Don't Forget To Update Your Pioneer Head Unit Bluetooth Software [How-To]

Updating the firmware for Pioneer NEX and AppRadio 4 head units is a two-part process this time. Last week Pioneer released firmware updates for these devices via their website and in the instructions it is clearly mentioned that along with updating the firmware on your device, the Bluetooth software also needs to be updated.

So how do you correctly go about updating the Bluetooth software on your head unit? Read along for more details.

Question: Can You Use An SD Card To Update Your Pioneer NEX Firmware?

Pioneer released a firmware update for its NEX head units and AppRadio 4 last week. As always, they have included update instructions with each firmware file. All files are available on Pioneer's website.

This time, however, Pioneer's instructions indicate you should update using the USB 1 port on the back of your head unit via a USB flash drive with a capacity of 2GB or higher. There's no mention on whether you can alternatively use an SD card like in previous updates.

So, can you use an SD card to update the firmware?

Firmware Update Available For Pioneer AppRadio 4 And NEX Head Units

Pioneer Electronics has released firmware updates for its most popular head units - AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120) and NEX receivers. The updates are available for download from Pioneer's website.

More details are below the break.

Firmware Update Version 1.09 Available For Pioneer AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120)

Pioneer Electronics has released a firmware update for its AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120) devices sold in the United States and Canada. The latest version 1.09 is available for download from Pioneer's website. Here are some more details.

Pioneer Support Clarifies AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120) Firmware Version 1.08 Details

After learning that new Pioneer AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120) head units were shipping out with firmware version 1.08, I did some digging around for more information. The latest firmware version available for download from Pioneer's website is version 1.07, so where did 1.08 come from and how is it different from its predecessor?

I contacted Pioneer support hoping for an answer, and this is the reply I received today...

New Pioneer AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120) Devices Ship With Firmware Version 1.08

I recently received an interesting tip and the picture above from one of our readers, Ian. He recently purchased a Pioneer AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120) and discovered it's running firmware version 1.08. What makes this interesting is that Pioneer's website only has version 1.07 as the latest firmware which was available back in October, 2014.

Version 1.08 is nowhere to be found for download on any of Pioneer's websites (US or Global). Whether there's anything different in version 1.08 from the previous 1.07 is not clearly known, but a forum thread in Apple Support Communities may offer some clues.

Here's What's New In iOS 8.3 Including Information On Apple CarPlay

iOS 8.3 brings plenty of new features and bug fixes to the software inside your iDevice. Apple released the update yesterday and everyone has been combing through the software to find out what's new.

Car enthusiasts are more interested in what's new with CarPlay. Here are more details on what we know so far...

Pioneer AppRadio 2 & AppRadio 3 Encountering Issues With iOS 8.2

Whenever Apple releases a new version of iOS, older generation AppRadios and head units run into issues. What makes things worse is that Pioneer doesn't update the firmware of their older devices to support new software. Which means, you either stop using the hardware inside your car or skip the iOS update.

Various user feedback and forum threads have brought to light the current issues that older generation head units are encountering with iOS 8.2. Apple released the update at its media event last month. If you own a first generation AppRadio (SPH-DA01/SPH-DA02) or AppRadio 2 (SPH-DA100) or maybe even an AppRadio 3 (SPH-DA110/SPH-DA210), you may have run into one of the following issues...

[BREAKING] First Generation NEX Users Could Get Android Auto Using Custom Firmware

Just a few minutes ago I posted about a custom firmware listing on eBay for Pioneer AVH-4000NEX head units which brings the latest second generation firmware to those head units. Second generation firmware means Google Android Auto gets enabled for the first generation models.

Turns out, there is custom firmware available for other head units like the AVIC-8000NEX and AVIC-6000NEX. More details are after the break.

[BREAKING] eBay Listing Claims Custom Firmware For AVH-4000NEX Enables Google Android Auto

There is an eBay listing for a custom firmware update for the Pioneer AVH-4000NEX that enables Google Android Auto on the first generation device.

If you remember, Pioneer upset almost all of their first generation NEX customers when they announced second generation devices at CES 2015 earlier this year. The second generation head units have Android Auto capability which first generation devices did not get. No official firmware updates will be released to enable Android Auto on the older models.

But the eBay listing claims to offer the latest in-car technology software to older devices. Full details are below.

