Guidelines for custom screens

  • In Android Automotive OS, media apps generally don't require custom screens except for settings and sign-in flows.

  • Developers must adhere to specific design requirements for custom settings and sign-in screens, such as contrast ratios, touch target sizes, and affordances.

  • Developers should follow guidelines including using dark themes, incorporating branding elements, and adhering to text length recommendations for optimal usability in vehicles.

  • Detailed design specifications and resources are available in the linked documentation for design system and foundations.

For most aspects of media apps used in Android Automotive OS, you do not need to design custom screens. The areas of exception are settings and sign-in. If you want users to access app settings, you need to design settings screens. Also, if your app requires sign-in, you need to provide a sign-in flow, which you can customize from the sample code in the Universal Android Music Player.

These general style guidelines apply to both custom settings screens and customized sign-in screens. They will help you to optimize your designs to be viewed on a car screen, while parked, at any time of day or night.

For additional guidelines specific to settings and sign-in, refer to Design settings and Adapt sign-in flow.

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Design system
Guidelines on color, typography, sizing, and more
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Design foundations
Visual- and interaction-design principles for in-vehicle user interfaces
Requirement level Guidelines
MUST App developers must:
  • Provide a Close affordance to exit the settings screen and top-level sign-in screen
  • Provide a Back affordance from any subsequent screens following the top-level screen
  • Position the Close or Back affordance at the top left of the screen
  • Maintain a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between backgrounds and icons or text
  • Use recommended type sizes of at least 32dp for primary text and 24dp for secondary text
  • Keep touch targets above the recommended minimum size of 76 x 76dp
SHOULD App developers should:
  • Use a dark theme for all screens and overlays
  • Include a logo or app icon on all screens
  • When using an accent color, use the same one provided as a branding element
  • Keep text strings within the recommended maximum text length of 120 characters
  • Provide a distance of at least 24dp between touch targets where possible
MAY App developers may:
  • Decide whether to implement sign-in and settings functions as part of their app

Rationale:

Screens designed directly by media app developers should

  • Support standard media app navigation patterns and design conventions.

  • Reflect design principles and visual foundations for Android Automotive OS.