Database Develop

Use car headunit without android auto

I'm thinking it may be possible to make an app that mirrors what is shown on the phone screen to the car headunit by emulating the Android Auto communication protocol. Touches on the headunit screen could be transmitted back to the phone for interaction with the apps. Most of what Android Auto does is screen display over USB and some touchscreen interaction with the user so it may not be hard to get some of the features.
Does this already exist? If not, do we know if anyone is working on this?

Yes, this is possible.
I am not aware of anyone planning to do this. Google would surely ban an app on Play that does this, as they did with my AA Headunit app. So, along with IMO little demand for this, there is little financial incentive to do this.
I've considered doing this myself, but I'm concentrating on my Headunit app at this time.
Most people with Android Auto compatible HUs will IMO want to use AA (or Apple Carplay if iPhone), rather than mirroring over AA protocol. If they want true mirroring, there are open protocols for this.
(One exception might be for cars with factory AA compatible HUs, if those HUs do not support mirroring.)
I think devs may be more friendly to using open mirroring protocols, rather than using a secret, undocumented protocol that will get the apps booted from Google Play.

mikereidis said:
(One exception might be for cars with factory AA compatible HUs, if those HUs do not support mirroring.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is specifically what I'm thinking about. Maybe I want to look up yelp reviews, watch a youtube video, or browse the web on my car headunit while parked when the headunit does not specifically support streaming other than android auto. There is some added value to having a car with an android auto capable headunit if there is a way to do things not supported by google/the car manufacturers.
If the protocol is simple enough, this may be possible with a rooted device. Since it sounds like android auto is pretty much video/audio streaming over USB, this may not be hard to do.
How a developer can get money doing this is another question. This certainly would be something you could not sell in the play store. I'd certainly donate for a good app but I know that is a difficult way to make money unless you have a large audience.

communication between Auto and phone
Is anyone still working this?
I am interested in knowing how the communications between Android Auto and phone is? Communications seems complete gibberish. Are they using any particular Android protocol for communication?

Accessing SD card that is in the car from android auto

Hi all,
I'm thinking about buying a new car equipped with android auto. This car comes with an SD card slot where you can store music to use with the regular infotainment system. I was wondering if that SD card can also be accessed from android auto? I currently have a 16 GB Nexus 5X so it would be nice if I could use the SD card in the car, while driving.
I'm asking here because I'm sure the sales people don't even know what android auto is, so I don't really trust them.
Thanks.

My car stereo (Pioneer AVIC-F77DAB) has an SD card slot and I can't access it through android auto. I have to go into the stereos main screen to access music/video from SD card. Hope this helps

wallacerp said:
My car stereo (Pioneer AVIC-F77DAB) has an SD card slot and I can't access it through android auto. I have to go into the stereos main screen to access music/video from SD card. Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer, I was kind of expecting this but I wanted to make sure. If anybody has a different experience please let me know.

wallacerp is correct.
AA has no way at present to play audio sourced from the headunit, whether CDs, SDCard or AM/FM/HD/Sat etc.
Maybe in some future release 1-3 years from now.
There are strings within the AA code indicating Google might be experimenting with this. But it's in Googles interest to have us using Google Play Music. (Though deals with auto OEMs to share car data with Google could shift that interest.)

Hi,
Peharps, in the future a new release of the AA protocol will include this., However, HU manufacturers can implement this AT TIME:
* Share the SD content using DLNA over the WiFi. Typically, you mobile and your HU can be connected by WiFi, additionally to AA USB connection. On this wireless network you can use any PLAYER App compatible with AA that can play from DLNA sources... in this case the HU.
I found this solution quite complex but viable... I do something similar in my VW.

manos78 said:
Hi,
Peharps, in the future a new release of the AA protocol will include this., However, HU manufacturers can implement this AT TIME:
* Share the SD content using DLNA over the WiFi. Typically, you mobile and your HU can be connected by WiFi, additionally to AA USB connection. On this wireless network you can use any PLAYER App compatible with AA that can play from DLNA sources... in this case the HU.
I found this solution quite complex but viable... I do something similar in my VW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, OK. But a bit complicated and potentially fragile I think.
I am not aware of any aftermarket AA HU that supports Wifi, never mind DLNA on top.
I presume your VW HU does, but I'm not sure about others.
My first thought was using flash USB connected to the phone, but I think it goes the wrong direction to use a hub to share the USB needed for AA. In theory AA over Wifi (or USB hub'd ethernet ?) could free up the USB, but it's not clear that Google will support AA over IP officially any time soon.

mikereidis said:
wallacerp is correct.
AA has no way at present to play audio sourced from the headunit, whether CDs, SDCard or AM/FM/HD/Sat etc.
Maybe in some future release 1-3 years from now.
There are strings within the AA code indicating Google might be experimenting with this. But it's in Googles interest to have us using Google Play Music. (Though deals with auto OEMs to share car data with Google could shift that interest.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's kind of a no-brainer that people would want to listen to FM radio and use navigation at the same time. Same goes for an SD card or CD you might have in the car. As it is I'm leaning towards buying a cheaper car model and just using a mount for the phone when I need it. Especially since I have no guarantee that if Google does implement this in the future, it will work with my car.

