Database Users

What we've been missing all along.

OK, not my favorite car in the world. But my mate showed off his new (to him) Volvo XC90 about 4-5 yrs old.
We sat in it for about two hours working out all the knobs n whistles and then we found the phone section.
Not only could we pair his phone, I then did mine. Plus it has option for about ten more - at the same time
Samsung S6 and Samsung S9, so nothing too special. But the realy cool thing, and I mean REALY COOL, and something I've been crying out for for ages for my humble px5 head unit, was at the click of a touch screen not only could you see recent callers, but also recent messages. This is where I would put the well n truly shocked icon !
No google crap, nag screens, warnings of the apocolypse or anything. Jjust a simple clear list of readable recent messages.
Not only that but at a simple touch of any message it was read out. No fuss or bother, no mods, plugins or crashes or freezes.
It just worked.
So why have we let google literally kick our asses for so long. Sob.

Hi, that might be because your PX5 is not Android auto but is a hacked chinese android.
Requesting mod move to Android head units section...

marchnz said:
Hi, that might be because your PX5 is not Android auto but is a hacked chinese android.
Requesting mod move to Android head units section...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android auto is an general overall head group of sub groups of posts of specific catagories including the google os Android auto.
But before you move it, how about you show me show me a dedicated (android auto) head unit I can buy, that fits my car.
Mercedes w203. That runs 'Android auto' and doesn't have a ton of usless junk like play store, tracking, feedback, Adverts, usage logs, heart monitor, nag screens, privacy notices and works flawlessly as my post above describes. Whoose system IS also a android 'hacked' based system. And I wont care who makes it.
PLEASE - I will buy it.

cleverdicky said:
Android auto is an general overall head group of sub groups of posts of specific catagories including the google os Android auto.
But before you move it, how about you show me show me a dedicated (android auto) head unit I can buy, that fits my car.
Mercedes w203. That runs 'Android auto' and doesn't have a ton of usless junk like play store, tracking, feedback, Adverts, usage logs, heart monitor, nag screens, privacy notices and works flawlessly as my post above describes. Whoose system IS also a android 'hacked' based system. And I wont care who makes it.
PLEASE - I will buy it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're still confusing android auto with cheap Chinese headunits running modified versions of Android 6-10 - they are very different.
Android auto units basically mirror your phone display to the vehicle Android auto headunit display.
Official / REAL Android Auto units, without the 'junk' you describe are listed here: https://www.android.com/auto/
Since you're still not alive to the differences and comparing your PX5 hacked Chinese android headunit to an unknown type unit, mods moved your post to the appropriate android headunits sub-forum.
Suggest learning the basics and differences and then ask questions.

I would say also, that head units supporting AA are not sold separately, but they only come mounted in new cars, as part of the infotainment system. They do not have and it is not possible to install apps on them, they only become alive when connected to a mobile phone (which will be then the brains of the system).
As marchnz said, they only mirror your phone's screen.
You are talking about independent head units supporting Android operating system (which do not need AA because they are already being able to download and run appps from Play store) , and that is something else.
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

Not quite.
I know what android auto is.
I also agree some manufatures use android as alternative to win ce to build their quality radios like Pioneer.
This is different and why I posted. Please don't assume its an either or and that I'm an idiot for mentioning it.
Volvo have used Googles android as an os without the crap 'spyware apps' and intergration to develop their OWN system. called sensus
It does not mirror a phone and run apps from it.
Although the new version does have AA and much more google integration unfortunately.
It does not require a phone to work. It has its own built in for data if need be. But also runs off line.
Its an independent system that can link to multiple paired phones for messaging and calls.
Their are no agreements and nag screen pop ups every two minutes from google. All its functions are running at once and all work together. So easy to flick from one to the other without it crashing.
Its a great system and showcases what can be done and the potential of just android as an os without googles presence and interference.

Malfunction with Xiaomi

Dear XDA users!
I have a problem with my android auto system in my car and unfortunately i don't know what should i do for proper operation.
So in my car I have an Eonon Headunit with android 10. My phone is a Xiaomi Note 8T with Miui 12 - android 10. I bought recently an Android Dongle from Carlink.
For my headunit i downloaded and installed the autolink app from the link on the package. I wanted to install the android auto app from Google Playstore, but my phone showed the app is already installed with the latest update. I checked the applist but it wasn't shown - any icon. In the settings I checked the app settings and i found it as a system app - it can't be uninstalled, only i can delete the update to restore the app, but any option to open it.
I connected the phone to my headunit through the dongle and my phone loaded the android auto wizard setup. I allowed everything what i could, but there was an error message with google voice assistant.
After it on my headunit i saw the android auto, but with few features. On my phone I use Spotify, Youtube Music, Waze, etc. On the headunit i saw only the waze, any spotify or yt music, any message app - messenger, whatsapp, sms. The resolution was incorrect, "blurred" screen, no main screen - only some application selection menu.
What I saw in videos from android auto it was completely different.
Could anybody help me what should i do? Has the unit from carlink fault or is my phone bad? Or is the headunit incompatible with this dongle? - But I don't undestand why is the android auto system app and why don't i have any option to open it on my phone.

