Google is testing a more convenient way to move between media apps in Android Auto, and it should matter to anyone who regularly jumps from music to podcasts, audiobooks, or radio-style apps while driving.
What is changing in Android Auto
In Android Auto beta version 17.0.162144, some users are now seeing swipeable media cards on the dashboard. Instead of showing only one active media app, the interface can present multiple active media sessions as cards. A quick swipe lets the driver move between them without opening the app launcher first.
That is a small interface change, but it fixes a common bit of friction. On current stable builds, switching back to a previous audio app usually means opening that app manually and starting playback again before it becomes the main media card. For people who move between Spotify, YouTube Music, podcast apps, or audiobook apps, the extra taps can get old quickly.
The timing also fits with Google’s broader media controls work in Android. Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 recently refreshed the phone-side media switcher with a clearer card-style layout, and Android Auto now appears to be adopting a similar idea for the car screen.
For now, this is still a beta feature, so it may not appear for every driver and Google could adjust the behavior before a wider rollout. If the test holds, though, Android Auto’s dashboard should become noticeably less awkward for anyone who keeps more than one media app active during a drive.