Hal9k Mod v5 based on Android 10 for MTCx HCTx Rockchip PX5 (rk3368), PX6 (rk3399) and PX30 (rk3326) head units
Compatible MCU versions: MTCD_XXXX, MTCE_XXXX, MTCP_XXXX, MTCH_XXXX, HCTG_XXXX
Firmware version: 5.0.0 (31.07.2021)
Version of the latest OTA update: 5.2.0 (20.12.2022)
About firmware:
Firmware for car head units based on MTCx or HCTx platform with Rockchip PX5, PX6 or PX30 processors and screen resolution 800x480, 1024x600, 1280x720, 1920x1080 based on Android 10.
This is a further development of the Hal9k Mod v4 based on Android 9.
The basic version of the firmware, in the form in which it is posted here, is distributed free of charge for private use and has no restrictions on performance
Commercial use of the firmware or its parts and algorithms is prohibited.
Any change to the firmware of the head unit is a potentially dangerous operation. Therefore, the Mod is provided on an “as is” basis. The author is not responsible for any possible negative consequences.
The main advantages of this firmware:
You also need to be able to enter the recovery mode
Firmware Reviews:
Video installation instructions from Alex's Android Radio (English)
Video installation instructions from Alex's Android Radio (Deutsch)
Video review from Alex's Android Radio (English)
Video review from Alex's Android Radio (Deutsch)
How do I install the firmware?
When switching from any other firmware, you need to wipe user data!
For stable operation of the device, it is recommended to update the MCU firmware to the current one, released in March 2021 or later.
If there is no such firmware for your device, use the latest available one.
MCU firmware can be obtained from your radio dealer or look here
MTCE versions can be installed instead of MTCD
If you have Android 10 installed:
The installation is similar to a regular firmware update:
If you have Android 9, 8 or 6 installed:
Requires updating the recovery version to Android10
Automatic backlight control for PX5-based head units
Internet speed in status bar
Download:
PX5: Google Drive (english version)
PX6: Google Drive (english version)
PX30: Google Drive (english version)
If you want to help translate Mod into your language, please open this folder.
When you decide to place your translation in this folder, send me a personal message with your Google email. I will give you access.
If you think we need to translate other applications, write to me about it. I will add resources to the folder.
Compatible MCU versions: MTCD_XXXX, MTCE_XXXX, MTCP_XXXX, MTCH_XXXX, HCTG_XXXX
Firmware version: 5.0.0 (31.07.2021)
Version of the latest OTA update: 5.2.0 (20.12.2022)
About firmware:
Firmware for car head units based on MTCx or HCTx platform with Rockchip PX5, PX6 or PX30 processors and screen resolution 800x480, 1024x600, 1280x720, 1920x1080 based on Android 10.
This is a further development of the Hal9k Mod v4 based on Android 9.
The basic version of the firmware, in the form in which it is posted here, is distributed free of charge for private use and has no restrictions on performance
Commercial use of the firmware or its parts and algorithms is prohibited.
Any change to the firmware of the head unit is a potentially dangerous operation. Therefore, the Mod is provided on an “as is” basis. The author is not responsible for any possible negative consequences.
The main advantages of this firmware:
- Stock design
- High stability
- Advanced functionality
- Correction of existing errors and deficiencies in stock firmware
- Customizability. All additions and modifications can be customized to your liking
- Changes are made directly in the application code, without using the Xposed framework
- Increased responsiveness compared to the stock + the ability to independently improve this indicator
- The model starts with PX5 (rk3368) or PX6 (rk3399) or PX30 (rk3326_mid)
- Android version starts with 10 or 9 or 8.0 or 6.0
- The MCU version starts with MTCD, MTCE, MTCP, MTCH, HCTG. Further there can be any letters, two, three, four - it does not matter.
