ROLL-UP -Joying 2GB - Sofia ( Non MTCB/MTCD )- Tips, tricks and mods

[gustden]

There is getting to be quite a bit of information to look through when looking for tip/solutions related to the new Joying 2GB / Sofia units. Since this is not a MTCB or MTCD unit, the threads seem to be scattered all over and very difficult to find in searching. I have seen roll-up threads for other units, that contain information such as ROMS available, tips, tricks and useful information. Kind of a "one stop shop" for the newer Joying HUs. If you have useful software, mod, tips, customization's, get something to work, etc please post here and I can include.

CPU Information - Rockchip Sofia x64 C3230RK / mali 450 GPU / Up to 1.2Ghz / 4 core / FYT5009 SoM - rated to run at up to 85C. My particular is unit clocked at 1.04Ghz.

Advanced Settings Password: 3368
Homescreen menu: 8086
Backlight Current menu: 5768

Android 6 Thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...ing-intel-head-unit-android-6-update-t3597121

Android 6 specific tips:
ADB Access: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71616884&postcount=273 -OR-
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72057022&postcount=12

Viper4Android: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72064749&postcount=41


Latest ROM - Current ROM can be downloaded from link on the Joying blog site.
https://www.carjoying.com/Joying-blog/59.html

Android 5.1 Discussion about the Feb 22, 2017/March 5, 2017/March 15, 2017 updates:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...d-units/joying-intel-update-feb-22nd-t3561285
People have experienced issues with the Joying Launcher (UI3) after the update. This seems related to having other packages (google voice search ) installed prior to installing the ROM. Install time 25-35 minutes.

Recovery from non-bootable system - Without being able to access recovery, about the only solution is to reload the ROM package. Unzip ROM to SD card or USB stick, put in unit (GPS Maps slot, if using SD card ) and press the 'recessed' reset button. The unit should find the update and reload the ROM. This will wipe your data, but does leave the apps. If you use titanium backup, and have a backup, you can restore your data fairly easily. See blog article above for step by step instructions.

Root - Unit comes with root accessible in adb. SuperSU can be installed easily. There are 2 methods for installing superSU. The first method is an overwrite of the boot partition with a pre-rooted image. Problem here is if future upgrade makes boot partition changes, this method will overwrite with an older version. I recommend method 2, which modifies the existing boot partition ( need source so I can provide credit ).
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=69648860&postcount=84&nocache=1&z=8361786322568856 (over-writes boot partition / may not work on Joying Feb update )
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4qmTV7N4JliSjZMdGg3Z18wbkU/view?usp=sharing ( modifies existing boot partition )

OS & Google Apps - Android 5.1.1 ASOP based w/ pico installation of google applications. Voice actions are supported with installation of 'Google App' from play store. No support for google search talk back.

Recovery- A recovery partition is present but does not have any type of graphical UI. It does look like a complete stock android ( command line ) recovery, but no access using USB is available. It maybe be possible using PC-PC OTG cable.

SD Cards - I have not heard of any sdcard size limitations, up to 200GB have been reported to work. Must be formatted as FAT32. NTFS, exFAT, and ext3/4 do not work. You can format a USB stick with ext4 and it will work fine.

Google Voice Calling - Stock BT dialer crashes when being called from google applications ( such as google voice search ). Workaround is available.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...oogle-voice-to-initiate-calls-joying-t3528923

Enable OK Google from any screen - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72447390&postcount=968

Bluetooth Tethering & BT Settings - Bluetooth tethering, connects instantly, very reliable connection, works great for streaming music, gps etc. Saves phone battery vs WIFI hotspot. Limited to ~2Mbs ( slower than WIFI sharing )
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...elopment/bluetooth-settings-launcher-t3504526
(also good discussion here on the effects of process killing when entering standby )

Difficult to pair BT devices - Forces device pairing into database - Device pairs normally once HU thinks it has connected previously. I was able to pair TPMS, keyboard, etc using this method(s).
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brachcon.btautopair&hl=en

