Setup guide

In your car in ten minutes

Do it once; after that, just plug in. Settings names may differ slightly between phone brands.

Download BoxStream for Android

You’ll need

  • A phone with Android 11 or later. No root needed.
  • Phones with Android 9 or 10 only work when rooted (Magisk, KernelSU).
  • A USB cable that carries data (not a charge-only cable).
  • A BoxStream key. Don’t have one? Buy a key.

  1. Download and install the app

    Open this page on your phone, tap Download BoxStream for Android and enter the Gmail and phone number you used when buying your key. Download the file, unzip it with the password shown on the page, then open the extracted BoxStream file to install it.

    • The first time you install an app from the browser, Android asks for Install unknown apps. Tap Settings, turn on Allow from this source, go back and tap Install.
    • If Play Protect asks, choose More details, then Install anyway.

  2. Open the app and allow permissions

    Open BoxStream and allow notifications. The pairing code field in step 5 lives in this notification, so don’t skip it.

    • For wireless: also allow Nearby devices (Bluetooth, nearby Wi-Fi).
    • Android 17 also asks for local network access: choose Allow.

  3. Enter your key

    Type your 16-character key on the Activate BoxStream screen and tap Activate. The app downloads the rest in a moment.

  4. Turn on Developer options

    In Settings → About phone → Software information, tap Build number (or MIUI version, HyperOS version, depending on the phone) 7 times until it says you’re a developer.

    Then open Settings → Developer options and turn on USB debugging.

  5. Pair once

    Rooted phones skip this step; just grant root when the app asks.

    • Turn on Wi-Fi on your phone (connect to any Wi-Fi network).
    • In the app, tap Pair ADB (once).
    • In Developer options, turn on Wireless debugging, tap it, then choose Pair device with pairing code.
    • Keep the dialog with the 6-digit code open, pull down the notification shade and enter the 6 digits in the BoxStream field.

    When you see “Paired”, you’re done. From now on the app handles it.

    Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO (MIUI, HyperOS): in Developer options, also turn on USB debugging (Security settings), and Install via USB if asked. Your phone may ask you to sign in to a Mi account and have a SIM card inserted. Without it, BoxStream pairs but can’t control the screen or touch input.

    OPPO, realme, OnePlus (ColorOS): on some phones, Developer options has Disable permission monitoring. If you see it, turn it on.

  6. Turn off Google’s Android Auto

    So Google’s Android Auto doesn’t compete with BoxStream for the car connection: go to Settings → Apps → Android Auto and tap Disable (or Turn off).

    On some phones Android Auto is a system app, so you only see Force stop or the disable button is greyed out. In that case, turn it off in BoxStream: BoxStream → Settings → Support → Quick fixes, tap Stop Google’s Android Auto. To turn it back on, tap Turn on Google’s Android Auto in the same place.

  7. Plug into your car

    Plug the cable into the car’s USB port marked with a phone or Android Auto icon, and allow USB access if asked. The car screen shows the BoxStream interface.

  8. Wireless (optional)

    For cars with wireless Android Auto: pair your phone with the car over Bluetooth and turn on Wireless in BoxStream settings. Next time you get in, your phone connects over the car’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Having trouble?

Still stuck? Contact support with your car and phone model.

The app says “No car found”

Use a data cable and plug into the USB port marked with a phone or Android Auto icon. Some cars have only one port that works for Android Auto. Allow USB access if your phone asks.

The app says “USB debugging is off”

Open Settings, Developer options and turn USB debugging back on. Some phones switch it off after a system update.

I can’t see the pairing code field

Make sure BoxStream is allowed to show notifications. Keep the 6-digit code dialog open and pull down the notification shade to find the field. If the dialog closed, open Pair device with pairing code again.

The app asks me to pair again

This usually happens after resetting your phone or turning off Developer options. Repeat step 5; it only takes a few seconds.

Wireless won’t connect

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your phone and check that your car supports wireless connections. A cable always works.