Fermata CarPlay: What It Is and How to Use It

If you've ever searched for a way to watch YouTube, stream IPTV, or mirror your phone on your car screen, you've probably stumbled across Fermata Auto. And if your car runs CarPlay, you might be wondering: can I use Fermata with CarPlay?

The short answer is yes — but not in the way you might expect. Fermata Auto is an Android app, not a native CarPlay app. To use it in a CarPlay car, you need to route it through Android Auto, often via a dongle or adapter. Here's exactly how that works.

Key Takeaways

• Fermata Auto is a free Android media player designed for Android Auto, not a native CarPlay app
• It lets you watch YouTube, stream IPTV, browse the web, and mirror your phone on your car screen
• The version on the Google Play Store is audio-only; the full video-capable version is a side-loaded APK
• In CarPlay cars, Fermata works through Android-based dongles or adapters that project Android Auto onto the head unit
• Tools like AAAD (Android Auto Apps Downloader) and KingInstaller are commonly used to install it
• Android Auto's Developer Mode and Unknown Sources must be enabled for Fermata to appear on your car screen
• Android 14 and 15 users need extra steps, including ADB commands and sometimes a wireless dongle like AAWireless
• Watching video while driving is dangerous and may be illegal — always use these features while parked

What Is Fermata Auto?

Fermata Auto is a free, open-source media player built specifically for Android Auto. It was created and is maintained by developer Andrey Pavlenko, and the source code lives on GitHub.

On paper, it's a media app. In practice, it does a lot more than that.

The full version of Fermata Auto — which you side-load as an APK rather than download from the Play Store — unlocks video playback, IPTV streaming, a web browser, local file access, and full phone screen mirroring on your car's display. These are all things Android Auto officially restricts.

According to its official description on fermata-auto.com, Fermata Auto is designed to handle audio, video, live TV, and IPTV, with a folder-based interface that makes it easy to manage media inside the car.

Fermata Auto vs. the Play Store Version

There are two versions of Fermata Auto:

• The Google Play Store version, which is limited to audio playback to comply with Google's policies
• The side-loaded APK version, distributed through the official Fermata Auto website, GitHub releases, and third-party stores like Uptodown, which enables full video playback

When people talk about using Fermata in their car to watch YouTube or mirror their screen, they always mean the side-loaded APK version. The Play Store version simply doesn't support video.

Why "Fermata CarPlay" Isn't Quite What You Think

This is the part that trips a lot of people up. Fermata Auto is not a CarPlay app. Apple does not allow general video players, screen mirroring tools, or unrestricted browsers on CarPlay. There is no CarPlay version of Fermata, and Apple's review process makes it nearly impossible for one to exist.

So when people search "fermata carplay," what they're really asking is: how do I get Fermata's features onto my car screen if my car runs CarPlay?

The answer involves using Fermata through Android Auto and projecting that Android Auto session onto your CarPlay head unit through a dongle or adapter.

Both CarPlay and Android Auto are projection platforms. Your phone does the computing; the head unit just displays the output. Most aftermarket Android-based dongles plug into your car's CarPlay port and handle Android Auto projection instead. From there, any Android Auto app — including Fermata — can appear on your screen.

What Fermata Auto Can Do in Your Car

Once installed and working, Fermata Auto shows up in your car's interface with several tabs:

• YouTube tab: Stream and play YouTube videos directly on your car screen
• Web browser tab: Browse the internet using an on-screen keyboard
• IPTV tab: Load live TV channels through an m3u playlist
• Folders tab: Play local audio and video files stored on your Android phone

Beyond that, Fermata also includes screen mirroring components — specifically Fermata Mirror and Fermata FS Mirror. These use Android's accessibility and screen capture features to mirror your entire phone screen to the car display.

That means you can show any app — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video — directly on your car screen.

What You Need to Get Started

Before diving into setup, here's what you'll typically need:

• An Android phone running Android 11 or later (Android 12–13 is the easiest to work with)
• The Fermata Auto APK downloaded from a trusted source like the official site or GitHub releases
• AAAD (Android Auto Apps Downloader), available on GitHub
• Android Auto installed on your phone
• A way to project Android Auto onto your CarPlay head unit — usually a dongle or adapter
• A CarPlay-compatible head unit that also accepts Android Auto, or an Android-based dongle

The costs are pretty reasonable. An AAWireless dongle runs around 50 euros. The AAAD app has a free tier, though it limits you to one download roughly every 28 days — the paid Pro version removes that limit. And if you just want a cheap dedicated Android device, some users pick up an old Android 10 phone for as little as 10 USD.

How to Install Fermata Auto Using AAAD

This is the most beginner-friendly path. It works best on Android 12 and 13, and you don't need root access or a PC.

Step 1: Enable Unknown Sources in Chrome

Open your Android phone's settings and allow Chrome to install apps from unknown sources. You'll need this to download AAAD.

