Android Auto 15.1 hints at Gemini being able to access your car’s location

Ben Schoon | Aug 25 2025 - 9:55 am PT

Google is rolling out a new Android Auto update, v15.1, in beta this week which hints at the ability for Gemini to leverage your car’s “precise” location in order to better improve navigation.

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Google has been working on Gemini for Android Auto for quite some time now and, while it’s been fully revealed at this point, the rollout still hasn’t arrived. Seemingly, that’s because Google it putting the last few finishing touches in place.

In Android Auto 15.1, now rolling out via the beta channel, Google has added some code that suggests Gemini will be able to access your “precise location.” Google explains in a summary that users will be able to “share with digital assistants for improved navigation.”

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<string name=”settings_gemini_share_precise_location”>Share precise location</string>

<string name=”settings_gemini_share_precise_location_summary”>Share with digital assistants for improved navigation</string>

These lines were newly added rather than being updated from any prior Assistant support, and seems to be an optional setting.

This isn’t yet live in Android Auto 15.1, though, nor is Gemini itself. How might this be used? That remains up in the air, but one could assume that Google may leverage this data when providing information about nearby locations.

Gemini itself is likely to roll out a few weeks from now, per an updated tease from Google.

Meanwhile, the replacement of “Day/night mode for Maps” with “Theme” that came with the v15.0 release earlier this month has been reverted, hinting that Google isn’t quite ready to release Android Auto’s long-awaited light theme.