Clubjazz - Honda Jazz & HR-V Forums

Honda Jazz Forums => Honda Jazz Mk3 2015 - 2020 => Topic started by: doug on May 28, 2016, 07:52:40 PM

Title: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: doug on May 28, 2016, 07:52:40 PM
There has been a very interesting thread over on xda http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/security/honda-connect-android-t3179549 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/security/honda-connect-android-t3179549) that I have been following with interest.

Recently S_Mike posted a small app that allows you to allow installation of other apks (android packages) from a USB stick and set the permissions to allow them to run whilst driving:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/security/honda-connect-android-t3179549/post67016351#post67016351 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/security/honda-connect-android-t3179549/post67016351#post67016351)

I have now tested this out and have installed several apps including Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps - and it works !!!
It took an age (about an hour) to download the UK map over my home wifi, but it is all there now.

I did have to install a file manager (ES Explorer) to put the Sygic obb file (opaque binary blob) in the correct place and a screen rotator to force it to run in landscape mode http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2331514 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2331514)

I did try TomTom Go app, but that crashes on startup - I presume it need some of the missing Google services. Anyway I have 7 days to try out Sygic to decide if it is worth buying a permanent license for it. I might still use my TomTom on the windscreen, but it will be handy to have something built into the car.

Share and enjoy !
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: JazzandJag on May 31, 2016, 04:59:15 AM
I have now installed Google Maps and it is working very well, with the ability to have the FM or DAB radio playing as well. Needed to use an old version of the application (v8.0) to ensure compatibility with Android 4.0.4. Tried the Navmii app with offline maps but like TomTom above, it crashed.

I already have the paid-for version of Sygic on my i-phone so will continue to use that via HDMI whenever I need the more advanced features (offline maps & multiple waypoints etc) but Google Maps will meet my requirements most of the time and the mapping is always the most recent available.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: Graham Dicker on June 04, 2016, 11:44:28 AM
What's the position regarding insurance terms and conditions? Are the insurance companies happy to have people installing their own apps and changing permissions?
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: guest1372 on June 04, 2016, 01:19:02 PM
What's the position regarding insurance terms and conditions? Are the insurance companies happy to have people installing their own apps and changing permissions?
Swapping the whole unit for another would not require notification so long as it wasn't too valuable, so adding apps should be OK. I think the reason for lack of approved Honda app store content is one that is common to both Android Auto / Apple CarPlay as well. There is a reluctance to endorse apps that that require much interaction with the screen, for example in Android Auto you can't scroll through complete lists of your contacts it's limited to a couple of touches; voice commands are the encouraged method when moving.

The underlying 'driving without due care and attention' is probably the only restriction as hands free laws are met.
--
TG
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: mikebore on June 08, 2016, 06:28:59 AM
I am picking up my Mk3 SE today and very interested in getting the Google Maps app.

I would describe myself as computer savvy for all things Apple (and Windows slightly less), but zero experience of Android. I have Mac and Windows laptops.

Could one of you please point me to some step by step instructions for getting started?

Of course I haven't had sight of the manual yet so this may help, but I suspect this thread is going well beyond anything in the manual. At this stage I am reluctant to root the head, which might null the warranty if there turns out to something wrong with the unit.

Something I read implies I can connect my iPhone directly by HDMI cable and the iPhone screen shown on the display. If correct, presumably I can have TomTom etc shown that way....a bit clunky perhaps but easy.

Thanks
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: guest1372 on June 08, 2016, 12:31:24 PM
I am picking up my Mk3 SE today and very interested in getting the Google Maps app.
The software version is of interest to many with the Mk3, as the TA indicator, and reliability of the unit seems to improve.
See http://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=7624.0 (http://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=7624.0) for version/update info: HL6 standard or HL5 Nav editions

> hold down power+home+eject (or Menu+Power+Brightness from the Android screen)
> choose 'detail information & setting'
> hold 'menu' until new menu appears
> choose 'vehicle model information'
> many options for tinkering but 'DD VSP Error' can be turned off
> now HDMI input works while driving

Quote
Something I read implies I can connect my iPhone directly by HDMI cable and the iPhone screen shown on the display. If correct, presumably I can have TomTom etc shown that way....a bit clunky perhaps but easy.
By doing this it removes the 'HDMI while driving' restriction, it only lasts for that driving session.
Steering wheel buttons and screen interactions are not passed back to the phone, it's display/audio only but a whole bunch better than trying to get Mirrorlink to work.
--
TG
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: mikebore on June 08, 2016, 02:26:55 PM
Thanks for the responses.