Modified stock bluetooth app to allow connection to all devices
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71280945&postcount=88

Backup Cam guideline mods - Make your lines match your camera view
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=70325711&postcount=403

Apps not working after resume - The joying code will kill most applications when going into standby. This is really bad for apps that are supposed to be run at boot and background process, as they are not restarted when exiting standby. Symptoms include, widgets not updating, apps not getting GPS lock, process show running but background services are no longer running. This can be fixed by installing an updated apk file in /system/app/Sofia-1-C9-Server-V1.0 which removes the task killer. Also the key/button mods V2+ (below) will remove the task killer.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71047452&postcount=62

Key/Button Mods - Extend the usefulness of your steering wheel keys and on unit buttons- V2+ also removes app kill on standby.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...-units/joying-2gb-steering-wheel-key-t3543390

If you just want to change the SRC button to call up google voice search, go here. ( also removes task killer )
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=70480258&postcount=549

Immersive Mode / removes top navigation bar - No app needed - Full Screen on apps you choose, can be set from adb w/ root. Argument is list of package names separated by "," or "*" for all apps. ( survives reboot )
Specific apps:
settings put global policy_control immersive.full="com.google.android.apps.maps,com.pandora.android,com.spotify.music"
All apps:
settings put global policy_control immersive.full="*"
Clear / back to default
settings put global policy_control immersive.full=

Change Overscan - problems touching the corners, changing overscan can help:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71492575&postcount=169

Phone/Tablet view on apps - No app needed - Change from 160dpi -> 161dpi gives "phone" view of many apps instead of "tablet" with no noticeable size change to other things. Done via adb. Requires reboot to take effect.
> wm density 161 # ( phone mode apps )
> wm density 160 # ( original tablet mode apps )

Heatsink mod Unit can run hot at heavy cpu load (such as benchmark testing). Can slightly reduce performance by throttling. Some users opt to add additional heatsink/fan to reduce temperatures.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...inside-look-joying-android-head-unit-t3546872

Red Themed Radio - Re-theme of stock apps - Don't like the look, change it. Can be done easily by unzipping the apk file, change images, rezip and install.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=70367793&postcount=434

More Radio Mods ( Layout change, more colors )
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71625005&postcount=286

xposed / xposed framwork - At this time, I am not aware of any way to make this work with the new Joying units. I have tried several packages and all have resulted in a non-bootable system. Please let me know you go get it to work.

Viper4android - Installer script that works on these models
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71317345&postcount=101

Nova or other launcher - Need to freeze or remove stock Joying launcher(s) in some cases, for other launchers to work correctly.

Other very useful Joying 2gb/sofia threads:
Audio Discussion / DACs - https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...ts/joying-2gb-sofia-headunits-common-t3577217

https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...pment/joying-android-5-1-1-2gb-units-t3465561

https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...opment/2gb-ram-intel-cpu-heres-specs-t3468322

 

[kaderekusen]

Yes this is really needed. A FAQ with overview links and tips in just one post

 

[gtxaspec]

Some people mentioned it was possible to boot into a restore function from a memory card with the update zip. If true, do we know what the exact process is? Any keys need to be held down?

Update, verified this procedure works:

I did recover from endless Android logo (resulting from trying to root with Joying HU root.zip found in this thread).

I did the following:
Put latest Joying update files to microSD card and insert it to GPS slot. Press and hold both reset and power buttons. Once it boots continue holding reset button.

This lead to automatic install of Joying update files and my HU was back alive but I hate the Joying company for not providing means to enter recovery and a complete ROM.

Edit: For me it did not ask if I want to update or not. It just began updating automatically. In contradict to the post above. But I was unable to boot to Android when I tried this.

 

[catu]

My VW has reverse parking sensors. Does it not support those?

 

[nyogtha]

Just installed this unit. Speedwise it's night and day compared to my old Erisin (1gb 3188). Display is nice and crisp. Bit of a fiddle getting it mounted because of all the crap that needs to be stuffed behind it, but after some swearing and elbow grease I got it secured.

