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Beta program

RTi Companion — closed beta

We need 12 Android Auto testers to put RTi Companion through real-world use before public launch. Free for the first 12 months. Real bug reports earn a free permanent licence at GA.

12 of 12 spots open

What you'll get

  • ✓ Free year of RTi Companion app + Android Auto access (normally $5/month).
  • ✓ MAC-bound licence for your RTI XP processor, delivered the same day we approve you.
  • ✓ Direct line to the developer — your bugs go straight to our team, not a support queue.
  • ✓ At public launch, valuable testers get a free permanent licence instead of rolling onto the $5/month plan.

What we need from you

  • · An Android phone with Android Auto support (Android 6.0+).
  • · A car that supports Android Auto (or Google's Desktop Head Unit emulator).
  • · An RTI XP processor where the driver can run.
  • · About 5 minutes to enable a hidden developer setting on your phone (see below — this is the part most people miss).
  • · 14 days of regular use and at least one round of bug-report feedback.

Android Auto setup

Before RTi Companion shows up in your car's Android Auto, you need to flip a few hidden switches on your phone. This is required for every closed-beta tester because the app isn't in the public Play Store yet. It takes about 5 minutes and you only do it once.

  1. 1

    Install RTi Companion

    Tap the install link in your beta invitation email. This opens Google Play and installs RTi Companion on your phone.

  2. 2

    Enable Developer mode in Android Auto

    Open the Android Auto app on your phone (not RTi Companion — Android Auto itself). Scroll to the bottom of Settings, find the "Version" entry, and tap it 10 times in a row. A toast pops up: "Developer mode enabled."

  3. 3

    Turn on Unknown sources

    Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right of Android Auto settings → Developer settings → scroll down → toggle Unknown sources ON. This lets Android Auto see apps that aren't yet in the public Play Store.

  4. 4

    Clear the Android Auto cache (don't skip this)

    This is the step that's easy to miss but critical: phone Settings → Apps → Android Auto → Storage → Clear cache. (Not Clear data — that wipes your AA settings.) Without this, AA keeps its stale app list and won't show RTi Companion no matter what else you do.

  5. 5

    Connect to your car

    Plug your phone into your car's USB port (or use wireless Android Auto if your car supports it). Wait for Android Auto to load on your car's screen. RTi Companion should appear in the app grid alongside Maps, Spotify, etc.

Troubleshooting (if the app doesn't appear)

App still not in the grid?

Disconnect, restart your car's head unit, and reconnect. Some cars need one full ignition cycle for a new AA app to register. If that still doesn't work, uninstall RTi Companion, reinstall from your beta link, and clear the AA cache again.

Car blocks the app?

RTi Companion is categorized as IOT (smart-home control). Some older head units only allow Maps, Media, or Messaging apps. Try a different car or use Google's Desktop Head Unit (DHU) emulator on your computer for testing.

App shows but is grayed out?

Open RTi Companion on your phone first and pair it with the relay — either tap the "Pair this phone" button in your welcome email, or open Settings inside the app and paste your Project ID + Pairing Token by hand.

Apply to test

Read these before submitting — both are required.

We review every signup by hand — manual approval typically takes a couple of days. We'll only use this info to evaluate your application and contact you about the beta. See our Privacy Policy.