From Engadget · Max Miller · · 2m
Turn your old Android tablet into a car infotainment system
The Open Headunit app lets you repurpose an aging tablet as an Android Auto display for vehicles that don't support it natively.
In brief
The Open Headunit app lets you repurpose an aging tablet as an Android Auto display for vehicles that don't support it natively. Old Android tablets can get a second life as Android Auto head units using the Open Headunit app, offering a cheaper alternative to replacing your car's infotainment system. Originally…
Old tablets need a new purpose
Android tablets often become expensive coasters once they can't run modern apps reliably. E-readers and smart home panels are options, but there's a better use hiding in plain sight.
Android Auto on your tablet screen
The Open Headunit app costs just under four dollars on Google Play Store and tricks your phone into displaying Android Auto on your tablet's larger screen for car navigation and media control.
What is Android Auto exactly
Android Auto connects your phone to your car's infotainment system and displays a driving-friendly interface on the touchscreen. Many older vehicles don't support it, making a tablet solution valuable.
Setup requires some tinkering
Open Headunit supports USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and direct on-device Android Auto. You'll need to experiment with your specific hardware and enable permissions, but a built-in configuration tool guides you through it.
USB connection works best
In testing, USB proved most reliable for connecting a phone to tablet, with the tablet's speakers playing Spotify through the car's Bluetooth audio system. Wireless Android Auto had more issues.
Performance depends on tablet age
A newer high-end tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra handled Android Auto smoothly. Older devices like a 2013 Nexus 7 and 2019 Galaxy Tab S6 Lite experienced boot loops and display problems.
Security and mounting matter
Leaving a tablet visibly mounted in your car invites theft. MagSafe mounts or Amazon car tablet holders let you remove it when parked, or prop it in your dashboard tray temporarily.
Cheaper than replacing your head unit
Official head unit replacement can cost over two thousand dollars. Open Headunit offers a viable workaround for older cars, especially if you already own a tablet.
Android Auto shines on big screens
The experience is luxurious on a large, high-quality display like a 14.6-inch two-K AMOLED tablet. It's not perfect, but it's a solid solution for vehicles without native Android Auto support.
“Android Auto is a very luxurious experience on a 14.6-inch, 2K AMOLED display.”
The takeaway
Old Android tablets can get a second life as Android Auto head units using the Open Headunit app, offering a cheaper alternative to replacing your car's infotainment system.
