How to Use Fermata Auto on Android Auto | Videos, IPTV, YouTube and Mirror

Last updated: October 2026

Quick Answer: Start Fermata Auto on your phone before you connect to Android Auto, then open it from the car screen. Add video folders for local files, an M3U playlist for TV, or use the built-in YouTube player. Fermata Control is no longer needed, and FS Mirror has been disabled since version 2.0.2.

You installed Fermata Auto, it appears on your car display, and now you want to know how to use Fermata Auto without getting lost in outdated forum advice. Many older posts still tell drivers to download extra apps that are no longer required. This guide covers local videos, live TV with M3U playlists, YouTube and screen mirroring, plus what changed in recent updates.

Not installed yet? Read our Fermata Auto install guide first.

What Is Fermata Auto?

Fermata Auto is a free, open-source media player for Android Auto, built by developer Andrey Pavlenko. It plays video folders from your phone, IPTV channels from M3U playlists, and YouTube on your car's screen. Because Android Auto hides apps installed outside Google Play, you install it with a tool like AAAD, which needs no root.

What Changed in Fermata Auto 2.0 (Read This First)

Two steps you will still find in online guides are now wrong. Recent updates removed one app and disabled one feature.

Version	What changed	What it means for you
1.9.8	Fermata Mirror and FS Mirror added	Screen mirroring arrived
1.9.9	Fermata Control removed, Mirror launcher added, phone unlock no longer required	Skip Fermata Control
2.0.0	Automatic real-time subtitles	Subtitles without a file
2.0.1	SponsorBlock, auto highest YouTube quality, subtitle translator	Better YouTube
2.0.2	FS Mirror disabled due to a conflict since Android Auto 17.3	Use regular Mirror

Do I need Fermata Control?

No. Fermata developer Andrey Pavlenko's release notes for version 1.9.9 say the Fermata Control app "is not required anymore," so you can skip any Fermata Control APK.

What happened to Fermata FS Mirror?

Version 2.0.2 disabled Fermata FS Mirror because it conflicts with MediaService since Android Auto 17.3. On Fermata Auto 2.0.2 or newer, use standard Fermata Mirror.

How to Use Fermata Auto for Local Videos

Local folders play without an internet connection, so this works anywhere. Reviewers report that local playback works well.

How to add videos to Fermata Auto

1. Open Fermata Auto on your phone.
2. Select the Folders section from the main menu.
3. Tap the add button and choose the folders that hold your videos.
4. Grant storage permission if Android asks for it.
5. Connect your phone to your car and open Fermata Auto on the car screen.
6. Select your folder and choose a video to start playback.

Playback stutters? Turn on the VLC hardware acceleration option in settings. Subtitles and audio track switching need the VLC engine selected.

How to Use Fermata Auto for IPTV and Live TV (M3U Playlists)

Fermata includes a built-in IPTV addon. It reads M3U playlists and supports XMLTV programme guides (EPG) and Catchup.

How to add an M3U playlist to Fermata Auto

1. Open Fermata Auto on your phone.
2. Go to the TV section in the navigation bar.
3. Tap the add button and paste your Fermata Auto M3U playlist address.
4. Save the list, then open Fermata Auto TV on your car display to browse channels.

With an EPG link, Fermata Auto IPTV shows what is on each channel, and Catchup lets you replay past shows if your provider supports it.

How to Use Fermata Auto for YouTube

The built-in YouTube player lets you search for and play videos on your car display. Release 2.0.1 added two Fermata Auto YouTube upgrades: SponsorBlock, which skips sponsored segments automatically, and automatic selection of the highest available video quality.

Want a dedicated YouTube app instead? Try CarStream.

Screen Mirroring with Fermata Mirror

Knowing how to use Fermata Auto with Fermata Mirror lets you show your phone screen on the car display and use other phone apps in the car. The "FS" in FS Mirror stands for Full Screen, but full-screen mirroring is disabled in 2.0.2, so use standard Fermata Mirror.

How to use Fermata Mirror on Android Auto

1. Start Fermata Auto on your phone before you connect to Android Auto.
2. Connect your phone to your car with a cable or wireless adapter.
3. Start the Fermata Mirror app and grant the screen capture permission on your phone.

Before your first session, turn on the accessibility permission for Fermata in Android settings, then choose which apps to pin to the Mirror launcher. Newer Android versions may ask you to allow restricted settings for Fermata before that permission can be turned on.

Mirroring keeps your phone screen on, so expect extra battery drain and phone heat, especially on hot days. For mirroring with more controls, see AA Mirror Plus.

Subtitles and Other Useful Settings

These options live in the settings menu on your phone.

• Subtitle files: Load SRT and VTT subtitle files with your local videos.
• Real-time subtitles: Turn on automatic real-time subtitle generation, added in version 2.0.0.
• Subtitle translation: Translate subtitles into your language with the built-in translator, added in version 2.0.1.
• Key binding: Map steering wheel and car buttons to media actions.
• Hardware acceleration: Turn on VLC hardware acceleration for smoother video.

Can You Watch Fermata Auto While Driving?

No. Fermata's video features are meant for passengers or for when your car is parked, because watching video while driving is dangerous.

Some phones, head units and wireless adapters can stop third-party apps from appearing in the car launcher. Fermata icon missing? Follow our troubleshooting guide. For what Android Auto allows while the car is moving, see our guide to video playback rules on Android Auto.

Get Fermata Auto Only from a Trusted Source

Android Auto does not show third-party apps installed outside Google Play, which is why AAAD exists. AAAD installs genuine open-source apps without root, a PC or developer settings. You can download AAAD from our site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Fermata Control to use Fermata Auto?

No. The developer removed Fermata Control in version 1.9.9, and the release notes say it is "not required anymore." Playback controls now run inside the main Fermata Auto app, including button mapping in the key binding settings. If an older guide tells you to install a Fermata Control APK, you can skip that step.

Why is FS Mirror missing in Fermata Auto?

The developer disabled FS Mirror in version 2.0.2 because it conflicts with MediaService since Android Auto 17.3. FS stands for Full Screen, so full-screen mirroring is not available in current versions. Use standard Fermata Mirror instead. It still lets you show your phone screen and pinned apps on the car display.

Can Fermata Auto play IPTV?

Yes. Fermata Auto has a built-in IPTV addon that reads M3U playlists, including m3u8 links, and supports XMLTV programme guides and Catchup. You add a playlist from the TV section of the app on your phone. Only use legal playlists, such as official broadcaster streams or free public channel lists.

Is AAAD is safe to install Fermata Auto?

Yes. Use the official releases or a trusted installer like AAAD.

Conclusion

Start Fermata Auto on your phone before you connect, then play local video folders, watch live TV with M3U playlists, use YouTube, or mirror your phone screen. That is how to use Fermata Auto in 2026, without Fermata Control.

Ready to start? To install Fermata Auto without root or developer options, download AAAD. For more options, see our list of the best video apps for Android Auto.