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Companion App - Sideloading

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Franklin Prince
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You can now sideload third-party Android apps on the Karoo using an APK file or a URL linked to an APK file (New Karoo ONLY). We will continue to roll out more updates in the coming months to make apps more accessible on the Karoo (both sideloaded and natively available on your Hammerhead device).

Notes: 

  • Sideloading through the Companion App is only available for the latest generation of Karoo.
  • Hammerhead has only verified that GitHub URLs work for sideloading.
  • Apps installed from a URL in GitHub can be updated from the app details page on Karoo when a third-party releases an app update.
  • Some websites, like APKPure, make it difficult to find the correct URL for sharing through the Companion App and may not work for Karoo.
  • Hammerhead does not provide support for troubleshooting which APKs or links work for sideloading through the Companion App.

Prerequisites:

  • Karoo should be updated to SW Version 1.535.2029 or higher.  
  • On your Smartphone, download the Karoo Companion App here.
    • Android Companion App Version should be 1.36.0 or higher.
    • iPhone Companion App Version should be 1.12.0 or higher.
  • The Karoo should be connected to Wi-Fi. 
  • The connected phone should have an active Internet connection. 

Here are the steps to sideload an APK from an URL to your Karoo from the Companion App:

  • On your phone browser, open the page where the APK is hosted. Example GitHub Link 
  • Long-press on the URL with a downloadable APK and select the Hammerhead Companion App from the share menu on your phone.
  • You will see a Transferring screen in your Companion app and an Install screen will appear on your Karoo.
  • Click ‘Install’ on the Karoo to finish installing the app.

Companion App - Side loading (White Background).gif

Here are the steps to sideload an APK file from your Karoo from the Companion App:

  • On your phone, open the folder where the APK file is hosted. 
  • Click on the Share option and select the Hammerhead Companion App from the share menu on your phone.
  • You will see a Transferring screen in your Companion app and an Install screen will appear on your Karoo.
  • Click ‘Install’ on the Karoo to finish installing the app.

Companion App - Sideloading 2.gif

 

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