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CarPlay CarPlay adapter to convert to wireless CarPlay?

VLud said:
You have all extracted images here:
github.com

wireless-carplay-dongle-reverse-engineering/Firmware/Extracted_Images at master · ludwig-v/wireless-carplay-dongle-reverse-engineering

CPlay2Air / Carlinkit Wireless Apple CarPlay Dongle reverse engineering - wireless-carplay-dongle-reverse-engineering/Firmware/Extracted_Images at master · ludwig-v/wireless-carplay-dongle-reverse-...
github.com github.com

In short:
- Broadcom Wifi drivers while nobody ever saw a Carlinkit with a Broadcom chip instead of the Realtek
- AUTOKIT = 1.5MB UI due to PNG files instead of 250KB "old" UI
Click to expand...
@VLud is it possible for us to customize the PNG files and repackage?
 
@VLud I found the ui.script in your extracted files... It looks like we could customize the UI like change the font (otf files) and the highlight color from red to our own.

for example:
focuscolor=<244,11,9>

How do we compile this once we make the changes?
 
@VLud I changed the ui.script (for the right resolution) and reassembled the image and flashed, but it doesn't seem to take effect.
 
@VLud I have a question for you. I flashed the new image with new UI, had to rename the file to U2W_AUTOKIT_Update.img to update from 02.02 based custom firmware.
How can I flash the previous version based on 02.02 firmware as this seems to work better on my cars? Seems the new software doesn't allow to flash back. Do you have an idea?
 
VLud said:
Install the small rootFS CFW on your CPlay2Air, remove the firmware on the USB Key, put a script on it (U2W.sh) with this in it:



And check the result inside the .txt file created once your USB Key has been plugged and removed after +/- 5s :


My Carplay2air never had been upgraded to 11 or 12MB rootFS and when they tried in previous firmwares, a lot of people had their device bricked o_O

If you have less than 1.3MB available (with normal UI) you won't be able to install AUTOKIT UI
Click to expand...
i have 2 device, after installing small rootFS CFW, and put U2W i got different result event:
Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root 10.8M 9.3M 1.5M 86% /
devtmpfs 60.2M 0 60.2M 0% /dev
tmpfs 60.3M 5.2M 55.1M 9% /tmp
/dev/sda1 1.9G 8.0K 1.9G 0% /mnt/UPAN

other one:
Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root 12.5M 9.4M 3.1M 75% /
devtmpfs 60.2M 0 60.2M 0% /dev
tmpfs 60.3M 5.2M 55.1M 9% /tmp
/dev/sda1 1.9G 8.0K 1.9G 0% /mnt/UPAN

just want to make sure, can i install AUTOKIT UI on one of my CPlay2Air wich have available 1.5M but only 10.8M root?and the other have 3.1M with 12.5M root size i'm sure this one can use AUTOKIT UI?

thank you
 
@Mavro : Put a script copying back valid ui.tar.gz from your USB Stick to restore your device, something like:
Code: 
cp /mnt/UPAN/ui.tar.gz /usr/sbin/ui.tar.gz
sync
reboot

@Findex : Just keeping the original name is enough U2W_AUTOKIT_Update.img, else U2W_Update.img

@leonsquall : On the 12.5MB one for sure, for the 10.8MB one only the 02.02 BASED Custom Firmware, it won't fit last one due to Broadcom drivers taking more space, I need to build AUTOKIT one without them for you (& possibly others)

Anyway you won't brick your device if it does not fit (normally) because there is a verification of the free space
 
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VLud said:
@Mavro : Put a script copying back valid ui.tar.gz from your USB Stick to restore your device, something like:
Code: 
cp /mnt/UPAN/ui.tar.gz /usr/sbin/ui.tar.gz
sync
reboot
Click to expand...

I ended up ssh'ing into it and tftp the working interface... got it working again. Will try and do some customizations again...
 
Been reading through this thread all morning to try and get some answers. I have been looking at the Carlinkit U2W for my VW Golf with OEM CarPlay support, but the dongles are so expensive. I have been seeing "AUTOKIT" mentioned in this forum, which I thought was the app to be used on android head units.

With the customer firmware added on here, could I purchase the cheaper Carlinkit dongle for android head units, flash this firmware, and use it on my OEM head unit for wireless CarPlay?
 
nellisere said:
With the customer firmware added on here, could I purchase the cheaper Carlinkit dongle for android head units, flash this firmware, and use it on my OEM head unit for wireless CarPlay?
Click to expand...
No, this does not work because the adapters have different hardware.
 
VLud said:
@Findex : Just keeping the original name is enough U2W_AUTOKIT_Update.img, else U2W_Update.img
Click to expand...
@VLud Maybe I was not clear enough in my issue explanation.

I updated to 2021/03/06 CFW with AUTOKIT UI from your site.
It works, but I have the impression that previous firmware was better on my GLC.
Therefore I want to go back to 2021/02/02 CFW with AUTOKIT UI or even the default one.

My issue is, that whatever I put on the USB stick, the flash process will not be initiated. The LED of the USB stick shows some activities but than it stops. LED of interface never changes to Green/Red as usual. My assumption is that the free memory check could prevent the flash process.

The previously mentioned free space test shows these results:
Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root 12.5M 10.6M 1.9M 85% /
devtmpfs 60.2M 0 60.2M 0% /dev
tmpfs 60.3M 5.2M 55.1M 9% /tmp
/dev/sda1 1007.3M 1.2M 1006.0M 0% /mnt/UPAN

Any idea? Many thanks in advance!
 
Findex said:
@VLud Maybe I was not clear enough in my issue explanation.

