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I do not have an Android head unit yet but I've been looking into security options. Case use examples where you'd want security, if you need to leave your car with a service centre; if you let a family member or friend use the vehicle; worst case scenario if it gets stolen. In all scenarios people would have access to your Google account (Gmail, Play Store, Calendar etc).
So far the solutions I've seen are:
1. Don't use your primary Google account. This is the most secure, but also the least convenient.
2. Using AppLock and other apps. I haven't tried this on any Android device so I don't know how truly secure it is at locking sensitive apps and data. I'm not even sure how convenient it really is.
Here's an idea for a third option for Lollipop and above head units, that in theory is the most elegant solution provided they have the same security functionality as the stock Android OS.
1. Enable the lock screen feature in the Android settings so it requires a pin to login.
2. Employ the smart lock feature in Android so the head unit unlocks when it detects a trusted device, such as a Bluetooth connection with your smartphone, your Fitbit, etc.
3. Add a guest user account to the head unit for times when someone else will use the car so they can still use basic features, but not access your sensitive data.
I'm not sure how this would affect boot time, or if the aforementioned security features have been disabled in these head units, etc. Let me know if this would work.
vxn said:
I do not have an Android head unit yet but I've been looking into security options. Case use examples where you'd want security, if you need to leave your car with a service centre; if you let a family member or friend use the vehicle; worst case scenario if it gets stolen. In all scenarios people would have access to your Google account (Gmail, Play Store, Calendar etc).
So far the solutions I've seen are:
1. Don't use your primary Google account. This is the most secure, but also the least convenient.
2. Using AppLock and other apps. I haven't tried this on any Android device so I don't know how truly secure it is at locking sensitive apps and data. I'm not even sure how convenient it really is.
Here's an idea for a third option for Lollipop and above head units, that in theory is the most elegant solution provided they have the same security functionality as the stock Android OS.
1. Enable the lock screen feature in the Android settings so it requires a pin to login.
2. Employ the smart lock feature in Android so the head unit unlocks when it detects a trusted device, such as a Bluetooth connection with your smartphone, your Fitbit, etc.
3. Add a guest user account to the head unit for times when someone else will use the car so they can still use basic features, but not access your sensitive data.
I'm not sure how this would affect boot time, or if the aforementioned security features have been disabled in these head units, etc. Let me know if this would work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you been able to get this working? I am also looking for a similar solution to stay secure while keeping primary Google account.
roxylove said:
Have you been able to get this working? I am also looking for a similar solution to stay secure while keeping primary Google account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unit I've got had half of the Settings menu disabled, including Lockscreen. Before I rooted it and installed normal settings I used activity shortcut to get to the hidden menu options. I described it here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73282307&postcount=6
For some reason unlock with trusted devices mostly doesn't work. But overall it works and device is not accessible unless you enter pin.
Hello all, I just purchased and installed an Eonon GA2168K 10.1" LCD Android head unit. The stock launcher on this unit is terrible. I've installed Nova launcher and everything looks much better now. The issue I'm having is that the stock radio app is nowhere to be found however when I go back back to stock launcher, it is there. Not sure why it's not available in Nova. Has anybody else experienced this problem? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Yes it is because it is a custom function for the head unit, so standard launchers can't see it.
Give FCC Car Launcher a try - it's great and should hopefully work for you
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried FCC and still no radio. My old Eonon Android unit on 4.4 didn't do this. I have also noticed that this is a very limited version of Android e.g., missing all the settings in the top drop down menu. Hopefully someone is working on a custom ROM for this unit. I really don't want to use the stock launcher.
cere1bro said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried FCC and still no radio. My old Eonon Android unit on 4.4 didn't do this. I have also noticed that this is a very limited version of Android e.g., missing all the settings in the top drop down menu. Hopefully someone is working on a custom ROM for this unit. I really don't want to use the stock launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah your old one would have been a MTCB with Rockchip manufactured by Klyde - this one is basically a completely different software developer and manufacturer.
What is the MCU version out of interest?
