Open Headunit

André Rinas

About this app

Open Headunit: The Ultimate Android Auto Receiver for your Tablet!

📢 IMPORTANT REBRANDING & ANDROID AUTO 17.4+ NOTICE:

NEW NAME: "Headunit Revived" is now "Open Headunit"! This is a seamless app update—all your settings, purchases, and features remain 100% intact.
ANDROID AUTO 17.4+ WIRELESS & SELF-MODE NOTICE: Starting with Android Auto 17.4, wireless connections (including Wireless Helper) and Self-Mode require the Headunit Server (Port 5277) to be running on your smartphone. Without an active Headunit Server on your phone, wireless connections will fail on Android Auto 17.4+. USB connections remain fully functional.

Breathe new life into your Android tablet or car headunit by transforming it into a fully functional, modern infotainment system. Open Headunit allows you to experience Android Auto on almost any Android device—whether via USB, wirelessly, or using the innovative Self-Mode.

This project is an open-source revival of the original "Headunit" app by Mike Reid, modernized with the latest technologies and a sleek Material 3 interface.

Key Features at a Glance:

🚀 Flexible Connectivity
USB: Plug & Play. Supports stable, low-latency connections via USB-OTG.
Wi-Fi Direct & Nearby: Modern wireless pairing without needing a shared mobile hotspot.
Wireless (NSD): Automatically detects your phone on the same Wi-Fi network (requires Headunit Server on AA 17.4+).
Self-Mode: Run Android Auto directly on your phone (local simulation), ideal for large displays or testing.

🎥 High-Performance Video & Audio
Hardware acceleration for H.264 and H.265 (HEVC) decoding.
Crystal-clear projection up to 1080p, 1440p, and 4K 2160p (on supported hardware).
Adjustable FPS (30/60) for smooth navigation and menus.
Audio Gain Offsets: Separately adjust volumes for music, navigation prompts, and voice assistant (0% to 200%).

🎨 Modern Design & Customization
Material 3 UI: A clean, intuitive interface that fits seamlessly into modern car interiors.
Dynamic DPI Scaling: Customize icon and text sizes to fit your exact screen dimensions.
Automatic Day/Night Mode: Switching based on time, GPS sunset, or light sensor.

🛠 System Integration for Pro Users
App Shortcuts & Automation: Trigger connections via Tasker, MacroDroid, or homescreen shortcuts.
System Navigation Provider: Registered as an Android navigation app for seamless launcher integration.

How to use:
Install Open Headunit on your tablet/headunit.
Wired (USB): Connect your phone via USB-OTG cable and grant permissions.
Wireless: Ensure Headunit Server is running on your phone (especially for AA 17.4+) or use our free companion app "Wireless Helper".

Requirements:
Tablet/Headunit running Android 4.1 or newer.
Smartphone with Android Auto installed.
Optional: USB-OTG cable for wired connections.
Note: Open Headunit is an open-source project and is not affiliated with Google LLC. Android Auto is a trademark of Google LLC.

Ratings and reviews

Works with USB connection, although I had to try several cables to find one that works. Couldn't get it to work wirelessly. Installed on a Samsung A9 tablet with the wireless helper app on a Galaxy s25 phone. The only way the wifi works is with P2P direct, and that's very unstable. It takes 2 to 5 minutes to connect, then disconnects in something between 5 seconds and 10 minutes. Tried all the tricks and workarounds I could find online. None helped.

I just bought this last night as others have stated it's a good replacement for Headunit Reloaded. I noticed that if I'm playing music when I initiate self mode the music will pause (which isn't great, but doable). I can resume playback but the music stutters when I'm using self mode. I've tried playing with the settings to no avail. I'll keep messing with it, I noticed someone else also experiencing audio issues so hopefully it's something that will be fixed.

Great app. I bought a used car that had a cheap head unit pre-installed. Bluetooth worked but it wouldn't take my phone's internet connection through bluetooth tethering, and the android auto app it came would not connect no matter what I tried. I downloaded this app into my head unit and it works flawlessly and has saved me from having to buy another head unit, highly reccommend.

What’s new

- Added auto-resume for media playback after quick reconnects
- Fixed errors reported in the Play Console
- Major improvements to Native Mode