Has Anybody Here Installed Any Third Party Apps On Their Garmin Tread?

Didn't realize you could install third party apps on the Tread series. But can you really do that on a Zumo?

Garmin made the Monterra handheld for a short while, I believe it was a big flop for them. But it was an Android based handheld. Seemed like a really cool idea to be able to have a traditional Garmin handheld that could also use other apps. I never saw one in person, and am not sure if they locked it down to prevent using other apps.

https://www.garmin.com.my/products/discontinued/monterra/#sp...

I got a Nuvi 5000 long ago, it was actually Linux-based. I remember reading where people were able to log in to it as root somehow with a network connection. Never bothered to dig that deep myself. The 5" screen was cool on that model, but processor was very slow.

It would be nice to see Garmin finally get all of this right and let their devices realize their full potential with third party software.

That is a good question and I honestly don't know the correct answer, yet. And, even if I can, I am still kind of torn on whether it would be a good choice for me.

My wife does use Polaris Ride Command on an old smartphone on her Can Am. I typically run my Garmin Zumo XT with VV mapping. Sometimes she will see something on hers that isn't on mine or vice versa. So, at the end of the day, I really don't need this on my Garmin Zumo XT.

I am pretty confident that the future for ATV/UTV navigation will be app based on either a smartphone, tablet or "cast" (mirrored) to a rugged device with a bright screen. Although having data isn't crucial, since the maps are loaded on the device and work offline, they are nice to have since some apps will show you where other riders are located.

As I mentioned earlier, the most viable way to do that right now is using onX Offroad on cellular, with T-Satellite as a backup. Since it it Android Auto/CarPlay capable, a person can use it on a bigger screen with the smartphone safely in a pocket.

However, there well may be changes this year or next year that will change things. Some are saying Trail X Trail is a better ATV/UTV navigation app than onX Offroad. but it isn't T-Satellite capable or have Android Auto/CarPlay. It is possible that they will add one or the other, or, ideally, both of those.

Spent a few minutes on Garmin's and other sites and saw no indication that the Zumo is based on Android. Of course, it's possible, but I counldn't confirm it anywhere.

I had a look at the video in your link. Jeez, that guy just rambles on and on, I really didn't have the patience to watch him and skipped through, but the idea is similar to other Android devices where you have to go into developer mode and change some settings. Then it appeared he had to jump through a lot of other hoops. He also made the comment that youtube worked but not very well, probably because the Tread doesn't have much RAM (Garmin has never published RAM specs on any of their devices, AFAIK).

Guess it comes down to how bad you want a Tread... prices start at $700 for the 6" model and go all the way up to $2500 for the top big-screen model. If I bought one of those, I'd think twice before doing someting Garmin doesn't support and might not fix if you manage to corrupt the software somehow.

How likely is that? No idea, but I have installed APK's from F-Droid on several inexpensive Android devices I use for testing my own app. With my 10" rugged tablet, it ended up getting bricked, I couldn't even boot into safe mode. Finally figured out how to completely re-flash it with the original operating system and that eventually worked.

But I only paid a bit over $200 for it and bought it just for the purpose of testing/learning, which is far different from an expensive, proprietary device that I depend on for navigation. So, I think the bottom line is that you *can* install APK's if you're willing to jump through all the hoops and assume all the risks. But Garmin clearly doesn't want you to do it and won't support it if you have problems. From the endless, rambling beginning of that video, the guy seemed to be saying that Garmin totally blocked APK installation initially, but relaxed that to this degree after some people complained.

Any video's that show the process of adding an APK file/app to a Garmin automotive GPS?

I have been trying to reactivate my ecoRoute Mechanic HD OBD-II gadget, evidently there is an app "Garmin Mechanic APK for Android" that supposedly works with an Android based smartphone/tablet.
https://download.cnet.com/garmin-mechanic/3000-20428_4-75620...

If my DS65 GPS would accept third party APK file/apps this might be worth looking into.

Thoughts, comments?

