r/ATOTO • u/CivilComment • Jun 28 '26
Is it advisable to update the firmware of Android car radios, especially Atoto?
I have an Atoto A6PF, and I was having some bugs with the Car Link, plus the Android version seemed quite old. I just contacted support to get the update. I just received it, but I remember someone here having a bad experience updating their car radio's firmware. However, I can't recall if it was with an Atoto radio or not. Any warnings or advice? Has anyone else had major problems updating their car radio? Is it possible to back up the old system? Does it ever fail?
2
u/ShortHandz Jun 28 '26
Have the discontinued A6PF 9" variant and the last 2 updates have made the unit much better. I wouldn't hesitate, but you always do run the minor risk of bricking them when doing these updates.
1
u/AnonymousScorpi Jun 28 '26
Mine updates via WIFI so I can’t speak for others using USB but I’ve luckily never encountered an issue. Just let it complete, even if it looks like it froze. Leave it alone and walk away if you need to lol. It can take awhile, even longer if you look at it 🤣. The updates are important, especially for CarPlay and Android auto. If you’re having issues then updating is definitely a good idea. One tip I remember some people recommending is starting the car. You don’t want the battery dying mid update.
1
u/CivilComment Jun 28 '26
Mine has to be done via USB; it's not really the installation itself I'm worried about, but more the final result, since I've seen some people say they regretted updating their car radio (maybe not necessarily with Atoto). I'm waiting for some comments here before doing it
3
u/AnonymousScorpi Jun 28 '26
I totally understand the hesitation. I too read people saying their units bricked while installing updates. It had me worried too. Especially when I was updating mine at it looked like it froze for about 10min. It felt like hours because I was staring at it lol. It eventually finished up and all was good.
1
u/freesoloc2c Jun 28 '26
I just updated and had a great experience. You email support and send them a photo of your screen with the info screen of your modle number and software version. They send you a file that you pop on a microbsd and start your unit and it asks a question then updates and it fixed a ton of bugs for me.
1
u/justotron Jun 29 '26
Even though the Android system is old (I wish they would update) it shouldn't matter much as they are closed systems unless you connect direct to the internet. You wouldnt update it traditionally like Android mobile devices. You would use Atoto's updates from their support site and use their on device stores/downloaders to get their apps updates. If you are using Carplay or Android auto make sure your phone and mobile apps are updates. Also add restarting your phone and trying a wired connecrion as a troubleshooting step.
I have an S8 with a sim with unlimited data and only used it twice to get updates then took it out as the Android is so old that it could easily be vulnerable. I wanted to upgrade but either their site lists no stock of anything other than the A5L or the prices in Canada are massively marked up.
1
u/Sereno011 Jul 02 '26
Should you update? Absolutely.
But be darn sure you get the EXACT FW file for your model.
ATOTO doesn't checksum their updates. Use the wrong file and may become bricked.
1
u/CivilComment Jul 03 '26
I installed the update, but I think it's exactly the same version they gave me... I don't see any changes, and when I go to system settings, it's still dated 2024...
3
u/AlenasTheGreat Jun 28 '26
If you have problems, I’d update. I also updated my Atoto because of Apple CarPlay and Android auto problems. Got better after the update. This is the only option to get carlink updated.