You also need to be able to enter the recovery mode
Firmware Reviews:
Video installation instructions from Alex's Android Radio (English)
Video installation instructions from Alex's Android Radio (Deutsch)
Video review from Alex's Android Radio (English)
Video review from Alex's Android Radio (Deutsch)
- Updated base firmware to version 202211, which supports new types of displays, bluetooth and wi-fi modules and contains ZLink 5
- Fixed the problem of application crashes that occurred after installing the current versions of WebView
- Fixed the "empty Radio" problem
- Fixed the connection to ELM for the BC5 Bluetooth module driver
- Fixed video streaming to Chromecast devices (for instrument screens)
- Launch Google Go instead of Google if this app is installed
- New translations
- Updated base firmware to version 202111
- Updated Magisk to version 23
- The Installer now has the ability to install applications from the Internet cloud, which hosts 35 regular and 4 widescreen launchers
Launchers are installed as updates to the built-in launcher
If there are widgets next to the launcher, then you first need to install them, and then the launcher
To uninstall launcher updates, use Mod Settings > Application Management > Uninstall Launcher Updates - Added support for devices with a rotating screen
- Added tiles in the notification bar to disable the Ethernet interface and reboot the device
- Added the ability to launch the screen saver and video player using the buttons on the steering wheel
- Added the ability to replace the video player, which is launched using the button on the steering wheel
- Added a new Italian-style screen saver
- Fixed launching the screen saver using the on-screen power button
- Fixed option to disable Ethernet interface for USB modems
- Updated DabPlayer app in OEM
If you have device lock enabled in the Settings, then you need to turn it off before installing this update.
- Added an alternative GPS driver for the U-blox chip
- The accuracy of determining the geoposition in an open area reaches 0.5m
- Due to the use of AssistNow Autonomous, the search time for satellites has been significantly reduced
- And if you have access to the Internet while booting or exiting sleep mode, then this time becomes even less due to A-GPS
- It is possible to use an external USB GPS receiver based on a U-blox chip. For example, TOPGNSS GNSS803G (aka GN-803G)
- For owners of a HU on the PX30, this is an opportunity to get a perfectly working GPS, the same as on the PX5 and PX6
- GPS Test correctly displays all types of satellites
- Added the ability to export, import and reset mod settings
- The list of apps running in immersive mode is no longer reset every time the device is rebooted.
- The Ethernet interface is no longer turned on after exiting sleep mode, if it is turned off in the Mod settings.
- Fixed: If you enable the option under application common settings to pause player when mute then it will not play music after wake up.
- Fixed display of navigation data in the screen saver
- Fixed temperature display in the screen saver and in the status bar
- The screen saver no longer turns on in split-screen mode
- Added the possibility of correction for the displayed battery voltage
- Color schemes have been fixed in the Mod settings
- Added the ability to adjust the delay before restarting the player after exiting sleep mode
- Advanced customization of the GPS receiver chip, which includes:
- The use of satellite navigation systems Galileo and IMES in addition to the existing ones. The number of visible satellites has increased by about a third
- Possibility of increasing the frequency of measurements of geo-position in 10 times. Navigation apps respond more quickly to changes in course or vehicle speed
- The lag of the marker from the real position is reduced to a minimum, which means that navigation applications inform about the upcoming maneuver earlier
- AssistNow Autonomous positioning acceleration is enabled. Cold start of the GPS receiver takes about a minute
- A dynamic navigation model is set - for cars, not for phones, as set by default
- Any differential correction satellites are used
- You can select the measurement frequency for the GPS receiver: 1,2,5 and 10 Hz
- Can use BeiDou satellites instead of Glonass (only for PX5 and PX6)
- Added GPS chip reset to factory settings when GPS receiver Advanced setting is disabled. Actual for PX30
- The rules for distributing processes by processor cores have been changed. This had a positive effect both on the operation of the system as a whole and on the operation of GPS.