I don't think there are any Android Garmin "automotive" GPS units. I think the only exception is these very specialized, expensive TREAD devices. You clearly aren't going to install anything on your Nuvi or DriveSmart GPS. Garmin has always used their own, proprietary device operating system, with the exception of a few oddities like the Linux-based Nuvi 5000 I mentioned. But the user would have no way to even tell it was Linux-based, that is all completely hidden.

I believe they used Android for some of their commercial fleet based models, never saw one of those myself. I also know of a real oddball, the Nuvi 3592, which was only sold for a short while in a few Asian countries. That's pretty crazy - I have an old Nuvi 3590 and it certainly isn't an Android device, plus it looks completely different.

Here's an gpstracklog article from 2013 (before Rich sold the site and it became filled with spam)

https://gpstracklog.com/2013/10/android-garmin-nuvi.html

If you look at the OP in this thread, there's a link to a video of how to install APK's on the Tread. That isn't gonna work on any other Garmin devices AFAIK.

Before you get wrapped up in adding an app to your GPS you might want to consider the Android version needed to run that app properly. The latest version of android is 16, the Garmin RV 890 uses Android version 6.

This discussion reminded me of my custom dashboards for certain models of the Nuvi (24×5, 25×5, 34×0, 35×0, Zumo 350 & Dezl 760. Lots of fun back in its day (2013!) and I think at least a couple members of this site will remember it

https://web.archive.org/web/20170606020400/http://www.gpsrev...

And I didn't realize the RV 890 was Android based. That is cool, there was a time when I would have jumped on any big screen Garmin device that could really run Android apps and had a real browser like Chrome.

But, for my needs, I'm more than happy with my 11" M4 iPad Pro which runs boydsmaps very nicely (and has cellular connectivity, which I don't think Garmin has... do they?).

Yup. Good times

I saw a Christmas one way back in the day. I have had no luck finding it.

GPSReview has a fond place in my heart. Some great individuals there (including of course, Boyd) with a friendly atmosphere where we could discuss freely (of course, up to a point), no rude Frenchman looking to slap the back of your hand with a ruler at any little infraction (Guillaume, AKA gpspassion). It was by far my favorite of the GPS sites I frequented.

It was sad when GPSReview closed down. I learned a lot from Sergzak (aka DorkusNimrod), Boyd, T923347, Sussamb and others on that forum.

I updated the title in the original post.

I originally only saw posts about doing this on the Garmin Treads, but now I am seeing this for the Garmin Camper/RV series, too.

To add .APK files (sideload apps) to your Android-based Garmin RV series device (such as the Camper/RV 785, 890, 895, 1090, or 1095), you must first connect the navigator to a Wi-Fi network, enable Developer Options, and permit the installation of unknown apps.

Step 1: Enable Developer Options

On your Garmin RV device, go to Settings.

Scroll down and tap Device or System.

Tap About Device or About Phone.

Tap the Build Number repeatedly (usually 7-8 times) until a message pops up saying "You are now a developer."

Step 2: Allow Unknown Apps

Press the back arrow to return to the main Settings menu.

Tap the newly available Developer Options.

Locate and tap Install Unknown Apps.

Select your web browser or file manager (whichever app you will use to download/locate the .APK) and toggle the switch to Allowed.

Step 3: Install the .APK

Open the web browser on your Garmin device (e.g., the built-in Browser).

Navigate to a safe, trusted source to download your desired .APK file (such as APKMirror or F-Droid).

Once the download is complete, open your Garmin's File Manager or download folder.

Tap the downloaded .APK file and select Install.

Note: Sideloading third-party apps is done at your own risk. Garmin does not provide technical support or warranties for issues resulting from third-party applications. If an app crashes or causes system issues, you can perform a Factory Data Reset to remove it.

You can sideload Android applications (.apk files) onto Garmin Tread, Garmin Overlander, and Fleet 790 devices. These devices run on a stripped-down Android operating system that natively supports sideloading.

Because Garmin disables Google Play Services on these units, you have to download files directly from a web browser or transfer them via SD card/USB.

Compatible Devices for Sideloading

Garmin Tread Series: (Includes the standard Tread, Tread XL Overland Edition, and Baja Race Editions).

Garmin Overlander: Designed for overlanding and off-grid exploration.

Garmin Fleet Series: (e.g., Fleet 790) Built for commercial trucking and fleet management.