I updated to 2021/03/06 CFW with AUTOKIT UI from your site.
It works, but I have the impression that previous firmware was better on my GLC.
Therefore I want to go back to 2021/02/02 CFW with AUTOKIT UI or even the default one.

My issue is, that whatever I put on the USB stick, the flash process will not be initiated. The LED of the USB stick shows some activities but than it stops. LED of interface never changes to Green/Red as usual. My assumption is that the free memory check could prevent the flash process.

The previously mentioned free space test shows these results:
Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root 12.5M 10.6M 1.9M 85% /
devtmpfs 60.2M 0 60.2M 0% /dev
tmpfs 60.3M 5.2M 55.1M 9% /tmp
/dev/sda1 1007.3M 1.2M 1006.0M 0% /mnt/UPAN

Any idea? Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Have the same problem (cannot rollback) from the latest AUTOKIT.
 
Findex said:
@VLud Maybe I was not clear enough in my issue explanation.

I updated to 2021/03/06 CFW with AUTOKIT UI from your site.
It works, but I have the impression that previous firmware was better on my GLC.
Therefore I want to go back to 2021/02/02 CFW with AUTOKIT UI or even the default one.

My issue is, that whatever I put on the USB stick, the flash process will not be initiated. The LED of the USB stick shows some activities but than it stops. LED of interface never changes to Green/Red as usual. My assumption is that the free memory check could prevent the flash process.

The previously mentioned free space test shows these results:
Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root 12.5M 10.6M 1.9M 85% /
devtmpfs 60.2M 0 60.2M 0% /dev
tmpfs 60.3M 5.2M 55.1M 9% /tmp
/dev/sda1 1007.3M 1.2M 1006.0M 0% /mnt/UPAN

Any idea? Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
I have the same problem. I hope there is a solution for this
 
Carlinkit saw the repo and decided to recompile the binary obfuscating the firmware so I have to reverse it again and that's why you can't downgrade :mad: Taking time to do this instead of fixing known issues 🤐

giphy.gif


If you want to downgrade please put ARMimg_maker binary & U2W.sh script on your USB Key as well as U2W_AUTOKIT_Update.img

If you flashed original firmware you are ****ed up for the moment.
 
Last edited:
Really strange... I still don’t understand why they do that?
What do you mean by: if you flash original firmware ?
Edit: ok found on your comment
 
dca78 said:
Really strange... I still don’t understand why they do that?
What do you mean by: if you flash original firmware ?
Edit: ok found on your comment
Click to expand...
Keep in my that VLud is doing this on his own with no coordination with the original firmware programmers. So it's not surprising a curve ball or two comes down with their updates that VLud has to adjust for. As extremely helpful and proactive VLud has been (which I think really needs to be acknowledged more), it's still a custom firmware that can require a little more than novice knowledge of how to proceed when new versions come around.
 
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ByteCrawler said:
Keep in my that VLud is doing this on his own with no coordination with the original firmware programmers. So it's not surprising a curve ball or two comes down with their updates that VLud has to adjust for. As extremely helpful and proactive VLud has been (which I think really needs to be acknowledged more), it's still a custom firmware that can require a little more than novice knowledge of how to proceed when new versions come around.
Click to expand...
Not sure you understood my post (it was not clear I’ve to admit 😉).
From VLud latest post:
Carlinkit saw the repo and decided to recompile the binary obfuscating the firmware...
That’s the point I found strange. As @CarlinKit is back on this thread, maybe they could explain themself.
Edit: BTW, I’m fully agree VLud does a great job with this custom FW.
 
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So, to make sure I understand, if I add those files VLad references above to my USB stick, I should still be able to downgrade from his Custom version of 20201/3/6? Or is he saying if we're on the custom version of that one, we can still downgrade without anything special?

Looking to downgrade because the steering wheel voice button in my Bronco Sport causes the entire device to crash and restart (happened on the 2020/12/25 FW too, which is what it shipped with).
 
I didn't replace the binary (yet) so you must use the custom script to downgrade no matter what
 
Ah ok, thank you... so if I drop those two files on the root along with the file I want (adding AUTOKIT to the filename) it'll work? Or do I not need to add AUTOKIT to the name of what I want to downgrade to? Sorry for all the questions... just want to minimize my chances of bricking it.
 
VLud said:
@Mavro : Put a script copying back valid ui.tar.gz from your USB Stick to restore your device, something like:
Code: 
cp /mnt/UPAN/ui.tar.gz /usr/sbin/ui.tar.gz
sync
reboot

@Findex : Just keeping the original name is enough U2W_AUTOKIT_Update.img, else U2W_Update.img

@leonsquall : On the 12.5MB one for sure, for the 10.8MB one only the 02.02 BASED Custom Firmware, it won't fit last one due to Broadcom drivers taking more space, I need to build AUTOKIT one without them for you (& possibly others)

Anyway you won't brick your device if it does not fit (normally) because there is a verification of the free space
Click to expand...
Is there a way to load firmware to the device when its bricked? Unpacked?
 
VLud said:
Carlinkit saw the repo and decided to recompile the binary obfuscating the firmware so I have to reverse it again and that's why you can't downgrade :mad: Taking time to do this instead of fixing known issues 🤐

giphy.gif


If you want to downgrade please put ARMimg_maker binary & U2W.sh script on your USB Key as well as U2W_AUTOKIT_Update.img

If you flashed original firmware you are ****ed up for the moment.
Click to expand...
Sorry I have a silly question...

I can't seems to download the U2W.sh script from the link here.
1615416785588.png


There is no download button. How do I put these script on my USB?

Thanks!
Brian
 
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