install the app.
- You can search for the latest version of Screen2Auto on websites like XDA Developers. XDA is a large and trusted community of Android enthusiasts. Here's a link to a popular XDA Developers forum where you can search for the latest Screen2Auto version and see detailed discussions. Be sure to download from trusted links in these forums.
Step 4: Install and set up the app
- Once you have downloaded the APK file, open it to install Screen2Auto.
- Do not open it immediately after the installation is complete. First, connect your phone to your car using a USB cable (or wirelessly if you have Android Auto).
- Android Auto should launch on your car screen as usual.
- Now, you may receive a prompt from Screen2Auto on your phone. Please grant it all the permissions it needs. This is essential for its proper functioning.
Step 5: Mirror and watch Netflix!
- If everything is set up correctly, you should see a new Screen2Auto icon on your Android Auto screen.
- Tap on it. Your phone screen should now mirror onto your car's display!
- Now, simply open the Netflix app using your phone. Find the movie you've always wanted to see – like "On the Come Up," an inspirational story about a young rapper struggling to pursue his dreams, or "The Outrun," a gripping tale about healing and nature. Video and audio will now play through your car's screen and speakers.
That's it! You succeeded. Just remember the golden rule: only do this when your car is safely parked.
Method 2: USing an External Android Box
This is a dedicated hardware solution that runs Android independently of your phone.
- Buy an Android box: Purchase a compatible external Android device, such as a Aoocci Adapter, and connect it to your car's USB port.
- Connect the box: Plug the Android box into your vehicle's USB port.
Set up the box: Follow the on-screen prompts to set up the device, which may require connecting it to the internet. - Install and Play Netflix: The box runs its own Android operating system, and you can install the Netflix app directly from the Google Play Store or similar app store without relying on your phone.
Important Notes:
- Safety: Android Auto is designed to minimize driver distraction, so streaming apps are often limited.
- Driver safety: Passengers are advised to watch the video, and the video content should not interfere with the driver's safe driving of the vehicle.
- DRM Protection: Some apps and methods may be subject to Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection, which can result in no video, only audio, or a black screen.
Method 3: How to Get Android Auto in Older Cars?
Maybe you're thinking: "Screen mirroring is a bit technical for me," or you just want a cleaner, more reliable setup. If you think so, then this method is the best choice for you. It's the ultimate upgrade to your car entertainment system.
The idea is simple: add a dedicated smart display to your car. These super-convenient touchscreens have Android Auto and CarPlay built-in. It's like installing a brand new high-tech brain in your car.
The Aoocci CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen is a great example. This is a super cool device. You can install it neatly on your dashboard. Then, connect your phone to it and bam – you have a fully official Android Auto interface. No need for any complicated hacks or developer options.
Why choose a smart display?
- Super easy: Very easy to set up. Plug and play. No need to make any complicated settings on your phone.
- Super stable: Since it runs on the official Android Auto system, the connection is super reliable. You won’t encounter glitches that sometimes occur with screen mirroring apps.
- Super safe: These monitors are designed specifically for cars. They generally have better quality, brighter screens that are clearly visible in daylight. Touch response is also super smooth.
- All-in-one: Navigation, music, calls, and of course the perfect way to watch Netflix, all in one neat device.
How to watch Netflix on a smart display:
Watching Netflix is easy with a display like the aoocci CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen. Here's how to do it:
- Install the display: First, you need to install a smart display in your car. This is usually very simple. You simply mount it on your dashboard and connect it to power (usually via your car's 12V socket or USB port). The installation process is very painless.
- Connect your phone: Next, connect your Android phone to the display. This can usually be done wirelessly or via a USB cable. The display will automatically boot into the Android Auto interface.
- Using the Video Player App: Now, here comes the best part. Many smart displays, including aoocci models, come with their own app stores. These include official or fully compatible video player apps. You can download video apps directly on the display.
- Watch online or load movies: After installing the video app, you can log in to your Netflix account right on the display. You can then watch On the Come Up directly online, or stream it immediately if you downloaded The Outrun for offline viewing. The video will play perfectly on the clear screen and the sound will play through the car speakers.
The Bottom Line on Smart Displays
If you want a "set it and forget it" solution that works every time you get in your car, then a smart display is ideal for you. Just a small investment can completely transform your driving experience. It makes watching Netflix or any other streaming service as easy and convenient as using a tablet.
This is the smoothest, highest quality method we've ever discussed. For a premium experience, be sure to try the Aoocci CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen. It's designed to give you a great big-screen experience right on your dashboard.
