[Kri]

Since the Android 9 Discussion Topic is already over 100 pages long its best to start a fresh Thread for Android 10.
I recommend to take a look at the Android 9 Thread, as there are lots of great Hardware/Seller related information.

If you want to chat with people you can also join the Automotive Android Headunit Discord channel.
There are also Headunits for Mercedes Benz and Audi available which have the same software running, so everyone is welcome here
You will also find MCU Files for Mercedes Headunits at the Discord channel.

Thread to 10.25" Android 9/10 HU theming and discussion where you can find kswoverlay, kswredirect, different GUI`s, bootanimations, splash`s ect to modify your Headunit.


Identifying before buying:

Snapdragon 625 (short SD625) units seem to be the the same Units as with Android 9.
Ensure that you always have a Headunit that really has the Snapdragon 625 Chipset.

Update 14.05.2022:
Snapdragon 625 has been confirmed to be End of Life, however there is now a successor available that uses the same OTA Updates files, but not the same MCU files.
The successor for "budget" KSW System is now a Snapdragon 450 Chip with 4GB Ram and 64 GB Flash and the same Android 10 Update so performance should still be pretty similar.
The actual Top Model is Snapdragon 662 with Android 11.

CPU Type - Snapdragon 625, also identified as 8953 or MSM8953 (please note that 8 Core Snapdragon 450 is also based on MSM8953 Board !)
CPU Cores - 8 Core
CPU Speed - 2.0 or 2.1 Ghz (some seller post different speed)
Ram Size - 2 GB / 4 GB
Flash Size - 32 GB / 64 GB

Official Support for Android 10 do only have the 4GB/64GB models !
Android 10 does also work on 2GB/32GB version with some performance lags (Tested up to 1.4.5)

Please note that there are already some Fake and very slow Android 10 Units on the Market (PX6 , Snapdragon 425 ~ 1.4 Ghz ,Snapdragon 450 ~1.8 Ghz, 8227L, MTK )
I don`t recommend buying these units where 1 GB Ram / 16 GB Rom version is available.
The CPU is a Quadcore Snapdragon with no numbering, CPU frequency is rated lower than 2.0 Ghz (1.8 , 1.6 or 1.4 seen), they have a different firmware
Also Octacore CPU`s with less than 2 Ghz have been seen, those have an Intel Chip and are also not compatible with the Snapdragon firmware from this thread.

Identifying after buying:

There are thre parts to identify, 1st the Android Version, 2nd the Vendor Version, 3rd display type

Please not recently there came up some Fake Units advertised As Snapdragon 625 and Anroid 10, but they are running Android 9 and Snapdragon 450 on different Systemimages, (not compatible)
Fake Unit Seller so far identified is : HFCYJIA, COIKA, Astrowind, Shenzhen Yongzhigao Electronics, for details check HERE and HERE.

This is how Snapdragon 625 ID7 GUI should look (please note AVIN and some other are using a different GUI for SD625)
Update: it seems that they also copied the 625 ID7 GUI now, so it is even more difficult now to identify the Fake units !


System Info differences:


This is how the Fake Headunits ID7 GUI is looking

Plese note that they are advertising it with 2/32GB and 4/64 DB configuration, True Snapdragon 625 Android 10 Headunits are only sold 4/64 GB configuration.

Android Version:
The Android Version is via the App Ver: string, for Example "Ksw-Q-Userdebug_OS_v1.2.2"
the Q is for android 10, P for Android 9.

Please Note that systems with the "S" for example Ksw-Q-S-Userdebug_OS_v1.3.0" do have a Snapdragon 425 Chipset, these Units are NOT compatible with Snapdragon 625 Update Files!
If you have such a unit, please ask your seller for an Update.

Vendor Version:
The Vendor identification is the first string of the "MCU Ver:", for example 023052dGS-NBT-GTH--191127-B18
Most common Vendors are GS , LZH and ALS.