GPS starts working normally about a minute after waking up from prolonged sleep mode - Possibility to adjust the speed of the USB OTG port (USB 2.0 or USB 1.1). This allows you to remove clicks that interfere with listening to music through the USB DAC
- Ability to disable the Ethernet interface to use Wi-Fi without physically disconnecting the USB modem. Configurable Ethernet interface parameters
- Third party apps can now set the time zone on the device. Tested on the Navitel app
If the application has already been installed, then to enable this mode, it must be reinstalled - Added the ability to call by clicking on the name of the contact, and not on SMS
- Added display of radio station logos on the widget in the main launcher
- You can create a "Quick Call" widget that will launch a phone call to the selected number
- Tap on the clock widget in the main launcher now launches the screensaver instead of the clock
- Added the ability to lock the device with standard Android way
The lock is activated after a reboot or after the device wakes up from sleep mode. You can also turn on the lock after the Android screensaver is triggered or manually from the shutdown menu
A device lock item has also been added to the shutdown menu - Added screen filter for additional screen dimming in night mode
- For the convenience of controlling the brightness level in this mode, a slider has been added next to the daytime brightness
- Added the ability to set the power off delay by ACC up to 72 hours (for current versions of the MCU)
- Added the ability to adjust the volume from third-party applications
- The Navi button now switches between the navigation application and the last launched player, which is included in the "List of media players that should not work together"
- Added the ability to disable the device shutdown message
- Video app includes gesture control and background playback
- Added pause for an incoming call or pressing the Mute button for the Music app and third-party media players
- For third-party media players, added pause when going to sleep mode
It is recommended to add third-party media players to the whitelist and to the "List of media players that should not work together" - Added display of pop-up messages with information about playing media from Music, Radio, A2DP applications and third-party media players. Third-party media players must be added to the appropriate list
It is possible to customize the size and color of the font and the duration of the message display, disable the display of pop-up messages over the launcher
You can remove track number information from pop-up messages. This affects the screen saver too - Made transfer of media information from built-in applications to third-party widgets
- Added the ability to manage built-in media applications from third-party widgets
- For the built-in radio, the ability to display the logos of radio stations on the screen saver and in media widgets has been added
Pictures of logos should be in the Pictures/Radio folder created on the built-in memory of the device
Format: PNG, JPG. Image sizes up to 320x320
File names: 10250.png (102.50 MHz) for the default radio group. A10340.png, B10340.jpg, etc. (103.40 MHz) for other groups - Added default album covers for built-in media applications. You can replace them with your own in the settings
- Added to the screen saver:
- Display cover art and track information for most third-party players and radio station icons for PCRadio
For correct operation, I recommend adding your players to the "List of media players that should not work together" - Temperature display from Yandex.Weather, Accuweather and Yahoo.Weather notifications if temperature data is not received from the CAN adapter
- Displaying recommendations when driving along a route for Yandex.Navigator, Yandex.Maps, Google Maps, Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps
- Display cover art and track information for most third-party players and radio station icons for PCRadio
- Added the ability not to turn off the sound from other applications after launching the AV-input and DVR applications
- Added the ability to mirror the image from the front view camera by default. Useful for those who put a rear view camera on the front of the car
- Added color picker for dynamic parking lines
- Pressing the Fcam button again now closes the front camera app
- New actions for buttons on the steering wheel, including double actions (example: the "Back" button will hang up when there is an active call)
- For fans of Taskers, the ability to assign numbers 1-9, 0, and symbols * and # to the steering wheel buttons has been added.
Intent = "com.microntek.report.event"
Extra "type" = "key"
Extra "value" = button code. - Added a list of applications that will run in full screen mode (immersive mode)
- Added configurable autostart of packages or activities and services after starting the OS
- Full root access preinstalled (Magisk v22.1)
It is possible to make changes to the system partitions, control granting access to applications, hide the presence of root from some applications, and install additional modules
You can install new versions using Magisk Manager - The firmware is fully reodexed with processor optimization. This gives a slight increase in the speed of the system
- Added the ability to receive OTA updates via the Internet
- The default is:
- English language, Europe time zone
- Screen saver timeout - 2 minutes, added options: 10 and 30 minutes
- Prevent connecting to data services while roaming
- Watching video in motion - enabled
- Navigation Hints Mode - Mixing
- Mixing degree - 2
- GPS time update - enabled
- Reverse sound - 4
- Screen brightness at night - 20%
- Autoplay music when a flash drive is connected - off
- Added the ability to adjust the speed at which video playback will be disabled
- Removed applications: System Tests, Debugging and Easter Egg
- Gmail, Google Text-to-Speech, Google Maps and YouTube have been moved from system apps to third-party apps. Now you can simply delete them if they are not needed.
