Update Your 9 Inch Mk4 Head Unit
Latest update: 8 May 2026, Android 13 (G6P A13)
This update brings the latest fixes for your 9 inch Mk4 head unit, including Google Play Store and Bluetooth/CarPlay fixes for recent production batches. Install it via USB in about 10 to 15 minutes.
What's new in this update
- Fixes Google Play Store and Google Services on units from recent production batches.
- Bluetooth no longer disconnects when CarPlay connects.
- Updated system bootloader files.
- Latest UI build packaged.
Important: This Update Factory Resets Your Unit
This update wipes all apps and data from your head unit. After the update you'll need to:
- Sign back into your Google / Gmail account in the Play Store.
- Re-install any apps you'd added (Spotify, YouTube, Netflix, Waze, etc.).
- Re-install iGo Maps if you use it. You don't need iGo if you use CarPlay, Android Auto, Waze or Google Maps.
- Re-pair your phone via Bluetooth.
Set aside about 30 minutes for the full process including app re-installs.
Before you start
- A USB drive formatted as FAT32. The size doesn't matter, the format does.
- Your vehicle on accessory power. Engine running is fine.
- 10 to 15 minutes uninterrupted for the flash itself, plus around 20 minutes for the post-update setup.
- Don't power off your vehicle, eject the USB, or interrupt the unit during the update.
- Any USB port on the unit works, including USB1, USB2, or the unlabelled loom connector. There's no dedicated CarPlay port for this and no special CarPlay cable needed, port choice doesn't affect the update.
Update Your Head Unit
Phase 1: Prepare the USB
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Format Your USB Drive as FAT32
Use a clean USB drive. The size doesn't matter, the format does. On Windows, right-click the drive in File Explorer and choose Format, then select FAT32. On macOS, open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase, and choose MS-DOS (FAT).
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Extract the Download Onto the USB
Download 9MK4 Update 20260506.zip from the button above. Right-click the zip and choose Extract All (Windows) or double-click it (macOS). Copy all the extracted contents to the root of the USB drive. You'll see several files and folders (update_car.zip, carapp.pkg, config_file, vital_apk, preload_apk, owner_apk, qzd_media, mcu_up.bin, logo.bmp, and others). Your USB should look like the image below when you're done.
Phase 2: Install the Update
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Insert the USB Into the Head Unit
With your head unit powered on, plug the USB drive into any USB port on the unit, USB1, USB2, or the unlabelled loom connector all work. There's no dedicated CarPlay port for this and you don't need a special CarPlay cable, that's a different feature to the software update.
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Confirm the Update Prompt
Your unit will detect the update and prompt you to begin. Tap to confirm. The screen will show an update progress message. Don't turn the vehicle off, pull the USB, or interrupt the unit. The flash takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
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Remove the USB When Prompted
When the update finishes, the unit will display Remove update device with a reboot timer. Pull the USB drive out. The unit will reboot to the home screen. If you leave the USB in, the unit will keep rebooting.
Phase 3: First Boot Setup
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Set the Date and Time Zone Manually
Open Settings on your unit. Turn off both Set time zone automatically and Use location to set time zone. Then select your time zone manually from the list.
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Connect to Wifi
Connect your unit to your phone hotspot, Starlink, or any other wifi source. The unit needs internet to update apps in the next phase.
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Restart the Unit
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings panel. Tap the power button, then choose Restart. Wait for the unit to fully boot back to the home screen.
Phase 4: Update Apps
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Plug the USB Back In
Plug the same USB back in. Your unit will show the update prompt again. Tap Cancel. Keep the USB in for the next phase (and for the optional iGo install).
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Open the Play Store and Update Everything
Open the Play Store app. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner, choose Updates, then tap Update all. Let the queue run. If the Play Store closes by itself, that just means the Play Store updated itself. Re-open it and continue.
Optional: while updates are running, install iGo Maps if you use it. See the Optional: install iGo Maps section below.
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Sign In to Your Google Account, Then Update Again
Once the first round of updates finishes, sign in to the Play Store with your Google or Gmail account. Tap the profile icon in the top right, choose Manage apps & device, and run Update all a second time. New apps and updates show up once you're signed in. You can browse and queue more apps while updates run.
Phase 5: Reconnect your phone
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Re-pair your phone via Bluetooth
Forget the head unit on your phone (Settings > Bluetooth > the head unit > Forget), then re-pair using the same steps from your install guide. CarPlay and Android Auto work again once Bluetooth pairing is back.
If you run into trouble
Optional: install iGo Maps
iGo Maps is optional. It uses the head unit's built-in GPS antenna for offline navigation. Skip this section if you use CarPlay, Android Auto, Waze or Google Maps.
- Open File Manager on the head unit.
- Tap USB, scroll down to the iGo folder and tick the box next to it.
- Tap the copy icon (next to the scissors).
- Tap Internal storage, then tap the paste icon. The unit copies the iGo folder over.
- Once the copy finishes, unplug the USB.
- Go back to Local disk in File Manager.
- Open the iGo folder, then tap iGo_basar.
- A security warning appears. Tap Settings, turn on Allow from this source, then tap Install.
- If you see Unsafe app blocked, tap More info, then Install anyway.
- Once it's installed, open iGo and follow the on-screen setup.
Heads up: with iGo installed, you may hear school zone and speed camera alerts even when the app is closed. To silence them, open iGo > Settings and either turn on Silent mode or turn off Warnings.
If the head unit doesn't detect the USB
The USB port you use doesn't matter, USB1, USB2 and the unlabelled loom connector all detect the update fine. First, check the USB drive itself. It needs to be formatted as FAT32, size doesn't matter, with update_car.zip extracted to the root of the drive, not zipped and not inside another folder. If it still doesn't detect, try a different USB drive. Some older sticks or USB 3.x sticks aren't recognised.
If the unit keeps rebooting after the update
This usually means the USB is still plugged in. The post-update screen says Please remove update device for a reason. Pull the USB out and the unit will boot normally on its next reboot.
If the update is interrupted
If the vehicle is turned off or the USB is removed during the flash, the unit may not boot normally. Reinsert the USB, restore power and let the unit retry. If it still won't boot, contact PVS support before doing anything else.
If the Google Play Store still shows an error
Open Settings > Apps > Google Play Store and tap Clear cache. Reboot the unit, then sign in to your Google account when prompted. If you still see an error, send a photo to PVS and we'll get it sorted.
If Bluetooth or CarPlay misbehaves after updating
Forget the head unit on your phone, then re-pair it. If the issue persists, run a factory reset on the head unit (Settings > System > Reset).
Update history
Fixed Google Play Store and Google Services on units from recent production batches. Bluetooth no longer disconnects when CarPlay connects. System bootloader and UI updated.
Added AM/PM display in the status bar. System updated. Static logo set to a black background.
Added right-side button support in steering wheel controls. Fixed an issue where directional inputs weren't registering. Added Gaussian blur to the home screen background.
Updated default value for HD rotary knob 1. Updated pVSLINK icon. Updated default Bluetooth name.
System update and minor fixes.
System update and minor fixes.
Improved 360 camera handling and phone link integration. Latest communication protocols synced.
System update. Latest software and protocols synced.
Initial Android 13 (A13) release.
Need a Hand?
If you run into trouble during the update or the post-update setup, the PVS team can walk you through it.
Contact PVS Support