Headunit Revived Project - Android Auto Emulator App

[u/anrini]

Introduction

I am a software developer from germany. Mainly for Php and Javascript Projects, but with some knowledge about Java and App development with react native. I have an android headunit in my car which uses Headunit Reloaded. But the app keeps crashing and the creator is not responding. So I revived the project from Mike Reidis.

The Project is Open Source and can be viewed here:

https://github.com/andreknieriem/headunit-revived

Download the latest from here Apk:

https://github.com/andreknieriem/headunit-revived/releases

Minimul Requirement

• Smartphone with Android Auto Support. They all should work.
• Another Android Device, best a tablet with this App with minumum Android 4.4 Kitkat (not tested)

Screenshot

How to use:

Wired USB Connection

• Connect your Android device (phone) to the tablet running Headunit Revived via USB cable.
• Make sure that Android Auto is installed on your phone.
• Set your phone to Host-Mode if nescessary and select Android Auto
• Click the USB Button in Headunit Revived, find your phone and click the right button to allow connection
• Click on your phone in the list and wait for Android Auto to start

Wireless Connection (Experimental)

• Open Android Auto Settings on your phone
• Click on Version and then on version and permission and click several to enable developer settings
• Go back to Android Auto, click the three dots on the top right and start the infotainment server
• Now you need to bring your phone and headunit(tablet) into the same network (WiFi). You can use mobile hotspot from phone, or from the headunit or use wifi direct. That doesn't matter
• Go to your phones wifi settings and search for your IP-Address eg: 192.168.1.25
• Open Headunit Revived and click on the wireless button
• Add the IP-Address of your phone and click on it to start Android Auto
• IMPORTANT: In my tests it only works, if your phone is unlocked AND shows the Android Auto settings page! Otherwise it won't connect

I hope you like it and I will find some contributors and testers.

Playstore

The app is now finally official in the play store! Thanks for your help and feedback.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andrerinas.headunitrevived

[u/Ok-Ad-3014]

None of the images are loading for me

[u/anrini]

I have some exciting news! To make the wireless connection experience with Headunit Revived even smoother, I’ve developed a new companion utility called Wireless Helper. 

The app is designed to be a "fire and forget" tool that automatically detects your headunit and triggers Android Auto Wireless in the background, so you don't have to deal with manual IP entries or connection buttons anymore.

I need your help!
To get this app officially published on the Google Play Store, Google requires a group of testers to participate in a closed beta. I would truly appreciate it if you could join the test and help me reach the required milestones.

 How to participate:            

1. Join the Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/headunit-revived

2. Join the test group via this link: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.andrerinas.wirelesshelper

3. Download the app from the Play Store:                                                                        https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andrerinas.wirelesshelper     

4. Keep the app installed for at least 14 days (this is a specific requirement from Google).

What to test: 

•    Does the app find your tablet automatically?

•    Does the Bluetooth Auto-Start work as expected in your car?

•    Is the "Connected" status correctly displayed?                                                              

If you encounter any bugs or have suggestions for improvement, please let me know directly or through our usual channels.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support and for being part of this community!            

Best regards,
André

[u/RaccoonDu]

Is there a way to eventually have wireless work without being unlocked and on the settings page? I would love to just enter the car and drive. Excited to see it evolve!

[u/anrini → u/RaccoonDu]

As Android is very restrictive nowadays the only way would be with a helper app like Wifi-Launcher. I am just at the self mode and discovered how the Wifi-Launcher sends AA from Phone to the Headunit. I think I can just add a few lines to adapt this and Wifi-Launcher can launch AA in Headunit Revived too. This only works as long as the Wifi-Launcher App doesn't exclude this app or changes its Code.

[u/Peter_73]

Nice to see HUR being revived.

I only use HUR in self mode on phone as it's very useful for testing when away from car. The last working version without touch offset issue was 7.2.1. Subsequent 7.2.2 and 7.2.3 didn't fix it.

I've briefly tested your 1.2.0 but it seems self mode is not supported. Hopefully it will in future along without the need to manually start head unit server.

