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Like a lot of people, I had an old Android phone just sitting unused in my drawer.
The phone was perfectly functional, but I didn’t really need it since I’d upgraded to something better. At the same time, my car was missing one feature that I really wanted: Android Auto. Now, of course, you can just go ahead and replace the factory head unit with a third-party Android Auto-compatible unit, or install a separate portable screen. All of that is great, but I’ve been looking for an easy way to get navigation, music controls, messages, and more on a larger screen while driving. I didn’t want to spend too much money on this project since I was going to replace my car later in the year anyway.
While looking for a solution, I came across an open-source project called Headunit Revived. This app turns an Android phone or tablet into an Android Auto receiver. This means even an older device can function as a dedicated Android Auto display. Instead of letting that phone gather dust, you can repurpose it as a car navigation screen, and the result is surprisingly good. Here’s what you need to know.
One of the reasons I started using this app is because it solves a fairly common problem. Even in 2026, some cars still ship without Android Auto support. Meanwhile, upgrading the dashboard can be expensive, invasive, or can even void your warranty. There are also standalone Android Auto units that look clunky when placed on top of your dashboard. There’s got to be a better way.
This app takes a different approach by using the hardware that I already own. I’ve already been mounting my Android phone, so from that perspective, there is no change to the workflow. What does change is that you can turn your old device into a display for Android Auto. As soon as the connection is established, the familiar Android Auto interface appears on your old phone’s screen. Everything from navigation to media controls, notifications, and communication tools is easily accessible throughout a layout designed for use in the car.
Since your old phone doesn’t really have to do much processing, the hardware specs don’t matter, and it has only one job: to display Android Auto. There is also the flexibility, which is surprisingly good. You can connect via USB for stability and reliability, or switch to a wireless setup for a fully hands-free experience. Once everything is configured, getting started takes seconds. You just get into your car, hit connect, and the display is ready to go.
Moreover, the app is optimized for a wide variety of screen sizes and layouts. Whether it’s an older phone or an Android tablet you want to use, the software can adapt to the display space. That makes it much easier to repurpose devices that otherwise would not find much use.
Getting started is just as easy. You can install the Headunit Revived app from GitHub or the Play Store. The former is free, while there is a small fee attached if you want to grab it from the Play Store. That’s basically it.
The app offers a lot of convenience because before this setup, I would usually rely on my main phone for navigation and media controls. That would mean mounting it, connecting cables, and using the same device for everything. Now I can just leave my old phone in place and use it as a dedicated display. However, if you don’t have an old phone, the app is versatile enough. You can even use it to run Android Auto straight from your main phone. If you just want to turn your existing phone into an Android Auto display, that’s also possible.
The app is fairly straightforward, and so are its benefits. Navigation is where you’ll notice the biggest difference, since directions are always visible, and you get quick traffic updates on a display optimized for in-car use. All major music and podcast apps are also easily supported, so instead of jumping between apps on your phone, you can just tap your mounted display’s screen and get a simplified interface, whether you’re listening to music on Spotify or YouTube Music, or using a podcast app. Even better, the display splits in half when you’re running a navigation app alongside your music playback screen, so you can easily access your music controls while keeping an eye on where you’re headed.
The entire interface is optimized for voice controls, so you can use voice commands to trigger Google’s voice assistant and kickstart navigation or call someone, even send a message. It’s a very hands-free experience, which is Android Auto’s biggest strength, and this app lets you bring it to vehicles that otherwise would not support it.
As someone who cares a lot about giving old hardware a second life, this app is right up my alley. Headunit Revived is one of those projects that makes immediate sense once you start using it, as it takes hardware that would otherwise sit unused and turns it into a dedicated Android Auto display. It can handle navigation, media, communication, and voice controls.
In my opinion, the biggest advantage here is the versatility. If you want to run Android Auto on the device itself, that’s possible, but you can also project it from your main phone using a wired or wireless connection. No matter your preference, this app will save you money and offer a versatile feature set. What’s not to like?
Headunit Revived is an Android app that turns any Android phone or tablet into an Android Auto display, letting it act as a wired or wireless receiver for navigation and media.