Having now had the car for all of four hours, I have been able to try out a few things. One thing that works very well is fixing my iPhone 6+ to the centre air vent with a Kenu Airframe. I have also tried connecting the iPhone with an HDMI cable. TomTom looks a bit blurred on the Connect screen, and inputs still have to made on the phone screen not the connect screen. Using the Kenu leaves the Connect screen free for other uses.

So for now I am not going to pursue installing any Android maps.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: guest6397 on October 22, 2016, 02:27:53 AM
Hello,
I have 2 questions:
1) How can i install android app, such as especially google maps and any others? (Honda dealer informed me, it is not allowed to install any app, due to security reason)
2) How can i install any other maps to Navi system (it has only my country map, and Honda dealer informed me, not possible to install any other map)

Thanks in advance for your helpful assist.

Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: andruec on October 22, 2016, 07:46:14 AM
It is very difficult and involves circumventing Honda's 'protection'. You pretty much have to 'jailbreak' the system to let it allow you to access Google Play. But if a bit of hacking on the dark side doesn't scare you then knock yourself out:

Read the thread linked to by the first post above.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: ColinS on October 22, 2016, 08:13:52 AM
Just be warned, you will indubitably breech the warranty on your infotainment system and with a few people having issues, I'm not sure that I would want to take the risk.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: ColinB on October 23, 2016, 06:22:34 PM
At the risk of going slightly off-topic, you can of course get Google Maps on the main screen without doing any hacking or warranty infringement at all. You just set your phone up as a wi-fi hotspot, connect the car system to it, then use the browser on the car screen to go to Maps from the Google search page. To get it displaying whilst on the move you have to follow TG's instructions above which seem to apply to anything displayed on the screen, not just using the HDMI input (I make no comment on the legality or advisability of this, so do so at your own risk).
The snag - there's always one - is that the resulting map display is so unresponsive and clunky as to be practically unusable so I've not bothered apart from one experiment. Any Android wizards out there who can explain in simple terms why it doesn't really work ?
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: jazzaro on October 23, 2016, 10:18:43 PM
Hello,
I have 2 questions:
1) How can i install android app, such as especially google maps and any others? (Honda dealer informed me, it is not allowed to install any app, due to security reason)
Follow this:
http://www.cmhonda.net/ (http://www.cmhonda.net/)
Quote
2) How can i install any other maps to Navi system (it has only my country map, and Honda dealer informed me, not possible to install any other map)

The OEM navi system is a Garmin App, and maps are stored in a micro sd card inserted in the 7' unit. If this garmin works as all other stand-alone navi system, inside the sd card there is a folder named Garmin, and inside a file named gmapsup.img: if you change this file, you can change your maps.

Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: andruec on October 24, 2016, 04:13:55 PM
Any Android wizards out there who can explain in simple terms why it doesn't really work ?
Simple explanation: 'cos Pioneer made a bog-hole of it.

I don't know if it's due to institutional incompetence or lack of adequate funding resulting from the tendering process between them and Honda. Either way it turned out pretty much how I expected it to. Hardware manufacturers don't put proper effort into software unless it's a critical system.

We're probably paying through the nose for an under performing poorly designed system.

There's also Mirror Connect but unfortunately the head unit is only 1.0 compatible and the Android community didn't/couldn't make 2.0 backward compatible. So my new phone is recognised by the head unit but then rejected.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: jazzaro on November 10, 2016, 01:35:33 PM
Sorry, the website cmhonda.net has moved to:
http://www.cmdroid.com/ (http://www.cmdroid.com/)
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: guest7238 on November 16, 2017, 06:05:28 PM
Doug

I hope this topic is still live. I too have successfully installed apps on my Jazz Mk 3 head unit, with the exception of Sygic. I followed the instructions on CMDroid.com, including putting the Sygic files in the root of a USB stick, but when I try to start Sygic it tries to download from Google Play and stops with an error. Can you advise what you did to avoid this?
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: jazzaro on December 07, 2017, 02:42:35 PM
Doug