Not Android Auto, requested mod moves to Android Head units forum.
OP - note that your phone shows no AA because the head unit is not AA.

Help how i active Skoda Rapid 2018 android auto

Hi,
My car is block by the delar if i want to open it i must pay the delar to enter the code that can open me the mirorlink and android auto.
how can i hack it and to active mirorlink and android auto?

Maybe the mirrorlink app is just a primitive screen mirroring solution. This is funny for the first 10 seconds but not optimal to use during driving - and very dangerous.
So first think about if it makes sense to invest too much time into this app.
Best approach I know is Headunit Reloaded. You can find it here on xda and in Google Playstore.

TorstenH said:
Maybe the mirrorlink app is just a primitive screen mirroring solution. This is funny for the first 10 seconds but not optimal to use during driving - and very dangerous.
So first think about if it makes sense to invest too much time into this app.
Best approach I know is Headunit Reloaded. You can find it here on xda and in Google Playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont want to waste more money on this.... to change it cost between 150-300$ and to go to somone that will install it in my car will cost 50$ it much more that i can apport to myself
how can I active it?

If EasyCon isn't pre-installed on your unit give this alternative a try:
[App] Tima PhoneLink APK aka carnet
This is a great app for your head unit it allows you to view your phone's screen no root required and it is completely free. This app came with my android headunit preinstalled but I deleted it by mistake, after hours of search in chinese sites...
forum.xda-developers.com

If you are talking about the standard builtin unit of the Skoda Rapid, you can forget it.
This (sub-)forum is about 3rd party Android units that replace the the standard units in cars, in this case your Skoda Rapid.
There is an Android Auto (sub-)forum here.
Mirrolink is a standard for a few brands of cars and Skoda is one of them. In most Skodas, as well as other brands, it is an optional feature which you need to pay for to unlock it.
You cannot hack it. And even if you are successful in hacking it, your warranty will be void.
If you want full functionality, you need to pay. And if you want a replacement of the unit, you need to search on Aliexpress and seach for "Android Skoda Rapid", and you will find something like this.
Note: This link is just an example.
Everything you want simply costs money. You have to accept that.

Allwinner T5-UP-F52LA - root

Hello All,
Please forgive me if this is posted somewhere else, but I live in Indonesia and am far removed from anyone I know who can help me figure this out.
I just purchased an "Orca ADR-9988 Pro+" Android 10 Head Unit for our family car... but realize the stock Android 10 firmware in very limited. (No advanced settings, no ability to set default apps, etc.)
In the "About Car Device" section is says the device is: T5-UP-F52LA/Hardware by UP/Powered by Allwinner
I've seen some help for Allwinner T5 devices, but not specifically for the F52LA .
I'll include two photos I grabbed from the device just a short time ago.
I"m primarily interested in being able to update the zLink app if needed (It is currently listed as zLink version 3.6.26) as well as hopefully install a custom launcher like Agama - and actually set the launcher as the default launcher.
Sorry if this has been explained elsewhere and I"m just not finding it. I'm new to android head units so this is all new to me.
Thanks!

Android unbranded for car lost Zlink

Hello all,
I've just got an Android unbranded tablet for my car (BMW E82) yesterday.
It's a 10.25 touch screen with Android 10.
Under System Information, I can read: version HY: V2.32.4core.201113.
I can enter to factory settings via 8888 code.
It came with Zlink already installed, and I could make it work perfectly yesterday with my iphone & wireless carplay.
(I can't remember actually if it was Zlink or Zlink5 but it worked good).
Today, I mistakenly cliked on reset to factory, and after the headunit rebooted, the Zlink app is not present anymore.
I am struggling to get it back...
I have found some Zlink apk files in forums, but none worked for me.
Does anyone know if it's pre-installed somewhere on the head unit, and I just need to enable it ?
Or should I install it with an apk file ?
Thank you in advance,

alec0178 said:
Hello all,
I've just got an Android unbranded tablet for my car (BMW E82) yesterday.
It's a 10.25 touch screen with Android 10.
Under System Information, I can read: version HY: V2.32.4core.201113.
I can enter to factory settings via 8888 code.
It came with Zlink already installed, and I could make it work perfectly yesterday with my iphone & wireless carplay.
(I can't remember actually if it was Zlink or Zlink5 but it worked good).
Today, I mistakenly cliked on reset to factory, and after the headunit rebooted, the Zlink app is not present anymore.
I am struggling to get it back...
The Zlink app that I have found in Play Store asks for an activation... Which seems to not be free.
Does anyone know if it's pre-installed somewhere on the head unit, and I just need to enable it ?
Or should I install it with an apk file ?
Thank you in advance,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think you can find it in settings then in factory settings it might your factory setting have password 1617 or 2010 try any one of this password. there you will find the option name feature settings in there find “phone connected” or something like this tick that option and you are ready to rock again.
https://youtube.com/@rajuradios
do not forget to subscribe my channel if it helps you buddy

