NEW: Use an Android tablet as dedicated GX Wi-Fi Display (beta)

[jperez]

1. Introduction

This procedure and software will turn an Android tablet/phone into a dedicated display for GX products. The app, once installed, takes over the device, running in kiosk mode to ensure it functions as a dedicated display for GX devices. This means:

• The tablet will only serve as a GX display, restricting access to other applications and features.
• Users will not be able to use the device for general purposes like browsing or installing apps.
• The device will remain in this mode until manually reset.

This setup ensures a focused and reliable experience, allowing the Android device to act as a permanent display for monitoring and controlling GX systems.

Disclaimer: This software is in the beta stage and is not intended for end users.

2. Installation

Prerequisites

Android Device: The device must be in factory reset state.The minimum supported version is (theoretically) Android 6, but it is recommended to use a modern Android version as it has not been tested with older devices.
It is not guaranteed that the software will work on all Android devices, as compatibility depends on the hardware capabilities and the manufacturer’s implementation of Android features.

QR Code: You will need a QR code provided by Victron, see below.

Venus OS: Your GX must be running firmware version 3.50, which is currently in beta. See: Venus OS beta series announcement and changelog - v3.50~43 - Venus OS beta testing - Victron Community

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Prepare the Android Device

Make sure that the Android device has been fully reset to its factory settings. This means:

• The device should be restored to its original state, as it was when first powered on.
• If the device has already been used, perform a factory reset through the device settings by selecting the ‘Factory reset’ option…

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Installation Steps

1. Power on the device
   When you power on the Android device for the first time after the reset, you will see the welcome screen.
2. Open the QR scanner
   Quickly tap the screen six times around the “Welcome/Hello” text to start the QR code setup. This will open a QR reader.
   
   
3. Scan this QR Code

4. Follow the installation steps, this include.
   • Connect to Wi-Fi: Internet connected network is required to download the application and install the application. Alternative Wi-Fi connections such as GX built-in access points can be configured later. Once installed, the internet connection is not required anymore.
   • Some Android models ask for location and Wi-Fi scanning permissions, these permissions are optional but required for best operation connecting to Wi-Fi and finding GX products in the network.

3. Configuration and Usage

Once installed, a basic setup is required:

1. Wi-Fi configuration (optional)
   At this stage, the tablet is already connected to the Wi-Fi network used during installation. You can either choose to connect to a different Wi-Fi network or directly connect to the GX’s built-in access point.

2. Select a GX
   The app will find all the GX in the network, choose the one that the tablet will serve as an external display for.

3. Set a PIN code (optional)
   A PIN can be set to restrict access to the configuration menu, where you can modify settings as needed.
   

   
   

4. Service menu (For display and other settings)

The service menu offers the possibility to change some of the already configured settings and others.

How to open the service menu

Press and hold for 5 seconds at the bottom left corner of the screen. If set, the PIN code will be requested.

This menu offers several functions:

• Display Setting: Opens the Android display adjustment options (e.g., auto brightness, screensaver duration, etc.).
  • Keep screen on: Some Android devices do not allow you to configure the display settings to keep the screen always on. You can use this toggle in such cases. The tablet display can always be switched off by pressing the power button once.
• Search for Devices: Allows you to switch to a different GX on the network. This can be used when replacing a GX or to use the same tablet to monitor different installations.
• Wi-Fi Settings: Allows you to connect to another Wi-Fi network.
• Reload Web: Reloads the interface.
• Factory Reset: Allows you to quickly perform a factory reset if you want to stop using the device for this application.

[Bifop]

Exactly what I was waiting for ! In my rv I’m running in headless mode since I couldn’t run cables from the cerbo to the screen since I wanted it above the door. Thanks for this solution.

[Lpopescu (Lucian Popescu)]

Very nice @jperez !!

[RomeoThiebaut (Romeo Thiebaut (Off-Grid Services))]

Great ! I had been eagerly waiting for it since it was announced in Munich. Runs smoothly !
Thank you @jperez

[Diederik]

I guess I can use this with my MultiPlus II - GX as well?
Looking for this a long time ago.
Hopefully soon available for a stable version, not the beta version.

[M_Lange (Matthias Lange - DE)]

Should work with every GX device.

[mmaritz (Mark Maritz)]

Android 8.0.0 - all works fine until after the QR code scan and network connection then no app starts… Do you need to log into Google Play?

Device reverts to Android Home Screen (Managed by Company)

[Bifop]

The QR code didn’t work for me as well. I looked in the qr code text and found this :

https://bit.ly/gxDisplay

This is the link to download the app.
Hope this helps.

[jperez]

Do you get any error messages after configuring the Wi-Fi connection?

What is the tablet model?

I received a report from a user who had a similar issue. The problem was that his tablet was enrolled in Google Family Link for parental control, which blocked the installation of the app even after a factory reset. The solution was to remove the tablet from Google Family Link.

Did that tablet have any parental control software installed in the past?

[jperez]

@Bifop
What was the problem? The QR not being recognised by the scanner, or something else?
What is tablet model and Android version?

Please note that the APK is not intended to be installed as a regular app and malfunction is expected when installed this way. The QR code method is required to configure the tablet to function as a dedicated display.

[mmaritz (Mark Maritz)]

Hi @jperez

No errors. I am trying a Huawei Phone as that’s what I want to mount in my kitchen.

No error messages I can see… going to try the bit.ly link now…

Regards
Mark

[mmaritz (Mark Maritz)]

Dropbox link worked perfectly.

I installed Chrome as there is no web browser installed by default so had to log into a Google Play Account in play. That could be the issue. App can’t download due to no browser installed.

[mmaritz (Mark Maritz)]

@jperez

The QR code method is required to configure the tablet to function as a dedicated display.

It looks like it works as a dedicated display with PIN code, etc working fine. Can’t seem to bypass the app even with the manual .apk install. I did go through the QR code process - just app didn’t install.

Brilliant to have the app and the display on the old phone. Many, many thanks.

[Bifop]

The qr code method wasn’t working so I had to inspect the text link to extract the app link. I then downloaded an apk installer to finish the job. I didn’t use the google store since I wanted the phone to be without personal content or credentials.

I have selected the gx-android-display.apk as home page.
It works perfectly now.

[mmaritz (Mark Maritz)]

@Bifop

I didn’t use the google store since I wanted the phone to be without personal content or credentials.

I’m going to uninstall it. Not needed. I just needed the web browser installed.

Great Work @jperez

Edit: Small display problem with purple bar appearing when you work the display for a few minutes. Does not go away until reboot - this could be a device issue.

[jperez]

We are going to look into this. Have you tried to lock/unlock the phone, it might help getting rid of those bars.

[jperez]

Well fitted! This is what I had in mind when started working on this project.

Could you please let me know the phone brand/model?

When installing via the QR code, the app can do some extra things like block notifications and other functions for the best experience. Having this in mind, you shouldn’t experience any big issues.

[Bifop]

@jperez

Could you please let me know the phone brand/model?

It’s a Xiaomi Redmi note 10 pro running on Android 13. Screen is 6,7 inches.
It has an amoled @120hz screen that is perfect for the GUI 2.0 dark theme since there is no glow in the black part of the screen and no variations in colours when changing angles of view.