Android Auto App

Hi everyone.

A few months ago, I had a bit of a thought as to whether I need an Android Auto app. I have a number of activities that happen when everyone leaves the home such as lights being turned off, gates being closed, roller shutters going down, etc. and when in a car, getting the phone out to check the openHAB app (or notifications) was a big no-no.

So, it set out to be a bit of a hobby a plaything but I did it and I have a working app.

On my cars screen, I can:

  • View items and groups in a sitemap.
  • I can view statuses and they’re updated in real-time.
  • I can toggle switches e.g. turn lights on/off, etc.
  • I have a ‘search screen’ where I can add my top 5 items/groups so I don’t have to scroll too much through the sitemap.

For those that don’t know, there are many many limitations Google place on Android Auto apps so you will never get a beautifully aesthetic all-singing all-dancing Android Auto app but it gives me most of what I need.

It’s in the app store but in closed testing so not publicly available and I didn’t really have much of an intention to make it publicly available but may do so if the demand is there.

The only thing that I would like that I can’t seem to locate in the REST API is the push notifications. I know that to get push notifications, I would have to register it with Firebase or something like that but I was wondering if there is anything available today to pull the last 10 or push notifications rather like I can see when I log in to myopenhab.org?

That would top it off and give me an even quicker glance on my cars screen to confirm whether the activities I mentioned above that I expect to happen when everyone is away from home, has happened.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

9 Likes

Yes, please :innocent:

1 Like

Please :grinning_face:

More than yes please.

For my case open gardendoors and garagedoors, I have since a couple of months now extra installed an HomeAssistant server which only has the job, to bring thoose two switches on the Android Auto screen, based on the HA Android client.
BTW: This works perfect. When my car is connected via BT, a Tasker Script open my VPN Tunnel and then I have the full Smarthome stuff under access.
The HA App offers “favorites”. This mean, it’s a “two touch act” now.
Open HA App (one touch), and click the door which needs to be open 2.nd. touch.
Very, very good.
But all this stuff I could get rid off, when the OH client App would support Android Auto.

Are you having a link for download?

Yes Please

I would be interested to try it for sure.

@SuperTed it’s great idea, not later than a week ago I was thinking of it. I browsed the library and even found that there is Home Assistant app on the Android Automotive natively, don’t know how it works, but certainly Android Auto app would be very convenient. As you said - on leaving the house as well as on approaching (turn certain things on) I have plenty of tasks that would be much easier with the Android Auto app.

HomeAssistant has the AndroidAuto “Feature” with “favorites” build in in there native Compainion App for Home Assistant.

Here you can see, how it is look like:

yeah but I mentioned Home Assistant (I believe, need to double check), it’s on Android Automotive (Android Automotive - Wikipedia), not even Android Auto.

Thats wrong!. The HA Android client App is already working togehter with Android Auto.
There is a own section in the AA HA App, which you can use for Favorites in you car’s Display which is connected via AA to you Android Mobile phone.
Screenshot_20250711_140117_Home Assistant
20250711_141414
This is the native HA working with AA on my mobile.

I think there is a misunderstanding. I tried to say that HA goes one step beyond - it has native app on the Android Automotive (installed directly in the car), not just in Android Auto. Overview | Home Assistant Companion Docs. quote: Home Assistant offers an Android Auto (AA) and Android Automotive OS (AAOS) experience. This will allow you to interact with various entities safely while driving your vehicle.

yes, that’s correct that Android Automotive has a App on the car.
My son has a Polstar since two days and we installed directy HA App on the Polstar Headunit. But you need anyway a way to connect to the HA server somehow.
So I’m looking for a native VPN tunnel for that.

yeah, that’s another thing.

Anyways, I’m looking forward to the Android Auto app, that will be really useful!

This would be awesome, so far I only linked key action as links through Google home
 So at least I can trigger the gate from car screen but far from perfect. Special sitemap + your app would solve everything.

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I am also interested. I’m working on installing a motor for my gate and having a quick button to open on approach would be absolutely lovely.

Also interested! How’s this going? I can also help with some development if needed.

hello @SuperTed : Any news in development? Any early alpha version ready?