CarDash LauncherMusic control
Cover art, progress, seeking and like — the player is built into the dashboard.
Dashboard launcher
for your Android
head unit
Dashboard themes, widgets, music control and vehicle data over OBD — on the screen of your Android head unit.
Dashboard themes
Dashboard themes for your head unit
Three ready-made home screen layouts, from a dense widget grid to a large media player with a video background. Themes switch with one tap.
Grid
Player, calendar, weather and app panels on the left and right.
Columns
Clock, detailed weather, a large player, sensors and a calendar.
Media
Video background, large player buttons and quick access to apps.
Features
Flexible interface customization
Dashboard appearance
The dashboard background can be a solid color, a gradient, an image from the gallery or a looping video. The accent color for the whole interface is set separately.
01Background — an image from the gallery or built-in options
02Video background — a looping clip on the home screen
03Accent color — from the palette or any custom shade
Built-in and third-party widgets
The dashboard shows the clock and date, weather, a calendar, GPS signal level and the device CPU temperature with a graph. The weather, calendar, GPS and CPU temperature blocks can be replaced with widgets from installed apps.
01Built-in widgets: clock, weather, calendar, GPS
02CPU temperature of the head unit with a graph
03Third-party app widgets on the dashboard
Split screen
Two apps side by side — navigation and media at the same time.
Quick access
App panels along the edges of the screen.
Updates
Check for and install new versions from the launcher.
Vehicle data
Vehicle data over OBD ELM327
With any ELM327 Bluetooth adapter, the launcher reads vehicle data and shows it on the head unit dashboard: RPM, speed, engine temperature, battery voltage and other parameters.
Vehicle readings on the dashboard
Once you select the adapter, the launcher detects the protocol automatically and starts polling. The set of gauges is configurable; budget adapters and various protocols are supported, from CAN to K-line.
01Connection to an ELM327 over Bluetooth in a few taps
02Automatic protocol detection with manual selection
03Configurable set: RPM, speed, temperatures, voltage
Download the head unit launcher for free
Free, no ads, no sign-up. APK for Android head units, version 1.413.
1
Download the APK from GitHub Releases to the head unit.
2
In Android settings, allow installation from unknown sources.
3
Open the APK in a file manager and install it.
4
Set CarDash as the default launcher and set up the dashboard.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is CarDash Launcher?
A home screen (launcher) for Android car head units. It replaces the stock home screen with a dashboard with themes, widgets, music control and vehicle data from an OBD adapter.
Which devices does it run on?
Android car head units, from budget Chinese models to premium ones. Android 8.0 or newer is required.
Does it work on portrait and very wide screens?
Not yet. The launcher is designed for typical head unit screens: landscape, close to 16:9. Portrait and very wide (narrow) screens are not supported yet; support is in development.
Is it free?
Yes. The app is free, and the APK is available on GitHub.
Do I need an OBD adapter?
No, the launcher works fully without it. OBD is only needed for vehicle data; any ELM327 Bluetooth adapter will do.
How do I install it on a head unit?
Download the APK, allow installation from unknown sources in Android settings, open the file in a file manager and install it. Then set CarDash as the default launcher.
Will it work on a Chinese head unit with a Unisoc chip?
Yes. The launcher is lightweight and runs reliably on budget Chinese head units with slow processors. Android 8.0 or newer is required.
Do I need root?
No. Root access is not required; CarDash installs and works as a regular launcher.
How do I restore the stock launcher?
Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps → Home app and select the stock launcher. Or uninstall CarDash, and the system returns to the previous one.
Are there ads? Does it work offline?
There are no ads. The launcher and dashboard work offline; internet is only needed for online widgets (weather) and update checks.