Google Play expands in-car with Android Automotive

Alphabet is expanding the reach of Google Play by integrating it natively into vehicles running Android Automotive, moving the app ecosystem directly onto in-car displays. XPENG plans to deploy native Google Play integration in its in-vehicle infrastructure, with the rollout expected to become operational at the beginning of 2027. This approach removes the need for a connected smartphone and brings Google’s application store directly into the vehicle’s infotainment system.

The strategy centers on Android Automotive OS as the operating system running on the vehicle itself, distinct from phone-based Android Auto. By embedding Google Play into the car, Alphabet is positioning its software platform as a core component of the driving and in-cabin experience rather than an add-on from mobile devices.

XPENG, described as a global company focused on Physical AI, is expanding its strategic collaboration with Google by adopting native Google Play within its onboard infrastructure. The integration will allow XPENG to maintain its AI-defined cabin experience while providing direct access to a broad ecosystem of automotive-optimized applications. Drivers will be able to use apps directly from the vehicle’s screen without relying on a smartphone connection.

Through Google Play, XPENG users will gain access to hundreds of applications released from over 100 countries and designed specifically for in-car displays. Available categories include music, podcasts, video streaming, navigation, charging and parking services, information and daily life tools, as well as games that can be used while the vehicle is stationary. This breadth of content is intended to support both entertainment and practical driving-related needs inside the cabin.

A key operational benefit highlighted for drivers is that new features and functions can be delivered over time via app updates in Google Play, without requiring large over-the-air software packages for the entire vehicle. Each user can choose the apps that best fit their habits, while ongoing improvements arrive through the store’s regular update mechanisms, allowing the in-car experience to evolve incrementally.

Google has modernized the Android Automotive platform with a refreshed interface and a more streamlined Google Play Store designed for in-car use. The store now offers more than 700 apps for Android Automotive, covering entertainment, navigation, utilities and other categories adapted for vehicle displays. This catalog is presented as part of an effort to strengthen the Android Automotive ecosystem and make app discovery inside the car more intuitive.

Vehicles featuring Google built-in, Google’s preferred term for cars running Android Automotive, are produced by 16 brands and span over 100 models. These include manufacturers such as GM, with models like the latest Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 using Android Automotive after GM discontinued Android Auto in these vehicles. The updated Google Play experience for Android Automotive will be rolled out gradually over the coming weeks and will appear automatically on compatible vehicle displays, extending Alphabet’s software footprint across a growing installed base of connected cars.