Mcu: Ts907.180712
I've also purchased this same unit. I'v tried a bunch of different launchers and all are no go for the radio app. Really driving me crazy that I can't use other launchers without losing the stock radio functionality.
zerocoolak said:
I've also purchased this same unit. I'v tried a bunch of different launchers and all are no go for the radio app. Really driving me crazy that I can't use other launchers without losing the stock radio functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear I'm not the only one but sucks at the same time. Though I was starting to worry because I bought this unit refurbished and the software was all screwed up when I got it. It had Apex launcher installed along with a bunch of other non stock apps. These were presumably installed by the the original purchaser and Eonon didn't even bother to reset to factory settings which is something I still have not figured out how to do.
Is your drop down menu bare like mine? Mine only shows the WiFi connection.
Bluetooth is very disappointing too, can't connect anything like bluetooth headphones or a keyboard as it does not show an option to search for devices.
This is not the true android experience I was hoping for.
Ya, mine only has wifi listed in drop-down. I can connect to Bluetooth with my phone just have to go into settings menu. I like the unit, but the custom firmware and launcher that it comes with is kinda garbage. I did get in contact with the seller for the newest update, but it still has issues. Mine has the same radio app issue you described with custom launchers and will not keep a radio preset name. I can set a preset, but as soon as I select another staion whatever is displayed gets saved as that preset name on the channel I was switching from. I did update to the newest 2/21/2019 update, but my unit still has the same bugs. I bought mine through Amazon and I'm pretty sure I'm going to return it as it was not describes as published. This unit could be awesome if it had a better firmware installed on it. I can dump the firmware if anyone wants to take a look at it and possibly fix it's shortcomings.
zerocoolak said:
Ya, mine only has wifi listed in drop-down. I can connect to Bluetooth with my phone just have to go into settings menu. I like the unit, but the custom firmware and launcher that it comes with is kinda garbage. I did get in contact with the seller for the newest update, but it still has issues. Mine has the same radio app issue you described with custom launchers and will not keep a radio preset name. I can set a preset, but as soon as I select another staion whatever is displayed gets saved as that preset name on the channel I was switching from. I did update to the newest 2/21/2019 update, but my unit still has the same bugs. I bought mine through Amazon and I'm pretty sure I'm going to return it as it was not describes as published. This unit could be awesome if it had a better firmware installed on it. I can dump the firmware if anyone wants to take a look at it and possibly fix it's shortcomings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just installed a GA2168K yesterday in my 2006 GTO.
A couple things I noteced... I noticed in the included harness adapter is they have constant battery power and accessory power swapped.
Installed it with their R0008 dash cam that came with it. No DVR app. Finally found the main config menu (hidden by password 8888) and enabled DVR.
It does not detect the camera. it works fine with my GA2170. Went to their website and was looking to see if they had a different camera available, and that is the only one. However, on the R0008 camera product page it gives a list of HU's it isn't compatible with, and the GA2168K is one of those. Sent support an email, hopefully will have an answer Monday on that. The other frustration is that half the settings they show in the user manual and online, aren't showing up in the actual menu's. Hoping they can send me a newer Firmware/OS that enables those... And finally, there is no seperate control for subwoofer like there was in the GA2170 Looks like I need to buy the remote amp level control and run a new cable to the trunk
I also need to add that it is advertised as having 18 FM radio presets and 12 AM presets.
Mine is only storing 6 of each and just goes back to the beginning...
Mine has the 18 fm presets and 12 am. Just have to hit the Fm or am button to go to the next set. As for the DVR cam, I remember reading that it wasn't compatible with DVR cams in the Amazon description where I purchased mine. Specifically list the r0008.
So problems I've noticed so far. I've updated to the latest firmware provided by Eonon support.
The addition of a screen off button is nice, but the brightness settings for auto brightness are still to bright at night. I really wish they would include a brightness slider. Maybe a lower setting on the nite slider.
My wifi does not automatically connect to my phone when i turn on my hot spot. I have to manually go into wifi settings for it to start searching for a signal.
My radio presets will not save properly. They only save what is listed when I change the station. Becomes really annoying since it save whatever song data is displayed. I really would like a way to add a custom name to stations so that it doesn't just save the radio data displayed.
I also really wish I could use the radio app with another launcher like Nova. The radio app contains all the speaker adjustment controls and equaliser settings.
Edit: this is the response I got from Eonon after sending them a similar email for their developer to hopefully look into and correct some of the quirks of the firmware on this head unit for a future update.
Hi，
1, regarding the brightness, currently can not be set lower.