- Added support for init.d. You can put your scripts in the /etc/init.d folder and they will be launched during system startup
- Added support for scripts.d. You can put your scripts in the /vendor/scripts.d folder and they will be launched after booting or after exiting sleep mode
- Pre-installed MTCDialer, ViPER4Android, GPS Test Plus, Alex's Android Radio exclusive launcher
In order for this version of ViPER4Android to work, you need to enable "Legacy mode" in its settings - An alternative Equalizer has been added to the OEM. Installed as an update to the built-in Equalizer using the Installer application
Revert to the stock version by removing updates in the properties of the "Audio Settings" application - Built-in Contacts app enabled
- Contacts and Google Assistant applications dial the number without additional settings
- Added synchronization of Contacts and Calendar with a Google account
- Added the ability to change the ringtone to any of the ringtones available in the ringtones folder (not for all Bluetooth modules)
- Added the ability to disable the fullscreen keyboard
- Added the ability to move the status bar to the bottom of the screen
- Added the ability to replace codes for buttons located on the steering wheel and front panel. You can customize alternative actions that are performed when buttons are pressed
- Added the ability to select applications that have access to USB devices. Allows you to get rid of the annoying access request
- In the default launcher, the radio frequency on the widget is not reset after changing the theme
- In the launcher, by default, the date is displayed in the format corresponding to the setting in the "Date and Time" menu
- The following items have been added to Settings: Home app (launcher selection), Navigation bar (located on the left in some firmware), Start navigation after booting, Reboot system, Mobile network, Mod settings and Developer options
- In Settings - About machine, an item with information about the system has been added
- Added an on-screen power button in the status bar.
- Single press - turn on the screensaver.
- Double press to take a screenshot.
- Triple press - kill the active application.
- Long press - shutdown menu.
- Added the ability to disable all status bar items. Disabled by default: Home button, storage icons, Volume and Brightness icons. Back button moved from right to left. All items are customizable
- Added Navi and F-Cam tiles to the curtain
- All elements of the status bar are in the same style and change their color depending on the background color
- Removed the limitation on 4 icons in the status bar
- Added background for messages from CanBus
- Daydream functionality added. This allows you to install any screensaver from the Play Market. For the Android screensaver to work, it must be enabled in the Mod Settings
- Added a new screen saver that displays time and date, volume level, speed, and temperature and voltage when this data is available
- To display the temperature, you need a CAN adapter and the presence of a temperature in the status bar, and to display the voltage - MCU 2.93 and higher
- It is possible to customize the appearance of the screen saver: colors, background image, maximum value for the speed indicator. You can swap the indicators on the left and right
- The option "Screensaver is disabled only by pressing the screen"
- Added the ability to choose from 12 standard screen savers
- Added a whitelist of applications that allow the start of a screensaver. You can add to it, for example, a third-party launcher or player
- Added a black list of applications that do not allow the start of a splash screen. You can make it so that the screen saver will always start, except for those cases when on the screen the applications included in the list
- Added a whitelist of applications that do not close when going to sleep mode, with the ability to customize
- Added volume control in a style typical for AV equipment from the 7floor module
- Added the ability to display the volume control at the top, middle or bottom of the screen
- Added the ability to adjust the length of time the volume control remains on the screen after changing the volume value
- The stock volume control is not shown when the screen saver is running
- Changed the look of the standard volume control. The font is enlarged, the color corresponds to the selected theme
- Added a list of media players that restart after sleep mode
I have included the PCRadio player on this list. It now correctly starts playback after waking up from sleep mode, if it was started when going to sleep mode
In its settings, you must enable the "Resume playback at application start" switch. Also, you cannot add it to the white list of applications that do not close when device go to sleep mode. - Added the ability to disable restarting applications that were running before going to sleep mode
- Added a list of navigation apps that muffle other sounds when playing voice prompts. All navigation applications must be added to the list
- Added the ability to assign the last launched navigation application to the Navi button to switch between navigation and the player
- Added a separate list of navigation applications that use Text-to-Speech to muffle other sounds when playing voice prompts
To use, you need to add the navigation application to the "List of navigation applications using TTS that muffle other sounds" and select "Text-to-Speech engine that muffle other sounds" - Made a list of media players that should not work together. This list is an addition to the corresponding system list, so there is no need to add built-in applications to it. If one of the players included in this list starts, the rest are closed.