This guy has a mode button on his device that allows him to switch between Android Auto and his normal infotainment system. That's at least an option, but I'm not sure if it works the same on the one that comes with VW cars.
https://youtu.be/Mw7BYxyC_3Q?t=13m31s

sorin7486 said:
This guy has a mode button on his device that allows him to switch between Android Auto and his normal infotainment system. That's at least an option, but I'm not sure if it works the same on the one that comes with VW cars.
https://youtu.be/Mw7BYxyC_3Q?t=13m31s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a standard Pioneer AA HU feature. I would have thought other HUs can do the same, but maybe some don't.
sorin7486 said:
Well, it's kind of a no-brainer that people would want to listen to FM radio and use navigation at the same time. Same goes for an SD card or CD you might have in the car. As it is I'm leaning towards buying a cheaper car model and just using a mount for the phone when I need it. Especially since I have no guarantee that if Google does implement this in the future, it will work with my car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My negative reply was about not being able to control FM and other HU sourced audio from the Android Auto screen UI.
Pioneer HUs (at least) allow you to start FM (or whatever), then start AA and FM will continue playing. FM will pause or drop volume when using AA navigation, so that's a crude form of basic "integration".
But you have to leave the AA UI in order to deal with FM etc on the HU screen (buttons might work, I've never actually tried this.)
So there is no seamless integration that allows you to control FM etc on the HU screen while staying within the AA UI. And most of us find it a bit jarring to switch between UIs, so we try to stay within one UI, which effectively means the AA UI.
It may be a "no brainer" that we all want seamless integration, but that doesn't mean that Google will support it.
Google music services compete with FM radio. This is why Google has never supported FM on Nexus devices. Google also killed attempts to create standard FM radio APIs for Android (while pretending to support them).
Basically, Google wants us to use Google Play Music from within AA and purposely makes it difficult to access FM/HD/CD/etc... in a seamless manner.

Yah, I have a feeling that most HUs have AA as just another app of sorts instead of AA taking over completely. That was my impression because ever review only really shows the features of AA, not how you would use it day to day. And I get what you're saying about the radio but I think cars are a bit different: the people who listen to the radio on their phone have usually been a minority, while almost everyone uses it in the car. In any case, if AA doesn't take over completely I see no reason for them or the car companies to integrate other car functions into AA.
thanks for the reply

Android radio navigatie carkit setup help

Hello iam from the Netherlands and new on this forum.
Looking for somebody who like to help me with a problem. I bought one week ago an Android radio navigatie carkit 6,2 inch A9 cortex processor QUAD CORE 1.6 Ghz - wifi -android 5.1.1 Lollipop - 16GB
w-ww.caraudioexpert.nl/nissan-qashqai-juke-note-radio-navigatie-carkit-quadcore-wifi-android-5.1
MTCD_KGL_V1.92a_2 Oct 13 2016 10:49:02 Android-versie? 5.1.1 Kernel-versie? 3.0.101
I would like to know if this system is good enough to install Android Auto?
Because in the Netherlands playstore is not supporting Android Auto. I can not install this offcially. Any one who like to help me with an working APK file? Because what I downloaded is not working?
Looking forward to get some help

Oxalex said:
Hello iam from the Netherlands and new on this forum.
Looking for somebody who like to help me with a problem. I bought one week ago an Android radio navigatie carkit 6,2 inch A9 cortex processor QUAD CORE 1.6 Ghz - wifi -android 5.1.1 Lollipop - 16GB
w-ww.caraudioexpert.nl/nissan-qashqai-juke-note-radio-navigatie-carkit-quadcore-wifi-android-5.1
MTCD_KGL_V1.92a_2 Oct 13 2016 10:49:02 Android-versie? 5.1.1 Kernel-versie? 3.0.101
I would like to know if this system is good enough to install Android Auto?
Because in the Netherlands playstore is not supporting Android Auto. I can not install this offcially. Any one who like to help me with an working APK file? Because what I downloaded is not working?
Looking forward to get some help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto will not work on your headunit.
However, you CAN use Android Auto the way it is supposed to work: install it on your phone and connect the phone to the unit using Easy Connect.

