How to install Android apps on Proton Suprima S’ Infotainment System

Photo: Sideloaded CPU-Z app on Suprima S’ head unit.

The more you know. Since our hands-on test with Proton Suprima S’ Infotainment System last year, one of the things we’ve been wondering was whether it’s possible to sideload Android apps, since there is no Google Play Store, or any Google Play Services for that matter.

With its Android version now confirmed, we’ve been presented with another question. I believe since Gingerbread, the default setting was to block app sideloading from ‘unknown sources’. During our hands-on with the head unit, there was no such setting for me to disable, leading me to believe it’s not possible to install third party Android apps.

But it turns out it is possible, and quite straightforward too. Here’s how you could do it too, with just a little technical know-how required:

1. Download our favorite Android file manager, ‘ES File Explorer File Manager’ to your Android
2. Launch it, go to App Manager, long-press itself, and select Backup. This will make a copy of the APK to the ‘backups’ folder on your SD card
3. Rename it to something short like ‘es.apk’
4. Transfer it to a USB stick (via USB OTG or via a computer)
5. Plug in the USB drive to the USB port on your Proton Suprima S
6. On the head unit, launch the Browser and type in the following path: ‘file:///mnt/sdcard/udisk/sda1/es.apk’
7. You’ll get a warning pop-up to which you’ll choose to proceed with the installation
8. Profit!

The reason why we would want to pick a file manager is because once it’s installed, subsequent sideloading is just as easy as plugging in the USB stick (loaded with your APKs) and use ES File Explorer to run them, instead of having to type in the path on the Browser each time. Just try not to download APKs from the web, but use the method described on Step Number 1 and 2.

But of course, not all apps will be compatible, since the display is resistive and probably doesn’t support multitouch (heck, it can’t even properly handle my single-touch). Also, many developers have begun abandoning Gingerbread and only support Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or greater.

Photo: The head unit appears to be factory-rooted, as indicated by CPU-Z

Apparently, Waze doesn’t really work, not because it can’t be installed, but because of how Suprima S will disable its Wi-Fi radio when the handbrake is released. Waze will also spit out an error about not having access to the SD card (where Lokatoo is stored). The head unit also appears to be factory-rooted, as shown in the CPU-Z app. Video playback on the console is fine, until when the reverse gear is engaged, where the display will be taken over by the reverse camera view.

Some have mentioned that the Wi-Fi can be re-enabled manually in Settings. However, the latest version now is 7.26 (from the original 7.07), so that loophole may have been patched, if there ever was a loophole.