Xtream Player’s latest overhaul
The Android Auto‑focused media player Xtream Player has rolled out version 1.6.0, a release that adds a handful of eye‑catching tweaks and a few under‑the‑hood improvements. The update arrives after a turbulent few months for the app – the developer first hinted at a shutdown, then rebuilt the codebase from scratch and re‑launched the service with a set of dashboard games. This new build builds on that momentum, delivering features that should interest both casual commuters and power users hunting a richer in‑car entertainment experience.
A visual throw‑back for music lovers
One of the headline attractions is a visualiser that mimics the classic look of Winamp’s desktop plugin. Users can toggle between nine distinct visual styles, ranging from simple waveform bars to more elaborate, colour‑shifting patterns. The visualiser works across both the free tier and the paid “premium” subscription, meaning anyone can enjoy a more dynamic backdrop while streaming music or YouTube audio.
Premium subscribers receive a couple of extra perks: the app now remembers the last visualiser you selected, and it supports the MilkDrop and libprojectM visualisation libraries. Those libraries are well‑known in the PC‑audio community for offering a massive catalogue of animated effects, so the upgrade gives paying users a broader palette without needing to leave the app.
Send videos to the car – still experimental
Perhaps the most surprising addition is the ability to push video files from a phone to the Android Auto screen. Traditionally, Android Auto has limited video playback to protect driver safety, but the new feature lets passengers (or drivers when the vehicle is parked) stream a video directly to the infotainment display. The developer describes the function as experimental, warning that occasional glitches may appear – for instance, occasional stutter or a brief loss of sync when the network connection fluctuates.
For UK users, this could open up new possibilities for rear‑seat entertainment on long motorway journeys, especially when paired with a data‑friendly plan. However, it’s worth noting that the feature respects Android Auto’s safety policies: video playback is automatically disabled when the car is in motion, ensuring compliance with UK road‑safety regulations.
Quality, controls and call handling improvements
Other refinements in 1.6.0 focus on polishing the day‑to‑day experience:
- YouTube quality picker – The selector now mirrors the options presented on the YouTube website and app, making it easier to pick 1080p, 720p, or lower‑bandwidth streams without guessing.
- Immersive mode – On‑screen playback controls fade after a few seconds, giving a cleaner view of the video or album art.
- Call‑resume logic – When a phone call ends, the app resumes music playback without reverting to the car’s FM radio, a small but welcome quality‑of‑life tweak.
- Captions default off – Subtitles are now turned off by default, reducing visual clutter unless the user explicitly enables them.
All of these tweaks are bundled into the same update for both free and premium users, keeping the experience consistent across the board.
How to get the update
The new version is distributed via GitHub and the official Fermata Xtream website rather than the Google Play Store. This approach sidesteps Google’s stricter Android Auto policies, allowing the developer to experiment with features like video streaming that might not yet be approved for the Play ecosystem. Users will need to enable installation from “unknown sources” on their Android device, a standard step for sideloaded apps.
What this means for UK Android Auto users
The Android Auto landscape in the UK is dominated by Google’s own Music, YouTube Music and Spotify apps, each of which offers a fairly utilitarian UI. Xtream Player has carved a niche by delivering a more customised, visually engaging experience, and the new visualiser gives it a nostalgic edge that may appeal to long‑time PC‑audio fans.
The video‑to‑car capability, while still in beta, could be a differentiator for families looking for a single app that handles both audio and rear‑seat video. However, potential adopters should weigh the convenience against the extra steps required to install a non‑Play version and the possibility of occasional bugs.
Bottom line
Xtream Player’s 1.6.0 update adds a splash of visual flair and a tentative step into in‑car video playback, while polishing existing playback behaviour. For UK Android phone owners who already use Android Auto and enjoy a more personalised media interface, the update is worth a try – especially for premium subscribers who gain access to the extended MilkDrop and libprojectM visual packs. As always, keep an eye on the developer’s Reddit thread for any bug‑fix releases, as the video‑streaming feature is still being fine‑tuned.
The information in this article is based on the developer’s announcement on Reddit and the coverage published by Android Authority on 7 September 2026.