Thanks
m00n61 said:
Android Auto will not work on your headunit.
However, you CAN use Android Auto the way it is supposed to work: install it on your phone and connect the phone to the unit using Easy Connect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did I bought the right headunit? Because i thought this unit is self supporting.
Do you have a link or right APK file of Android Auto because i cannot find a official version?

Oxalex said:
Did I bought the right headunit? Because i thought this unit is self supporting.
Do you have a link or right APK file of Android Auto because i cannot find a official version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto is not meant to be run on the head unit. ANY head unit. It always runs on the phone.
You can download it from here:
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-auto/android-auto-2-0-6427-release/
Make sure you get the right version for your processor

Looking for a good handsfree solution
m00n61 said:
Android Auto is not meant to be run on the head unit. ANY head unit. It always runs on the phone.
You can download it from here:
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-auto/android-auto-2-0-6427-release/
Make sure you get the right version for your processor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got this app installed as working version. Thanks I thougt Android Auto will be the perfect solution between my Headunit and Asus Dual sim Zenfone Z00AD
My experience is that Android Auto is not nice to work with I found out. Searching contacts is not good working aswell voice control. It is also not posible to control more phone apps.
Does i do something wrong?
I am looking for a good handsfree solution so i cann easily use de apps and functions on my phone with the head unit I bought.
Is there maybe a list with "Best car apps". So i can setup the best and safest way to drive my car and control my mobile phone on a friendly way?
Looking forward for some help

Oxalex said:
I got this app installed as working version. Thanks I thougt Android Auto will be the perfect solution between my Headunit and Asus Dual sim Zenfone Z00AD
My experience is that Android Auto is not nice to work with I found out. Searching contacts is not good working aswell voice control. It is also not posible to control more phone apps.
Does i do something wrong?
I am looking for a good handsfree solution so i cann easily use de apps and functions on my phone with the head unit I bought.
Is there maybe a list with "Best car apps". So i can setup the best and safest way to drive my car and control my mobile phone on a friendly way?
Looking forward for some help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy Connect is the best solution for mirroring your phone and it's included by default in factory ROMs.

m00n61 said:
Easy Connect is the best solution for mirroring your phone and it's included by default in factory ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer.
But this is not easy to connect with.
When I get in the car, I activate first my phone Bluetooth and Hotspot and the Unit headset. Then every time he is asking for a USB connection? This setup takes long!
After he is making connection I have an Mirror and I can take out the USB and it's working. When I leave the car and i come back I have to do the setup again? This is not handy for short driving.

Other quistion; With mirroring only headup is possible and no landscape, so everything is smaller then on the phone and when you drive this is also not save to use.

Some body who can help me further?

Android auto without Google?

Hi
Sorry these are probably stupid questions, but I'm having such a hard time finding answers for them.
Is Android Auto a proprietary system that only works with Google's software?
If I have a rooted LineageOS phone without Gapps, will I be able to connect my phone to a car with Android Auto?
Is Android Auto just an app that runs on a smartphone? Then I would guess I should be able to get any app to display on the car's screen? Based on search results I'm assuming that's not so easy, or maybe not possible at all. Then what's the technical limitation preventing me from displaying whatever I want on the head unit and getting input from it? Is there encryption involved?
Thanks in advance.

AA is a client-server app. The head unit of your car should be compatible with it, that is, it should be manufactured to support AA. From the phone's point of view, the AA app should be installed from Google Play store, if the OS is less or equal to Android 9, or it is built-in the OS from Android 10. I do not know if AA could work in your OS, but you can try. Download the AA apk from apkmirror and try installing it. If you do not have a car with an AA compatible head unit, then don't even think to try.
Not all apps in Google store are compatible with AA, they have to be built to work in AA.
In principle, what AA does, is mirroring your phone's display on your car's infotainment display.
Sent from my SM-T860 using Tapatalk

Thanks. By client-server do you mean phone-car or phone-car-internet?
I'm less concerned right now whether I can get the apk working or not, and more whether I'll be able to develop on it in the future.
Is the Android Auto app open source? Where is the source code?
Basically what I'm asking is "Can I develop my own software to run on my phone and interact with the car's infotainment system without using any proprietary software?"
My car doesn't have Android Auto. I'm trying to decide whether my next car should have it, or whether it's going to be doomed to be obsolete 3 years after I buy it and I should just get an older model without Android Auto.