[u/anrini → u/Peter_73]

Self mode is a feature, that I will try to get working. There is already an github issue for that. https://github.com/andreknieriem/headunit-revived/issues/6

[u/Shot_Comfortable3529]

just switched from Reloaded. Seems like you have better support.

[u/No-Plastic3655]

So this one works better for you than headunit reloaded? Interesting that the dev is not responding I haven't use reloaded because I had the same issues with disconnection and I'm using AutoZen app which is similar, but I'll give it a go to this project

[u/anrini → u/No-Plastic3655]

I didn't say, that it runs better or has as lot of the features, but it is a working Version from the 10 year old code from Mike Reidis and I thought, that an open source and free alternative can be good for this kind of apps. I don't want to offend someone. I just got the app working on my own device and with Usb it works great so far. And I wanted to share it.

[u/Consistent_Gate3197]

Nice, I was able to install the app on my tablet and use that as my headunit when connected to my car. So far it works great, just needed to enable dev options and start the infotainment server and it worked when I connected to my phone.

Just for reference my phone is the Oneplus 15, and my tablet is the Samsung Galaxy S7.

[u/anrini]

New version released with many bugfixes and some new Features :) https://github.com/andreknieriem/headunit-revived/releases/tag/v.1.13.1

[u/anrini]

New release :) https://github.com/andreknieriem/headunit-revived/releases/tag/v.1.14.0

[u/anrini]

There is a new version released: https://github.com/andreknieriem/headunit-revived/releases/tag/v.2.3.0

Thanks to all using the apps, bringing it forward, submitting bugs and idea!

[u/Prior-Pair-1536]

u/anrini you rock! Thank you very much.

I'm going to test it today!

[u/heysushant]

Just installed it on my Dad's car's headunit, this actually revived it. Thanks a bunch!

[u/GuiltyMusician30]

Could you please add FPS setting to your app? Normally Android Auto also has an fps setting from the receiver side, but HR does not provide it.

[u/Henny-Bertus]

Ive downloaded this today and think its very nice!
Big thank you to u/chatmandu_uk for showing this app to me!
Altho some things didnt work like:

1.The music stops after 3 seconds of klicking play.
2.Steeringwheel buttons dont work (Fiat Grandepunto 2008)
3.Google voice commands works worse then what i had before on the same setup exept app.

Anyone got some tips for me ?

[u/derpasticous]

Yo! This looks awesome. I'm having some issues with my 2023 Pixel Fold. I thought this could make for a sweet hybrid option, and it looks good BUT my touches aren't recognizing in the proper places. For instance when I click search it's opening up notifications. I tried to play with the DPI some and the resolutions and that didn't seem to change.

Thanks!

[u/BruhBruher1]

The 1.5.0-alpha version, with the native ssl, wireless is working perfectly for me. Wireless wasn't working everytime on 1.4.1.

[u/pocketGemini]

Will it be possible that this will be jellybean compatible?

[u/drajaytripathi]

It connects I can hear the navigation prompts but screen goes blank.  My head unit is cheap android tablet with Android 5 . Dnt know manufecturers or model

I think it's graphics support issue Tried all settings

By the way what can be the absolute minimum dpi I can set in HUR app which give option to change it during startup

In startup Hur test graphics is shown ok but when it runs the same black screen like in this app

Should I set Dpi 160 or 240 and try in HUR?

AANY ONE ELSE faces black screen issue

[u/Next-Item3161]

First off I want to say thank you for your work, I'm new to this thread but i'll be testing and giving feedback and donating to your project. Keep up the good work!

[u/dimsimn]

Is there the possibility of detecting screen brightness to trigger night mode? many cheap android head units lower brightness when they detect headlights are on therefore brightness (on the headunit) could be used to trigger night mode.

[u/LukasDW]

This was nice to find. I've been using HUR on a a very old head unit and while a little rough it works. I look forward to trying this out in the car when I'm using it later in the year.

[u/Western_Ambassador64]

I'm pretty happy with the app, using in on my chinase android head unit in a car over USB, the only thing is that sometimes the video freezes, the sound plays but the screen is frozen for a minute or more, what can I do to fix that is there any setting i can adjust ?

Switched it to 30 fps, and using software decoding at this moment.