2023's Top 5 Android Car Launchers - Dashboard Apps for Car Head Units
2024 ж. 22 Мам.
591 741 Рет қаралды
The Top 5 Android head unit launchers very much based on my own personal opinion ;)
0:00 Intro
1:17 VIVID Launcher
3:20 AGAMA Launcher
6:12 Carwebguru
8:03 Car Launcher Pro
9:25 NOVA Launcher
11:17 Outro
Great channel, no nonsense, easy to understand, quick & useful. Subscribed after binge watching several videos after researching for new head unit for my new secondhand car. Thanks hope your channel grows
Thank you! Fortunately, someone explained in the "Comments" section how to acquire various launchers...yes, I'm a newbie but I'll soon be up to speed with your help!
Cool video! I like the first and second options the best... but...for my tastes, less is more. Thanks for testing these units and software.👍
Thank you Stuart for this 🙂 Exactly what I was looking. Great effort!
You might mention that the center multi-widget in Agama also has a configurable automatic mode that makes it switch content based on what the car is doing. For example, you can set it so that it switches to your car logo when the car is stopped, then back to whatever you have it showing while moving--navigation maybe. It can also be set to show the album art for a specific amount of time whenever the song changes. Things like that. Pretty cool feature.
Luv the features.
Would like to see if Agama can be setup to have Spotify widgets on one side and maps on the other. Or is that a split screen option that android 12 already supports better than any launcher
how can I activate the maps to appear on the main screen...let the navigation be active instead of the logo,yandex writes, but the map does not open, does anyone have any information?
WOW, I had no idea you can change launchers from factory launcher. I really like vivd and I'll have to give it a go.
I built some really nice dashboards using Nova when I used to run a tablet in my car. It takes some time, but I really enjoyed the creative process.
That's what I'm using with just a nice photo I found as my clean background with no apps and just a clock widget. What else did you use on it?
Hi Stuart, I've just discovered your channel - it's exactly what I was looking for. Great work my friend, I know KZhead is a lot of work so appreciate your efforts.
Thank you!
@@SaabUnleashed quick question about the vivid car launcher how do you get the Netflix or KZhead on the media player I only have TuneIn radio, Spotify, local music and Bluetooth music.... Please help
@@SaabUnleashedhow can I activate the maps to appear on the main screen...let the navigation be active instead of the logo,yandex writes, but the map does not open, does anyone have any information?
@@SaabUnleashedhelp?
Cool! I am a Vivid launcher user for more than 2 years and I really like its UE and use it every day. You guys give it a try!
Very informative and straight to the point 🔥🔥
Great video! I didn't realize that even if I bought a TEYES head unit, I could install a different "home screen" :D Many thanks!
Car web guru does far more than the others. You can upload any image for a background and then use the constructor to make any location on the screen actionable. For instance, I installed a photo of the old ram/fm cassette/cd radio the head unit replaced and gave the knobs and features touch screen commands. Plus it has it's own music player and works great on split screen mode.
That's a very clever way of using it
Pretty ingenious 👍 I may try to do this with the 3is head unit image. I love the 3is radio/console looks.
I use it with the Dashboard DX premium theme, which I have made modifications to, including the image of my own car on the road. Here’s a link to a video I made kind of showing what it looks like and a lot of what it does. kzhead.info/sun/rdCPYL6unpqudKc/bejne.html
It seems to force you to use the built in player, which is anti social
Linked to your setup it's very nice
Love your channel mate,very useful, when trying to download vivid it's not available in your country and I'm in the UK?
Love your shirt. Imagine the Saab guy wearing a Dodge Challenger shirt. I can because I drive one! Great video. I've learned so much.
Worth mentioning that Agama (and possibly other launchers) have the ability to enable immersive mode and fill the entire screen. The status bar can then be brought back into view by swiping down from the top of the screen. Immersive Mode Manager can enable this same functionality system wide.
Good shout
@@SaabUnleashed Aye, handy for those with smaller screens and makes the headunit look that bit more 'factory'.
Hi - I am testing Agama and really like it EXCEPT I can't get "phone" to work ! What "app" do I have to associate to get my phone to open please ? Upto now, I have just used Apple CarPlay.