Step 2: Download and Install AAAD

1. Open Chrome and search for AAAD GitHub
2. Navigate to the releases page
3. Download the latest AAAD APK and install it
4. Once installed, grant AAAD itself permission to install unknown apps

Step 3: Install Fermata Auto via AAAD

1. Open AAAD and find Fermata Auto in the list
2. Tap to install and follow the prompts carefully
3. On the free tier, you only get one download every 28 days — don't rush through the screens
4. After installation, AAAD may also install a companion app called Fermata Control — that's normal

Step 4: Open Fermata Auto on Your Phone

Before connecting to the car, open Fermata Auto on your phone and:

• Grant permissions for files and media access
• Select which local folders you want to access from the car

Step 5: Enable Android Auto Developer Mode

1. Go to your phone's settings and find Android Auto
2. Scroll to the bottom where you see "Version and permission info"
3. Tap it repeatedly — around 10 times — until a prompt confirms developer mode is enabled

Step 6: Enable Unknown Sources in Android Auto

1. Tap the three-dot menu that now appears in the top corner of Android Auto settings
2. Open Developer settings
3. Check the box for Unknown sources — this tells Android Auto to show apps installed from outside the Play Store

Step 7: Customize the Android Auto Launcher

1. Still in Android Auto settings, go to Customize launcher
2. Find Fermata Auto and Fermata Control
3. Make sure they're both checked — they should now appear when you connect to your car

Using KingInstaller for Screen Mirroring

If you want full screen mirroring through Fermata FS Mirror — or if AAAD alone isn't working for your setup — KingInstaller is the tool to use.

KingInstaller installs Fermata Auto "as if it came from the Play Store," giving it the extra permissions it needs to activate mirroring features. After installing it with KingInstaller, you should see up to four separate Fermata entries in Android Auto's launcher customization screen:

• Fermata Auto
• Fermata Mirror
• Fermata FS Mirror
• A generic Media Service

If you see fewer than four, the installation was likely incomplete.

To activate mirroring:

1. Connect to your car in Android Auto
2. Tap the pink Fermata FS Mirror icon
3. You'll be prompted to enable Fermata Auto as an accessibility service
4. Go to your phone's accessibility settings and toggle it on

One thing that trips many users up: the accessibility toggle may appear greyed out. If that happens:

1. Go to the app info screen for Fermata Auto
2. Scroll to advanced permissions
3. Manually enable:

• Display over other apps
• Modify system settings
• Install unknown apps

Once those are allowed, the accessibility toggle will become active — and the mirroring should work.

Fermata on Android 14 and 15

Earlier guides said Android 14 was incompatible with Fermata Auto. That's no longer accurate. It's just more complex.

On Android 14 and 15, you'll need to use ADB to grant Fermata a specific permission called PROJECT_MEDIA. Here's the command:

adb shell appops set me.aap.fermata.auto.dear.google.why PROJECT_MEDIA allow

This grants Fermata permission to capture your screen and audio for mirroring. Some users also need to disable "Permission Monitoring" in developer options before this command will work.

For testing before you get in the car, Google's Desktop Head Unit (DHU) emulator lets you simulate your car's Android Auto interface on a PC. You can test Fermata FS there, confirm it works, then connect to your actual vehicle.

Several users have also reported success using AAWireless on Android 15 — including on devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 8 — by enabling developer options in the AAWireless companion app. You can find more detail on these Android 14+ solutions in the Fermata GitHub discussion thread.

How to Use Fermata in a CarPlay Car

If your car primarily uses Apple CarPlay, here are the practical options:

Option 1: Android-Based CarPlay Adapters

Many adapters on the market — including popular brands that market themselves for CarPlay — actually run Android internally. They plug into your car's USB port and project an Android Auto interface onto the head unit. Install Fermata Auto on your Android phone, connect it through one of these adapters, and you're good to go.

Option 2: Wireless Dongles Like AAWireless

AAWireless and similar devices bring Android Auto to vehicles that support CarPlay or only have limited USB options. Once the dongle is connected and Android Auto is projected, Fermata Auto works just like it would in any other Android Auto setup. Make sure developer mode is enabled in both your phone's Android Auto settings and the AAWireless app itself.

Option 3: Dedicated Android Phone

If your daily driver is an iPhone and you don't want to change anything, consider picking up a cheap Android phone (Android 10 or later) and keeping it in your car as a dedicated media device. Connect it via USB to your head unit's Android Auto port. Your iPhone can still use CarPlay for everything else.

A Note on CarTube and CarPlex

For users who want a native iOS solution, apps like CarTube and CarPlex exist. These are jailbreak-based apps that allow YouTube and browsing inside CarPlay on a jailbroken iPhone. They're not related to Fermata, but they serve a similar purpose on the iOS side. Each comes with its own risks — especially around jailbreaking stability and iOS updates breaking functionality.

Safety and Legal Considerations

This part is important, so I want to be direct about it.

Fermata Auto, when used to play video or mirror your screen while driving, bypasses safety restrictions that Apple and Google deliberately built into CarPlay and Android Auto. Both platforms restrict video playback in motion for a reason.