The client is your phone and the server is the head unit supporting AA. If internet is used by the apps, then you'll need an internet connection also, but AA itself does not require internet. The only thing it does is mirroring.
If your car does not support AA, then your only option is to replace / install the head unit with one that supports AA.
As far as I understand, AA is open source: https://source.android.com/devices/automotive/start/what_automotive
So you will be able to develop apps that will run on AA too. But you will still need the support on car's head unit. AA works wired (usb cable connecting your phone with the head unit) or, in the newly-released Android 11, wireless, provided that the head unit supports it. It should work wireless in Android 9 and 10 also, but only with certain Google or Samsung devices.
This is AA users forum: https://support.google.com/androidauto/community?hl=en
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

Hello,
I have the same situation: LineageOS (Android 11), no GApps, no google services, no Google Account, No Google playstore.
When I understand you right, I only need the Android Auto apk. (and of course some apps, that support Android Auto, like Mapfactor navigator, Spotify...)
The Android Auto app (which mirrors the GUI of my user app to the Cars display) doesnt need neither a mobile data connection nor any of the Googel services (google push and so on).
Can someone confirm this?

Question The good old Android Auto Vivo Problem

Hey Guys,
i searched the Web for a possibility to get AA running on my X70 Pro+ with Origin OS Ocean....
Unfortunately there are only Posts and Threads about the X60 and other Vivo Phones and so on .
The issue seems to be the same.
Has anyone found a workaround to get AA running on Origin OS....?
I was hoping for Android 12 to get the Phone going, but no Idea what time we will get Android 12 and if Vivo sets permissions for AA then.
Cheers and greetings from Germany

Hi,
Right now, there is unfortunately no way to get Android Auto working. After Android 10 Android Auto only trigger car installation of it is a system application. Since there is not the case with Vivo and you couldn't mount AA as a system, you are out of options to make it work.
There is a slight, but really a slight option that it might work with the new Coolwalk version which will be available later this year.
Otherwise, the head unit direct version is also in preparation.
If you want the working AA now, the only realistic option is to buy an Android CarPlay dongle, or using a spare phone with older Android version as a buffer triggered from your phone hotspot (or with a separate sim card).

piskr said:
Hi,
Right now, there is unfortunately no way to get Android Auto working. After Android 10 Android Auto only trigger car installation of it is a system application. Since there is not the case with Vivo and you couldn't mount AA as a system, you are out of options to make it work.
There is a slight, but really a slight option that it might work with the new Coolwalk version which will be available later this year.
Otherwise, the head unit direct version is also in preparation.
If you want the working AA now, the only realistic option is to buy an Android CarPlay dongle, or using a spare phone with older Android version as a buffer triggered from your phone hotspot (or with a separate sim card).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the detailed explanation

Im looking for an EZ solution too
But from my knowledge the only work around right now is root the phone and make AA an system app
which is not EZ for vivo since it does not allow to unlock bootloader

There is simply no chance to run AA with x70 pro+ now. The only viable solution are android dongles running on past Android versions and triggering car AA. Or even better - if you have or can buy cheap an Android 8, 9 or 10 phone with full gps and at least 4g ram (could be with broken screen or scratches), you can use it as an interface.

The only way to have android auto to work on your vehicle is to have the one with Funtouch OS (which I have), other than that, you will waste your time in trying to find a way to make it work..

piskr said:
Hi,
Right now, there is unfortunately no way to get Android Auto working. After Android 10 Android Auto only trigger car installation of it is a system application. Since there is not the case with Vivo and you couldn't mount AA as a system, you are out of options to make it work.
There is a slight, but really a slight option that it might work with the new Coolwalk version which will be available later this year.
Otherwise, the head unit direct version is also in preparation.
If you want the working AA now, the only realistic option is to buy an Android CarPlay dongle, or using a spare phone with older Android version as a buffer triggered from your phone hotspot (or with a separate sim card).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will a dongle fix the connection issue?

piskr said:
Hi,
Right now, there is unfortunately no way to get Android Auto working. After Android 10 Android Auto only trigger car installation of it is a system application. Since there is not the case with Vivo and you couldn't mount AA as a system, you are out of options to make it work.
There is a slight, but really a slight option that it might work with the new Coolwalk version which will be available later this year.
Otherwise, the head unit direct version is also in preparation.
If you want the working AA now, the only realistic option is to buy an Android CarPlay dongle, or using a spare phone with older Android version as a buffer triggered from your phone hotspot (or with a separate sim card).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My head unit is after market and supports wireless. I know that my x fold won't hook up. Are you saying if I get carplay dongle I can hook my vivo wifi to it and it will work?

