(the noobs guide to setting up an android headunit)
When you receive your brand new android headunit and power it up for the very first time, it will need setting-up. Set up will include the google account and gmail to access the playstore, that topic is covered in this guide.
Other set-up may also be required like CAN bus selection and SWC set-up which is covered by the suppliers instructions included with your android headunit. If you can’t find them, check in the bottom of the box.
Android Headunit Tip
The guide covers the best practice for setting-up a google account for your new android headunit.
You can’t access the google play store without a google account.
This guide to setting-up assumes you have either installed your custom fit android headunit. Or with a universal fit android headunit, powered it up on the bench. You need to have WiFi from a home router or your phone has an active wifi hotspot. Other options include a USB dongle with data SIM or a Travel Hotspot, but you need to be connected to the internet to complete the google account set-up.
Android Headunit Tip
It is useful to have your phone to hand which is needed to pass the ‘Robot roadblock’ should you encounter it while setting up the android headunit google account
Any android version
Android Headunits are installed with various versions of the android operating system and newer models can even have the latest version. This guide follows a generic android 8, but the steps are very similar for every possible version installed. You should be able to follow this guide quite easily to get your android headunit up and running.
Android Headunit Tip
<em>Security is important</em><br>Android headunits have no security to lock the screen. So to protect your google account, do not sign-in to it. Instead, <strong>create a new, free account for use by the headunit</strong>.
Time needed: 25 minutes.
Setting-up google account on a new Android Headunit
- Switch on and wait for it to boot.
first boot may take 30s but subsequent boots can be quicker.
- Welcome!
Select you language
Click ‘START’ - Connect to Wi-Fi
Ideally select your home wifi, but your phone hotspot, USB dongle or travel router will suffice. You need a working data connection to continue
- Read and Agree to the terms and conditions.
Agree to all
Or agree to the ones you are happy with.
The more you agree to give to google, the more they give back to you in they way of services.
We choose ‘Agree to all’ 🙂
- Wait for ‘Checking for updates, checking info’
This may take a minute or two
- Google Sign-in
Do not sign in with your google account.
There is no security, like a PIN or finger print scanner on an android headunit. This is a security risk, so we are going to make a new google account, just for the headunit to use.
- Google Sign-in
Scroll down and
Click ‘Create account‘
For myself (if you are asked)
- Create a new google account
Follow the onscreen instructions to create google account
Enter your name
First lame, Last name
Birthday and Gender
- Choose your Gmail address
You are offered a list of pre-computed choices
Select ‘Create your own Gmail address’
Enter your vehicle registration number
(or anything you like, but the vehicle reg should be unique and is a nice touch to personalise the android headunit) - Create a strong password
Create a strong password with a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols.
write it down or make a note of it, you will need this again, later - Add phone number
You can add you phone number to help recover your account should you forget the password.
You can choose ‘More options’ to give google less.
- Read the Privacy and Terms
Agree to those terms that you are happy to agree to.
We agree to all of them 🙂
Click ‘Create Account’
- Wait a while
Getting account info
- Google services
Agree to the extra services as you see fit.
Read the privacy policy
We agree to all of them 🙂 - Click through the next screens
Agree to any extra features that are available to your android headunit from the google service.
We agree to all of them 🙂
- Wait while any changed are made and your android headunit should now be ready
The launcher has loaded and there may be updates downloading.
- Access the play store and add any new apps you want.
A new launcher would be nice
Enjoy your new android headunit
You have now set-up your new google account. Specifically for the android headunit.
You can now log into this account on your laptop, tablet or phone (this is the reason you wrote the strong password down earlier). Using your laptop or phone/tablet makes it easier to install apps to the headunit. You use the laptop or phone to send apps to the headunit from the playstore. The android headunit will start downloading as soon as it is booted up and has a data connection (wifi/4G etc). There is no need to sit in the car while searching for the ‘must have apps‘ for your new android headunit.
If the apps wont install, check for an update to playstore. Your headunit can download this automatically if it is needed but must have a data connection to do it.
 android headunit. Security is important.){kind=link}