AppSwitcher v3 - smart SWC launcher (for Junsun, Xtrons and similar devices) incl. autostart

[TorstenH]

AppSwitcher v3​

SWC (Steering Wheel Control) app launcher

Stay focused on the street and don't touch the head units display to switch between apps.
​

Support the development of this free app via
ko-fi.com/appswitcher​

 

[TorstenH]

What is AppSwitcher?​

AppSwitcher enhances your steering wheel key to switch between apps.



Hereby you can select which apps should be offered and you can choose stock apps (e.g. the radio app) and 3rd party apps like your favorite mp3 or DAB player. You can switch between media and navigation app by only one key press.

Additionally AppSwitcher offers a lot of options:
- start the last used media app after boot and after sleep automatically.
- long button press to cancel (if dialog is shown) or to jump to home screen.
- reactivate accessibility service of Automate and start initial Automate Flow to realize your own automations
- enable/disable DuraSpeed to prevent the head unit from killing your apps
- change system property to make Android status bar visible (work as on other Android devices)
- automatic screen dimming based on sunset / sunrise information
- switch AutoLink to night mode
- allows to start the (Junsun) equalizer app
- supports SWC key "mode" even if CAN box is in place (if modded MainUI gets used)
- ...

 

[TorstenH]

How it works​

AppSwitcher has two options to register for a SWC key. A basic understanding how it works will help you to do the initial setup of AppSwitcher.

Option 1 - GPS​

The head units main app (MainUI) writes by default a log message on each key press. AppSwitcher can listen to the Android log and react on a log message.

This will not overwrite the standard behavior of the original key function but we can configure a SWC key and assigned it to "open navigation app". With a special app (AppSwitcherStarter) set as navigation app there is no need to modify system files or system apps.
Additionally AppSwitcherStarter will start AppSwitcher after boot and sleep if we configure the head unit to autostart the navigation app.

This will only work if
a) a dedicated SWC key to start the navigation app is present. If no CAN box is used every SWC key can be configured
b) a dedicated SWC key to switch between apps (mode button) is present AND the radio app is not used/required. We can configure AppSwitcher to listen to the mode button. But we need to remove all apps from factory icon settings to disable the standard functionality. As a side effect the radio app will not work after its icon gets removed.

Option 2 - MainUI​

Replacing the head units main app (MainUI) with a modded version by overwriting the system app or install the mod as update by clicking on the apk file of the modded MainUI.
In this version, the SWC mode key is disabled so that its functionality can be overridden (replaced) by AppSwitcher.

Additionally the modded version starts AppSwitcher after boot / sleep and sends a broadcast on each key press. This allows AppSwitcher to register for the broadcasts to receive a trigger. Other apps (e.g. Automate) can also register for these broadcasts.

This will only work if
a) a modded version of MainUI is available
b) you are not afraid of replacing / updating a system app and know how to flash a firmware in case of problems. You're replacing the system app at your own risk.

 

[TorstenH]

Installation​

Option 1 - GPS​

Please read previous post to check if this is the best installation type for you.

Spoiler

- Install AppSwitcher AND AppSwitcherStarter.

- Enable automatic start of navigation app in factory settings

and let your device reboot.
Please be aware that changing factory settings will reset some settings on your device like equalizer and radio station presets. This is not an issue of AppSwitcher(Starter).

- Open AppSwitcher and select your navigation and media apps. Additionally activate the log listener:


- Start AppSwitcher manually via the settings menu to check if the service start works (app icon on status bar)


- Set 'AppSwitcher Starter' as navigation app:

Don't set AppSwitcher itself as navigation app.

- Configure one button of steering wheel to start navigation app (if not already done)


With this setup the head unit will start AppSwitcherStarter after each reboot/sleep whereby AppSwitcherStarter will start the service of AppSwitcher.
Pressing the SWC navigation key will also start AppSwitcherStarter but this will have no effect if the service is already running. Nevertheless the AppSwitcher service will recognize the log entry and can present the AppSwitcher dialog.

The log entry can vary from head unit to head unit so it may be required to adjust the log listener settings https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...-devices-incl-autostart.4593865/post-88620913

​

Option 2 - MainUI​

Please read previous post to check if this is the best installation type for you.

You choose this way of installation at your own risk. It may lead to a bootloop and you should be familiar how to flash a firmware to restore your device in case of problems.