@@djsconsulting I can only speak from my experience with Xtrons headunits, but on both of mine the app for phone is called Bluetooth. There could well be a couple of these apps, one for streaming music from your phone and one for calls.
@@jongittus2279 thanks, I found it. The Bluetooth app was being hidden, I had to click the "eye" icon to review all apps when you're on the apps page. I like the launcher, better than the Joying one, my only slight gripe is that I can't get it to automatically pick up a wifi connection from my iPhone (in tethering mode). So everytime I get into the car I have to go into wifi settings and force it to connect to the remote hot spot being broadcast by my iPhone. One way around this is to use the SIM card option which is a cool feature of the Joying units but then I have the additional monthly cost of another SIM card !
CWG has free themes and premiums themes. They have a lot of themes which suits your taste. I really like it. Nice video
Awesome! Waiting for your video about AZDOME dash cam
I use Vivid on my head until also. My unit is vertical so some other launchers look pretty bad. I love Vivid because it works and is so customizable.
Just installed the ATOTO A6 PF. Really like it. Now it’s time to play with it. I want to add a car launcher. Looking for a simple user friendly app. Still new to Android. My question is, with all the launcher reviews I see they all are on larger 10” screens. What launcher would you recommend for the 7” A6 ? Great work as always.
Thanks for the videos. Very helpful. I have decided to go for the TEYES CC3. Can you tell me if the one you fitted to the Jeep used the OEM rear camera. I have the 2011 - 2013 jeep grand Cherokee which also has the front car camera for the adaptive cruise control and collision warning feature. Is it possible to connect that camera to the CC3. Also does it come with the replacement frame or do I need to order that separately. And finally will my current car have a Canbus that will link to the CC3 or do I need one of them to. The car has steering wheel controls. Sorry about all the questions but an absolute novice on this stuff. Cheers Pete
I am an Android Auto user and I've tried all of these launchers on my EKIY T900 with mixed results. They are all an upgrade on the supplied launchers (I upgraded my head unit to the latest software version to have the best launchers), however, Vivid was easily my favourite....right up until the audio stopped working while using the CarlinkV2 app for Android Auto... Took me a while to work out that Vivid was the culprit. Uninstalling Vivid rectified the problem. Reported the bug to the Vivid Devs, then installed it again a few months later....same problem. Tried again a few weeks ago (now over a year since the first attempt), still the same. Such a shame, it's a lovely launcher.
Good evening. I came across your KZhead channel in the last few days whilst researching into new head units. So far your info has led me to Xtrons head units. I'm looking at their PE72CTS model. To fit my Skoda Octavia mk2 2011. Have you ever installed or tested this model before? I seem to be unable to find any reviews of it so far. Thanks for your time, and keep up the good work. Your info has been very useful, so far.
Hi..just add..i have xtrons on my bmw...these units are built with top range hardware esp amp chip mine is tda7850 with dsp, the sound is customizeble,radio chip is nx6686..with noise cancellation and fine tune... You wont go wrong for me Xtron uni are top Hopes this helps
I see you have a nice green to match the Saab dash lights! I had a pre face lift tuned 2.8 so difficult to install android head unit. I miss the brutal 3rd gear pull but not the fuel economy!
Great video Stuart, thanks 😎
Do these apps work in portrait mode? Or just landscape? I’m thinking of a setup that sends a dash kit allowing you to install certain Samsung tablets in your car but want to get an idea of what the functional/visual options might be before I attempt to tackle something like this
Thank you Stuart, really informative video as ever. I’ve been an Agama disciple but like the look of vivid, I must give it a try. Have you ever thought of doing a top 5 video of local media players? This always seems to be a popular topic in Android HU FB groups. Since I’ve got my music files on a USB flash drive this seems to be something that many media players can’t cope with so my list is rather short.
Excellent idea. Is there any particual thing beyond user interface you're looking for, such as media format or album art ect?
@@SaabUnleashed The main things for me would be (1) an easy (therefore safe) to use user interface; (2) support for removable media (SD, USB); (3) attractive front end, e.g. nice presentation of album art; (4) price (ideally free or small one off fee). Others might have different criteria, e.g. wide range of file types. Musicolet comes close but unfortunately the icons and font are tiny on an ATOTO S8’s screen size and resolution with (apparently) no way to adjust it.