Sygic. I followed the instructions on CMDroid.com, including putting the Sygic files in the root of a USB stick, but when I try to start Sygic it tries to download from Google Play and stops with an error. Can you advise what you did to avoid this?
No troubles also for me using Sygic on the Connect.
Put the folder Sygic in the main root of a USB stick (FAT32 filesystem, NTFS will not be read, and  it doesn't matter if the USB stick contains also other files like mp3 or txt),  and then install the app Sygic, it should see the folder immediately.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: guest7284 on December 07, 2017, 05:35:52 PM
I have tried to add Google maps to my 2017 reg jazz. Using the two regular methods I have failed totally. cmdroid permissions won't install. I use LGMirrordrive to connect up and have gmaps ready on the phone front screen. A bit clunky but it works. Samsung car mode does not mirrorlink. What is the problem and what is the cure?
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: andruec on December 07, 2017, 07:43:44 PM
I have tried to add Google maps to my 2017 reg jazz. Using the two regular methods I have failed totally. cmdroid permissions won't install. I use LGMirrordrive to connect up and have gmaps ready on the phone front screen. A bit clunky but it works. Samsung car mode does not mirrorlink. What is the problem and what is the cure?
The problem is Honda/Pioneer not understanding the pace of change in the IT world and probably not giving a flying fig anyway. The version of Android that the infotainment unit runs on was obsolete before the car even went on sale.

Hardware manufacturers have never understood software and never given it the credit it deserves. To them it's an afterthought - something to be farmed out to the lowest bidder. There is so much more they could have done here. They could have produced something revolutionary something genuinely significant. Instead they shovelled out some barely functioning crap and pretty much forgot about it.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: Kenneve on December 07, 2017, 08:32:22 PM
Why is it not possible up upgrade the Android version with a download from the Android website, in the same manner as you would with Win8 to Win10? or have I completely misunderstood the problem.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: andruec on December 07, 2017, 09:37:40 PM
Why is it not possible up upgrade the Android version with a download from the Android website, in the same manner as you would with Win8 to Win10? or have I completely misunderstood the problem.
No, that's a reasonable question. The most likely reason we can't is because 'Android' comes in many flavours and is typically customised for the hardware it will run on. It may be possible to customise the current version in the same way and install that but I doubt it. Each major version of Android tends to be bigger and perform more tasks than the previous one. It's unlikely that the infotainment unit has enough memory or processing power to handle the current version. I'd be pretty sure that it was given just enough resources for what it was sold as with no spare capacity for anything else.

It's also likely that Honda/Pioneer have attempted to prevent that being done because..um they don't want us to. They'd probably argue that it could damage the infotainment unit or cause a malfunction that destroys the global ecosystem or some such drivel. It's not really in their interest to let us. They'd far rather sell us a new vehicle. Or maybe even they just don't give a damn and the easiest way for them is to make it such that there's nothing we can do so we won't bother them about it.

In way that's fair enough. We bought a car not a computer with wheels. But..it could have been a lot better than it was. They could have gone with better hardware, up to date software and produced a world leading infotainment experience that demonstrated they had their finger on the pulse of modern personal technology.

But they didn't. Maybe next time  :'(
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: Steve_M on December 08, 2017, 10:16:06 AM
I have tried to add Google maps to my 2017 reg jazz. Using the two regular methods I have failed totally. cmdroid permissions won't install. I use LGMirrordrive to connect up and have gmaps ready on the phone front screen. A bit clunky but it works. Samsung car mode does not mirrorlink. What is the problem and what is the cure?

Have you initially done a factory reset before trying to install permissions? Have you look to see what build version you have? Is it 0F.95.**.** by any chance?
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: guest7238 on December 21, 2017, 02:10:07 PM
Jazzaro

I saw your reply about installing Sygic. I'm still having problems. I uninstalled Sygic, then reinstalled it from the flash drive that also contains the Sygic files in the root directory, but when I try to run it I get a message that downloading from Google Play has failed, so it seems to be trying that rather than trying the flash drive. I must have something set wrong, but I have followed the settings instructions from CMDroid. I have successfully installed Google Maps, Spotify, the permissions app and ES file manager, so I know the theory in general.

I've also successfully installed Co-Pilot, so can manage without Sygic, but I hate being beaten! Waze also defeated me.

Jaggyjim
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: JazzandJag on December 23, 2017, 01:03:39 PM
Jaggyjim

Its quite a long time since I installed Sygic on my previous Jazz but I do recall encountering a similar problem with the resource files. The way I eventually solved it was (using the apk file from CMDroid, which is a little different to the Google Play version) to install on an Android tablet (running 4.2 or thereabouts) and then copied all the relevant files and folders onto the Connect unit using ES File Explorer. I then ran the installation and instead of looking on Google Play for the resource files, it found them in-situ and the installation completed correctly.