Spoiler

- First you need to check if a suitable modded version of MainUI is available for your device.
You can find a list of modded versions here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...-devices-incl-autostart.4593865/post-88620949

- Install the modded MainUI.
This can be done by
a) install MainUI as update by clicking on the apk file (preferred method).
or
b) using MainUiUpdater to replace the MainUI application on the system partition. Place the modded MainUI in the "Download" folder on the device and rename it to MainUI.apk

- Install AppSwitcher

- Open AppSwitcher and select your navigation and media apps.
Ensure the log listener is disabled.

- Start AppSwitcher manually via the settings menu to grant the required permissions and check if the service starts (app icon on status bar)


- Reboot your device. E.g. by using the Reboot.apk from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...r-aux-bt-music-carinfo-from-launcher.4237797/

 

[TorstenH]

Installation files​

AppSwitcher: Core application
Please don't forget to start AppSwitcher the first time manually via the app icon on top of the setting screen. This step is required to allow the app to ask for the required permissions.

AppSwitcher Starter: Starter of AppSwitcher and dummy navigation app.
Only needed for installation option "Option 1 - GPS".

MainUiUpdater: Helper tool to replace MainUI on the system partition.
Only needed if you can't or don't want to install the modded MainUI as app update by clicking on the apk file. Only relevant for installation option "Option 2 - MainUI".

Reboot: Adds an icon to launcher for an easy reboot of the head unit. Can be found here.

DealKey: A sample Automate flow. You can adjust it to your needs. In combination with a modded MainUI you can invent your own key codes, fully customize your SWC and even run custom actions based on the current foreground app.

Changelog

AppSwitcher
Change log

Spoiler

3.2.4
- Fixed bug: no dialog appeared if user forgot to select navigation/media apps
3.2.3
- Removed debug dependencies to avoid AndroidIDE warning
3.2.2
- Fixed bug: uninstalled apps visible in sort list
3.2.1
- Enhanced dimming feature (control day/night mode of AutoLink)
- Send Broadcast to AutoLink multiple times
3.1
- Code cleansing. No need to update from 3.0.5
3.0.5
- Avoid start of media app if known app is already in foreground
3.0.3
- Adjusted to new broadcast key

MainUiUpdater
Change log

Spoiler

0.24
- Added setting to use old forfan command
0.23
- Added option to grant read logs permission to Logcat Reader
0.22
- Improved log messages
- Improved free storage handling
0.14
- Implemented "reboot" button
0.10
- Derive remount command from mount output
0.9
- Perform remount and check again for free space
0.8
- Include pseudo file systems on free space check
0.7
- Changed backup dir to /sdcard/MainUIbackups

 

[TorstenH]

Adjust the log listener​

Installation type "Option 1 - GPS" may require to adjust the log listener settings. They are pre-configured for systems without CAN box and a SWC key assigned to the GPS function (see Installation instruction on previous posts).

First you have to identify which log entries get written as soon as you press the SWC key. I suggest to use "Logcat Reader" from Google Playstore to identify usable log messages.

The log listener settings​

Log tag: Tag of the log entry. On most systems this is "MainUI".

Short button press log entry: If this log entry occurs AppSwitcher will show the dialog or jump to the next app.
This is the most important entry.

If you get a set of log entries as soon as you push and release a SWC key "Short button press log entry" should be set to the log message which gets written as soon as you release the key after a short amount of time.

Optional:

On button press log entry: This log message gets written as soon as you push down the SWC key. AppSwitcher will stop the countdown as soon as this message gets detected. This allows to set a very short countdown time.

Long button press log entry: If you hold down the button you can cancel the AppSwitcher dialog or jump to the home screen / launcher if the dialog is currently not visible.

The log entries need not to contain the whole message. It's sufficient to enter a substring if this is unique and not part of other log messages.

 

[TorstenH]

Modded MainUI​

Usually it should be possible to install the modded MainUI as app update by clicking on the apk file. Alternatively you can use MainUiUpdater app to replace MainUI. In this case you need to place the modded MainUI as MainUI.apk in the Download folder.

Please request a modded MainUI if you can't find one for your firmware.