- Added the ability to edit the list of applications that are switched by the Mode button
- Added the ability to select applications that will run instead of stock apps. You can start your player with a button on the steering wheel
- Added volume control based on speed
- In the Bluetooth application, the name field in the phone book has been expanded and a scroll has been made if the name is long
During a call, if you minimize the notification, the bottom of the screen remains accessible for taps. The notification does not overlap the statusbar if it is at the bottom - In the Video application, the playlist is expanded and the repeat is disabled by default
Sorting of the playlist in alphabetical order is made without regard to case of lists of folders and tracks
Added button to call the Equalizer - In the Music application, the playlist is expanded and the repeat is disabled by default
Added download of lyrics from the network
Sorting of the playlist in alphabetical order is made without regard to case of lists of folders and tracks
Made transition to the next folder in the list after playing the last file in the current folder in sequential playback mode
Added transition to the previous/next folders by the seekdown/seekup steering buttons and by a long tap on the prev/next on-screen buttons
Added button to call the Equalizer - Radio - the running RDS text has been removed from the buttons of the saved stations. Added the ability to assign names to saved radio stations
If the name for the stored frequency has not been set earlier, the text from RDS is offered
The ability to select a group of radio stations has been made. If you are traveling to a different area where other radio stations are working, you can select another group and tune the stations again, and upon returning home, select the default group again and your settings will be restored.
Added button to call the Equalizer - Added custom parking lines. Thanks for Incognito+
- Added the ability to increase the default TTL in the range from 63 to 65 to bypass restrictions on the distribution of the Internet from mobile devices
- Added light theme to Mod Settings
- Added b-max script for reconnecting freezing USB hubs. Disabled by default, can be enabled in Mod Settings
- In applications, translation into different languages has been fixed and added (now 19 languages have been changed).
- Other changes to improve stability and usability.
How do I install the firmware?
When switching from any other firmware, you need to wipe user data!
For stable operation of the device, it is recommended to update the MCU firmware to the current one, released in March 2021 or later.
If there is no such firmware for your device, use the latest available one.
MCU firmware can be obtained from your radio dealer or look here
MTCE versions can be installed instead of MTCD
If you have Android 10 installed:
The installation is similar to a regular firmware update:
- Copy the firmware file update.zip to a USB flash drive / memory card formatted in FAT32
- Connect the USB flash drive / memory card to the device
- Set the "Wipe data ..." checkbox and click the "Install" button in the window that appears.
- After installation, the device will automatically reboot one more time to complete the Magisk installation.
If you have Android 9, 8 or 6 installed:
Requires updating the recovery version to Android10
- Simple and safe way: Use the ModInstaller Pro application (link to the application in the readme.txt file, which is located in the archive with the firmware or in my signature at the bottom of this post)
- Complicated and unsafe way: look for information on this forum
Automatic backlight control for PX5-based head units
Internet speed in status bar
Q: How to get OTA updates?
A: Information is on my site. You will find the link in the archive with firmware or in my signature at the bottom of this post
Q: How to automatically install my applications after installing the firmware?
A: Create the hct folder on the flash drive with the firmware, the apk folder in it and put your apk in it. They will be automatically installed after the installing the firmware.
Q: How to connect the OBD adapter?
