Intro:
For many years I used to use 1 DIN headunit connected via BT with my android phone. Phone was nicely mounted in bracket hard fixed to the dashboard.
So, I was getting into the car, putting phone into the bracket, starting the car and phone was connecting BT with headunit automatically. Could do phone calls, playing music etc. in 10 secs. Done, finished. No extra configuration, setting up, pressing buttons...
If I needed to use Google Maps, I had to use the phone screen, but it was ok with me, just two clicks.
But... I've upgraded my car and I have to redo my car-audio-phone connectivity
And now..
I'm browsing the market of 2din android based headunits (HU) for a couple years now. They are getting better and better, having more and functions (too many?) etc. Are they not to complicated in daily using? I seen many YT videos where people showing many options of their HUs, but there is completely nothing about daily using.
I'm thinking to purchase one of the latest Joying 2DIN HU and connect it to my android phone via BT, but "The more I know, the more I know I don't know"
That should cover my phone calls and music needs, however I have some doubts I cannot find answers to:
1. Does HU will connect to my phone every time by itself (BT) once paired?
2. How do you Guys, use Google Maps? Screen-mirror (via wifi using phone's "external display" option) or preinstalled in HU Google Maps app?
If phone's mirror, can it be turn on by itself automatically to see my phone app on HU screen without getting into phone's settings?
If preinstalled app, how HU can connects to my Google account? Does it mean I need to buy extra SIM card? Or it can use my phone's data, if so, does it mean I have to go into phone's settings and create a hotspot?
3. DVR, again, does it can be turned on once HU is up by itself, or do I have to turn it on by myself? I hope it has the time loop feature like proper DVR cams do?
4. Parking camera, does it turn the camera on (and screen) once I put R gear on?
Does the latest headunits can be driver friendly or it's still to early and I expect too much?
Thank you for all your answers.:good:
I can speak for Joying (see footer):
1. Yes, it does. It does not show contact names (only numbers) right after start, but they appear after 1st call
2. I can not see any reason using screen mirror (or Android auto) on HU with Android 6+ - PlayMarket apps are almost all yours on HU. My Google account is accessible via WiFi hot spot (USB dongle (auto) or Phone - you have to start hotspot on it), I can pay for apps from HU.
3. Joying DVR does start automatically. It has some issues making additional files until GPS locks, but anyway "ends" still can be put together. One drawback - J.DVR only uses 20Gb on max allowed 32Gb card - too bad.
4. Reversing camera works properly if connected properly, everything is on screen when R gear is on, including dynamic parking lines.
And you certainly should read this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=74092359&postcount=3
But, still it's chinese, be prepared
a. I am a normal user, mainly need to use Bluetooth for phone calls, GPS maps and spotify. I realized that the caller apps does not allow me to put short cuts (quick dials) to my favorite numbers. Is there any way I can do it?
b. It is rather useless to have a headunit if there is no internet connection. I have my HP for WiFi tethering, and also a WiFi dongle. Both doesn't work well because the head-unit can only detect WiFi upon restarting the system. I am not sure why, If I were to shut off my engine, start it up again. The system will not be able to detect WiFi.
c. My head-unit comes with Zlink (apple car-play). Okay, this is funny. I connected my iPhone to the head-unit, but upon connecting to zlink, the Bluetooth connection is cut.
d. I intend to get the ELM327 so that I can see those cool gauges. But can the head unit support both ELM 327 and my iPhone Bluetooth simultaneously.
e. Lastly, do I really need to root it to get it perform? I am not good in all these.
For advice pls.
MCU: 2019-01-23
Can someone give me some advise pls
Hi Tweakmax,
i have the same version as you have. i bought mine from Isudar and is currently installed in my skoda.
A)I'm also not verry happy with the dialer app. First of all, the app is called bluetooth and has a bluetooth icon while it is a dialer. The contacts showed up after 2 hours!! The default launcher does not support custom widget elements such as a shortcut to person. I suggest installing an other launcher.
b) I'm not expierencing this problem.
C) My usb ports don't work. How did you manage to install car play? I have android Auto. By the way. Why do you want to use car play if you have an android head unit?
D) I can confirm that the ELM327 is working. Make sure to unpair the OBD2 dongle from your phone. Then unplug/plug the obd2 adapter.