@@malcolmburt7844 OK watch this space
@@SaabUnleashed PowerAmp has got to be on the top 5 mate. When you give this a go I would suggest looking that one over.
I used to use Mort Player when i used the AppRadio 2. My phone was the carputer at the time. It played music by folder names rather than artist or song title. Worth a look, but not sure if it will scan external media on anything past Android 5. Buttons were big enough, and you could configure the look a bit.
fantastic in-depth look at car entertainment
Hello Saab, 👍and subscribed to your channel, good video!!! I have a Dasaita with Max10 but im using the Agama. You know how i can return to the same exactly point when i was before off my car ? i mean, if im playing a song and off the car in the 2.35min, i want when i start again the car still playing the song in the 2.35 (with max10 and vivid is possible, but with the others) ? Thanks for advance
Wow! These remind me of the Evox / Avalaunch GUI mods for XBOX Dash / EMUs etc. Def going to spiff up the $30 H/U I've installed in my '96 MAX... Should be fun.
Finally, Thank you so much ❤️
Thank you for the video, I just bought a new android headunit for my mazda 6, specs: 8 core, 8g ram, 128rom, android 10. The KZhead app is slow and lagging, do you think upgrading to Android 12 is going to solve the problem and is upgrading a good idea?
Hi, great work. Just wondering what unit would be best for a Peugeot Boxer van 2018. The current stock unit is a waste of time. Never use it, only the DAB radio. Thanks
Hi, thanks for this video. Really good thing. My favourite is nova launcher I'm using it in my Skoda.
Hi Stuart, I ordered a cc2plus and it didnt quite fit my car, I am now deciding between the teyes cc3 and the teyes spro, which seem like they will fit perfectly with the vw polo I have. What would you recommend?
Great vid mate thanks a lot!
Total launcher is the most customisable Android launcher. Some learning curve, but you can build almost anything.
DnB intro = instant Like.
Hi! I have an Audi Q3 Android screen and the default launcher that came installed absolutely sucks. I am trying to find an appropriate car launcher but i need it to have the option to connect to the original UI or "virtual screen" that the Audi had in the past so i can see the car settings (sound settings for example), reverse camera and parking sensors. Do you know if there is any option that would have this sort of access the stock screen?
Hi and thank you for another excellent video. I chose Agama and so far it is really good. Still, reaching for the screen during driving can be challenging even with these attractive and practical launchers - how far have you gone with controlling android devices via steering wheel buttons? I have seen videos where you can jump from icon to icon and select them without touching the screen, so I'm guessing (and obviously still learning) that steering wheel buttons are to be used (not shown in those videos). I just bought a 2016. Vauxhall Insignia with installed android (SPRD Ums512_1h10_Natv, 4GB RAM) and using the steering wheel buttons I can only change volume, skip stations/songs start telephone and mute sound, but cannot use the arrow-pad/joystick with the "select" button to move among clickable fields and select on the screen. SWC app does not allow me to program anything differently from default settings. I do not know why but it seems locked. Enabling this (arrow-pad/joystick) would add so much value to the whole system for me. Any ideas, advices or at least, pointing me to the right direction? Thankful in advance and best regards! Keep up the excellent work!
hi!!! could you please tell me if the background image can be changed in the nova launcher on the car? also, do these launchers take too much ram or something for running in the background? i've had nova on my phone but i dont know if its the same for the car, Thank you!
hello, I'm from Slovenia and I watched the car launcher presentation. big kudos for the presentations. I installed XTRONS IQP90M245 in Mercedes Vito. and I am not satisfied with the original car luncher. can i install featured car launcher? but if I'm not satisfied, can I return to the original? Thank you in advance for your reply.
In your video, while using Nova launcher it shows an assistive touch button. How did you manage to make it work? In my blaupunkt unit, the system does not allow any service from 3rd party apps to run in background despite enabling accessibility to it. I've tried several such apps like fng, edge gesture, assistive touch but they all have same issue. Essentially, I want to use gesture controls from screen edge for navigation.