According to a 2023 Research Note from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 369 fatal traffic crashes were reported as involving cellphone use as a distraction — representing 12% of all distraction-affected fatal crashes that year.

Google has also confirmed that upcoming Android Auto updates will allow video apps like YouTube only when the vehicle is stationary, automatically switching to audio-only mode when the car is moving.

Many countries and states have laws that specifically prohibit entertainment video on driver-visible displays while the vehicle is in motion. Violating those laws can affect your insurance, your liability in an accident, and obviously your safety.

Use Fermata's video and mirroring features when parked — during lunch breaks, EV charging stops, or when you're the passenger. That's where these features actually make sense.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Fermata doesn't appear in Android Auto launcher Check that Unknown sources is enabled in Android Auto developer settings. Also go to Android Auto's Customize launcher screen and manually toggle on Fermata Auto.

Accessibility toggle is greyed out Go to app info for Fermata Auto, scroll to advanced permissions, and enable "display over other apps," "modify system settings," and "install unknown apps." Then retry the accessibility setting.

Only see Media Service, not the full four Fermata icons This usually means the installation wasn't completed with the right permissions. Try reinstalling via KingInstaller and enabling all advanced app permissions.

Fermata not working on Android 14/15 Run the ADB appops command to grant PROJECT_MEDIA permission. Use DHU to test before connecting to the car. Consider using AAWireless with developer mode enabled in its companion app.

Wrong APK architecture Some users report that switching from an arm64 build to an arm build solved the issue of Fermata not appearing in Android Auto. Check which architecture your device uses and download the matching APK from GitHub.

Is Fermata the Right Tool, or Do You Need a Full Head Unit Upgrade?

Fermata Auto is a clever workaround — but it comes with real complexity, especially on newer Android versions. You're side-loading apps, enabling developer modes, running ADB commands, and troubleshooting permission issues that can change with every Android update.

At Car Tech Studio, we hear from customers regularly who go down the Fermata rabbit hole and end up frustrated after a few weekends of troubleshooting. It works — but it's not for everyone.

If you want a cleaner, more reliable solution that gives you YouTube, Netflix, IPTV, and full app access natively on your car screen — without any workarounds — an aftermarket Android head unit might be a better fit.

At Car Tech Studio, we offer premium Android head units and Tesla-style vertical screens for a wide range of vehicles. These units run Android natively, support wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and come with apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify built in. No side-loading, no ADB commands, no workarounds.

If you'd rather have a plug-and-play upgrade instead of spending weekends debugging developer settings, our vehicle-specific head units are worth a look.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fermata CarPlay?

Fermata CarPlay refers to using Fermata Auto — an Android media player — in a car that supports Apple CarPlay. Because Fermata is an Android app, it can't run natively on CarPlay. Instead, users route it through Android Auto using a dongle or adapter that projects Android Auto onto a CarPlay head unit.

Is there a native CarPlay version of Fermata Auto?

No. Fermata Auto is an Android-only app and there is no iOS or native CarPlay version. Apple's CarPlay platform does not allow general video players or screen mirroring tools, so a native Fermata for CarPlay is unlikely to exist anytime soon.

Do I need to root my phone to use Fermata Auto?

Not necessarily. Many users successfully run Fermata Auto without root, using AAAD and Android Auto's developer settings. However, on Android 14 and 15, some setups require ADB commands or tools like KingInstaller and LSPosed — with the rooted path offering more control and fewer restrictions.

What is AAAD and why do I need it?

AAAD stands for Android Auto Apps Downloader. It's a tool that packages third-party Android Auto apps — including Fermata Auto — and installs them in a way that Android Auto recognizes. It simplifies the installation process and is especially useful for non-rooted devices.

Does Fermata Auto work on Android 14 and 15?

Yes, but it requires additional steps. You'll need to use ADB to run a command that grants Fermata the PROJECT_MEDIA permission for screen capture. Some users also use a wireless dongle like AAWireless with developer mode enabled in the app. Earlier guides said Android 14 was incompatible, but the community has since found working solutions.

Is it legal to watch video on a car screen using Fermata?

It depends on your location and how you use it. Many places prohibit entertainment video on driver-visible displays while the vehicle is in motion. Using Fermata to watch video while parked is generally fine. Using it while driving may violate local traffic laws and could affect your liability in an accident.

What's the difference between Fermata Mirror and Fermata FS Mirror?

Fermata Mirror and Fermata FS Mirror are screen mirroring components included in the full Fermata Auto installation. FS Mirror is widely understood to mean full-screen mirroring — giving you a complete view of whatever is on your phone. The standard Mirror version may operate within more limited display constraints. Most users who want full phone screen projection on their car display use Fermata FS Mirror.

Can I use Fermata Auto wirelessly?

Yes, with a compatible wireless Android Auto dongle like AAWireless. This allows you to project Android Auto — and therefore Fermata Auto — to your car's head unit without a USB cable. On some devices and Android versions, enabling developer mode in the AAWireless companion app is required for Fermata to function properly.