Sonicsoul25 said:
My head unit is after market and supports wireless. I know that my x fold won't hook up. Are you saying if I get carplay dongle I can hook my vivo wifi to it and it will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The head unit has to support Android Auto. Then you can choose from a variety of dongles. Even though they have more or less the same chip, they are different. Each producer tries to squeeze the most from the device, and they have a different approach.
Basically, you must avoid those, which don't clearly stated that some version of Android is installed. Without Android you gain nothing, it's only wireless connection - for IOS.
Most of them have Android 9 or 10, though in the last time 11 appears as well. That is really interesting, because with Android 11 you must have AA as a system app in order to trigger it on a head unit. It looks like producers now solve that issue.
And surprisingly, the core you get on the head unit, if everything goes ok, is not Android, it's IOS. In that core you have android apps including Google Play.
Since, as I said, every unit has a unique configuration, it's not possible to recommend any. The device that I bought is not in the market anymore, for example.
The very piece that you buy must play well with your car head unit and everything what is behind. And behind is a lot, managing systems for settings, audio and other customization.
You must be aware, when you connect AA dongle, it cuts every other setting related to its management out.
Therefore, the biggest issue might be that you'll lose calling via Bluetooth functionality. Because callings (and old style sms) goes different way than other features. My dongle does support calling but in limited way, without Assistant support and with custom made phone app, where the contact selection is rather difficult. And the next flaw is that it doesn't get along with my car audio system, therefore woofers are not engaged. The dongle doesn't have an equalizer, and I can't remedy it.
There is noticeable lag when starting apps and with commands, but otherwise there is no lag when running. Music, video and Gmaps function without glitches. Yes, you have YouTube, Netflix and any other video app you might be subscribed to. And video runs well with a decent resolution. You can load apps from store or as a sideload. And you can play local files, stored either in the dongle memory or on USB.
That's my experience, others may have different. You don't have necessary to buy a dongle, you can use an old phone with Android from 8 to 10 as a driver. Because, as you may already guess, your actual phone serves only as a hot spot (wireless and if you're lucky bluetooth too - tethering) to provide a signal for AA dongle.
If you want to buy a dedicated device, select one which has reviews from the users with as much as possible similar circumstances and priorities as you have.

piskr said:
The head unit has to support Android Auto. Then you can choose from a variety of dongles. Even though they have more or less the same chip, they are different. Each producer tries to squeeze the most from the device, and they have a different approach.
Basically, you must avoid those, which don't clearly stated that some version of Android is installed. Without Android you gain nothing, it's only wireless connection - for IOS.
Most of them have Android 9 or 10, though in the last time 11 appears as well. That is really interesting, because with Android 11 you must have AA as a system app in order to trigger it on a head unit. It looks like producers now solve that issue.
And surprisingly, the core you get on the head unit, if everything goes ok, is not Android, it's IOS. In that core you have android apps including Google Play.
Since, as I said, every unit has a unique configuration, it's not possible to recommend any. The device that I bought is not in the market anymore, for example.
The very piece that you buy must play well with your car head unit and everything what is behind. And behind is a lot, managing systems for settings, audio and other customization.
You must be aware, when you connect AA dongle, it cuts every other setting related to its management out.
Therefore, the biggest issue might be that you'll lose calling via Bluetooth functionality. Because callings (and old style sms) goes different way than other features. My dongle does support calling but in limited way, without Assistant support and with custom made phone app, where the contact selection is rather difficult. And the next flaw is that it doesn't get along with my car audio system, therefore woofers are not engaged. The dongle doesn't have an equalizer, and I can't remedy it.
There is noticeable lag when starting apps and with commands, but otherwise there is no lag when running. Music, video and Gmaps function without glitches. Yes, you have YouTube, Netflix and any other video app you might be subscribed to. And video runs well with a decent resolution. You can load apps from store or as a sideload. And you can play local files, stored either in the dongle memory or on USB.
That's my experience, others may have different. You don't have necessary to buy a dongle, you can use an old phone with Android from 8 to 10 as a driver. Because, as you may already guess, your actual phone serves only as a hot spot (wireless and if you're lucky bluetooth too - tethering) to provide a signal for AA dongle.
If you want to buy a dedicated device, select one which has reviews from the users with as much as possible similar circumstances and priorities as you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the wealth of information. I Think I will just use my spare phone to run it. Until another solution arises.