2. Because the WIFI hotspot of the mobile phone will automatically enter the hibernation state after being connected for a long time, when the machine is started again, the WIFI hotspot of the mobile phone is not detected. At this time, it is necessary to manually activate the WIFI hotspot to connect, we cannot change this..
3, currently does not support the storage method you said, thank you for your advice!
4. This is a problem with APP compatibility. There is no way to solve it.
Thank u so much!
Vera
Hmmmm......?
If someone wanted to work on a ROM for this headunit I'm sure I could figure out how to dump it. This head unit has some great potential but has some flaws that I wish the companies devs would fix.
5ft24 said:
I just installed a GA2168K yesterday in my 2006 GTO.
A couple things I noteced... I noticed in the included harness adapter is they have constant battery power and accessory power swapped.
Installed it with their R0008 dash cam that came with it. No DVR app. Finally found the main config menu (hidden by password 8888) and enabled DVR.
It does not detect the camera. it works fine with my GA2170. Went to their website and was looking to see if they had a different camera available, and that is the only one. However, on the R0008 camera product page it gives a list of HU's it isn't compatible with, and the GA2168K is one of those. Sent support an email, hopefully will have an answer Monday on that. The other frustration is that half the settings they show in the user manual and online, aren't showing up in the actual menu's. Hoping they can send me a newer Firmware/OS that enables those... And finally, there is no seperate control for subwoofer like there was in the GA2170 Looks like I need to buy the remote amp level control and run a new cable to the trunk
I also need to add that it is advertised as having 18 FM radio presets and 12 AM presets.
Mine is only storing 6 of each and just goes back to the beginning...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the GA9163K (the Mazda version) of this head unit. Apparently the K versions of this model, which generally come with Android 8.1.0, do not support front camera/dvr function. That's what the EONON rep told me anyway.
On my unit, in the advanced menu (code 8888) it had options to change the number of presets on each band and could be selected between 6, 12 or 18 presets on FM and 6 or 12 on AM. It also had the option to enable OT frequency, but not sure what that is as we do not use that here.
Dears,
anybody tried Eonon GA2178 - 10" Android 9 Head Unit?
I'm actually on Eonon GA2168K - 10" Android 8 Head Unit, it's a good device with minor problems.
Anytime developers fix a problem they introduce an other problem and there's no community support for MTK chipsets.
Because of this I'm evaluating the new Eonon GA2178, that is quite similar but based on Rockchip chipset.
Tks!
I found a solution to eonon with no radio,
I installed the GA2180A eonon unit last week and changed the launcher to the paid version of Car launcher by apps lab studio and found the same issue, no radio.
I was able edit the theme and create a widget with 'KWGT Kustom Widget Maker' that basically displayed a picture, I used an radio clipart png file i found with google image search and set the action when clicking the widget to run the Radio activity inside the app installed called com.ts.MainUI8. Your app and activity may be slightly different to mine. I do own the pro key for KWGT, but I don't think that matters.
This is my first post so the system won't allow me to post the google drive link to my custom widget. Feel free to message me for it. It would need modification too.
Depending on the rom installed in yours you may be able to use something like 'Activity Launcher' by Adam Szalkowski to create a shortcut directly to the activity. This is a much easier than the first option, but some roms have the ability to create shortcuts turned off. Mine did so I found widget work around.
The above could easily be adapted to launch other internal activities beside the radio.
Happy to provide more info if I'm not clear. Good luck!
C4rl0sHunt3r said:
I installed the GA2180A eonon unit last week and changed the launcher to the paid version of Car launcher by apps lab studio and found the same issue, no radio.
I was able edit the theme and create a widget with 'KWGT Kustom Widget Maker' that basically displayed a picture, I used an radio clipart png file i found with google image search and set the action when clicking the widget to run the Radio activity inside the app installed called com.ts.MainUI8. Your app and activity may be slightly different to mine. I do own the pro key for KWGT, but I don't think that matters.
This is my first post so the system won't allow me to post the google drive link to my custom widget. Feel free to message me for it. It would need modification too.
Depending on the rom installed in yours you may be able to use something like 'Activity Launcher' by Adam Szalkowski to create a shortcut directly to the activity. This is a much easier than the first option, but some roms have the ability to create shortcuts turned off. Mine did so I found widget work around.
