If you have a spare Android tablet sitting in a drawer and an older car that lacks a modern infotainment system, there is a simple fix worth trying. Headunit Revived is an app that installs on almost any device running Google’s open source operating system (some variants of Amazon Fire tablets are not compatible), turning it into a portable Android Auto display for your vehicle. There is no need to replace the original head unit, and no need to spend serious money on extra hardware.
Setting it up is refreshingly simple
The configuration process does not require advanced technical skills. In essence, it comes down to installing a couple of apps and getting them to talk to each other correctly. The underlying principle is the same one used by cars that already support Android Auto natively. The interface itself does not run on the vehicle’s screen. Instead, it runs on the user’s smartphone, which transmits images and commands to the external display. The phone handles all the actual processing, while the tablet simply shows the interface and passes along touch input.
Here is the basic setup process
First, install Headunit Revived on the tablet through the Play Store. Then, on your smartphone, which also needs to run Android, install the companion app called WiFi Helper, also available on the Play Store.
On the tablet, open Headunit Revived and complete the initial setup, where you specify the tablet’s screen size and a few other key parameters. Then head into the settings menu. Under Wireless Mode, select Wireless Helper. Under Helper Connection Strategy, choose WiFi Direct (P2P). Return to the main screen and tap the purple WiFi button.
On the smartphone, open WiFi Helper and confirm that the connection mode is set to Wi Fi Direct. Make sure the Device Name field actually shows your tablet’s name, then tap Start Android Auto.
Getting everything running smoothly
The platform should launch almost instantly on the tablet, bringing up navigation, music, messages and all the usual Android Auto functions. The next logical step is automating the connection so you do not need to repeat these steps every single time. The smartest approach is pairing the two devices over Bluetooth through Android’s standard settings menu, then enabling the corresponding options inside both Headunit Revived and WiFi Helper. The final touch is connecting the tablet to your car’s audio system, either via Bluetooth or, if that is not available, with a simple analog stereo cable.
A word of caution about heat
This is especially relevant during hot weather. It is not a good idea to leave a tablet, or any device powered by a lithium ion battery, inside a car around the clock, particularly if it sits exposed to direct sunlight for long stretches of the day. Lithium ion batteries are relatively delicate components and do not tolerate extreme temperature ranges well. If your tablet is already a few years old, its battery is likely already somewhat degraded, which makes it even more vulnerable to heat damage.