Like that Agama, need to see if I can get it installed on my XC90 head unit.
Hi, how are you getting internet? Are you using the hotspot on your phone and if so, do you leave it on all the time?
thanks. its the vivid launcher for me even tho it is only visible when starting for me as I immediately switch to CarPlay then. Thanks!
Hi, with the vivid car launcher, does the volume slider work for you? I installed the launcher and everything works , but the volume control, and that’s pity. Thank you
Thank you for this video. I have lost the display for the volume controls. The controls still work but the display does not show on the screen. Any ideas about getting the volume display to work. Thank you.
I like the Agama launcher but when I changed the size of the layout it zoomed in so close that I can't access the function to revert it. I had to install a different launcher instead.
Is there any launcher or theme which can show outside temperature but from the car built in sensor? My old head unit on Peugeot 3008 has temperature reading in the top right corner.
Wow I didn't know there were car launchers! Must try on my bmw x1 android HU! Thanks!
Hi Smart. I've just been using the Nova launcher will no apps and a nice looking background photo for my home screen. Nice and clean. Trying to find a way to cycle through different photos automatically every so often
I use nova as my regular phone launcher, so it was surprising to see it as a car launcher lol
I'm sorry if this is a dumb question - can you use a car launcher on your standard android head unit? I just sold my beautiful 2021 Honda CRV for a 2022 Hyundai Staria load (for camping) and the head unit sucks! No DAB. Could I just install a launcher or can you only do that with an aftermarket head unit? Thanks so much for all your videos!
Hi Virginia, you don't have an Android head unit, so you would first need to upgrade to something aftermarket.
@@SaabUnleashed oh right! Thank you so much.
@Virgina R or you could simply attach any old 7/8/10" inches android tablet by a magnetic holder and use it instead of installing a whole android unit....will save you loads of money 😊
Do any of the launchers support parking distance sensors with on screen visuals? Not sure if android head units provide this. Your channel is massively useful so thanks!
I think it's about the Canbus system, not about a Android. ...
Can we get gesture support on nova or any of these launchers , because nove actually has a dedicated gestures section which allows you to map a gesture with different actions. I tried installing Fluid navigation gestures but it requires accessibility settings which i was not able to find in settings.
Hi, just discovered your channel about a week ago and have been watching many of your videos, very impressive and great information. Just wanted to know if the company joying ever push out firmware updates ?and am I able to update from android 10 to 12 without any issues? I just purchased a 10.1” joying head unit after watching one of your videos. You seem very savvy around these units , that’s why I ask Thank you for any information you can pass along and thank you for making great educational videos Cheers
Hey Sheldon. Firmware updates for head units very rarely upgrade the version of Android itself. But to be honest, the version of Android is actually irrelevant as the vast majority of improvements are made for smart phones and would make no difference to a car head unit
Thank you for the info , very much appreciated . Awesome videos, keep up the great work👍
Agama updated today with a few fixes and new quite cool smoke live wallpaper.
Thank you Sir!!
i appreciate the jungle / drum and bass / breakcore bg music
Gotta love a bit of dnb
Curious which one will work with my truck 2022 Ram 3500 Limited 12in screen I bought the m m b mtk it didn't work
Thanks for the video! I just upgraded to the 11.6" 1080p version and unfortunately the font size on the apps like google maps is very small and not very good. One method of making the font size larger is through the accessibility section of settings except Joying is not making the "font size" or "display size" accessible to the public. Any ideas on how to up the font size of apps like google maps? How about firmware upgrades above Android 10?
Look in the factory settings for DPI settings
Thanks for a very helpful video of car launcher, it’s what I’m looking at to update my android screen in my car, can I ask if it’s possible to download those pay launcher on a laptop to usb before install them on to the android head unit, as I don’t want to enter payment details into the android head unit for safety reasons. Regards
Whatever Google account you're using on the head unit, also log in on your mobile phone and buy the software on the phone. Then it's attached to that google account, so you can download it on the head unit.
I agree that Vivid is one of the best ones.. But it does not seem to be able to take full control over my Joying 11.6" unit. E.g. turning bluetooth on/off, wifi on/off and other functions that I cannot recall right now.