The above could easily be adapted to launch other internal activities beside the radio.
Happy to provide more info if I'm not clear. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello , i just install the head unit and just like you i can't have the radio app to work on other laauncher exept the ''factory'' one... can you help me to make it work just like you ? or have you find a better way to achieve it ? thanks @ [email protected]
C4rl0sHunt3r said:
I installed the GA2180A eonon unit last week and changed the launcher to the paid version of Car launcher by apps lab studio and found the same issue, no radio.
I was able edit the theme and create a widget with 'KWGT Kustom Widget Maker' that basically displayed a picture, I used an radio clipart png file i found with google image search and set the action when clicking the widget to run the Radio activity inside the app installed called com.ts.MainUI8. Your app and activity may be slightly different to mine. I do own the pro key for KWGT, but I don't think that matters.
This is my first post so the system won't allow me to post the google drive link to my custom widget. Feel free to message me for it. It would need modification too.
Depending on the rom installed in yours you may be able to use something like 'Activity Launcher' by Adam Szalkowski to create a shortcut directly to the activity. This is a much easier than the first option, but some roms have the ability to create shortcuts turned off. Mine did so I found widget work around.
The above could easily be adapted to launch other internal activities beside the radio.
Happy to provide more info if I'm not clear. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love more info on how to accomplish this, also. I have an Eonon GA9465B and can't get the radio to work with Agama launcher. Please help
[email protected]
I also have an eonon and would love to get some information [email protected]
I have an UGAR 9 in (model 8227L). It's running Android 9. And has a clunky stock user interface. I used Nova Launcher and "quickshortcutmaker" to create shortcuts to the stock apps that did not show up in my app drawer. Namely the AV-IN and radio apps. So I got that all working pretty well. However, I have not been able to figure out how to get the upper status bar to remain visible. It hides itself after one or two seconds. If you have figured out how to keep the status bar from hiding please let me know. Thank you much
C4rl0sHunt3r said:
I found a solution to eonon with no radio,
I installed the GA2180A eonon unit last week and changed the launcher to the paid version of Car launcher by apps lab studio and found the same issue, no radio.
I was able edit the theme and create a widget with 'KWGT Kustom Widget Maker' that basically displayed a picture, I used an radio clipart png file i found with google image search and set the action when clicking the widget to run the Radio activity inside the app installed called com.ts.MainUI8. Your app and activity may be slightly different to mine. I do own the pro key for KWGT, but I don't think that matters.
This is my first post so the system won't allow me to post the google drive link to my custom widget. Feel free to message me for it. It would need modification too.
Depending on the rom installed in yours you may be able to use something like 'Activity Launcher' by Adam Szalkowski to create a shortcut directly to the activity. This is a much easier than the first option, but some roms have the ability to create shortcuts turned off. Mine did so I found widget work around.
The above could easily be adapted to launch other internal activities beside the radio.
Happy to provide more info if I'm not clear. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same setup... Same head unit, programs, I can't get it to work. Could I get detailed directions or something? It would be greatly appreciated.
Since updating to Android Pie, apps need user confirmation when changing system settings like turning on bluetooth.
This defeats the purpose of automating processes with apps like tasker.
Had been looking for the solution on the web for a while and had not found any posts providing a solution.
I saw others with similar problems, but no solution that worked.
I found a solution and want to share it here.
The issue can be resolved in the following manner.
You need to give the specific app permission to write system settings.
Go to Settings>Apps>Apps.
Press the three dots at the top right.
Special Access>Write System Settings
Search for the app (e.g. Tasker)
Activate the setting for the app.
When the app activates Bluetooth, it will no longer ask for user confirmation.
Hope this helps people out there.
KR
Litening
Hi in my case it doesn't work.
Honor 8 pro with Android 9.0.1.161, using an NFC tag that turns Bluetooth on or off, using the "NFC Task" app, whenever the system displays a screen with the text "NFC task wants to enable / disable bluetooth" and two choices "allow" or "refuse".
Steps dont work in my Huawei Y9 2019, with Android 9.01, any other suggestion?, write access settings are ON for all the apps that needs bluetooth, but bluetooth keeps asking the same, aprove or deny...
Same here, Mate 20 X. Had this already turned on.
Don't Work P30 Pro Android 10
Anyone was able to find a solution?
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.
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.