Modern car multimedia systems based on Android provide the driver with incredible flexibility in controlling vehicle functions. However, the standard desktop layout is often inconvenient or overloaded with unnecessary elements. Changing the location of icons and information blocks allows you to personalize the space for specific driving needs.
Many owners encounter difficulties when they first try to change the interface, since the logic of the touch screen in the car is different from smartphones. In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithms of action for popular versions of the operating system and Chinese firmware Head Units. You will learn not only to move elements, but also to optimize system performance.
Correctly setting up the main screen affects not only aesthetics, but also driving safety. Quickly access navigation or music without unnecessary touches, reducing the risk of distraction from the road. Let's move on to the technical details and look at workspace management tools.
Basic principles of the Android Auto interface
The car head unit (HC) interface is based on a modified version of the mobile OS. The main feature is the use of special shells that replace the standard desktop. It is the launcher that determines which widgets are displayed and how they behave when pressed. launchers — special shells that replace the standard desktop. It is the launcher that determines which widgets are displayed and how they behave when clicked.
Unlike phones, they often use landscape orientation and large controls. The standard set usually includes a clock, date, current temperature and icons of running applications. Understanding the menu structure Settings is the first step to customization.
Some manufacturers block the ability to delete system widgets for the sake of stability. However, in 90% of cases the user has full editing access to the desktop grid. To get started, you need to get permission to change the layout through long presses or special menu buttons.
If the standard launcher does not allow you to remove unnecessary icons, try installing a third-party car launcher from the Play Market, for example, AGAMA or CarWebGuru.
Removing unnecessary widgets and icons
The first thing you need to do to restore order is to get rid of unused elements. The removal procedure may vary depending on the version Android (8.1, 9.0, 10.0 and higher) and the specific radio manufacturer (Teyes, Junsun, Xtrons).
The most common method is a long press with your finger on the unnecessary widget. Hold your finger on the icon for 2-3 seconds until a vibration or visual change in the scale of the element appears. At this moment, a menu with a cross usually pops up or a zone Trash (Trash) appears at the top of the screen.
Drag the item to the delete zone and release your finger. If the system asks for confirmation, click OK or Delete. In some Chinese firmware, to do this, you need to press the menu button (three dots or a gear) in the corner of the screen and select the editing mode.
- 🗑️ Hold the icon and drag it to the trash icon that appears at the top of the display.
- ⚙️ Enter the mode edit through the launcher menu button, then click on the cross next to the widget.
- 🚫 If the widget is a system one and cannot be deleted, try disabling it in the application settings through the section
Task Manager.
⚠️ Attention: Removing system widgets responsible for displaying engine temperature or tire pressure (if they are integrated into the CAN bus), can lead to the loss of important information about the state of the car.
Adding new widgets to the desktop
After clearing the space, you can start adding useful tools. Widgets on Android car radios are divided into two types: system (clock, weather, music) and third-party (navigator widgets, diagnostic utilities).
To add a new element, you need to call the widget menu. This is usually done by long pressing on an empty space on the desktop or swiping right/left all the way. In the list that opens, select the desired category. For example, to quickly launch navigation, a widget is often added Yandex Navigator or Google Maps.
The size of the widget can be changed. After placing an element on the screen, pinch it again and drag outside the frames to expand or shrink the block. This allows you to create the perfect layout for your screen size, be it 7, 9 or 10 inches.
☑️ Adding a useful widget
Particular attention should be paid to music widgets. They allow you to switch tracks without opening a full-fledged player application, which saves time and processor resources. Place them within easy reach of the driver.
Setting the screen size and grid
The effectiveness of using the touch screen directly depends on the size of the grid. Icons that are too small are difficult to click on the go, and icons that are too large take up a lot of space. In the launcher settings you can often find the item Grid Size or Grid size.
Changing the number of cells horizontally and vertically automatically scales all placed widgets. It is recommended to choose a configuration in which the main controls occupy no more than 60% of the screen, leaving room for a map or video player.