Display Type:

There are Two display Resolutions,

1280x480p as standard and also advertised as HD
1920x720p as Full HD

You can identify the 1920px screen easily as there has to be a Logo on the top bar looking like this : [HD]
If you don`t have that icon at the top bar then your unit is 1280px large, some sellers do advertise Full HD display but shipping then 1280px displays, so be aware !.

There are three different Display Manufacturing Types:
Standard -> glares alot -> old PX3 / PX5 / early PX6, some of the first SD625
Antiglare -> glare less ->newer one only on PX6 / SD625
Blueglare Antiglare -> also called "Bluglare Antiglare" do have a blue'ish coating glare is less and blury, highly recommended but not available for all car models.

Please not that some company is also selling a Display with fake blueglare antiglare, they have a blue tint have no matt surface so glare alot.

Firmware Upgrade from Android 8.1 / 9 to Android 10 ON PX6

Unfortunateley there is no upgrade available for PX6 Units to upgrade from Android 8.1 to 9 or Android 9 to Android 10 available

Firmware Upgrade from Android 9 to Android 10 on Snapgradon 625

Upgrading from Android 9.0 to Android 10, requires installation of V 1.2.0 first, later you can upgrade to directly to the most recent version:

Download of 1.2.0: https://mega.nz/file/wYxUWIYR#wEXGtc...0jtTi-kq7AllhE

This Upgrade path is only compatible with 4 GB Ram / 64 GB Flash Version for the moment.
However i already installed the update on my 2GB/32GB Version, it does work with some small lags here and there.

Dear Customer: 

Hello, 8953 Android 10.0 software is officially released and upgraded. Following is the 9.0 upgrade 10.0 

Upgrade Instructions: 

1,8953 Android 10.0 only supports 4 + 64 configuration temporarily.  
2. Upgrade from 9.0 to 10.0, please upgrade Ksw-P-Userdebug_OS_v1.2.0-ota.zip (transitional version, please do not upgrade this upgrade package in the future), and then upgrade the Android 10.0 upgrade package to avoid the old core board showing white Screen problem. 
3. After upgrading to 10.0, you can upgrade the 10.0 upgrade package normally. 
4. After upgrading from 9.0 to 10.0, you cannot roll back to 9.0. 

Remarks: 

9.0 upgrade package naming rules: Ksw-P-Userdebug_OS_vx.x.x-ota.zip (where x is the version number) 
10.0 upgrade package naming rules: Ksw-Q-Userdebug_OS_vx.x.x-ota.zip (where x is the version number)

Firmware Update for Android 10

OTA Updates are often found here at this thread, and likely be linked on this post.
There is no difference between devices with 1280x480px and 1920x720px resolution, it does work for both of them.


Update 3.1.5 ist the LAST SUPPORTED Update for Headunits which have been upgraded from Android 9 to Android 10

For Latest OTA Firmware version For Android 9 to Android10 Units (-3.1.5 ): check HERE
For Latest OTA Firmware version For Native Android 10 Units (3.1.6+) : check HERE

Instructions for updating.

To ensure the update will recognized use a thumbstick not exeeding 32 GB size and format it to FAT32 Filesystem with a Windows PC (MAC`s may format it wrong).

1. NO NEED TO Unzip the downloaded file
2. Copy the Ksw-Q-Userdebug_OS_v*.*.*-ota.zip in empty USB Fat32 formatted pendrive or SD-Card and attach to your unit.
3. Turn on unit, the upgrade window will pop up, click on it.
4. After finish the upgrade, you must pull out the USB/SD-card, otherwise, each time you turn on unit, it will remind you whether if upgrade.
(Note: Do not cut power while upgrade)

Known Bugs:

• Voicematch / OK Google Voice training has to be done on a different Android smartphone (see 1.5.7 Changelog link for details)
• 12 Channel Equalizer experience inconsistent
• Autostart of USB Devices like DAB-Z does not work anymore since OTA Update 2.3.5
  
• OTA 3.0.4 BUG: User reporting a dead unit with "no screen" stuck after updating !