Is there a way to get usb audio working on android HU? Not working on either DAC I have (that work fine on my android phones) and searching seems to hint that it only works on intel based HU's? (Generic for all apps - I want android auto app to output via usb audio etc.
I'm using agama car launcher, Ive intergrated poweramp as my music player, once started it plays, shows album art, pauses and skips tracks etc but then whne car is turned off and restarted it says poweramps not running or waiting for player on the play / pause button? Any help would be great
The Nova Launcher is what I've been using for years on my phone as well. But in the car it won't show the control bar even if I force it to. Any ideas?
I have tried multiple times by Bluetooth and USB cable to be able to access any of the Car Launcher Programs but can't get them to connect to my Toyota Prius C head unit. I have tried Android Auto, Toyota Entune, Agama, Car Launcher, and other apps with no luck. My end result is to have the app display on my Toyota Head Unit Screen but can't get it to work. I was tyring to find an internet icon on the Head Unit to try to access Google Play directly to download but again, no luck. One last observation, I was in my parking structure where I can't get satellite radio but can get access to phone, terrestrial radio, and other programs and wondered if that would be a cause? Anyone with some guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Did your unit come with a wiring harness or how did you wire it up? I'm looking to buy one and I'm confused on that front. Thanks!
I recently bought an iDoing head unit for my 2013 WRX, and everything was plug and play. If you go to their website you can look and see if they make a unit specifically for your car. If not, they sell universal units that can be wired in.
nova launcher on my car tablet shows the name of the app in use on the notification bar, how can I hide it? For example, when they are on the Home screen, the word Nova Launcher appears on the notification bar. My car tablet is a PX5 Android 10 based.
Id rather the agma launcher it's the cleanest and most coolest one I've found that i love had to pay for it but it was totally worth the pay
Good video. I like the Agama but the volume buttons dont work. infact im still looking for one that those work . Good Job
Hi am trying to get that floating dot on your screen on the left hand side ?
I noticed on your video,all the screens have the home button visible on the left,when I install launchers it vanishes,what am I doing wrong?
Im trying to find some speedometer widget to add in nova launcher...any suggestion?
Nice Video. MY android music system stops spotify when i restarr my car. Is there any way to restart spotify and resune spotify song that was playing when I restart my car ?
Is there a way to have it load up the launcher with going through the main launcher?
Hi. Very nice videos you make for us, my problem is i have install teyes cc3 and when i go for a drive ,and turn left or right the car on screen turn other way .tks.
In my opinion, Nova Launcher is not especially for car, it's for smartphones or tablets. Too customizable won't be easy for us to set up. I used Agama for a long time but I will try Vivid for fresh look, ASAP. Btw thanks for the reviews.
Did you try ? Agama or Vivid which one is the best ?
I installed Nova just to get off of the stock really bad no-name launcher my unit came with. Agree that it's not really meant for cars but sometimes that extra flexibility is nice.
@@hadiinceleyelim9669 agama is nr one
Vivid Launcher works for me, although I can't seem to replace my default launcher. I can runaround it by setting it to launch at bootup so the process does seem a bit klunky - first enter the splash screen, then the default launcher, before Vivid launches. Thing is, I end up using Z Link for Android Auto anyhow so I'd rather start straight from Vivid, without passing through the default launcher.
I do like vivid, but it’s limited with its widgets, I want the maps on the home screen to use my built in maps that uses GPS and I want the music player to display what mode it’s in (ie, Radio, BT Music, aux, etc…)
hello, can you tell me how can I activate the video out function? I have 2 monitors connected but the vudeo signal does not seem to arrive. everything is connected well but I can't activate video out from my menu. I have android 12.
I had a few questions for you. 1. How did you connect the tablet to your existing car audio system? 2. Is your phone connected to the tablet via cable or Bluetooth? 3. Do your steering wheel controls work? 4. If my phone is paired to the tablet, how are you getting audio from the tablet to the radio? Does your tablet offer dual pairing at the same time?
1. It's not a tablet. It's a car "radio". It replaces the factory system. 2. Bluetooth and Wifi 3. Yes 4. Again, not a tablet
@@SaabUnleashed Okay, I assumed it was a tablet mounted on the console. I'm actually looking for a stand alone Android Auto screen screen that can interface with an OEM radio. Thanks for the reply.
