[Security Discussion] jkswe:
Summary of previous 300+ pages of posts

I have read most of the previous pages now and made some notes to summarize that may be helpful to others. I post it below.

A bit THANK YOU to everyone providing information over the years in the previous post and of course to mike_s that made the permissions app that made all of it possible.

Highlight of historic posts from the 300+ previous pages

mike_s discovers you can install any apk by renaming it to “HondaAppCenter_A1.apk”. However apps still cannot run because there is a permissions file controlling runnable apps.

mike_s makes an app to change the permissions file. Now any app can be installed and run. Post #378.

The renaming apk to HondaAppCenter_A1.apk trick stops working in RC7 and above of Honda Connect.

A work-around is found to use a hidden micro USB port on the backside of the head unit and connecting with laptop. #2430

A simpler work-around is found to downgrade to RC6, install mikes permissions app, then upgrade to RC8. #2541, #2582

How to enable install of any app using software work-around, step by step

1.	Find your Honda Connect version.

2.	If version > RC6 downgrade to RC6.

3.	Install mike_s permission app. Set to honda_center to preinstall

4.	Upgrade to RC8 (optional).

1.	Find your Honda Connect version.

Check your Android software version. This can be done by Apps>About this device. To know how the version number found there corresponds to the RC versions you can check the file update matrix for each RC and look at the TEGRA column which will correspond to the version found. So, if the version found exists in RC6 update matrix then it is RC6. For example:

RC6: 0E.094.00.0021 or 0E.094.00.1123

RC7: 0F.095.01.0021

RC8: 10.096.00.0021 or 10.096.00.1123

2. If version > RC6 downgrade to RC6

To do the downgrade you need files specific to your car. Which files to use can be found using this information:

1.	The model of your car.

2.	Your head unit ID.

3.	The file matrix list for RC6 (RC6 UPDATE MATRIX_LHD_KG_KR_SPEC.pdf), #2619

The head ID is found in different places for different car models. For Honda Jazz 2018 it is in the upper right corner near the eject button. It is in very small letters. To find it for other models you can look at the PDF instruction file in the installation files. That PDF is part of the RC8 installation files which can be found here: h t t p s://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kjLeF5LgAtL2IN9FjMy9DyuG4PISk35_

Some useful links from post #2682:

RC6 Update ISO: h t t p s://onedrive.live.com/?cid=5d6f6324ef627ba9&id=5D6F6324EF627BA9%21678&ithint=folder,&authkey=!AE9gkUxwHHnBAGw

RC8 Update Files: h t t p s:// w w w .mediafire.com/folder/9z1x5vaabn32v/RC8_FILES

In the files above there is a PDF files with very detailed instructions on how perform the update, you just need to follow it. As noted in post #2582 the first file (called main soft) is some firmware (a .bin file). This file has a version check and will throw the error you see if you try to downgrade. The instructions in the PDF says to skip this file if is same version. So for the downgrade you should skip this file. You should also skip it later for the upgrade if it already the same version.

This information is not in the install instructions PDF: If you get error message “USB Error, please try again.” you can ignore it and restart the head unit by holding down the POWER and SCREEN LIGHT buttons together for about 5 seconds until the screen turns off. When it starts again the install will start (it is very slow). See instructions here: h t t p :// w w w .cmdroid.com/firmware

3. Install mike_s permission app

You can download HR-V PERMISSIONS 1.1 S_Mike from h t t p :// w w w .cmdroid.com and go to downloads and install it from there. If you get error message “App not installed” according to post #2577 the solution is to factory reset and enable installation from unknown source. Apps>Settings>Backup & reset>Reset Device>Erease Everything>OK.

To be able to install apps you need to complete this step: In Honda Permission -> Allowed Installation I long-pressed HondaAppCenter_A1.apk, pressed Edit (pencil icon) and changed string in "Sig digest sha256" to PREINSTALL.

4. Upgrade to RC8 (optional).

You can use the files and instruction PDF above to do this. When downgrading RC7->RC6 on my Honda Jazz 2018 I only used the 3rd file. When upgrading RC6->RC8 I used 2nd and 3rd file.

How to install an app you want:

You can install apps from h t t p ://cmdroid.com in the Honda Connect web browser. The apps will be downloaded with filename HondaAppCenter_A1.apk. Make sure you delete the previous download before you download again or the new file will have an additional suffix like HondaAppCenter_A1-1.apk which will cause it to not install.

Another way to install is to find an apk file from eg. apkmirror, then rename the file to HondaAppCenter_A1.apk, put it on an USB stick, and use Apps>Install apk to install it.

For apps to work like you want you may need to adjust their permissions in the Honda permissions app. See h t t p :// w w w .cmdroid.com/videos and h t t p:// w w w.cmdroid.com/tutorials for how to do this.

Other helpful posts:

Gettings volume to work in copliot from steering wheel, post #2794 , #2804

Fix bootloop #2942

Guide for downgrade: #2989

---------- Post added at 10:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:13 PM ----------

There are two different documents specifying which files to use. One of the documents has RHD in its name, the other has LHD in its name. I think it may be for left and right hand drive. Have you checked both these documents? I have only found the LHD document for RC6 but if you google it you may also find the corresponding RHD document for RC6. For RC8 I have found both documents.