How to Sideload Apps

Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings > About Device, and tap the Build Number repeatedly until you see a developer countdown.

Allow Unknown Sources: Return to the main Settings menu, find the Security settings, and enable the installation of apps from unknown sources.

Install: Download the .apk file using the device's web browser or transfer it via a USB/SD card, then open the file in the device's File Manager to install it.

Note: Garmin provides this functionality but does not officially support, warrant, or troubleshoot third-party apps. Some apps may lag or fail to run without full Google Play Services.

For standard fitness, outdoor, or automotive watches, sideloading is not available. Instead, you can download approved apps, watch faces, and widgets from the Garmin Connect IQ Store.

I know he was French...the site had two versions, the main was French along with it's own French forum. Of course we visited the English site but I remember there being a link to access the French site at the top of the page as I recall.

Now whether he was French from France or a French-Canadian, I have no clue but from what you said about him possibly being from Canada, French-Canadian make sense.

The mention of the DriveSmart 86 in the thread about the DEM map got me interested, have never seen that model before. According to Google AI, it is also Android based, but a closed system. Who knows, there might be some hacks though? (then again, it could all be an AI hallucination)

Here's my Google search
_____________________________________________

is the garmin drivesmart 86 an android device?

Yes, the Garmin DriveSmart 86 operates on a proprietary version of the Android operating system. However, it is a dedicated, closed-system GPS navigator.

Here is what you need to know about its Android foundation:

Custom Interface:
It runs a heavily modified, proprietary version of Android (often based on older versions like Android 6.0).

No App Store:
You cannot download standard Android apps (like Google Maps, Waze, or Netflix) from the Google Play Store.

Looks like Garmin has gotten a lot deeper into Android than I realized. It appears that most of the new automotive devices are Android based (DriveSmart 66, 67 and 86... not sure about the 53). And we have already discussed the current Tread, RV and Dezl devices as being Android.

The Garmin link in the OP of this thread implied that it could be possible to sideload Android apps to all of these. I really had no idea this was a thing - so thanks for starting this thread Jim!
_____________________

.apk Files or Third-Party Applications on an Automotive Device
Your device is capable of reading .apk files, which are files that contain Android-based applications for use on Android-based mobile operating systems. Loading a third-party app to an Android device using one of these files is commonly known as "sideloading".

Although your device is capable of sideloading .apk files, Garmin does not offer support on the location, installation, or troubleshooting of these files and applications. If you decide to sideload an .apk file, it may or may not work correctly on the device. Garmin does not offer any suggestions on where to find these files and suggests that you only obtain these from trusted sources.

You are welcome.

UPDATE: I have looked for a complete list of Garmin devices that are capable of reading .apk files, but I came up short. So, I took a few minutes tonight and entered some Garmin model names and numbers into the search box at the URL below. These are the ones that seem to be capable.

Overlander (7 inch screen)

Tread-SxS Edition (8 inch screen)

Tread-Overland Edition (8 inch screen)

Tread XL-Overland Edition (10 inch screen)

Tread XL-Baja Race Edition (10 inch screen)

Tread X-Baja Chase Edition (10 inch screen)

RV 890 (8 inch screen)

RV 1090 (10 inch screen)

I mention this because some of the model names/numbers sound fairly similar to one another. For example, the original Garmin Tread SxS and the Garmin Tread 2 SxS. Also the Garmin Tread Overland and the Garmin Tread 2 Overland.

The original Garmin Tread SxS has an open Android OS (Allows sideloading). The Garmin Tread 2 SxS, on the other hand, uses a Proprietary Tread OS (Locked down).

Similarly, the Garmin Tread Overland has an open Android OS (Allows sideloading). The Garmin Tread 2 Overland has a Locked-down "Tread OS" (Garmin ecosystem only).

