YouTube Arrives on Android Auto on March 30 — But It Won’t Work Without Premium

On March 30, it became clear that Google had effectively kept video services — including YouTube — off Android Auto for quite some time. According to AndroidPolice, the platform simply lacked official support, forcing determined users to rely on workarounds like third-party apps such as CarStream or Fermata Auto. Even then, watching YouTube in the car was far from ideal, with clunky controls and inconsistent performance.

That situation has now changed. Google has finally added YouTube support to Android Auto, making some core features easier to access. Drivers can start playback, pause videos, and switch between clips using the standard media controls built into the vehicle’s infotainment system.

There’s an important catch, however. The system does not display video — only audio plays through the car’s speakers. The restriction likely reflects safety concerns, since watching video while driving can be dangerously distracting.

There are a few other limitations as well. Rewinding isn’t available yet, and the skip button simply jumps to the next video. A full browsing interface for selecting and viewing content is also missing, meaning the feature is better suited for listening to news updates, lectures, or podcasts rather than traditional video watching.

And there’s one more key detail: using YouTube through Android Auto requires background playback. That means it only works with a YouTube Premium subscription. Without Premium, the feature won’t function at all.