Request: Please provide actual ROMs as download from forum

We're asking for it from our developers. thanks

Please download this file and put into your own Drive folder... https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bDkzjfYrpU-aoy5dDgFcBw4me5Ro6c0Q/view?usp=sharing

NOTE: this is for the production version (the unit you received this month). It won't work for the Jan-Feb pre-production units.

Thank you Donny, makes life easier 😊.

For all: I'm going to write some explanation regarding firmware updates, this should a "reference guide".

There are two kinds of Carbotics CarPlay2Droid-4G: Pre-production and production. They are quite similar, but they differ regarding the firmware used.

- pre-production units need a file named update.zip to load new firmware.

- production units (all CarPlay2Droid-4G delivered after mid March 2022) need a file named APM888.zip to load new firmware.

The update procedure is the same for both: Copy the update (update.zip or APM888.zip) to the root of your SD card, insert this card into your CarDongle and start your CarDongle. After a while (couple of seconds) you'll see a message "new software found", click yes and wait until your CarBotics reboots the new software. Now you can remove the SD card (otherwise you'll get the update message again - answer no before removing the card).

Bye for now  Fred

Open settings and look for an entry "About ApplePie" or similar. 

If you see "X7-NA-00-00" you got first version of Carbotics. If you got "APM888-NA-00-00" you got the later one.

Assuming your Carbotics works there is no need to update right now (version APM888 seems to have some new incompatibilities not seen before). In case you found some problems we'll try to work out a solution.

Direct answer to your question: First version needs update.zip, second version APM888.zip

Bye for now  Fred

@ap756

Hello Fred, if my carbotics already has the latest firmware APM version do you think it is possible to downgrade to the previous version? Maybe it works on my car.

Francesco, I know that I can swap both firmwares (and all my programs work with both firmwares on my two "test units"). But the process I used is quite complicated. Doing this without a good backup might "kill" your device and I'll be not responsible for any damage you'll do to your Carbotics. Anyway, it might be worth a try...

The procedure I'm going to describe is not tested yet. So you'll be the first to try: Download "update.zip" from here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WF0negZeuSjvy0T7H1hmOyX-oPFTdTjB (link tested right now). Because your Carbotics waits for a program "APM888.zip" you should rename the freshly downloaded "update.zip" to "APM888.zip". Copy this file to a SD card, insert into Carbotics and start Carbotics. If you get the message "update found..." answer Yes and the file will copy, Carbotics restarts and will work with the "old" software - if we are lucky.

If you are brave enough to try, I'm interested in your findings. BTW where do you live? Just in case your Carbotics will be dead after reflashing you might send it to me (located in Germany) to revive 😉.

Bye for now  Fred

@ap756

I downloaded the firmware update.zip and renamed it to APM888.zip, copied to an sd card (fat32), at startup the carbotics found an update but it immediately went into error. So the previous update is not compatible.

https://youtube.com/shorts/PyZYbhIqByw?feature=share

@Francesco, thanks for the feedback. I suppose this is a result of a mismatch between internal and external name or a problem with not correct signing. I switched firmware on my two Carbotics a couple of times using Miracle Thunder, so I know it works (at least for me).

I'm not sure you're up for more experiments. Just in case: Work through this document ( https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcyEHWQGEbZFj6DeuTscZaJRm1W2SX52vsq_sMfOFts/edit) to get a feeling what can be done. After a backup with Miracle Thunder you might modify update.zip using PieKitchen ( https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=17825722713688286150). Just be warned: It's quite time consuming, for me it was a challenge I wanted to complete 😉. Happy testing.

Bye for now  Fred

@ap756

I downloaded the latest APM888 firmware, I copied it to the sd card and I connected the carbotics on the car where it has always worked.

At the end of the start it found the update and I gave the consent to flash rom.

At the end I verified that everything was working correctly. I disconnected the carbotics and connected it to the Yaris cross, at the first attempt the carbotics connected and after a few seconds it disconnected without being recognized anymore.

I restarted the car stereo, leaving the carbotics plugged in and from now on it always worked.

I also turned off the car to try again and the carbotics continues to work!

flash firmware 

https://youtu.be/q_WKP7FjMUM

turn on to Yaris cross 

https://youtu.be/8WpKPuFIZCI

Super info, Francesco! Thanks for being so persistent. We have learned:

- If connection fails an upgrade might help (using a car where it already works or a PC with an additional dongle).

- @Donny: Providing the upgrade files here on the forum makes it much easier to get customer systems running.

- Downgrading is possible using "Miracle Thunder" - not by renaming update.zip to APM888.zip, but is not needed for nearly all circumstances.

Bye for now  Fred

@Donny, @admin: As of now (07.08.20) the download links for firmware update are dead. Please provide download links for the actual firmware. Thanks in advance

Bye for now Fred

@ap756 which version of the firmware do you have?

Last official ROMs (which I use) are described here: https://carbotics.net/community/tutorials-and-guides/how-to-upgrade-firmware-where-to-get-firmware/#post-303
Since I wrote this "How to" we got no new firmware and I can't recommend this thread because links are dead. If there is any new firmware I'd like to update this thread.

Bye for now Fred

@ap756 we emailed you yesterday what we have. thanks!