Settings → Screen → Grid size → 5x6 (recommended)The function of changing the font and icon sizes regardless of the grid is also available. This is useful for users with low vision. Increasing the contrast and font size in weather widgets makes the information readable even in bright sunlight.
The optimal grid size for 9-inch screens is 5 columns by 6 rows, which provides a balance between capacity and ease of clicking.
Solving problems with widgets freezing
A common problem with budget Chinese radios is the “sagging” of the interface. Widgets stop updating (show the old weather), do not respond to clicks, or disappear after a reboot. This is due to a lack of RAM or an aggressive power saving policy.
If the weather widget is not updating, check that you have an active Internet connection via Wi-Fi or SIM card. Often the problem lies in the fact that the system “kills” the background process of the widget to save resources. You need to add the widget application to the battery exceptions.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Select widget application → Battery and set the mode No restrictions. Clearing the launcher cache also helps. Go to application settings, find your launcher and click Clear cache.
| Problem symptom | Probable cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| The widget disappeared after reboot | Launcher failure | Reset launcher settings or reinstallation |
| Not updated weather | No network access | Checking Wi-Fi and application permissions |
| Slows down when pressed | Lack of RAM | Closing background applications and cleaning cache |
| Black square instead of icon | Deleted application | Delete the broken widget and add a new one |
⚠️ Attention: Chinese firmware interfaces (MCU) are often updated by the manufacturer. If the settings menu looks different, look for items with similar icons or names in English.
The secret of stable operation
Disable live wallpaper (animation in the background). They consume a significant portion of processor resources and RAM, which directly affects the response speed of widgets and the smooth operation of the menu.
Third-party launchers and customization
If the standard radio interface does not suit you, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. Application stores, such as Google Play or Aptoideoffer specialized skins for cars.
Popular solutions like AGAMA Car Launcher provide deep settings for widgets. You can change the background transparency, select skins, customize the display of OBDII data (rpm, speed, temperature) directly on the main screen in real time.
Installing a third-party launcher requires caution. Make sure your radio has enough memory (minimum 2GB RAM recommended). After installing a new launcher, the system may ask which application to use as the default for the main screen - select the new launcher and click Always.
- 🚀 Speeds up the system by optimizing the code.
- 🎨 Allows you to change design themes to match the car's interior.
- 📊 Integrates engine diagnostic data into beautiful graphs.
Resetting the interface settings to factory settings
If the widget settings are at a dead end, the interface does not work correctly or If you accidentally deleted important system elements, a full reset will help. This will return the radio to its “out of the box” state.
It is important to distinguish between a soft reset of the launcher settings and a full system reset (Factory Reset). The first will only affect the arrangement of icons, the second will delete all applications, music and Bluetooth settings. To return widgets, the first option is usually sufficient.
Find the item Factory settings (Factory Settings) in the menu. It is often password protected. Common codes for Chinese radios: 8878, 1234, 0000, 3368 or 1617. Enter the code, select reset desktop settings and confirm the action.
⚠️ Attention: Before performing a full reset (Factory Reset), be sure to save important contacts and equalizer settings, as they will be permanently deleted.
Write down the current ones sound and seat position settings (if there is memory) before resetting, so as not to manually configure them again.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the clock widget show the wrong time?
Most likely, network time synchronization is disabled. Go to Settings → Date and time and enable the item Auto-detection of time or Use network time. Also check the correct time zone.
Can I change application icons on widgets?
B In a standard launcher this is often impossible without obtaining root access. However, many third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher, if it is adapted for cars) allow you to change entire icon packs through the appearance settings.
Widgets disappear after turning off the engine, what should you do?
This is a sign that the radio does not save the settings due to a power failure or error in the firmware. Try updating the device firmware to the latest version or performing a factory reset.
How to add an OBD2 widget to display fuel consumption?
You will need to connect the Bluetooth ELM327 adapter to the car and install an application like Torque or Car Scanner. After setting up the connection in the application, add its widget to the desktop through the adding elements menu.
Why does the weather widget not work without the Internet?
Weather widgets receive data from servers in real time. Without a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, they cannot download up-to-date information. Make sure that the Internet is configured on the radio.