How long until they start putting some kind of DRM in cars that prevents you from just installing an aftermarket android auto head unit?
this post was submitted on 28 Dec 2025
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They've been trying that for a while. They do it by routing critical cat functions through the radio that don't need to go through there.
Daaaamn. The closest thing I could think of was my friends’ 96 (98? Whenever the EK body started) Honda civic that had the factory alarm and remote locks in the radio. He ended up splicing some wires and shoving the factory radio into his glove box or something to get around it.
So manufacturers can bill you monthly for the same features...
oh look another problem I'm too poor to have
Fucking clickbait titles jfc
2015 cars came with bluetooth support for hands free calling using your phone. This was great.
After that, it was replaced with carplay or android auto as the only means to get hands free calling. Stupid...stupid.
Plus, last 2 new cars i bought, i had to take the interior roof apart so i could access the built in cellular antennae wire and remove that spyware P.O.S. And by the way, car works fine without it.
They didn't really replace it though. Pretty much every modern car sold today has Bluetooth. You don't have to use android auto.
Toyota didn't have Android Auto for many years after 2015
Toyota also had Bluetooth before then as well in fact many cars had Bluetooth before then. I had two 2014 vehicles including one Tacoma which I still have that is Bluetooth but not Android auto. I will say having Android auto is nice but it is limited as well. My new 2024 RAV4 has Android auto wireless and it's fantastic.
My 2018 Camry doesn't interestingly enough
I still use that Bluetooth everyday in my Mitsubishi Outlander I don't need more than this.. I also installed some magnet mount for the phone case.
The only problem is that since December 2024 android release on Pixels it stopped connecting "media audio" automatically due to some timing issue or something. So I have to manually toggle that button on my phone since that day.... (Google Pixel) And now Samsung seems to have the same issue since they started updating to newer android versions.
Google is not focusing on fixing this and just focusing on Android auto instead. But it only impacts some Japanese makes. I think some Mazda also have the issue.
I have a Samsung and I've had two of them this year actually three of them this year one fold three, one fold six, one s24 ultra and one pixel 9 and none of them have had this issue that you mentioned.
Right. And which Mitsubishi model and year do you have?
I don't have a mitsubishi, you didn't mention Mitsubishi in your comments. You mentioned some Japanese cars. I had a quest which I recently traded in and I still own a 2014 tacoma. Both of which are Japanese vehicles
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I am always surprised I don't hear more discussion about Automotive Grade Linux.
Because it's corporate controlled embedded Linux, you aren't guaranteed any freedom or control. Hell you aren't even guaranteed access to a debug menu. Technically a car manufacturer could make a open a free car running embedded Linux that does give you freedom but the chances are absurdly low.
TiVoization
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Every day I get more thankful for my hand-me-down car. It has no heated seats or anything fancy, but that also means no subscriptions, no wifi tracking/stalking, no digital touch screen over physical buttons, etc. All I've ever done is use a clip holder on my AC vent for my phone, so I'm used to it. It's given me time to see how others feel about Android Auto and features in newer cars, and I can make an informed decision whenever my baby decides to kick the bucket. Hopefully I can get something not too stalkerish nor with subscriptions.
The sonata before 2018 is great, but you need to play the engine lottery.
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