Android Auto shows indicator for apps you can’t use while driving

Google has released an update to Android Auto. It bumps the app’s version to 11.4 and brings a new feature that shows a circular badge with a red “P” inside it on icons of those applications in the app drawer that can be used only when the vehicle is parked (via 9To5Google).

There are many applications available for Android Auto. However, Android Auto allows you to use a few of them only when the vehicle is parked. Such as those that can distract you while driving. Take GameSnacks for example. It has a collection of games that you can play when the vehicle is parked, such as when you are in your vehicle while getting it charged. In the previous version of Android Auto, if you opened that app, it gave you an error message saying that you needed to park your vehicle to use it.

With the new version of the app, Android Auto shows the “P” badge on icons of such apps so that you know that you can’t use them while driving. Furthermore, Android Auto also grays out the icons of those apps, which means that you can’t even click on them. The badge goes away and the color of the app becomes normal as soon as you park the vehicle. You can then click on it and use it as usual. The latest feature comes right after Google rolled the feature to Android Auto that summarises messages.