It has ceased to be something exclusive to a few people to reach the majority of Android Auto users: The Coolwalk interface is already in many cars. Adapts to any screen with a better design and even works on vertical consoles. But what if you want to go back to the classic Android Auto interface? We tell you ways to achieve this and what you need.

Thoroughly analyzing a platform like Android Auto encourages you to explore how it works internally, how Google has enabled the different functions that have landed. Because all you have to do is be patient with the company: It’s been over a year since I was able to try Coolwalk before it hit the first users.. I know more than one number with the new interface as I know where to tap. How to even remove it; although not exactly easy.

First of all: This is how Google unlocks Android Auto features

All Google apps allow features to be turned on or off from the company’s servers. Something similar to what happens with WhatsApp: the apps contain a lot of new features that cannot be seen when checking with servers after opening these apps. it’s not time to get your answer yet. And this can be manipulated both in one way and another.

Android Auto runs entirely on the Android phone we have connected to the vehicle. The tool lacks software beyond screen projection: everything is done by smartphone. Android Auto app receives instructions from Google Play services, the framework that supports and configures all Google Apps.

Google Play services have an XML file called “Beacons” that details every option in Google apps, including Android Auto. After entering the file in question, the command to activate Coolwalk appears, Order associated with Google account using Android Auto, no return: Coolwalk will appear in the vehicle whenever the phone is connected in the vehicle; via wired or wireless Android Auto. Therefore, to remove the Coolwalk interface, you need to disable the Google command associated with the account; which can usually be done in several ways with one requirement: to have ROOT access.

Exit Android Auto beta

Did you manage to enter the experimental version of Android Auto? It was difficult for me but I managed to do it with a useful Google Chrome desktop extension. Since Coolwalk is mostly spread throughout the beta, you must exit there first if you want to go back to the previous interface.

• Open the Google Play store on your Android device connected to the car.
• Search for “Android Auto” and enter its file.
• Go to the beta area and click “Exit”: you will be out of the experimental version.
• Uninstall Android Auto updates by searching for the car app in the “Applications” section and entering your mobile settings.
• Update from Google Play, restart your mobile and connect it to the vehicle. Most likely, you will recover the old interface.

Revert to a previous version of Android Auto

As in the beta version, Downgrading your Android Auto does not guarantee a regression from Coolwalkbut it can help you. And it is a process that is carried out without too many complications:

• Make sure you exit beta first (if it is).
• Open your mobile settings and go to “Applications”.
• Find “Android Auto” and enter its menu.
• Two things can happen here: you can uninstall the app, in which case proceed, or since Android Auto is a system app on your mobile, you need to uninstall updates: click the three dots in the top right and click ” Uninstall updates”.
• Go to Apk Mirror and install a fairly old version of Android Auto. Note that you can’t go as far back as you want: pick one below 8.8 and you’ll have to try.
• Please restart the mobile phone before connecting it to the vehicle.

Change the account you use your Android Auto with

I mentioned earlier that Coolwalk is associated with Google Play services and your Google account. If you are enabled for a specific account try choosing someone else to use your mobile phone with the car. And it’s not in beta.

Restore Google Play services

With the above, if Coolwalk continues to show up on your car, it’s time to move on to more drastic methods. The most important of these is resetting your Google Play services: Since Coolwalk activation is done with a flag from the configuration XML, if you delete the XML in question you should recover the old interface.. At least for a while.

• Go to your Android settings and enter “Applications”.
• Go to “All apps”, click on the three menu points at the top and then “Show system”. Texts vary by mobile phone and manufacturer.
• Type “google play services” into the search engine and enter its menu.
• Go to “Storage” and click “Clear all data”. You will delete a lot of personal information on your phone, but it will not.: Google Play Services will retrieve all information from its servers.
• Restart the mobile phone and connect it to the vehicle.

Bigger words: force the old interface with ROOT

That you did the above and Coolwalk insisted on continuing dating? When Google expands activation, it’s hard for the device to refuse to comply. There will come a time when there is no other choice but to resign.. But there is one final step: Unregister Coolwalk from the “Marks” of Google Play Services.

The manual process is quite complicated, to simplify, if you want to customize your Android Auto according to the limits, use a very complete application: AA AIO Tweaker. Updated February 2023 and fully Disable Android Auto Coolwalk.

As mentioned earlier, you can use this app only if you have rooted the mobile phone you are connecting to the car. If you meet this requirement, follow the steps.

• Access AA AIO Tweaker GitHub and download the latest version.
• Install the file. Of course Play Protect will tell you that it’s not safe, but that’s not the case: completely clean. I ran the APK from Virus Total except the code is free.
• After installing AA AIO Tweaker, open the app and scroll down to “Force Coolwalk layout». Click there.
• Now click “Restart to apply” and when you connect your Android to the car, Android Auto will have recovered its previous design.

Of course, you need to perform the operation from time to time: maybe Google insists on enabling Coolwalk from their servers. You will just have to repeat the steps.

Xataka on Android | My stupid car now has Android Auto