It is possible to sideload unofficial apps to a car’s infotainment screen, but doing so is likely to impact your vehicle’s warranty.
This issue was highlighted by the recently launched BYD Shark, where some owners have managed to install third-party apps that are not available on the touchscreen’s software by default.
One South African user managed to install non-BYD apps on their system, including YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Instagram, Plex, TikTok, and Showmax.
Another showed that it is possible to load the DStv Stream app , which allowed them to watch a rugby game while waiting in a parking lot.
BYD and several other car manufacturers use an Android-based operating system (OS) for their touchscreens, which effectively makes them a large Android tablet.
Before sale, automakers will customize the OS to block users from installing third-party apps on their car’s infotainment system.
However, it is not difficult to get around this software lock.
In the case of BYD’s vehicles, users can install the Wireless Android Debug Bridge (ADB) programming tool on a PC and enable ADB on their vehicle.
After connecting the PC and vehicle to the same Wi-Fi network and enabling ADB in the car, they can download Gbox to the car via Wireless ADB.
Gbox is an emulation tool that can make it appear as though an Android-based device is another model. Huawei users frequently use it to access Google apps no longer officially supported on those devices, according to MyBroadband.
Warning for consumers
While the practice is mostly harmless, there is one major concern regarding the installation of video streaming apps.
Playing movies or games in a car is obviously a huge distraction, which is why companies design their infotainment systems to work in tandem with the vehicle’s safety features.
If a car has a manufacturer-supported streaming app, it will typically not allow users to play videos unless the vehicle is parked.
However, third-party apps do not have this support, which means its possible to play a movie or mobile game through the central touchscreen even while the car is in motion.
BYD has stated that it does not condone the practice of sideloading unofficial apps on its cars, warning that installing unauthorized software is likely to impact the vehicle’s warranty.
“While BYD cannot regulate how users operate their vehicles, it is strongly recommended that all users comply with South Africa’s traffic and safety laws to ensure safe driving,” it said.
While the Chinese automaker cautioned that sideloading third-party apps could void the warranty, doing so does not fundamentally change the critical operating aspects of a vehicle.
For a carmaker to deny a warranty, the owner typically has to be guilty of fairly serious misuse, including making unauthorised mechanical modifications, using non-OEM parts, or skipping services, meaning its unclear whether installing apps could cost a user their warranty.
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