Last December, news broke about Android Auto getting a fresh look with Material You accents. The update promised to bring vibrant colors from your phone’s wallpaper to your car’s dashboard. It sounded exciting, a way to make the interface pop with personality. But months later, it’s clear the rollout is moving at a snail’s pace. Not many users reported seeing it back then, and even now, it’s only trickling out to more people.
A recent Reddit post from user Willza3 might signal the update is picking up steam. Driving a 2018 Fiesta ST with a Pixel 8 Pro, Willza3 shared that Material You hit their Android Auto version 13.8.650814 last weekend. They noticed the color scheme syncing with their phone’s wallpaper on notifications and app backgrounds. Turn off that setting, and it switches to a plain blue. Interestingly, it showed up in one car but not another. No option to tweak the colors yet, though.
The update doesn’t stop at colors. Willza3 pointed out the Roboto font got swapped for Google Sans across the interface and clock. Third-party apps and the “now playing” screen also got a font and layout refresh. Animations feel smoother too, they added. It’s a subtle but noticeable upgrade for those who’ve got it.
Other users are chiming in. Affectionate-Boot-58, with a 2024 Kia Carnival and Pixel 6a, said they saw it after resetting Android Auto and getting tutorial pop-ups. Moralesnery, a beta user with a 2022 Kia Rio, mentioned it’s been around for some time in testing. They think it shines on bigger displays. But not everyone’s thrilled. Virtike, rocking a 2022 WRX, griped about the forced color matching. “I don’t want a brown Gmail just because my wallpaper’s brown,” they vented.
Back in December, articles from folks like Stephen Schenck at Android Authority hyped the 13.4 update’s Material You flair. Ben Schoon at 9to5Google called it a work in progress, with colors sometimes lagging behind phone changes. Now, in March 2025, it’s still creeping along. Some, like Disastrous-Egg8923 with a 2021 BMW M340i, have had wallpaper toggles since last year. Others, like Domain_Administrator, just want a bright theme. For now, Android Auto’s colorful makeover remains a slow burn, leaving users waiting — or wondering if they’ll get it at all.
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Dwayne Cubbins
1274 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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