First Firmware Updates For Second Generation NEX Head Units Released

Pioneer Electronics has just released the first set of firmware updates for all five second generation NEX head units. The firmware version 1.03 has a few improvements including expanded compatibility with Google Android Auto.

So if you own one of these NEX head units; AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX, AVIC-6100NEX, AVIC-5100NEX or AVH-4100NEX, then continue reading after the break.

Get Pioneer's Flagship AVIC-8000NEX For Only $843 [Deals]

Pioneer Electronics' flagship NEX receiver, the AVIC-8000NEX, is feature-rich. But all those robust features come at a dear price. The retail price may be well over budget for most consumers but that's if you don't care to look around for a bargain.

Black Friday must have come early this year because Amazon has the Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX for only $843.61. The device ships FREE and is sold by Car Toys. That's a savings of more than $550 over the suggested retail price ($1400). Sales Tax may be added in some states.

Click this link to check out the deal... Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX listings on Amazon. Prices change all the time but this is the lowest price we've found so far.

How To Fix Rare CarPlay Display Issue On Pioneer NEX

A couple of firmware updates for Pioneer NEX receivers were released last month which enabled Apple CarPlay. Some users reported display issues when using CarPlay on their head units where icons and menu bars were not displayed correctly. One of our readers had sent us a few pictures too.

Here's how the issue can be fixed.

How To Install Latest Pioneer CD & Digital Media Receiver Firmware Updates [How-To]

Pioneer has released new firmware for its CD and Digital Media receivers today. Installing the updates requires a USB 2.0 flash drive with more than 128MB of free space. The drive has to be formatted in FAT32 and should not contain any other files on it.

To perform the update perform the following steps...

Pioneer Releases Firmware Updates For CD And Digital Media Receivers

Seems like this month has been one of firmware updates for Pioneer Electronics. Following updates to its NEX and AppRadio 4 head units, today they've announced new firmware for CD and Digital Media receivers.

The following models will have to be updated to fix an existing issue...

New Firmware Update For Pioneer NEX Receivers Adds iDatalink Maestro Support

Pioneer Electronics has released another firmware update for its NEX receivers today. The latest version 1.08 comes a few days after version 1.06 brought Apple CarPlay to their devices. Today's update, however, adds iDatalink Maestro support and has a few bug fixes.

To perform the update, you need to follow similar instructions as the previous update. The update files for each of the NEX receivers is separate so make sure you get the correct file. You will need a USB flash drive or a microSD card to install the update, depending on your receiver's model number.

Here are full details from Pioneer...

First Pioneer AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120) Firmware Update Now Available

Approximately three weeks after its release, the Pioneer AppRadio 4 (SPH-DA120) has received a firmware update from the manufacturer. The latest firmware version 1.07 brings a few fixes to the devices. The update process is similar to that found on Pioneer's NEX receivers.

Full details are below.

Apple CarPlay Firmware Update Tutorial For The Folks Down Under [Video]

If you are from the land down under, Pioneer Australia has made a video tutorial showing how to install the Apple CarPlay firmware update on one of the compatible head units. The devices sold in Australia are Pioneer NEX equivalents but with different model numbers.

Apple CarPlay capable head units sold by Pioneer Australia are the AVIC-F60DAB, AVIC-960DAB and AVH-X8650BT. You can follow similar instructions as the ones in the tutorial below to install the latest firmware on Pioneer's NEX receivers in the United States.

Here's the video...

How To Install Apple CarPlay Firmware Update On A Pioneer NEX Receiver [Video]

Pioneer's NEX receivers were the first aftermarket devices to bring Apple CarPlay to consumers. Existing NEX customers have to download and install a firmware update on their head units in order to use Apple's latest software.

The update process is simple as outlined by Pioneer on their website through step-by-step instructions. For those of you who find it easier to follow video instructions, here's an awesome YouTube video from the channel "ThisIsTyDell."

The video explains how to go about updating the firmware on your NEX receiver. The process should be similar on all NEX head units. Watch it below...

Pioneer's Firmware Download Links Down Due To Heavy Traffic [UPDATE: Fixed]

Following the release of firmware updates for NEX head units, Pioneer's website was inundated by heavy traffic. NEX customers every where got on to the site to download the update which enables Apple CarPlay on the head unit.

Just a few hours after the site was having problems loading, Pioneer announced they have fixed the problem. As a result, you can now get on the site and download the firmware for your corresponding head unit without any issues.

Here's how to download...