rooblevarn said:
i think you can find it in settings then in factory settings it might your factory setting have password 1617 or 2010 try any one of this password. there you will find the option name feature settings in there find “phone connected” or something like this tick that option and you are ready to rock again.
https://youtube.com/@rajuradios
do not forget to subscribe my channel if it helps you buddy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Rooblevarn,
Thank you for your reply.
I tried the 1617 and 2010 passwords, but they don't work on my Head unit.
The only password that worked for me so far it's 8888.
I can then get into a factory menu as shown in attached picture.
I have looked everywhere in those menus, but I can't find anythink similar to "phone connected".
I suppose that Zlink app was installed manually by the vendor before he sold me the head unit, and the only way for me to get Zlink back, is that the vendor send me the file that match this unit to be installed....
Problem is that I don't have vendor contact.

I've been in contact with one of the vendors of an Android 11 HU I recently purchased,
#1 - It's tough to communicate with them
( they are all in China, and it's clear they translate English using Google-T )
I don't know the specific build for your system, but Zlink is somehow tied into the entire Android Build Version which they custom build for each HEAD Unit.
I have provided two different files here. READ this carefully.
The file starting with:
gongban_92_Zlink - is the older version of Zlink. It may be less resource intensive, but it works similarly to the new Zlink5 version.
The file starting with:
gongban_F92XX_Zlink5 - is the newer version of Zlink ( or at least as new as it can get) ( This was given to me by the manufacturer's tech dept in March of 2023. )
The way I was told to install these is to:
- Save which ever one you want to install onto an empty USB stick.
- DO NOT change the name or the extension of the file.
- Plug in the USB stick
- Open Your App Drawer > Find Car Settings > Find System Information
- There could be a button on that System Information screen that says: Android Update ( This button was greyed out(unaccessible) until plugged in my USB drive.)
- You hit that button and wait for the update to finish. everything is automatic from that point.
- When successful you would notice a new Zlink app in your app drawer. It might even automatically launch after system reboots.
BEFORE YOU GO TRYING THESE STEPS THOUGH:
Understand that these apps are custom built to access bluetooth and Wifi functions of the Android system.
If they are not installed correctly they might
A: Not work at all
B: Brick your device
Here are some photos of the specs of my device and some screen shots of how the settings pages look and where you can find update options (given you have the right update files):
How old Zlink app looks:
How new Zlink5 apps looks:
Settings Page:
and finally ABOUT FACTORY SETTINGS and your app disappearing:
When you hit Factory Settings ( and get into the main screen:
You should see an option called APPS:
When you enter that there could be a screen with the header: XYZ apps
XYZ apps is a custom system settings app which forces apps to boot with the head unit, and never allows them to force quit. ( This app in not attainable on the app store - is what I mean by custom)
Before you go installing any updates or files, find the APPS section in factory settings and see if Zlink is on that list.
The list is "check-able" - like toggles or check marks
- If you see the app there and it is UNCHECKED then CHECK IT, go back a page and find Reboot.
Then see if you app appears again.
If you don't see it.. well.. that's beyond my understanding, but most likely you would need to install them through a USB port like I detailed above.
Weather or not MY attached files will be suitable for your system is a whole other question.
One other thing:
- I'm not a developer and I don't know how build versions work on Android and how each aspect of each function affects other aspects:
But it is clear that the Chinese devs who write these Android builds are forcing certain apps to run in the background.
Having said that.
NEVER connect your Android head unit to Wifi and use it to access Personal Information or store passwords.
These aren't ATT or Verizon head units. They are made by a foreign company who is most likely under the umbrella of laws and regulations which allow the military to snoop on customer data in the name of the motherland...
The only way I use my headunit, is for it's radio, and the Android Auto function for navigation.. (whenever Zlink isn't crashing)
I don't allow any internet connection to the unit as it is not necessary. As a driver all you need in a car is a map and some tunes.

