How to turn Android Auto into a gaming hub with 4 free apps
Angry Birds, Beach Buggy Racing, and Candy Crush now work on your car's screen.
If you spend downtime in your car waiting for school pickup or lunch, you might not realize your Android Auto screen can double as a gaming display. In a new ZDNET guide, contributor Artie Beaty highlights four free mobile games that are compatible with Android Auto, letting you play on your car's infotainment screen instead of your phone. Beyond the built-in Gamesnacks app (which hosts simple flash-style titles), these games offer more robust gameplay with touch controls designed for short, parked sessions.
The lineup includes Angry Birds Friends, Beach Buggy Racing (both 1 and 2), Candy Crush Soda Saga, and Farm Heroes Saga. Each features slow-paced, short-burst gameplay—perfect for killing 5–10 minutes. Beaty notes that performance isn't as smooth as on a phone, but it's comfortable enough. The games run on your phone while mirroring to the screen, so you can still use your phone for other tasks. Progress saves across sessions, making it ideal for parents keeping kids entertained without handing over their device.
- Four free games tested: Angry Birds Friends, Beach Buggy Racing (1 & 2), Candy Crush Soda Saga, Farm Heroes Saga.
- All use simple touch controls and are designed for short sessions (5–10 minutes) while parked.
- Games run on your phone but display on the car's screen; progress saves across multiple sessions.
Why It Matters
Turn idle car time into entertainment without extra hardware—just your Android phone and free apps.