For MTK825X​

MainUI_825X_1.3 (please unzip)​

Version 1.3 from 8259P_军灿UI02v1280x720-国外_v81_20230427

MainUI_825X_1.3v90 (please unzip)​

Version 1.3 from 8259P_军灿UI02v1280x720-国外_v90_20230628

MainUI_825X_1.3v94 (please unzip)​

Version 1.3 from 8259P_军灿UI02v1280x720-国外_v94_20230729.zip

For 8227L​

MainUI_8227L_1.1 (please unzip)​

Version 1.1 from 8227L_8军灿UI03-国外11_v3_20220714

For 8667​

MainUI_8667_1.51 (please unzip!)​

Version 1.51 from 8667Q军灿UI02-国外-1280x720_v34_20230703.zip

MainUI_8667_1.1 (please unzip!)​

Version 1.1 from 8667Q军灿UI02-国外-1280x720_v28_20230302.zip

MainUI_8667_BMW_1.1 (please unzip!)​

Version 1.1 from 8667Q乐佳UI宝马v1920x720-国外_v22_20230221.zip
Xtrons firmware for BMW cars:
Manufacturer: MTK
Product: XTRONS_IA
Device: spm8667p1_64
Board: spm8667p1_64

 

[TorstenH]

reserved

 

[TorstenH]

Remap SWC keys​

If a CAN box is in place Junsun devices don't allow to remap SWC keys and assign other functions to it. But if you install a modded MainUI it is possible to define a config file with a mapping according to your needs.

The mapping file must be called "keyMapping.ini" and must be stored on the top level of the storage next to the "Download" folder. After creation/modification of the file you need to reboot the head unit because the file gets only read once to avoid performance issues.

The file is a simple text file containing key code mappings:

[from value 1]:[to value 1]
[from value 2]:[to value 2]
[from value 3]:[to value 3]

This is an example to swap the volume keys:

19:20
20:19

The most used key codes:
Mode = 10
Vol + = 19
Vol - = 20
next track = 44
prev track = 45
sound settings (EQ) = 17
Google assistant = 808

All key codes:

Spoiler

0 = 31;
1 = 32;
2 = 33;
3 = 34;
4 = 35;
5 = 36;
6 = 37;
7 = 38;
8 = 39;
9 = 40;
AIR = 105;
AM = 53;
AMS = 58;
ANGLEDN = 74;
ANGLEUP = 73;
APPS = 100;
APP_LONG = 115;
APP_SHORT = 114;
AUDIO = 101;
AUX = 2;
AVIN = 3;
AVM = 107;
BKL = 6;
BT = 23;
BT_A2DP = 111;
CAMERA = 108;
CARINFO = 106;
CAR_DEVICE = 110;
CAR_PLAY = 103;
CLOCK = 5;
DEL = 109;
DELETE = 84;
DIM = 24;
DIMDN = 88;
DIMUP = 87;
DISP = 85;
DN = 67;
DTV = 1;
DVD = 13;
DVR = 27;
ECAR = 89;
EJECT = 71;
EJECT_L = 83;
ENT = 21;
EQ = 17;
FAV = 86;
FCAM = 26;
FEEL_BACKWARD = 198;
FEEL_CCW = 200;
FEEL_CW = 199;
FEEL_DOWN = 196;
FEEL_FORWARD = 197;
FEEL_LEFT = 194;
FEEL_RIGHT = 193;
FEEL_UP = 195;
FEEL_WAVE = 201;
FF = 46;
FM = 52;
FMAM = 51;
FR = 47;
HOME = 99;
INFO = 98;
IPOD = 25;
J = 41;
LEFT = 68;
LOC = 55;
LOUD = 18;
MEDIA = 28;
MEDIA_PP = 60;
MEDIA_RDM = 61;
MEDIA_RPT = 62;
MEDIA_SCAN = 63;
MEDIA_SEARCH = 65;
MEDIA_STOP = 64;
MENU = 8;
MODE = 10;
MODE_DN = 94;
MODE_UP = 93;
MUTE = 16;
NAVI = 11;
NEXT = 44;
OPEN = 72;
PAUSE = 91;
PHONE_SIM = 104;
PLAY = 90;
POWER = 70;
POWER_OFF = 82;
POWER_ON = 81;
PRE = 45;
RADIO = 12;
RADIO_1S = 75;
RADIO_2S = 76;
RADIO_3S = 77;
RADIO_4S = 78;
RADIO_5S = 79;
RADIO_6S = 80;
RADIO_BAND = 43;
RADIO_SCAN = 59;
RDS_AF = 48;
RDS_PTY = 50;
RDS_TA = 49;
RETURN = 22;
RIGHT = 69;
SD = 15;
SET = 7;
SPEAKER = 95;
SPEAKER_SW = 96;
ST = 54;
TELCALLOF = 30;
TELCALLON = 29;
TOGGLE_LEFT = 112;
TOGGLE_RIGHT = 113;
TOUCH = 9;
TPMS = 102;
TUNEDEC = 57;
TUNEINC = 56;
TV = 4;
UP = 66;
USB = 14;
VIEW360 = 92;
VIEW360_UP = 97;
VOLDN = 20;
VOLUP = 19;
X = 42;