E) root is not required. You can install other launchers and install APK's.
Hi all,
I have a PX6 for a BMW (from AliExpress - model CCT-BBA22B07) and i've been trying to figure out how to enable and use the bluetooth for more than phone calls and media streaming. I want to connect it to a bluetooth ODB2 device.
The PX6 seems to use some of the original headunit's functions and along with some of its own Android features and functions. For example, i can use the original HU for FM radio, CD, Bluetooth for phone calls, etc. while using the Android for other functions like navigation (and any other android app i can think of).
So i ignored the Android bluetooth for the phone and continued using the original HU bluetooth. However, i've been trying to use the Android Bluetooth for ODB2. I've bought a bluetooth dongle (CSR 4.0 usb dongle) hoping that the PX6 will detect it. However, i can't seem to switch on the Bluetooth on the settings. depending on the Bluetooth App i use, it immediately switches off (1ms on, next millisecond off), or it gives an error saying "permission denied"
I tried telling the PX6 to use the Android Bluetooth instead of the HU bluetooth, just to see if the "Factory settings app" prevents control of the Bluetooth, but i can't find the Android bluetooth on my phone (i'm contacting the seller regarding this).
So now that you have the background, basically, i want to continue using my original HU bluetooth for the phone, and i want to have a full featured Bluetooth on the Android device (like a tablet would have). Any ideas on how this is possible? I'm hoping there's no need to strip the screen and remove electronic components from the PC boards?
wow, I have a similar issue, I am suprised NOONE knows anything. xtrons sucks for support
Hi guys
I just bought a Android HU (PX6, Pie, for BMW E90 with 1280x480 display). I'm pretty impressed with the out-of-box functionality and possibilities you gain with this, but there are some little culprits.
I noticed that steering wheel controls (prev/next track) only work in MTC/builtin apps, but I wanted to have them control other media apps like Spotify. Since every attempt I tried through software didn't work (changing MCU settings, key remap apps, mymtcservice, mtce-utils, modify key config files), I was left with waiting till the software solutions get updated for PX6/Pie, or making an own CanBus to USB-HID-converter with an Arduino and others. While i may go that route someday (would love to use the iDrive controller in Android Auto), I found an alternative way/workaround to achieve what I want in the meantime.
What you need is a Creative BT-W2 adapter. It's a standalone bluetooth adapter which gets recognized as a USB audio card and also a HID device, since it supports AVRCP. I'm basically using this device as a AVRCP to USB-HID converter.
First you need to disable USB audio routing in Android developer settings. Then I connected this thing to an USB port of HU, and connected it also through bluetooth with HU. I did need several tries to pair them, since the device somehow doesn't show up in HU bluetooth settings, and it also states "not connected" while it is. After that SWC buttons already started working.
How does it work? SWC next track button pressed -> recognized by MTC bluetooth/music app -> sent through AVRCP to BT-W2 -> emulates USB-HID media key press -> gets recognized by Android system -> gets sent to the media app.
It may be a bit overkill ond also not that cheap, but if you only want working SWC in media apps without fiddling and stuff, this may be a useful way. Probably there are similar devices on Ali which do the same and are cheaper. Together with Automate to autoplay Spotify on boot and Android Auto in standalone mode I finally have a nice integrated Spotify setup in my car, without having to connect my phone.
Hope this helps anyone.
Hy
That sounds very interessting, i`m looking for a working "open" BT since long time.
what i don`t understand is, what do you mean by SWC ?
And with what do you control the spotify app then ? you have connected an external hardware ?
Chri
Hi!
I don't really know the brand of the head unit I use, it says AJ002-OB at about section. I use Android Auto with HeadUnitReloaded. By default the head unit has a bluetooth call feature that brings up an overlay that completely blocks the screen making it unable to use while calling in progress. This also could be a reason to disable it, but since Android Auto has its own call feature, therefore I want to use that and only that. Can the default call feature somehow be disabled? Android Auto requires bluetooth audio connection to forward the call audio to the speakers, therefore disabling call feature on the phone makes android auto call feature useless as well.
Thank you!
