Editing Openai/6916559b-c940-800f-83b2-1ad7497951e9 (section)

==== Technically yes, with enough engineering. Practically it’s a big product decision. ====

Key issues:

===== - Teslas use custom embedded hardware (ARM, integrated GPU, limited RAM compared to a tablet). =====
* Running a full Android container/VM alongside the heavy UI, maps, browser, games, and autopilot visualizations means: - more RAM - more GPU scheduling headaches - more power draw and thermal load.

They already push the GPU for the visualizations and games, so adding a general-purpose Android layer is not “free”.

===== - Car UI must be highly controlled: - No random app stealing focus while driving. - Strict limits on what can run while in motion (videos, games, etc). =====
* Android’s whole design is about letting third-party apps do a lot, often with background services, notifications, overlays, etc.
* To make this safe in a Tesla, they’d have to build: - A curated app store (like Android Auto does). - Strong restrictions on permissions, background behavior, and what can be shown while driving. - Complex life-cycle logic so an app doesn’t hang the UI or starve something critical.

That’s not just “get Waydroid running” — that’s a product and ecosystem design.

===== - Every APK brings attack surface: outdated libraries, native code, trackers, sometimes outright malware. =====
* In a car, that’s not just about your data; it’s about: - not crashing the head unit - not interfering with vital systems (even if they’re technically separated) - not exposing attack paths into the in-car network.

Tesla currently keeps a very closed environment; shipping general Android app support is the opposite direction.

===== If Tesla supported Android apps, they’d have to: =====
* Track Android security updates and patch quickly.
* Handle app compatibility bugs (“Spotify doesn’t work on firmware 2026.4.3 in landscape on MCU2”).
* Keep up with Google API changes, Play Services quirks, etc.

Right now, they “just” maintain their own stack. That’s already a lot.