Hope this helps....Like you I wasn't going to let it beat me!
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: jazzaro on January 01, 2018, 11:44:34 AM
Jaggyjim

Its quite a long time since I installed Sygic on my previous Jazz but I do recall encountering a similar problem with the resource files. The way I eventually solved it was (using the apk file from CMDroid, which is a little different to the Google Play version) to install on an Android tablet (running 4.2 or thereabouts) and then copied all the relevant files and folders onto the Connect unit using ES File Explorer. I then ran the installation and instead of looking on Google Play for the resource files, it found them in-situ and the installation completed correctly.

Hope this helps....Like you I wasn't going to let it beat me!
Really strange. I've just reinstalled all my apps (sygic, waze, fuelio) after the system update to RC6.1, and all is working fine. About Sygic, I've only reinstalled the app from another pendrive because the default usb stick, a samsung 16gb, is stably connected with it's plug inside the arm rest. 
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: guest7238 on January 10, 2018, 11:52:20 AM
I think I may give up on Sygic after all, following another failed attempt to install it. Co-Pilot, also installed from CMDroid, meets my needs without having to have a pendrive in full time, and Google Maps is also good when I have plenty data on my phone to use it as a wifi hotspot. Does Sygic have any particular advantages over those two that would make it worthwhile persevering?
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: JazzandJag on January 10, 2018, 12:36:46 PM
I have not used Co-pilot myself but I have had a look at its website and it seems to be as good as Sygic or possibly even better. Google maps is useful when you need the most detailed and up to date traffic. So, as you are happy with Co-pilot use it as your default off line app and use Google maps as and  when its  traffic info capability is necessary.  So it is probably not worth persevering with Sygic.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: andruec on January 10, 2018, 02:02:46 PM
I have co-pilot on my phone and used it for quite a while. It's very good but occasionally tells you to 'keep left' instead of 'take the slip road' which caused me to drive five miles out of my way and get stuck in bad traffic around Cambridge last year. At this point (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.2624885,-3.4090868,3a,75y,280.7h,83.36t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sK2zN2sxJYyDlZinSL6R8lw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DK2zN2sxJYyDlZinSL6R8lw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D116.83256%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en) it tells you to keep right. Copilot also sometimes said nothing when instruction would have been useful for instance on the M56 heading west it doesn't warn you to keep right around Wythenshaw even though it intends to take you through Birkenhead.

Mind you Tom Tom (the supposed gold standard) has its moments. It tells me to keep right here (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0050079,-1.1583151,3a,75y,192.21h,80.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYHdNYQed6dIVJj3xJXyowQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en) and it's instructions for roundabouts are silly courtesy of a summer update. It used to say 'At the roundabout, turn right and take the fourth exit'. Now it says 'Go around the roundabout, fourth exit' but also 'Go around the roundabout, first exit' which is stupid. Their explanation is that some people were turning right immediately on entry to the roundabout and therefore going the wrong way round. This explanation was not received well on their support forums but so far they don't seem inclined to change it back.

I don't generally drive to the instructions or pay them much heed but having an idea of trouble ahead (both Copilot and TT show you the state of the road up to an hour ahead) and having them able to divert me around trouble is worthwhile. it's also nice to know that if I decide to head off across country the satnav will always be able to guide me back when I need it to.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: Robbie2 on April 26, 2022, 10:44:27 PM
Hi, I'm reviving this thread to state that a custom app for Android Auto on Honda Connect 4.0.4 is being developed at the XDA forum (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/honda-connect-android-system.3179549/page-168#post-86327947)

As of 2022 many of the available apps have had their support dropped and are no longer usable due to the old 4.0.4 android version. This includes Sygic, Copilot and Google Maps. Android Auto seems the way to go.

If your head unit has been updated to RC7 (build 0F.095.00.0021) or RC8 (build 10.096.00.0021), you will require to downgrade it to RC6 by plugging in a USB drive with the firmware and restarting the unit.
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: zknapic on August 06, 2023, 06:31:11 PM
Hi,

Please, can someone explain to me the procedure of how to install -HondaAppCenter_A1,

 I tried to send in a Zip or Apk file and it always says usb problem, and before that I did Matrix as you can see in the pictures, so if you can help, thanks in advance
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: zknapic on August 06, 2023, 06:34:31 PM
Hi,

Please, can someone explain to me the procedure of how to install -HondaAppCenter_A1,

 I tried to send in a Zip or Apk file and it always says usb problem, and before that I did Matrix as you can see in the pictures, so if you can help, thanks in advance
Title: Re: Installing Android Apps on your head unit
Post by: jazzaro on August 07, 2023, 08:52:15 AM
https://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=13446.msg135010#msg135010