Google updates in-car app experience for “cars with Google built-in,” adding a redesigned Play store and parked-to-drive audio

Google says it is overhauling how drivers and passengers use apps in cars that run “built-in Google” software, with a redesigned Google Play store and new “parked-to-drive” media features that are designed to make in-car entertainment feel more continuous. The updates are expected to roll out automatically to compatible vehicle displays over the next few weeks.

At the center of the change is a new Google Play store interface that Google says will adapt to a vehicle’s screen. The goal, according to Google, is to make it easier to browse and download apps directly from the dashboard, without requiring a phone connection.

Google also said the in-car app catalog is expanding. It put the current Google Play library for cars with Google built-in at more than 700 apps, and it is adding new entertainment and app options including STARZ, Firefox, Ludo King, and JioHotstar. Google framed these additions as ways to stream shows, play games, and browse the web while the vehicle is parked.

One of the most consequential changes is a media continuity feature Google calls “parked-to-drive.” Starting with YouTube, Google says a driver or passenger can watch videos on the dashboard while parked and then keep listening uninterrupted when shifting into drive. Google also specified that the YouTube parked-to-drive experience requires a YouTube Premium subscription.

Google described the updates as bridging time spent parked with time spent driving, noting that vehicles spend a significant amount of a person’s day in parked states as well as during commutes. The company said that for “cars with Google built-in,” passengers can download entertainment apps with one tap from Google Play, navigate with Google Maps, and use Gemini hands-free.

Google said the rollout applies to vehicles across 16 brands and more than 100 models that have built-in Google software. Google cited examples that include GM vehicles such as the next-generation 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the 2027 GMC Sierra 1500, and it also referenced a 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate AT4X model with Google built-in.

In addition to consumer-facing app changes, Google highlighted that it will continue working with automakers and media providers on in-car media experiences. It named automakers including Mazda, Honda, Polestar, BYD, and Volvo, and media developers that include Audible, Pandora, SiriusXM, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Gaana, and The Post.

For the entertainment ecosystem, Google said it is bringing richer in-car media features that start with YouTube. The company did not provide details in its announcement about how the parked-to-drive audio continuity works beyond the “keep listening uninterrupted” description, nor did it spell out how long the behavior can be maintained, what happens when a user changes content, or whether the feature will extend beyond YouTube over time.

Still, the company’s message is clear on timing and method of delivery. Google said the updated Google Play experience for cars with Google built-in will begin rolling out over the coming weeks and automatically update on the vehicle’s display. Owners do not need to manually install software, based on Google’s description, and the company positioned the change as part of continuous improvements to in-car services.

What to watch next is whether Google expands the parked-to-drive approach beyond YouTube and whether additional media partners are added to the feature over subsequent rollouts. Drivers will also be looking for how quickly each supported model receives the redesigned store and new app catalog updates, since Google tied availability to a gradual deployment window rather than a single launch date.