It's no secret that Android Auto updates sometimes break features that worked just right before their installation, and this is why some users prefer to stick with older versions for as long as possible. Others rush to install new releases specifically to see what's new, despite updates rarely bringing breaking changes.

Android Auto 15.2 makes no exception, seemingly causing a bug that nobody could see coming. On the one hand, users complain that widgets are missing from their Android Auto taskbars after installing this update. On the other hand, the taskbar switches from a horizontal to a vertical configuration.

The glitch was first reported in late September when Android Auto 15.2 started rolling out.

Google ships app updates in stages, meaning that not everybody gets a new build on day one. This approach allows Google to monitor the rollout and spot bugs in the early phases. If something goes horribly wrong, the company can suspend the rollout before a botched update lands on all devices, causing massive problems.

Someone on Google's forums said on September 26 that their taskbar widgets were no longer available on Android Auto. They explained that enabling the feature from settings (under Taskbar widgets > Show quick controls for apps) makes no difference, as the widgets are still unavailable.

Moreover, they noticed an unusual screen layout after updating to version 15.2.

The taskbar, which had been displayed at the bottom of the screen in a horizontal layout until then, was now pinned to the left side of the screen in a vertical position.

Several users confirmed in the following days and weeks the same behavior in their cars after installing Android Auto 15.2. The rollout progressed, so the broken update causing this behavior landed on more devices. This is presumably why more users are reporting this problem.

The glitch is still happening, plaguing more devices that receive Android Auto 15.2.

"Same issue for me, started yesterday, 12/10/25. I checked when Android Auto was last updated, and it said late September when OP first posted the issue, not sure why it took so long to affect me. I can't get the taskbar widgets to work anymore. If I toggle the option off and then back on again I can see AA try to do something, it looks like it tries to make the change but then reverts back to a vertical bar with no widgets," someone explains in a comment posted this week.

Users claim the issue plagues their hardware configuration, regardless of car model or phone running Android Auto.

Google Pixel and Samsung phones are affected, and the issue appears to be related to the Android Auto version.

Fortunately, some fixes have already been found, but they aren't necessarily the most convenient.

For example, someone says they cleared the cache and the data in their Android Auto installation and discovered that everything returned to normal. However, this solution worked only temporarily, as the glitch reappeared the second time they launched Android Auto (after disconnecting Android Auto and relaunching it for another drive)

Someone else says they fixed the problem by downgrading to an earlier Android Auto build. This is indeed the solution that eliminates a bug introduced in a specific version, but it means you might be missing out on other improvements in the latest builds.

A Google Community Specialist says an investigation has already started, but it's too early to tell when a fix could land. This means users are all alone in the struggle to fix the glitch, so if you're encountering this problem, you can try one of the two workarounds mentioned earlier.

Otherwise, the latest Android Auto builds don't bring any significant front-facing improvements. They pave the way for bigger changes, such as the debut of Gemini.

Google plans to retire Google Assistant and introduce its AI-powered Gemini, essentially providing users with more advanced capabilities. Gemini will completely overhaul the way we interact with our apps, as it'll be able to process more complex requests, check Google Maps business listings, and obtain information from Google reviews to help us find a certain location.

Google Assistant has long been one of the biggest headaches in the Android Auto world, as it failed to process voice requests and stopped working regularly after new updates. Gemini is supposed to address all these problems starting later this year, although Google has yet to share timing details for the update.

Meanwhile, users should keep Android Auto up-to-date to be sure they get all the latest updates. It's unclear if releases newer than version 15.2 resolve this unusual bug, but you can try a manual update if you want to skip the long wait for the automatic release.

The most recent build is Android Auto 15.4 beta, with the stable version expected to land in the coming days. However, the rollout will also happen in stages and will take up to several weeks to be completed.

PSA: Android Auto Update Kills Off a Popular Feature