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Uq5I6GKFO639rZTkzdqQs8

Thanks, it's pretty confusing. Google AI search gives totally conflicting results, depending on the prompt....
_________________

Yes, the Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76, and 86 models are based on the Android operating system. Garmin uses a modified, stripped-down version of Android specifically tailored for their automotive navigation devices. However, the operating system is heavily customized to serve as a dedicated GPS unit.
_________________

And other times, I get something like this

No, the current models in the Garmin DriveSmart series (such as the DriveSmart 66, 76, and 86) do not run on a custom version of Android. Instead, they utilize Garmin’s proprietary, lightweight Linux-based operating system designed specifically for dedicated navigation hardware
_______________

I tried asking this way:

is the garmin drivesmart 86 based on linux, android or a Garmin proprietary operating system?

and got this:

The Garmin DriveSmart 86 is based on Android. Unlike many of Garmin's traditional fitness watches and handhelds that run on a proprietary operating system (often referred to as GarminOS), the DriveSmart 86—along with the rest of the DriveSmart 66/76/86 series—uses a customized version of Android. This Android foundation is primarily used to power the device's connected features, like built-in Amazon Alexa and real-time smart notifications

...and it's pretty deep! Going back to ~2008, we have the Nuvi 5000 which was confirmed to be based on Linux. The Nuvi 8xxx series also was. For example:

https://linuxdevices.org/garmin-nav-devices-run-gnome-linux/

You can actually download the source code here, along with open source components of their other devices:

https://developer.garmin.com/open-source/linux/

I downloaded the Nuvi 5000 source and was surprised by how much was there. I remember lots of discussion of this back in the day and some people claimed to actually be able to access the Nuvi as root (giving them full permission to see everything). I asked Google about that (there were a lot of other details which I will not quote here)
___________

The Garmin nüvi 5000, like several other Garmin devices from that era, was indeed built on an embedded Linux system running the Gnome Mobile framework.However, the rumors of users logging in as "root" via a simple USB connection generally refer to a specific diagnostic protocol, rather than an exposed, traditional shell. The exploits and methods were typically accomplished as follows:
___________

Anyway, if you go to that Garmin open source link I posted above, you will also find the DriveSmart x6 series. I downloaded that source and had a quick look. It's a LOT of stuff (Don't bother with this link unless you're enough of a geek to understand linux/unix stuff )

https://developer.garmin.com/downloads/open-source/drivex6/D...

I only looked very briefly and there are some interesting things.... such as the source for the BASH shell (which implies you might be able to actually login). There's also QEMU, which is virtualization software for running other operating systems (for example, people use it to run Windows apps on Macs).

Of course, this doesn't answer the question of whether the DriveSmart x6 series are Android devices, but they could be. Android actually runs on top of Linux (much like the way that MacOS runs on top of BSD unix). Seems like a pretty safe assumption that those DriveSmart devices are Linux-based but it's not clear whether they also have Android on top of it.

That's about as deep down the rabbit hole as I want to go. Since Garmin has admitted that some devices actually run Android, it would make sense if they are actually using the same platform for all their automotive units. But this wouldn't be the first time that Garmin's choices don't make sense, LOL.

It's also possible that some devices are still just based on Linux while others run Android. They could still be running some of the same code. It's possible to run Linux on Android, I am doing that myself! I have a couple cheap, rugged Android devices (Chinese) that I bought just for testing and have installed the Termux package on them, which is a surprisingly full-featured Linux that generally works well.

https://termux.dev/en/

On these devices, I installed the standard Linux Apache web server and have loaded much of the boydsmaps web app on a 1tb SD card. This allows me to use boydsmaps on the device locally with no internet connection.

But I digress... To get back to the question in the OP, about running Android apps on Garmin automotive devices, it sounds like something that might be fun to experiment with. But it comes with risks, such as "bricking" your device to a point where Garmin won't help you fix it. Aside from that, as pointed out earlier, Garmin apparently uses a custom version of Android 6 which might not be compatible with the apps you want. And you would have to sideload them, which might also be a problem with commerical apps that require the Google Play store.

Basically, I wouldn't try it unless you consider your Garmin device "expendable" and would also be prepared to have a variety of issues. So, it would be a fun geeky exercise, but probably not a good solution for something you depend on and expect to be stable.

I have also noticed conflicting information on this.

I have also noticed that some Garmins have small hexagon icons. I thought perhaps that is indicative of it being an Android based unit, but Google/AI states there is no correlation.