Fixed Bugs:

• Reported issues with Mercedes Benz DSP100 from 2.9.4 seems to be fixed with 3.0.4
• Memory Killer Feature fixed with 2.8.3, was set wrong sind 2.4.9 until 2.7.9, non ksw apps will be killed in background now if running under 40% free RAM.
• Netflix had caused a bootloop after some days, so was not recommended to install ! (v4 and v6 confirmed) -> Fixed with 1.8.4 ! Netflix 7.63.0 APK download .
• User reporting Android Auto Wireless at ZLINK 4.0.7 is broken in combination with Update 2.8.6 , fixed with Update 3.0.8

CHANGELOGS

Update 3.1.5 ist the LAST SUPPORTED Update for Headunits which have been upgraded from Android 9 to Android 10
For Later OTA Firmware update For Native Android 10 Units : check HERE

Changelog 3.1.5

• Support for custom Music and Video APP
• "Gear Selection" has now 3 options, function of the third option is unknown yet
• Feature: Special Skin for ALS KSW EQ has been implemented, This is only available for MBUX_2021 gui at the moment.
• Bugfix: Music App selection at Factory Settings is available again.
• Feature: preperation for selectable Music and Video app at all GUI`s, not functional yet
• Info: no MBN Update file, should be fine to update

Changelog 3.1.2

• Feature: Special Skin for ALS KSW EQ has been implemented, This is only available for MBUX_2021 gui at the moment.
• Bugfix: Music App selection at Factory Settings is available again.
• Feature: preperation for selectable Music and Video app at all GUI`s, not functional yet
• Info: no MBN Update file, should be fine to update

Changelog 3.1.1

• Update: Update Lexus GUI
• Bug: Music app selection at Factory settings is not available anymore.
• Info: no MBN Update file, should be fine to update

Changelog 3.0.8

• Bugfix: Carplay ZLink Version Update 4.0.12 - user report that wireles AA issue fixed
• Update: lots of updated and new graphics here and there at pretty every gui
• Update: added support for 1024*600 and 1920*720 for Benz_NTG6_FY GUI
• Feature: IMEI will be shown at System Ver: , when pressing on the IMEI a QR Code will appear
• Feature: new GUI Audi MIB3
• Feature: added Support for Screen_Cast device MS9120 which does allow attaching additional displays via FBAS
• Change: KswEQ dependency has been changed from "clientinfo" to "uiname" (ALS_6208), so now its depended on the selected GUI
• Info: no MBN Update file, should be fine to update

Changelog 3.0.5

• Bugfix: Updated MBN File that does not brick other units than LS anymore -> works on all vendors KSW SD625 Hardware.
• Update: Audio Drivers, as always changes/fixes unknown
• Update: update to wifi, libmcamera2 and sensors.qti, change unknown

Changelog 3.0.4

PLEASE NOTE Update 3.0.4 does brick Headunits that where upgraded from Android 9 to 10 and/or manufactured prior march 2020 !

Hence we removed the Update to not cause more issues, if your unit got bricked by 3.0.4 you find the recovery procedure HERE

• Update: four new GUI`s now working, hence there is now also a new factory_config.xml file.
• Update: again Wifi firmware update (v2) will be installed, this is not reverseable, changes unknown.
• Update: Ecar-SOS updated
• Added: new Skin for kswEq when Client "ALS_6208" is enabled

Changelog 2.9.4

This Update is very buggy / beta like , so if your system is running fine, i don`t recommend to update to 2.9.4 !

• Feature: four new GUI`s all work in progress, still not finished and dont work properly
• Feature: added support for KSW Snapdragon 450 Baseband Chipset, (SDM450)
• Update: new "Client" string: "CUSP_210407" , required for one GUI
• Update: Wifi firmware update will be installed, this is not reverseable!
• Change: Wifi manager code change to force 5 Ghz wifi as primary ?
• Change: default Wifi thetering on ?
• Change: Lexus GUI Background more colorful
• Change: KswBT Pairing Dialog scaling changed
• Update: two audiodrivers updated, changes as always unknown
• BUG: Reported issues with Mercedes Benz DSP100

