PVS-12.1-MK2 Software Update

12.1 inch Mk2 Software Update

This update improves general system performance, Bluetooth stability, wireless CarPlay / Android Auto, touch response, Play Store behaviour, and helps resolve black screen and boot loop issues.

Updated: March 2026

Before you begin

  • Use a blank USB stick that is 16GB or smaller
  • USB must be formatted to FAT32
  • Do not place any other files on the USB
  • Copy update.zip only onto the USB
  • Where possible, always use the CarPlay USB port
  • Keep stable battery voltage during the update
  • Do not switch the ignition off during the update process
  • Backup is recommended, as wiping the unit will delete apps, settings and account data
Important: After a factory reset or wipe, you will need to sign back into your Google account and any apps you use.

Download update file

Download the latest software file below. Only update.zip is required.

Download update.zip

Standard update instructions

  1. Download update.zip to your computer.
    2. Image placeholder - downloaded update.zip file
  2. Format a blank USB drive to FAT32.
  3. Copy update.zip onto the USB drive. Do not place any other files on the USB.
    4. Image placeholder - USB contents showing update.zip only
  4. Safely remove the USB from your computer.
  5. Turn the ignition on and allow the headunit to fully boot to the home screen.
  6. Insert the USB into the CarPlay USB port.
    7. Image placeholder - CarPlay USB port location
  7. Wait for the software update prompt to appear on the screen.
    8. Image placeholder - software update prompt
  8. Select the update and allow the unit to complete the installation.
  9. Allow the unit to complete the update and reboot fully.
  10. Once the headunit returns to the home screen, another update prompt may appear again.
  11. At that point, select No and remove the USB drive.
    12. Image placeholder - second update prompt where user selects No
For standard updates on working units, the software can be installed normally through the on-screen prompt. If the unit has black screen issues, boot loops, or ongoing instability, use the recovery method below and perform the factory reset from Android Recovery before installing the update.

Black screen / boot loop recovery

If your 12.1 inch Mk2 is stuck on a black screen, boot logo, or loop screen, use the recovery method below first.

  1. Make sure the USB has update.zip on it and nothing else.
  2. With the headunit off, plug the USB into the CarPlay USB port.
  3. Keep the ignition switched off.
  4. Press and hold the Home button on the headunit.
  5. While continuing to hold the Home button, turn the ignition on.
  6. Keep holding the Home button until the Android Recovery Menu appears.
    7. Image placeholder - Android Recovery menu screen
  7. Tap the Home button until you reach Wipe data / factory reset.
    8. Image placeholder - Wipe data / factory reset option highlighted
  8. Press and hold the Home button to select it, then confirm the factory reset if prompted.
    9. Image placeholder - confirm factory reset screen
  9. Once the wipe is complete, return to the main recovery menu.
  10. Tap the Home button until you reach Apply Update from SD Card or USB.
    11. Image placeholder - Apply Update from SD Card or USB highlighted
  11. Press and hold the Home button to select it.
  12. The device will begin updating. Leave it alone until it reboots and returns to the normal home screen.
  13. When the update prompt appears again on the home screen, select No and remove the USB.
    14. Image placeholder - post-recovery second prompt where user selects No
Factory reset from Android Recovery will delete apps, account sign-ins, cached data and saved settings. This is recommended before installing the update on black screen or boot loop units, as it helps remove corrupt Google services and unstable leftover data before the software is reinstalled.
Critical: For black screen or loop screen recovery, the USB must be inserted before turning the ignition on.

After recovery: recommended clean reinstall

Once the unit has recovered and boots normally again, it is still recommended to reinstall the software once more through the normal user interface.

  1. Let the headunit boot fully to the home screen after recovery.
  2. Insert the same USB into the CarPlay USB port again.
  3. When the update prompt appears, run the update again through the normal UI.
  4. Allow the unit to complete the process and reboot.
  5. When prompted again, select No and remove the USB.
Image placeholder - clean reinstall update prompt after successful recovery
This second reinstall after recovery is recommended because the factory reset clears corrupt data first, and the normal UI reinstall then lays the software back over a clean base. That gives the best chance of avoiding leftover bugs, app glitches and unstable Google behaviour.

Important notes

Do not remove power during the update process. Loss of power while updating may corrupt the software.
If the update prompt appears again after the unit has already completed the process, do not run it again immediately. Select No and remove the USB.

If you are not confident performing this update yourself, you can return the unit to us and we will complete the update for you free of charge. Freight to and from us is not covered.

FAQ

What USB should I use?

Use a blank USB drive that is 16GB or smaller and formatted to FAT32. Larger drives or the wrong file system can cause the update to fail or not appear.

Which USB port should I use?

Use the CarPlay USB port. That is the preferred port for both the normal update process and Android Recovery updates.

Will this delete my apps and settings?

A factory reset from Android Recovery will delete apps, Google sign-ins, cached data and saved settings. You will need to sign back in afterwards.

Do I need to factory reset from Android Recovery?

If the unit has black screen issues, boot loops, or serious software corruption, yes. That is the recommended way to clean the system before installing the update.

My unit recovered and now boots again. Do I still need to reinstall the software through the normal UI?

Yes. That is recommended. Recovery gets the unit back to life, but the second reinstall through the normal UI gives the cleanest result and reduces leftover bugs.

The headunit asked me to update again after it rebooted. What should I do?

Select No and remove the USB. Leaving the USB inserted can confuse the process and may cause unnecessary repeat prompts.

What if I am not comfortable doing this myself?

You can return the unit to us and we will carry out the update for you free of charge. Freight is not included.