Android for Cars App Library Samples

This directory contains sample apps that use Android for Cars App Library. Please find the library documentation at https://developer.android.com/training/cars/navigation.

Build and Run From Android Studio

In order to build app APKs,

1. Open the AndroidX project in Android Studio.

2. Select a sample app directory (e.g. helloworld) in the Project Structure UI on the top left.

3. Go to Build -> Make Module ‘androidx.car.app.app-samples.<sample_app>’. The apks will be generated in <repo root>/out/androidx/car/app/app-samples/<sample_app>/build/outputs/apk.

In order to install and run the apps,

1. Open the AndroidX project in Android Studio.

2. Go to Run -> Edit Configurations, select your app (e.g. car.app.app-samples.helloworld), and in the General tab, under Launch Options, select Launch: Nothing, then click OK to close the dialog.

3. Select Run -> Run ‘’, to run the app, which will just install it in the selected device.

Run From the Command Line

Run ./gradlew :car:app:app-samples:<sample_app>:assemble to assemble the APKs. E.g.

./gradlew :car:app:app-samples:helloworld:assemble

The APKs will be generated in <repo root>/out/androidx/car/app/app-samples/<sample_app>/build /outputs/apk.

Install the APK with ADB:

adb install -t <path_to_your_apk>

In order to install to a device directly, run the installDebug or installRelease gradle task . E.g.

./gradlew :car:app:app-samples:helloworld:installDebug
./gradlew :car:app:app-samples:helloworld:installRelease

Run the Apps in the Desktop Head Unit (DHU)

Follow the instructions in Test Android apps for cars to run the sample apps in the DHU.

In short:

1. Enable the Android Developer Settings
2. Enable Unknown Sources in Android Auto
3. Run the DHU

Note: In Android Q, there is no Android Auto app in the launcher. The way to get to the settings in that case is through Settings -> Apps & Notifications -> See all apps -> Android Auto -> Advanced -> Additional settings in the app.