Settings

Application Settings

This page provides a detailed explanation of all configuration options in Headunit Revived.

General Settings

Auto-Optimization Wizard (v2.0.0+)

Scans your hardware and display to automatically recommend the optimal Resolution, DPI, and Video Codec.

• Recommendation: Use this tool first if you experience a black screen or if UI elements look too small/large.

Language

Select your preferred UI language. The app supports 15+ languages. Changes are applied instantly.

Wireless Mode (v2.2.0+)

• Helper Mode (Recommended): Tablet waits for a trigger from the Wireless Helper app.
  • Strategies: Wi-Fi Direct (P2P), Shared Wi-Fi, Phone Hotspot, Tablet Hotspot (Passive), Google Nearby (Beta).
  • Wait for Wi-Fi: (Wi-Fi Direct only) Waits for a stable Wi-Fi connection before initiating the P2P handshake. Includes a configurable timeout (5s to 30s).
• Native AA (Beta): Implements the official Android Auto Wireless protocol. Allows phones to find the tablet directly in the Android Auto settings without a helper app.
• Headunit Server:
  • Manual: You must manually start the server on the phone.
  • Auto: Tablet actively searches for phones running an AA Headunit Server (Port 5277).
  • Auto-Enable Hotspot: (Experimental) Automatically enables the tablet's hotspot when searching in Auto mode.

Auto-Start & Connectivity

• Auto-Connect Priority: Reorder connection methods via drag-and-drop and enable/disable them individually:
  • Last Session: Automatically reconnects to the last used device (USB or WiFi).
  • Self-Mode: Launches local Android Auto simulation.
  • Single USB: Automatically connects if only one compatible USB device is found.
• Auto-Start on Bluetooth: Automatically opens the app when a specific Bluetooth device is connected.
• Kill on Disconnect (v2.2.0+): Gracefully closes the app and the foreground service when the phone is disconnected. Prevents battery drain when not in use.

Dark Mode & UI Themes

Application Theme (UI)

Choose how the app interface itself looks:

• Clear / Dark / Extreme Dark: Static themes.
• Auto (Time / GPS): Switches based on sunrise/sunset.
• Light Sensor / Screen Brightness: Switches based on hardware ambient light or system brightness. Includes a configurable Threshold Slider.
• Manual Time: Set specific hours for the theme switch.

Visual Options

• Monochrome Icons: Switches app icons to a simplified black/white style.
• Extreme Dark Mode: Forces a pitch-black background (OLED friendly) for auto modes.
• Gradient Background: Enables a subtle gradient effect on menus (Disabled in Extreme Dark).

Android Auto Night Mode

Controls the theme of the projected Android Auto interface:

• Same modes as App Theme: (Auto, Sensor, Brightness, Manual Time).
• AA Monochrome (v2.0.0+): Desaturates colors during night mode to reduce glare. Features a Desaturation Level slider (0% to 100%).

Navigation & Safety

GPS for Navigation

If enabled, the tablet's GPS data is shared with the phone to improve accuracy and save phone battery.

Navigation Provider

Headunit Revived registers as a system-wide navigation app. This allows vehicle systems (like BMW iDrive) to recognize it and display directions in instrument clusters or HUDs (if supported).

Fake Speed (v2.2.0+)

If enabled, the app reports a static speed of 10 km/h to the phone. This bypasses "Video Lock" or "Safety Lock" restrictions in many Android Auto apps (like YouTube or video players) while driving.

Graphic & Video Settings

Screen Mode

• Normal: Status and navigation bars are always visible.
• Immersive: Both bars are hidden.
• Hide Status Bar Only: Recommended if hardware buttons overlap with the view.
• Immersive (Avoid Notch): Special mode for modern devices with hole-punch or notch cameras.

Stretch to Fill (v2.1.0+)

Forces the video projection to fill the entire available screen area, ignoring the original aspect ratio. Requires a session restart.

Forced Scale (v2.2.0+)

(SurfaceView only) Manually forces the scaling logic to use the provided dimensions. Useful for displays with non-standard hardware scaling.

Custom Insets (Margins)

Manually adjust Top, Bottom, Left, Right margins (0 to 500px). Crucial for buggy headunits where system bars overlay the app buttons. Features a Live Preview while adjusting.

Resolution & DPI

• Resolution: 480p up to 2160p (4K) (H.265 required for 1440p+).
• DPI: Controls the size of icons/text. Set to 0 for Auto.

Video Codec & Performance

• Codec: Auto, H.264 (Standard), or H.265 (Better quality).
• H.265 Optimization (v2.1.0+): Features 4MB buffers and VPS/SPS/PPS parsing to eliminate artifacts on 4K-capable hardware.
• FPS Limit: Toggle between 30 FPS (stable) and 60 FPS (smooth).
• View Mode: SurfaceView (Efficient, Default), TextureView (Flexible), or GLES20 (High Performance / Legacy).

Audio & Input Settings

Audio Sink

If enabled, audio plays through the headunit. If disabled, audio stays on the phone.

Audio Volume Offsets

Separate volume gain controls (0% to 200%) for Media, Assistant, and Navigation streams.

Audio Latency & Stability (v2.2.0+)

• Audio Latency Multiplier: Adjusts the internal audio buffer size.
  • Lower (1x-2x): Less lag, better for voice commands.
  • Higher (4x-8x): Less stuttering on unstable WiFi connections.
• Audio Queue Capacity: Limits the number of audio chunks waiting to be processed. Prevents audio from drifting further behind when the network is slow (Backpressure).

Microphone Input

• Input Source: Default, Microphone, Voice Recognition, or Voice Communication (Recommended for Echo Cancellation). Supports Bluetooth SCO for external mics.
• Sample Rate: 16kHz up to 48kHz.
• Use AAC Audio: (Experimental) Uses compressed audio to save WiFi bandwidth.

Input Controls

• Keymap: Map physical keys (steering wheel, knobs) to AA functions. Supports 17+ proprietary steering wheel protocols.
• Enable Rotary: Enables support for iDrive-style rotary controllers and trackpads.

Exit & PiP (v2.2.0+)

Picture-in-Picture (PiP)

Fully supported for Android 8.0+. Allows you to keep Android Auto visible in a small window while using other apps (like the original car radio or a map app).

Multi-Option Exit Dialog

Triggered via the back button or a 2-finger edge gesture (swipe from left). Offers quick access to:

• Stop Connection (Red icon)
• Enter PiP
• Move to Background (Home icon)

Debugging

Logging

• Log Level: Adjust verbosity (Info, Debug, Verbose).
• Log Capture: Real-time capture of system and AAP logs.
• Export Logs: Save logs to a public folder to share with developers.

Show FPS Counter

Displays a real-time overlay with current FPS, bitrate, and decoder latency.

Use Native SSL

Uses native OpenSSL for significantly better performance on older chipsets. Mandatory for Android 15+.