Changelog 2.8.6

• BUG: User reporting Android Auto Wireless at ZLINK is broken !
• Feature: Fuel Unit now selectable between "Liter", "gal(US)" and "gal(UK)" visible at ID7 Style Dashboard (maybe also MCU page)
• Change: "kswMaxVol" Function implemented, seems to max out audio, but probably only at HICAR, requires more testing
• Change: Code change to Mediaplayback behavior on startup (requires user feedback)
• Update: Code update targeting Android 11 to find installed bootanimation, (A10= /mnt/vendor/persist/ while A11 = /mnt/vendor/persist/OEM/ )
• Update: Code update targeting Android 11 to identify New Android Hardware , probably codename "M600"
• Change: hardcoded "Phonelink" Zlink start string changed from "com.zjinnova.zlink.main.view.SplashActivity" to "com.zjinnova.zlink" at BCNTG5, maybe a kswredirect is possible this way again.
• Update: Audio Drivers, as always changes/fixes unknown
• Update: HICAR Update to support custom cameras and update to Audiomanager.

Changelog 2.8.3

• Bugfix: Memory Killer Issue resolved, Threshold lowered from 40% to 20%, Apps will be not killed at normal usage as fast as before anymore !
• Feature: Added Huawei ZLINK-HICar 2.0.2 (Android Auto alternative)
• Feature: Added thai and greek language strings to some of the apps
• Feature: Zlink Touchpointer support ?!?!?
• Update: Zlink updated to version 4.0.7 - sourcecode has been encrypted now, no changelog/analyzing possible anymore !
• Update: Found specific code changes which seems to lead to a preperation for Android 11.
• Update: LTE-Baseband specific behavior for MSM8917 (SD425) headunits has been added
• Update: Audio Drivers, as always changes/fixes unknown

Changelogs from 1.2.2 until 2.7.9 can be found here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...postcount=1233

Factory_config.xml File [INDENT]
What is this file for ?
The Factory_config.xml file is a text file where serval settings can be predfined from the seller to allow faster configuration of the headunit.
This file does contain serval settings that are also available at the Headunits "Settings" but also serval settings that are only available to change with this file.
So before installing this file it is recommended to open it with an Text editor and check the settings.

How do i install this file ?
Create a Folder called "OEM" at your thumbdrive and copy the file into it.
there are two ways to install it, either you plug in the thumbdrive into the Headunit while booting up, it should install by itself short time after the headunit has fully booted (a message does appear)
Or you can go to "Factory" Settings of your headunit, go to the "Profile Import" function and install it from there.

Where can i find the default factory_config.xml of my unit ?
f available at all, the file is stored under "\mnt\vendor\persist\OEM" you can find a guide HERE.

Where can i get the file from?
The file should be provided by your seller as they are normally preconfigured for your specific car model.

But there is also a tweaked file available which has some more options/additional software ect. available (please note to compare most important settings with your existing file !)

Click here for translated and full feature factory_config.xml for Android 10 3.9.4 updwards.

Click here for translated and full feature factory_config.xml for Android 10 3.5.3 updwards.

Click here for translated and full feature factory_config.xml for Android 10 3.4.7 updwards.
Click here for translated and full feature factory_config.xml for Android 10 3.0.4 updwards.
Translated and full feature Factory Config file for 2.8.3 can be found here
2.6.3 can be found here / 2.1.0 can be found here.
Older and stock files can be found at DISCORD.

Please note, there is normally no issue using a specific version file for newer OTA updates, however it is not recommended to use a newer file for older updates then specified !.

For most known Passwords please check the 2nd Post below

MCU Firmware Updates

Until now there are no specific Android 10 MCU updates, Android 9 MCU files seem to work fine.
Latest updates for SD625 Units: bit.ly/mcu-bmw

Example how to read a MCU string:
Note: for Updating MCU files, any part of the string beside the Release date have to match !