 

[TorstenH]

reserved

 

[Anton TNT]

Installation

Option 1 - GPS

Please read previous post to check if this is the best installation type for you.

- Install AppSwitcher AND AppSwitcherStarter.
- Enable automatic start of navigation app in factory settings
View attachment 5927899
and let your device reboot.
Please be aware that changing factory settings will reset some settings on your device like equalizer and radio station presets. This is not an issue of AppSwitcher(Starter).
- Open AppSwitcher and select your navigation and media apps
- Set 'AppSwitcher Starter' as navigation app:
View attachment 5927901
Don't set AppSwitcher itself as navigation app.
- Configure one button of steering wheel to start navigation app (if not already done)
View attachment 5927903

With this setup the head unit will start AppSwitcherStarter after each reboot/sleep whereby AppSwitcherStarter will start the service of AppSwitcher.
Pressing the SWC navigation key will also start AppSwitcherStarter but his will have no effect if the service is already running. Nevertheless the AppSwitcher service will recognize the log entry and can present the AppSwitcher dialog.

The log entry can vary from head unit to head unit so it may be required to adjust the Log listener settings.


Option 2 - MainUI

Please read previous post to check if this is the best installation type for you.

You choose this way of installation at your own risk. It may lead to a bootloop and you should be familiar how to flash a firmware to restore your device in case of problems.

Some models of a car - like mine , does not allow changing swc buttons and settings, is there a way to bypass that ?

 

[TorstenH]

Some models of a car - like mine , does not allow changing swc buttons and settings, is there a way to bypass that ?

Update
In meantime that's possible:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...-devices-incl-autostart.4593865/post-88621023

 

[Anton TNT]

Sure. You can help to let the magic happen:

Junsun V1 - Codes

Code description from {Mod edit} Please note: Don't just try a code without to know what happens. E.g. 9191 will lead to the message "device not activated" and you need a file called license.dat. 8888 - restricted settings menu 8878 - full...

forum.xda-developers.com

Thanks good to know

 

[ramig]

Here is working with mainui option

 

[TorstenH]

Here is working with mainui option

If you want to test the SWC key remapping via config file, let me know...

 

[elalvaro19]

I can install MainUI on my unit (8667L), I need to know if the 8667L version is compatible or only for 8667. If it is compatible, is key mapping available for this version?

 

[TorstenH]

I can install MainUI on my unit (8667L), I need to know if the 8667L version is compatible or only for 8667. If it is compatible, is key mapping available for this version?

Could you please let me know which firmware you have currently installed by providing a link to the firmware zip file?

Key mapping can be made available but I need you to test because I don't have a 8667(L) unit.

 

[elalvaro19]

Could you please let me know which firmware you have currently installed by providing a link to the firmware zip file?

Key mapping can be made available but I need you to test because I don't have a 8667(L) unit.

This is the firmware I currently have installed:

8227L 固件 - Google Drive

drive.google.com

 

[TorstenH]

This is the firmware I currently have installed:

8227L 固件 - Google Drive

drive.google.com

Unfortunately I can't extract the firmware with the same tools I use for 8867 and 825X.

Could you please install MainUiUpdater and perform replacement without a MainUI.apk in Download folder? This should create a backup of your MainUI.apk file you can share here.

 

[alfonsito76]

Hello TorstenH, I have a Junsun 8667Q and I would like to reassign the steering wheel keys, I have a 2019 kia Sportage with CAN, does your MAINUI work for my radio?
The VOICE button opens the google search for me and I would like it to open the google assistant.
Thank you so much