A: This can be done both from the Bluetooth application, and from the Bluetooth item in the settings. The main thing - before you click on the adapter found, you must wait until the scan finished. Wait until the spinning circle disappears in the Bluetooth application or until the inscription "Search..." changes to the inscription "Refresh" in Settings. Then pairing goes smoothly. If the phone is already connected, you will need to temporarily disconnect it.
Q: How to start any application from a button on the steering wheel?
A: Mod settings - Manage applications - Applications that run instead of the stock . Assign any of the six applications that you don’t use to the button, then choose a replacement for it in the form of some kind of player, for example. This button will start your player
Q: Bluetooth MD725 does not work, although everything worked before!
A: If the MD725 Bluetooth module is installed in your HU, then it will not work in Android 10. The reason is that its driver was removed from Android 10.
Q: How do I know if I have such a Bluetooth module?
A: On the first page of the factory settings, in item BT, MD725 is selected.
Q: Bluetooth SD-968 does not work, although everything worked in Android 8!
A: If the SD-968 Bluetooth module with firmware made in March 2017 or earlier is installed in your HU, then it works in Android 8, but does not work in Android 9 and 10.
Solution: replace the module driver /system/bin/sdsdk968 with the old version. Do not forget to set permissions 755 on the file.
Or replace the module with another type
Q: Unable to connect to some WiFi access points. (iOS 15)
A: Read this post
A: Information is on my site. You will find the link in the archive with firmware or in my signature at the bottom of this post
Q: How to automatically install my applications after installing the firmware?
A: Create the hct folder on the flash drive with the firmware, the apk folder in it and put your apk in it. They will be automatically installed after the installing the firmware.
Q: How to connect the OBD adapter?
A: This can be done both from the Bluetooth application, and from the Bluetooth item in the settings. The main thing - before you click on the adapter found, you must wait until the scan finished. Wait until the spinning circle disappears in the Bluetooth application or until the inscription "Search..." changes to the inscription "Refresh" in Settings. Then pairing goes smoothly. If the phone is already connected, you will need to temporarily disconnect it.
Q: How to start any application from a button on the steering wheel?
A: Mod settings - Manage applications - Applications that run instead of the stock . Assign any of the six applications that you don’t use to the button, then choose a replacement for it in the form of some kind of player, for example. This button will start your player
Q: Bluetooth MD725 does not work, although everything worked before!
A: If the MD725 Bluetooth module is installed in your HU, then it will not work in Android 10. The reason is that its driver was removed from Android 10.
Q: How do I know if I have such a Bluetooth module?
A: On the first page of the factory settings, in item BT, MD725 is selected.
Q: Bluetooth SD-968 does not work, although everything worked in Android 8!
A: If the SD-968 Bluetooth module with firmware made in March 2017 or earlier is installed in your HU, then it works in Android 8, but does not work in Android 9 and 10.
Solution: replace the module driver /system/bin/sdsdk968 with the old version. Do not forget to set permissions 755 on the file.
Or replace the module with another type
Q: Unable to connect to some WiFi access points. (iOS 15)
A: Read this post
Bluetooth module MD725 not working in Android 10
When installing WebView and Chrome versions 101.x.x.x, crashes occur in these applications as well as in other applications that use WebView.
Fixed in version 5.2.0
Mod is a modified factory firmware.
I can only be responsible for the changes in the device that I made. All of them are listed in the "List of changes" section.
Everything else, both good and bad, is inherited from the factory firmware.
I try to fix bugs found in the stock, but this I can’t always do it.
If you do not agree with this, do not install this firmware.
Fixed in version 5.2.0
Mod is a modified factory firmware.
I can only be responsible for the changes in the device that I made. All of them are listed in the "List of changes" section.
Everything else, both good and bad, is inherited from the factory firmware.
I try to fix bugs found in the stock, but this I can’t always do it.
If you do not agree with this, do not install this firmware.
PX5: Google Drive (english version)
PX6: Google Drive (english version)
PX30: Google Drive (english version)
If you want to help translate Mod into your language, please open this folder.
When you decide to place your translation in this folder, send me a personal message with your Google email. I will give you access.
If you think we need to translate other applications, write to me about it. I will add resources to the folder.
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