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install third-party applications in the car head unit

androidhdv

Newbie
Feb 9, 2022
10
0
I have a first unit of a car, using the operating system of android, (android 9), I want to install a third application (youtube, google maps). But I can't seem to connect to the computer through ADB, when I plug in the male and male usb cable to run the command, the computer does not recognize the device, and it seems that the manufacturer has locked the ADB port. can anyone here help me, thanks all. Head unit manufactured by Motrex, based on android platform, chipset of MTK (MT2712)
 

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If the manufacturer has locked and/or disabled ADB in the firmware. I don't think there's much you can do about that, well not without rooting and hacking the unit somehow.

Does this head unit take removable storage, like SD cards or USB thumb-drives? If so, you could try putting the third-party app APKs on that, and try side-loading them that way, rather than trying to connect a computer.

Side-loading apps to an Android device via ADB using a computer. That's something I've never done.
 
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I wouldn't bother trying to 'hack' into your head unit, with most vehicles the head unit is a fixed device (locked down) intended to be used for a limited number of purposes. They're not multi-functional mini PCs or anything like that, where the user tends to add/delete various software programs nor expansive services. A typical head unit is just a basic interface you use to interact with the vehicle's multimedia functionality.
I'm assuming the Android 9 install on that head unit is a locked, very stripped down, highly modified version of just the base Android OS.
 
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If the manufacturer has locked and/or disabled ADB in the firmware. I don't think there's much you can do about that, well not without rooting and hacking the unit somehow.

Does this head unit take removable storage, like SD cards or USB thumb-drives? If so, you could try putting the third-party app APKs on that, and try side-loading them that way, rather than trying to connect a computer.

Side-loading apps to an Android device via ADB using a computer. That's something I've never done.
devices have USB ports, but they only accept multimedia files, and I can't find file explorer on the device to find the usb.
 
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[QUOTE = "svim, post: 8061065, member: 1649342"] Tôi sẽ không buồn cố gắng 'đột nhập' vào thiết bị đầu của bạn, với hầu hết các loại xe, thiết bị đầu là một thiết bị cố định (bị khóa) nhằm mục đích sử dụng số lượng mục đích hạn chế. Chúng không phải là PC mini đa chức năng hay bất cứ thứ gì tương tự, nơi người dùng có xu hướng thêm / xóa các chương trình phần mềm khác nhau hoặc các dịch vụ mở rộng. Bộ phận đầu thông thường chỉ là một giao diện cơ bản mà bạn sử dụng để tương tác với chức năng đa phương tiện của xe.
Tôi giả định rằng bản cài đặt Android 9 trên thiết bị chính đó là phiên bản bị khóa, bị rút gọn, được sửa đổi nhiều chỉ của hệ điều hành Android cơ bản. [/ QUOTE]
somewhere on the internet. they removed the head unit from the car and used some method, and they did it, they were able to install youtube vanced, Maps apk without using Android Auto or AI Box
 

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This security is not important. Because at least we can still replace them with HU OEM
But that's something that you shouldn't ignore. You're focused solely on tweaking some aspect to the head unit, but be sure it's a) readily replaceable if that's necessary, b) your 'hack' only affects to the head unit's functionality and this doesn't have any adverse issues with your vehicle's overall electrical infrastructure (you should contact your dealer to confirm that the head unit is essentially isolated from the rest of your vehicle's other electronic systems), and c) given the unit is locked down, if your vehicle is still within a warranty coverage period when you try to bypass any security measures will that nullify your coverage.
 
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Ran across this article on how a streaming broadcast killed the radio in some Mazda cars. {This is only very indirectly related to the original posting of this thread. Probably more about the current, industry wide chip shortage.}
https://www.reviewgeek.com/109695/an-npr-broadcast-permanently-bricked-mazda-radio-systems/
"...as it sent a broken image or file over the airwaves."

FWIW that sounds like a buffer overflow problem, that was probably corrupting the Mazda firmware. Which they were unable to fix with just software.

Hopefully this can never happen with self driving cars. :D
 
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"...as it sent a broken image or file over the airwaves."

FWIW that sounds like a buffer overflow problem, that was probably corrupting the Mazda firmware. Which they were unable to fix with just software.

Hopefully this can never happen with self driving cars. :D

"hopefully"?

I think it already has.

If it does, would the media even report it?
That depends on if the vehicle manufacturer is a paying advertiser.

(Phizer (and others), here's looking at you!)

You know what they say...

Wish in one hand, and $#!+ in the other-
then tell me which one gets full first.
 
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Has anyone here heard of SHELL (adb) access by connecting somewhere on the board instead of the USB port?

I'm sure the only things you might find on the main logic-board itself, might things like JTAG connections. Which is what the manufacturer uses in the factory for the initial firmware load, using their JTAG rigs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JTAG Plus maybe various test points, for testing and diagnostics using their whatever it is test kits.
 
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I'm sure the only things you might find on the main logic-board itself, might things like JTAG connections. Which is what the manufacturer uses in the factory for the initial firmware load, using their JTAG rigs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JTAG Plus maybe various test points, for testing and diagnostics using their whatever it is test kits.
On board these are the only places where there is hope for a debug connection. But I can't tell exactly what those locations are called to look for the connector jack. Can you help me ?
 

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I have a first unit of a car, using the operating system of android, (android 9), I want to install a third application (youtube, google maps). But I can't seem to connect to the computer through ADB, when I plug in the male and male usb cable to run the command, the computer does not recognize the device, and it seems that the manufacturer has locked the ADB port. can anyone here help me, thanks all. Head unit manufactured by Motrex, based on android platform, chipset of MTK (MT2712)


man first login to system version ( and click the MCU number several times then put the password ( you have to double check what is the password ) from that you have to enable both USB debugging and developer mode). then from the screen setting you have to go to build number and activate the developer mode ( by clicking the build number several time 7-10 times) then go to USB configuration and change the USB to transfer file mode. then you are ready to add whatever app you want. i can help on that if you need free of cost. at any time
 
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