Auto

Using @capgo/capacitor-auto

@capgo/capacitor-auto connects a Capacitor app to approved CarPlay and Android Auto template surfaces. Your app sends a small list template to the car display, and the car display sends selected actions back to JavaScript.

It is built for driver-safe, policy-controlled workflows. It does not mirror your WebView into the car.

Install and sync

npm install @capgo/capacitor-auto
npx cap sync

Send a template to the car

import { Auto } from '@capgo/capacitor-auto';

await Auto.setRootTemplate({
  title: 'Garage',
  sections: [
    {
      header: 'Doors',
      items: [
        {
          id: 'open-main-door',
          title: 'Open main door',
          subtitle: 'Tap to send the action to the phone app',
          payload: { doorId: 'main' },
        },
      ],
    },
  ],
});

Listen for driver actions

await Auto.addListener('carAction', async (event) => {
  if (event.id === 'open-main-door') {
    await openGarageDoor(event.payload?.doorId);
  }
});

Watch connection state

const status = await Auto.isAvailable();
console.log(status.available, status.connected, status.platform);

await Auto.addListener('connectionChanged', (event) => {
  console.log('Car connected:', event.connected, event.platform);
});

iOS requirements

CarPlay requires an Apple-approved entitlement for your app category. Add the CarPlay scene configuration described in the iOS setup docs and keep your car UI inside Apple-approved templates.

Android requirements

Android Auto uses AndroidX Car App Library. The plugin includes a CarAppService, declares the template capability, and defaults to the IOT category. Review the Android setup docs if your app needs another Android Auto category.

Design guidance

Use the car surface for short, predictable actions:

• status rows
• one-tap commands
• driver-safe confirmations
• simple state handoff from the phone app

Keep complex flows in the phone UI and use carAction events as native intent triggers.