MCU Ver: 02352dGS-CIC-GTL-DC-200805A

• 02352 - Hardware string
• dGS - Vendor / Hardware manufacturer, in this case GS
• CIC - Target CAN Bus System , in this case CIC (can be E or F series)
• GTL - Target Can Bus Speed system GTL = 100 kbits -> CCC/ E series CIC and some F series CIC (not 100% confirmed) , GTH = 500kbits -> F series NBT, NBT EVO
• DC - Optional String DC or DC1 , DC does define HD Display = 1920x720px
• 200805A - Release Date of String in YYMMDD format , 5th August 2020

Identified MCU Vendors / Seller comparison:
This list ist only a list to show which seller is selling which vendor, it is NO seller recommendation list !

• dGS: Mekede (subs of mekede -> Navifly, Naviodm,FLTONBOO) Xtrons (B) ?, Wondafoo, Bayern Mods, DroidUK, AVINUSA, Ebilaen
• ALS: 4x4 CA, AVINUSA (B, now GS?), Viovox (B),
• LZH: Andream, Ewaying
• dLS: Carlife Mall, DMP Car Design (M), Fedju (M), Acarmultimedia
• dLC: Road Top
• dFY: Wincago DMP Cardesign (M) Road Top
• JLY: Bonroad, SZ-Kianda (selling 1280 Headunit advertised as 1920 !, bad quality hardware!)

(B) = BMW only, (M) = Mercedes only.
If you have additional Seller / Vendor comparison feel free to do a post at this thread so i will add them.

Instructions for upgrading MCU:
1. Unpack/copy ksw_mcu.bin to root folder on a SD card or USB memory stick.
2. Insert it into the headunit
3. Go to Settings, System info, MCU upgrade.

How-To`s

Some of the Guides are 1:1 compatible from Android 9.

Please DONT use Magisk to root your unit, the chance is very high that it will be bricked, you need to buy a new Headunit when this does happen !
As Viper4Android does require Magisk/xposed which can cause bricking your unit after installing a update, it is not recommended to install it !


Root SD625 Unit the easy way Version 2(Basic root without magisk)

Please note, after a OTA Update root will be removed, you need to root it agian..

Guide to create own splash screen

Supported LTE BANDS can be identified via Modemcaps utility, Information and offical Supported BANDS can be found here.


DocumentsUI for Android 10 reinstallation.

How to download your personal BMW Car Picture

Enable Google Maps Zoom with Idrive (Tasker+Touchtask plugin)

How to enable OK-Google / Voicematch Systemwide

Using USB Soundcard to use a external microphone

For changing GUI Images and replacing default Apps Check
10.25" Android 9/10 HU theming and discussion



Issue when changing GUI / Bootanimation / factory_config.xml import does not work anymore

Workaround for Low-Audio Bug

Bluetooth Pairing Guide (non Phone)

Fix graphic issues after a OTA Update

SD 625 OTA Recovery installation.

If you have issues with your system the most recommendes procedure is a complete reset of the System.
Please note this will delete ALL user data and user installed apps from the system!

To do so you can always use the latest normal OTA Update package from above.
To ensure the update will recognized use a thumbstick not exeeding 32 GB size and format it to FAT32 Filesystem with a Windows PC (MAC`s may format it wrong).

1. Change the OTA Package name to: Ksw-Q-Userdebug_OS_v-ota-reset-data_factory.zip
   (for SD662 Android 11 name it to: Ksw-R-M600_OS_v-ota-only-reset-data_factory.zip)
2. Change the name of the USB flash drive to: _kswota_
3. Copy the OTA Package to a USB flash drive.
4. Connect this USB flash drive to the Android unit.
5. Restart the unit, it will automatically force the upgrade. (or connect the USB Flash drive while HU is off and enable ignition, wait at least for 5 minutes)
6. After the forced upgrade is completed create a folder OEM on your thumbdrive, copy factory_config.xml into it and plug the stick into the device, it will be imported automatically after a reboot.

This procedure may also work doing it blind, connect the thumbstick to the headunit, switch on ignition 2 and wait for about 10 minutes.

If the unit then still does not boot up again it is likely soft bricked !

Your last chance then is the the FASTBOOT-Recovery Method, but beware this requires some hardware skills !

A Unbrick guide is now Available HERE.

Kri