From the instructions, I cut an orange wire because I don't have a backup camera. I do however have optical parking sensors. On my Erisin this was supported (it showed a car model and visual indicators on screen). This unit doesn't appear to have this function. Can anyone confirm? I still get the beep from the speakers, so it's not really a big issue, but would be nice to know.

---------- Post added at 10:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------

My VW has reverse parking sensors. Does it not support those?

Didn't see your post before asking the same question

 

[gustden]

I'd like to work on this one.
But I have two questions;
1) did you manage to get any logs of how it failed?
2) When you made it unbootable, what was the exact procedure you used to recover the unit?

I didn't get any logs, as I couldn't connect to it until I reloaded the ROM. If I was able to make a USB connection, at least I could have looked at the logcat.

Procedure to recover: Insert USB drive with ROM, push recessed reset button, wait 30m for ROM to install, set up apps again. I have this procedure down pretty good. - The joys of playing with the system partition without USB access or recovery tools.

 

[nyogtha]

My VW has reverse parking sensors. Does it not support those?

Actually, it turns out it does, however only when there's an obstacle (hopefully we can change this). Yesterday I only tested while stationary. Today I used it while driving, and noticed that whenever the sensor picked something up, the unit does actually display the sensors. It feels next to useless for me when it only shows on beeps, but at least we know it's there.

 

[catu]

Well, that is the way my discarded Newsmy worked. Takes getting used to, but you then again you don't really need confirmation that "nothing" is in your way

Will need to think about this then, thank you.. Cant make up if I want this or the Ownice C500.

 

[nyogtha]

Well, that is the way my discarded Newsmy worked. Takes getting used to, but you then again you don't really need confirmation that "nothing" is in your way

Will need to think about this then, thank you.. Cant make up if I want this or the Ownice C500.

After updating to the January firmware parking sensors are gone completely.

edit: enabling "radar" is the solution

 

[nyogtha]

Installed supersu (like described in this thread) yesterday and updated it from the play store. Worked fine.

Then I installed Viper4android, also from the store. I didn't expect it to work, but it does! Driver installed, and after a reboot it does exactly what it's supposed to.

Also installed Nova Launcher and set as default home. No issues with that so far. I have not frozen or uninstalled any of the original launchers.

 

[Kurt Lund]

On my Joying unit 130N2 (8 inch unit for VW) the backlight on the display does not work when it is cold. We had minus 8 degrees centigrade here and it took more than 10 minutes before the backlight came on. The radio is playing music and it is actually possible to change channel as long as you know where to touch the monitor. Today it was 5 degrees and it took only about 3 seconds before the backlight came on. I wrote Joying about it and they confirmed to me that there was an issue with 8 inch models for VW. They told me that they were working on a completely new firmware that would fix the problem. I told them that to me it seemed to be a hardware problem and how they wanted to fix that with a software. Their answer of course "No worry my friend ......". I told them that I wanted to return the radio because a radio that doesn't work when it is cold is useless to me. They told me that I would have to send it to China so that their engineers could investigate the problem. I then told them that I had bought it from a German website and it was delivered to me from Germany so if their wanted it to be sent to China then they would have to pay me for it - in advance. They told me that their warehouse in Germany did not accept any returns so it was impossible for me to return it. Then I opened a case with Paypal for selling defective merchandise. Then suddenly their warehouse in Germany was accepting returns. I had put this text also on the Joying Forum, but of course they deleted it. So when dealing with Joying and in case you have problems my advice is to be very tough on them otherwise they will BS you.

 

[joshnat]

On my Joying unit 130N2 (8 inch unit for VW) the backlight on the display does not work when it is cold.

I have the same problem on the same unit. With the car headlights off, backlight is dim when it's cold, but gets brighter when it has time to warm up. And when the headlights are on, the backlight isn't on at all until it warms up.

I thought about writing Joying about it but I expected the kind of response you got. Plus, I've had my unit for a few months already so a PayPal claim isn't an option. Please let us know if you hear anything else about it from Joying.

