Headunit Revived

André Rinas

About this app

Headunit Revived: The Ultimate Android Auto Emulator for your Tablet!

Breathe new life into your Android tablet or car headunit by transforming it into a fully functional, modern infotainment system. Headunit Revived 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.

NEW IN VERSION 2.0:
* Native Wi-Fi Direct (P2P) Support: Connect your phone wirelessly to your tablet without needing a manual hotspot. Connection establishment is fully automated in the background.
* Auto-Optimization Wizard: Tired of technical guesswork? Our new setup wizard scans your hardware and automatically recommends the best Resolution, DPI, and Codec for maximum stability.
* Advanced Screen Modes: Choose between "Immersive" (all bars hidden), "Hide Status Bar Only" (keeps navigation bar visible), or Standard mode. Ideal for devices where hardware buttons were previously obscured.
* Compatibility Fix for AA 16.4+: Full support for the latest Android Auto updates on your smartphone.

Key Features at a Glance:

🚀 Flexible Connectivity
* USB: Plug & Play. Supports stable connections via USB-OTG.
* Wireless (NSD): Automatically detects your phone on the same Wi-Fi network.
* Wi-Fi Direct: The most modern way to connect wirelessly—no shared network required.
* Self-Mode: Run Android Auto directly on your phone (local simulation), ideal for large displays or testing purposes.

🎥 High-Performance Video
* Supports H.264 and H.265 (HEVC) hardware decoding.
* Crystal-clear projection up to 1080p and 1440p (on supported hardware).
* Adjustable FPS (30/60) for smooth navigation and menus.

🎨 Modern Design & Customization
* Material 3 UI: A clean, intuitive interface that fits perfectly into modern Android systems.
* Individual DPI Scaling: Determine exactly how large icons and text should appear.
* Day/Night Mode: Automatic switching based on time, sunset, or your tablet's light sensor.

🔊 Crystal Clear Sound & Control
* Audio Gain Offsets: Adjust the volume for music, navigation prompts, and voice assistant separately (0% to 200%).
* Media Session Integration: Control your music using steering wheel buttons or external controllers.
* Microphone Support: Use "Hey Google" voice commands directly via your tablet's microphone.

🛠 System Integration for Pro Users
* App Shortcuts: Start or stop connections directly from your homescreen or automation apps (Tasker, MacroDroid).
* Navigation Provider: Officially registered as a system navigation app (improves integration with third-party car launchers).

How to use:
1. Install Headunit Revived on your Android tablet/headunit.
2. USB: Connect your phone via cable, grant permissions, and enjoy Android Auto.
3. Wireless: We recommend our free companion app "Wireless Helper" on your smartphone for a fully automated connection via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct.

Requirements:
* Tablet/Headunit with Android 4.1 or newer.
* A smartphone with Android Auto installed.
* Optional: A compatible USB-OTG cable for wired connections.

Note: This project is open-source and constantly improving. It 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 libusb as alternative to the native usb stack for better compatibility with some devices
- Fixed Layout in Portrait Mode in nearly square devices
- Added Scale Slider for loading screen media