I did a video on Carpuride products which will probably be exactly what you're looking for kzhead.info/sun/f7GBkc1pfZxtdq8/bejne.htmlsi=cyQcZ3jIbddbqC6F
Hi Stuart, I am very new to this topic as only a couple of months ago purchased and fitted my car with an Android head unit.I intend to use the unit for Navigation, Music and Reverse parking.Can you help me with a STEP by STEP guidelines asto how to install the system , Download a Car launcher and connect my smartphone wirelessly to my head unit.Thanks in advance.
Did you get any guide as I’m in the same position
Stuart put Xtrons flag ship model in my ford focus tried to connect to Zlink with no joy any idea
I have problem with Agama Launcher. It often cancels my rear camera view. Switched to another launcher and that problem is gone.
I run Car Launcher on my Sygav HU in my 2011 Lancer Ralliart. So customisable, looks factory!
I do like vivid, but it’s limited with its widgets, I want the maps on the home screen to use my built in maps that uses GPS and I want the music player to display what mode it’s in (ie, Radio, BT Music, aux, etc…)
What is that Intro Track? Sounds like Mt. Eden? Love to find a full version.
Leave shazam searching, then open the video, that's the way I do it, hopefully works for you too, cheers.
I've been using Agama Launcher for a while and it's great, also cheap.
I regularly watch your very educative videos about car headunits. However, there is one question that I have not seen covered: whst is the best way of providing internet connection to the headunits to be able to run the apps downloaded on them. Do some headunits have builtin sim cards with cellular data or does one use a mobile phone's Hotspot?. Are there other ways of doing this. Thanks
I recently got the Eonon R80 and have been having problems connecting with hotspot which I assume is the main way people connect their stereo to the internet.
Sim card, and then use the head unit as a hotspot for other car user devices like ipads/roof mounted tv systems like chromecast or firetv
you can get an added sim to any android unit, I used it and it works better than hotspot. it is just a cable that you plug in. at the back of the unit and attach any sim to it.
Hi, just wondering what your thoughts are regarding head unit RAM. Is 4gb enough RAM for joying or teyes units or do you need to be opting for 6gb or 8gb RAM units? Thanks
4gb is enough. Any more is future proofing
I think its like $60 USD for Joying to go up to 8GB RAM so its not a big cost to future proof
Forgot to add have an LG V60-updated to operating system 12. I saw an entry that some of the apps don't work with the update to the Version 12 of the operating system.
How can we play Music ,,i configured Music player in Agama but when i press Music it starts playing and when in back it auto stops.. Basically it won't play in the background. How to set it ?
Hi, saw this video some time ago, but have recently revisted it, i wanted to try the Vivid car Launcher, but Google play says not available for UK. Any other way of downloading it.
Hello, ALL Fine I have a tablet Lenovo p11 plus and use in my car with suport, i need receive call of my celphone. Some solution?
tried Vivid but it keep pausing spotify when on the main screen and using the music controls. Will give car web guru a go I think.
Hi guys I have a issue with mine at first the unit wouldn’t power off after the ignition was turned off, then unplugged a cable and the screen goes off but goes back to the original page that was on before turned off so at a guess I’d say it’s not turning off fully, I set a logo ( Ford ) but when saved nothing happens could it be something in the settings as when I did a reboot it did power on with the logo but only the once 🤔 also looking into other launches now really cool video I also should have mirroring through TImaAVN but never goes past the first step 😅
can you set it so that it just launches Apple Carplay when you start the car?...and will siri work ?..thanks.
Love this channel. You were big in helping me decide on a unit and launcher. Thanks. So I'm connected via Bluetooth but my VIVID media player only shows Spotify and local as options. How do I get it to show my iPhone Bluetooth as an option?
Are you running a media app on the iPhone? That might help it to show up. Start playing music through the bluetooth streaming app on your head unit
@@SaabUnleashed Just using itunes.
Nova Launcher is so Powerful, my personal favorite!
Hi my Bluetooth is not recognized in any of these apps do you have any idea why