I sideloaded 3 apps into my Android Auto, and they've made my drives so much easier

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Android Auto does a lot of things well , but it's a little limited. Scrolling through the Android Auto section of the Google Play Store , I find a decent, but not huge, catalog of apps. Google places hard limits on what it wants your car's screen to do, yet Android Auto is capable of so much more.

This is where sideloading comes in, or installing unofficial apps from sources outside of the official Play Store. These apps significantly expand what Android Auto can do (you can sideload apps to your phone, too), and the process isn't difficult.

Also: How I customized my Android Auto in 7 ways to make it more useful when I'm driving

My car is a 2018 model, so the infotainment screen isn't as huge as in more modern cars. But even on a smaller screen, apps can change how I use Android Auto, including watching videos, browsing the web, and more.

Here's how to sideload apps, plus three of my favorite apps I've added to Android Auto.

To set up these apps for the first time, you will need to go through several steps. Once you're set up, though, you'll use the tools the same as any other Android Auto software.

First, you'll need to unlock developer mode on your phone. To do this, open your Settings app and find the About Phone section. Look for Build Number and tap it seven times.

Also: 6 Android Auto apps I wish I found sooner, because they make every drive easier

Second, you'll need to unlock developer mode for Android Auto. This step is much the same -- go to Settings, search for Android Auto, tap it, and choose "Additional settings in the app." Scroll down until you see Version, then tap it 10 times. From there, scroll down in your settings until you see "Unknown sources." Check that box.

Once both developer modes are unlocked, you'll need to install Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD). Halfway down that page, tap on "Go to Download." When the .apk file downloads, install it to access the AAAD app, which is essentially the unofficial Play Store where you can find apps. The free version of this app allows one download every 30 days, so you'll probably want to pay for Pro, which is $4.

An official YouTube app for Android Auto is on the way, but it's coming "later this year" to supported cars from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, and Volvo.