Google is preparing a new feature that will change the daily use of Android Auto. It will soon be possible to manage the temperature, defrosting, and other settings from the vehicle screen. A first official preview has just confirmed these expected functions.
For several years now, integrated screens in cars have been gradually replacing Few physical buttons. GPS navigation, music, calls: everything now goes through connected systems. Android Auto has established itself as a practical tool for connecting your smartphone to the dashboard screen. It allows you to find your applications directly on the vehicle's central display. But despite these advances, certain functions such as climate control remained accessible only via the car manufacturer's interface.
In March 2025, an analysis of the source code of Android Auto 14.0 revealed the first clues of a future climate control panel. At the time, it was just lines of code mentioning temperature settings, ventilation, and defrost functions. Now, with version 14.3.151804, this interface has been enabled. Users can now see for the first time how these controls will be integrated into the system.
Android Auto now displays climate settings in a dedicated bar at the bottom of the screen
The new interface takes the form of a discreet horizontal bar. It displays temperature controls for the driver and passenger, a “Sync” button to link them, and several icons to activate defrosting, ventilation, or even seat heating and cooling. All these elements remain visible even when a navigation or music application is open. This arrangement improves driving comfort, avoiding going back and forth between different interfaces. The icons are spaced and readable, particularly on large screens.
The activation of these settings will depend on the vehicle. If the car does not offer certain equipment, they cannot be controlled via Android Auto. This rollout is primarily aimed at modern cars without physical controls, where everything is done via touchscreen. These additions build on the foundations laid with version 14.0, which has been more widely distributed since April. This update paved the way for future features like Gemini, Google's artificial intelligence. With this new control panel, the onboard system becomes more comprehensive and more aligned with the expectations of current users.
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