Fixed the quick access AC menu in CarPlay & Android Auto

[jamakr4]

Since my MG4 was updated to R67, accessing the AC settings has become annoying. You now have to exit CarPlay (CP) or Android Auto (AA) completely before you can pull down the dropdown menu.

I found a solution that fixes this and makes access quick again!

The Solution​

I used the MG4 Swipe NovaLauncher tool. Originally, this was designed to give quick access to personal launchers (like Nova), but you can reconfigure it to launch the HVAC (AC) app directly.

• How it works: Swipe up from the bottom right of the screen to instantly open the AC menu.
• To close it: Swipe up from the bottom left (this acts as a "Back" button).

Download: GitHub - MG4_Swipe_NovaLauncher Releases

---

Installation Guide​

The installation is very simple:

1. Prepare: Put the downloaded .apk file onto a USB stick.
2. Install: Plug the stick into your car. Go to Android Settings -> Storage -> USB Drive. Select the apk and install it.
3. Open: Once installed, you will get an option to Open the app immediately. Do this.
4. Permissions: Grant the app the necessary permissions it asks for.

Important Tip if you don't have a 3rd Party Launcher:If you don't have a custom launcher installed, you might get stuck after granting a permission because there is no way to navigate back to the app.

The Fix: Simply go back to your USB drive and "install" the app again. It won't actually reinstall it, but it will take you back to the completion screen where you can click "Open" again. Repeat this process until all settings/permissions are configured.

1. Configure: Inside the app, look at the top left and select "Show System Apps".
2. Select App: Find the HVAC app in the list and select it.
3. Home Button Setup: When you press the physical Home button on the dash, the car might ask you which app to use (SAIC Launcher or the Swipe app):
   • Select SAIC Launcher and choose "Always". This ensures your home button keeps its original functionality.

That's it!


Demo:

And yes, it works in Android Auto!

 

[NLMGSAN]

Is this also an option to quickly change lka modes?

 

[jamakr4]

Is this also an option to quickly change lka modes?

You can maybe map the opening of the settings page to this. On the GitHub of the developer you can find an alternative version that displays a virtual button.

 

[NLMGSAN]

Thanks. I will have a look at it.

 

[jamakr4]

Thanks. I will have a look at it.

GitHub - Tommasov/MG4_Floating_NovaLauncher: Simple floating button to launch Nova Launcher. Designed for the MG 4

Simple floating button to launch Nova Launcher. Designed for the MG 4 - Tommasov/MG4_Floating_NovaLauncher

github.com

This is the virtual button version

 

[BingBong]

I installed Key mapper on my car.

Double press on the left star button opens HVAC app. Short press is the normal built in fast AC control

Long press on the right star button opens 360 app. Short press is still driving mode selector

I also installed small virtual button and programmed it as back button, in order to get back to AA after opening HVAC app.

The problem is that there is a bug that disable the option to long press on the volume up/down button under the screen. It only works click by click. The steering wheel volume working as normal.

 

[BingBong]

Is this also an option to quickly change lka modes?

Yes, but i didn't try. u can enable devloper mode and take screen positions of the car icon, then mg pilot, and then lka disable.

After you saved all the positions (x,y) you can do at Key mapper app service that do all the clicks for you. I did something familiar to open AA from virtual button because thet is no APK for that.

 

[NLMGSAN]

Sounds good. Not sure what the dealer will say...
Can you add multiple virtual buttons?

 

[jamakr4]

Sounds good. Not sure what the dealer will say...
Can you add multiple virtual buttons?

Most of them have no clue about these cars anyways - so I think most aren't going to notice it at all

 

[NLMGSAN]

They surely will see the virtual buttons?

 

[BingBong]

Sounds good. Not sure what the dealer will say...
Can you add multiple virtual buttons?

Yes. You can disable them before service.

 

[NLMGSAN]

This gets even more interesting...

 

[Kenp1]

No need for all of this, just press the heating button twice (off then on) below the screen, the full AC screen comes up.