[Android Auto General] mn1968:
I have a rooted Pixel 4a 5g and am new to screen2auto. Following directions from zgfg and Carmtinny , I have successfully installed it on my phone and have access to it via Android Auto. First, I needed to downgrade my AAuto app from 7.6.6xxx to AAuto 7.4.620964. I then followed the directions for HideMyApps to detach AAuto from the play store. The instructions for HMA were a bit different than the version I have (there is no blacklist option, etc…) but I got it figured out and AAuto does NOT show up as installed in the Play Store. I downloaded and installed AAease v.4 since that is the version listed in the directions. AAease then downloaded and installed screen2auto v 3.6.4. In s2a I configured the settings to my liking and then tapped Unlock for Android Auto and rebooted. I did NOT apply any patches via AA Tweaker. I did, however, also execute the shell script aa_block_3rdapp_hack.sh from @sebi3481 (which is also available in the link I provided earlier in this post).

Once rebooted, I opened AAuto and s2a was available as an option in the launcher. It works in the sense that I can select apps and they open. I am still getting used to s2a but my observations are that using Maps, Waze, Spotify and/or other map/music related apps are better being used via the actual HU Android Auto interface. I, personally, found navigating through said apps via s2a was more tedious as it replicated navigating on my phone – which is not a good thing since I should be concentrating on driving – not fiddling/navigating my phone, even if it is displayed on the head unit.

Some other notes/questions:

1. The OP pictures 2 rows of apps. My display only shows 1 row of apps that I can scroll thru, however, the ones I selected don’t always show up. I have 11 apps selected but sometimes only 7 or 8 appear…then magically all 11 will appear again.

And is it possible to have 2 rows like the OP?

2. The OP also pictures a weather widget. I have searched the thread and there are directions (kind of) how to add a widget but I still can’t figure it out.

3. I have selected the min clock widget and selected to show the clock on the left side yet it always is displayed on the right side.

4. There are some issues when disconnecting from AAuto USB that all apps opened from s2a remain open on the phone, and sometimes, I lose functionality of my phone's navigation button so I can't go back, swipe up for recent apps, etc... I then have to reboot the phone to restore functionality.

I like the idea of this app but it doesn’t seem to be fully driver friendly. I have spent more time installing it and configuring it than actually using it. Combine that with others posts of random updates (Google Play services, etc..) breaking the app and having to jump through hoops again to get it working again…I’m not sure I want to go thru all the hassle. I will continue to experiment with it and hope no unforeseen updates break it, but as I mentioned earlier, the apps that work naturally thru the AAuto head unit are much easier to use.

EDIT - One last thing...since installing s2a, it seems that AA AIO Tweaker is no longer preventing Maps/Waze from auto-launching when AAuto starts. It's not terrible but it was nice having AAuto load straight to the menu rather than having a map pop up. It could be due to downgrading the AA app, or something entirely different.