 

[Kurt Lund]

Hi Joshnat,
Yes we have the same problem. Sometimes I can get mine to light up by turning the headlights on and off a couple of times. Are you sure that you cant make a Paypal claim? As far as I know you have 180 days.
Anyway, you should write to them and let them know that you know that many others have this problem.
Regards
Kurt

 

[barnesk9]

On my Joying unit 130N2 (8 inch unit for VW) the backlight on the display does not work when it is cold. We had minus 8 degrees centigrade here and it took more than 10 minutes before the backlight came on. The radio is playing music and it is actually possible to change channel as long as you know where to touch the monitor. Today it was 5 degrees and it took only about 3 seconds before the backlight came on. I wrote Joying about it and they confirmed to me that there was an issue with 8 inch models for VW. They told me that they were working on a completely new firmware that would fix the problem. I told them that to me it seemed to be a hardware problem and how they wanted to fix that with a software. Their answer of course "No worry my friend ......". I told them that I wanted to return the radio because a radio that doesn't work when it is cold is useless to me. They told me that I would have to send it to China so that their engineers could investigate the problem. I then told them that I had bought it from a German website and it was delivered to me from Germany so if their wanted it to be sent to China then they would have to pay me for it - in advance. They told me that their warehouse in Germany did not accept any returns so it was impossible for me to return it. Then I opened a case with Paypal for selling defective merchandise. Then suddenly their warehouse in Germany was accepting returns. I had put this text also on the Joying Forum, but of course they deleted it. So when dealing with Joying and in case you have problems my advice is to be very tough on them otherwise they will BS you.

You may have a faulty screen, my first one did something similar and wasn't very responsive to touches. I returned and my second unit was like night and day with how much better it looked and worked.

 

[mad212]

Has anyone got a factory backup camera to work? I have a 2015 Camry and right now I have the older Pumpkin rk3066 and the place that installed it hooked up the factory backup camera. I got my new Joying hu yesterday and am going to install tomorrow myself. I'm really hoping I can use my factory camera with this head unit also.

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

 

[xdamember2]

Has anyone got a factory backup camera to work? I have a 2015 Camry and right now I have the older Pumpkin rk3066 and the place that installed it hooked up the factory backup camera. I got my new Joying hu yesterday and am going to install tomorrow myself. I'm really hoping I can use my factory camera with this head unit also.

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

I have the same car and HU, my oem backup carmera works. I bought a harness on Amazon including backup camera, USB, and aux in.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BM3QGCO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[sonof]

Quick tip:

You can adjust backup camera brightness, saturation and contrast by touching the screen while backup camera is on.

 

[mad212]

Is there a trick to putting in the sd cards? Mine won't click in so it won't mount.

Edit: Forget it i just had to get the edge of a screwdriver and push it in. Had me worried for a minute.
Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

 

[thedru13]

Does anyone have a link or info on the dummy proof DIY on how to Root the joying unit? I want to install some of these enhancements so need to root the device and have never done it so was looking to see if anyone has a link or good write up for the slow like me. Appreciate it. I have a Joying 2gb 7 inch unit.

Looking to install this option
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4q...ew?usp=sharing ( modifies existing boot partition )

 

[gustden]

Does anyone have a link or info on the dummy proof DIY on how to Root the joying unit? I want to install some of these enhancements so need to root the device and have never done it so was looking to see if anyone has a link or good write up for the slow like me. Appreciate it. I have a Joying 2gb 7 inch unit.

Within the zip there is a file with instructions - HOWTO.txt

How-To install:
1. You need a Windows PC that is connected to the same WiFi network as your HU.
2. Unzip the attached file somewhere to your disk.
3. Run CMD.exe as Administrator
4. Change directory to the folder that you unzipped.
5. Run the install.bat script with an IP address of your HU as a parameter:
C:\Users\<username>\Downloads\Joying_JY-UL135N2_SuperSU> install.bat 192.168.123.137
6. Wait until script finishes and reboot your Head Unit.
7. DONE!
You should now have the SuperSU application working.