Unofficial Android Auto app claims to stream Netflix through a browser workaround
A developer has released an early-stage app called Velvet Launcher that claims to enable Netflix viewing on Android Auto. The app reportedly acts as a browser inside Android Auto, opening a desktop-style Chrome interface so streaming sites can load. Installing it is complicated, and the article cautions that watching video while driving is still dangerous.
Velvet Launcher is an unofficial, early-stage Android Auto app hosted on GitHub. Its developer, malebuffy, describes it as a browser that opens a desktop-style Chrome experience inside Android Auto, allowing streaming sites such as Netflix to load. The developer says it works for them, but phone and vehicle setups may behave differently.
Getting it running is not simple. Users reportedly need the APK from GitHub, an installer such as AAenabler or Kinginstaller, Android Auto developer mode, and permission for unknown-source installs. A 20-minute free trial is offered, recently raised from 10 minutes, with donations requested for unlimited use; beta access is suggested if installation fails.
If such workarounds spread, drivers and others on the road could face greater distraction risk, while passengers or parked users might gain entertainment options. Google and car-screen ecosystems may face renewed questions about balancing screen features with safety. The app’s unofficial, early-stage nature may limit its immediate reach.