alec0178 said:
Hi Rooblevarn,
Thank you for your reply.
I tried the 1617 and 2010 passwords, but they don't work on my Head unit.
The only password that worked for me so far it's 8888.
I can then get into a factory menu as shown in attached picture.
I have looked everywhere in those menus, but I can't find anythink similar to "phone connected".
I suppose that Zlink app was installed manually by the vendor before he sold me the head unit, and the only way for me to get Zlink back, is that the vendor send me the file that match this unit to be installed....
Problem is that I don't have vendor contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problem its just starting of my help you have not seen its end yet
try to download from here.
zLink App Download for Android
url.zjinnova.com

akm6p said:
I've been in contact with one of the vendors of an Android 11 HU I recently purchased,
#1 - It's tough to communicate with them
( they are all in China, and it's clear they translate English using Google-T )
I don't know the specific build for your system, but Zlink is somehow tied into the entire Android Build Version which they custom build for each HEAD Unit.
I have provided two different files here. READ this carefully.
The file starting with:
gongban_92_Zlink - is the older version of Zlink. It may be less resource intensive, but it works similarly to the new Zlink5 version.
The file starting with:
gongban_F92XX_Zlink5 - is the newer version of Zlink ( or at least as new as it can get) ( This was given to me by the manufacturer's tech dept in March of 2023. )
The way I was told to install these is to:
- Save which ever one you want to install onto an empty USB stick.
- DO NOT change the name or the extension of the file.
- Plug in the USB stick
- Open Your App Drawer > Find Car Settings > Find System Information
- There could be a button on that System Information screen that says: Android Update ( This button was greyed out(unaccessible) until plugged in my USB drive.)
- You hit that button and wait for the update to finish. everything is automatic from that point.
- When successful you would notice a new Zlink app in your app drawer. It might even automatically launch after system reboots.
BEFORE YOU GO TRYING THESE STEPS THOUGH:
Understand that these apps are custom built to access bluetooth and Wifi functions of the Android system.
If they are not installed correctly they might
A: Not work at all
B: Brick your device
Here are some photos of the specs of my device and some screen shots of how the settings pages look and where you can find update options (given you have the right update files):
How old Zlink app looks:
View attachment 5862517
How new Zlink5 apps looks:
View attachment 5862519
Settings Page:
View attachment 5862523
and finally ABOUT FACTORY SETTINGS and your app disappearing:
When you hit Factory Settings ( and get into the main screen:
You should see an option called APPS:
When you enter that there could be a screen with the header: XYZ apps
XYZ apps is a custom system settings app which forces apps to boot with the head unit, and never allows them to force quit. ( This app in not attainable on the app store - is what I mean by custom)
Before you go installing any updates or files, find the APPS section in factory settings and see if Zlink is on that list.
The list is "check-able" - like toggles or check marks
- If you see the app there and it is UNCHECKED then CHECK IT, go back a page and find Reboot.
Then see if you app appears again.
If you don't see it.. well.. that's beyond my understanding, but most likely you would need to install them through a USB port like I detailed above.
Weather or not MY attached files will be suitable for your system is a whole other question.
One other thing:
- I'm not a developer and I don't know how build versions work on Android and how each aspect of each function affects other aspects:
But it is clear that the Chinese devs who write these Android builds are forcing certain apps to run in the background.
Having said that.
NEVER connect your Android head unit to Wifi and use it to access Personal Information or store passwords.
These aren't ATT or Verizon head units. They are made by a foreign company who is most likely under the umbrella of laws and regulations which allow the military to snoop on customer data in the name of the motherland...
The only way I use my headunit, is for it's radio, and the Android Auto function for navigation.. (whenever Zlink isn't crashing)
I don't allow any internet connection to the unit as it is not necessary. As a driver all you need in a car is a map and some tunes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply ! It helps to understand a lot of things.
Well, today I went back to the (physical) shop where I initialy bought the device last week.
I told them that Zlink is no more available and to me, it's the most important feature on the tablet.
They tried to reapply a new Reset factory settings, expecting that Zlink will be back with that, but it wasn't back. As they couldn't find a solution, I asked to replace the HU.
At first, it was a 2/32 GB (Android 10), and they replaced it with another with 8/64GB (Android 11) from the same manufacturing (on the box I can read J-1018)
Wouah ! Now it makes all the difference !
The device is much faster, and now when I go to factory settings (with 8888), I can find there a menu, like the one you are mentionning, called in my device "Type selection" as seen in attached picture.
This menu was not present in the previous 2/32 GB device...
Now as per the seller, even if I hit on Reset factory settings, I will always have the ability to restore Zlink (which a built-in version, quite old as it is 3.8.8 but it does the job).
I think we could have found a solution on the 2/32 GB (Android 10) with the help of your files. But I don't have anymore the device, so can't test it.
I hope someone else from the forum with the same problem can test them, and reply back if they are helpful.
In all cases, I am happy that this issue occured on the first device, because thanks to that, I have now a 8/64 GB instead, and I can only recommend to anyone buying a new Android HU, to choose as minimum 4 or 8GB of RAM, and 64 or 128 GB for stock memory. It is the minimum nowadays.