S3nS3IW00 said:
Android Auto requires bluetooth audio connection to forward the call audio to the speakers, therefore disabling call feature on the phone makes android auto call feature useless as well.
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Click to collapse
Disabling the Bluetooth app itself does not disable BT functionality, since BT is not integral to the Android OS in these Chinese headunits, as it is with a smartphone - the app's name is a slight misnomer. I have been using HUR and AA, with the headunit external car mic and steering wheel button to place a call or use GA, like this for 4 years, without the overlay coming up. If you ever need to pair your phone or a new one, you will need to enable the app again, since that facility is only available in this app. Similarly if the unit is completely rebooted as in saved factory settings, you will need to disable the Bluetooth app again to work with HUR/AA phone/voice - it reenables automatically - but it will stay disabled for the normal sleep cycle of these headunits.
I meant disabling the bluetooth audio feature on the phone itself, not the app. How can I disable the app? Because it is not in the list of apps in settings.
Cutprods said:
Disabling the Bluetooth app itself does not disable BT functionality, since BT is not integral to the Android OS in these Chinese headunits, as it is with a smartphone - the app's name is a slight misnomer. I have been using HUR and AA, with the headunit external car mic and steering wheel button to place a call or use GA, like this for 4 years, without the overlay coming up. If you ever need to pair your phone or a new one, you will need to enable the app again, since that facility is only available in this app. Similarly if the unit is completely rebooted as in saved factory settings, you will need to disable the Bluetooth app again to work with HUR/AA phone/voice - it reenables automatically - but it will stay disabled for the normal sleep cycle of these headunits.
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Click to collapse
S3nS3IW00 said:
I meant disabling the bluetooth audio feature on the phone itself, not the app. How can I disable the app? Because it is not in the list of apps in settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto only uses Bluetooth audio for phone calls, all other audio, is over either USB or Wifi. If you disable the car's Bluetooth, which is what you originally suggested, you will have no initial connection anyway besides not being able to handle calls over the car's HU, as AA needs that to fire up first. If you disable Bluetooth audio on your phone, which is possible through clicking the cog by your paired BT connection, again you will have no phone calls on the HU. You cannot disable the phone Bluetooth via apps, since as I explained it is part of the Android OS on smartphones - you can switch BT off - again you will have no connection/no calls for AA.
You asked about the phone app overlay I explained how to get rid of that - not factory settings at all - Android settings (on the car)>apps>Bluetooth>disable (as shown in the picture you attached). It sounds like you have something set up wrongly for HUR/AA. One other reason Bluetooth phone calls may not work over the car's speaker's/mic, is if Audio sink is disabled in HUR settings too, then the only way the audio could arrive to the HU is via BT and only the phone's mic would be recognised by AA - but I have never tried that. But I am slightly confused now by what you are trying to achieve and what is happening for you, I can only vouch that Headunit Reloaded and Android Auto work perfectly as they should, in the way I described in my car.
One other thing I should add with my PX5 HU, canbus mapping of my steering wheel mic button, fires the BT/Phone app and the overlay. Not only did I have to disable the car's Bluetooth app but I also had to use MTCDTools to send the HUR intent gb.xxy.hr.mic to the button, in order to fire both Google Assistant voice and phone with AA - no need for 'Hey Google'; no overlay; click mic button, GA is already listening in AA, then say "Navigate to; Call such and such; Play x on Spotify..." etc.
Cutprods said:
Android Auto only uses Bluetooth audio for phone calls, all other audio, is over either USB or Wifi. If you disable the car's Bluetooth, which is what you originally suggested, you will have no initial connection anyway besides not being able to handle calls over the car's HU, as AA needs that to fire up first. If you disable Bluetooth audio on your phone, which is possible through clicking the cog by your paired BT connection, again you will have no phone calls on the HU. You cannot disable the phone Bluetooth via apps, since as I explained it is part of the Android OS on smartphones - you can switch BT off - again you will have no connection/no calls for AA.
You asked about the phone app overlay I explained how to get rid of that - not factory settings at all - Android settings (on the car)>apps>Bluetooth>disable (as shown in the picture you attached). It sounds like you have something set up wrongly for HUR/AA. One other reason Bluetooth phone calls may not work over the car's speaker's/mic, is if Audio sink is disabled in HUR settings too, then the only way the audio could arrive to the HU is via BT and only the phone's mic would be recognised by AA - but I have never tried that. But I am slightly confused now by what you are trying to achieve and what is happening for you, I can only vouch that Headunit Reloaded and Android Auto work perfectly as they should, in the way I described in my car.
One other thing I should add with my PX5 HU, canbus mapping of my steering wheel mic button, fires the BT/Phone app and the overlay. Not only did I have to disable the car's Bluetooth app but I also had to use MTCDTools to send the HUR intent gb.xxy.hr.mic to the button, in order to fire both Google Assistant voice and phone with AA - no need for 'Hey Google'; no overlay; click mic button, GA is already listening in AA, then say "Navigate to; Call such and such; Play x on Spotify..." etc.
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Click to collapse
So lets clear it out because as I see we misunderstand each other. I have an Android Headunit which I don't know the brand of. I use Android Auto with HeadUnit Reloaded through USB. I know, that Android Auto still needs bluetooth connection in order to make calls through car's speakers. My Headunit has its own call feature through bluetooth, that brings up an overlay that completely blocks the screen while calling is in progress no matter what is on the screen. It overlays Android Auto (so HeadUnitReloaded) and it covers the map as well that is not a good thing. Android Auto's call feature working simultaneously with the default call feature, so everything set up correctly. The only problem I want to solve is that I don't need the default overlay when I use Android Auto. The factory system is protected from developer settings and I cannot disable or uninstall any bloatware including bluetooth app.
S3nS3IW00 said:
So lets clear it out because as I see we misunderstand each other. I have an Android Headunit which I don't know the brand of. I use Android Auto with HeadUnit Reloaded through USB. I know, that Android Auto still needs bluetooth connection in order to make calls through car's speakers. My Headunit has its own call feature through bluetooth, that brings up an overlay that completely blocks the screen while calling is in progress no matter what is on the screen. It overlays Android Auto (so HeadUnitReloaded) and it covers the map as well that is not a good thing. Android Auto's call feature working simultaneously with the default call feature, so everything set up correctly. The only problem I want to solve is that I don't need the default overlay when I use Android Auto. The factory system is protected from developer settings and I cannot disable or uninstall any bloatware including bluetooth app.
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Click to collapse
This is the third time now I have said how to get rid of the overlay over AA - it is the Bt/phone app (in the car head unit, not on the phone) disable it - I don't know I can be clearer than that, notwithstanding you've provided very little details of your headunit. If you can't disable this app, which is not 'bloatware' btw, then you have something very wrong with your system. You need to talk to the manufacturer, since every Android device, and absolutely just about all these head units will at least allow you to disable these apps.
Cutprods said:
This is the third time now I have said how to get rid of the overlay over AA - it is the Bt/phone app disable it - I don't know I can be clearer than that, notwithstanding you've provided very little details of your headunit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I cannot disable it, as the attached image shows. The brand of my headunit (according to model that is AJ002-OB) is maybe AMPrime but that is the only thing I know about it.
I'll try to get some technical help from the store I bought the headunit. It would be nice if the call feature could be disabled simply with a check.
Anyway, thanks for your help.
As I say, there is something wrong then with your rom and headunit - in order to achieve what you want, you will need to be able to disable and re-enable this app, for any new pairing, at will. I have never seen a Chinese Android head unit that won't allow this.
S3nS3IW00 said:
'll try to get some technical help from the store I bought the headunit. It would be nice if the call feature could be disabled simply with a check.
Anyway, thanks for your help.
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Click to collapse
You're welcome! A simple check is the same as disabling the app, which is a 15 second job and you're only disabling an MCU interface app to the Bluetooth device - it's important that the BT still functions, fortunately it does when you are able to disable the app. Anyway I hope you get some help with your store - you most likely will have to update your rom and MCU. Once you get it sorted, if you invoke this BT/Phone app on your steering wheel mic button presently, which is usually the case with the canbus boxes that came with these devices, you will most likely (though not always, some already function and those units with SWC can easily be mapped) also have to send an intent as I described earlier, for AA to function correctly for GA/calls, from this button. I used MTCDTools for that but I believe Tasker could do the same.