Android on Orange Pi PLUS

chook

Here I describe how I installed an Android image to an Orange Pi Plus unit.
I'll also be adding some findings and current issues (if any) I am facing.


My reason for posting:
I found it hard to install an Android image to an OrangePi since there were not much guides around and I hope that this would help others on installing Android for their Orange Pi Plus






Disclaimer:
1. This is not intended to be a guide or anything of the sort as I am just (relatively) new on both OrangePi and Android development (lol)
2. I don't take any responsibilities for any damage or injuries caused by following anything written here
3. I don't frequently visit the forums, but in case there are questions, I'll try to answer them promptly (anyone else can answer though)
4. I personally prefer using Linux instead

On to the guide...


A. Prerequisites:

1. SBC: Orange Pi PLUS (procedures I wrote below are NOT tested with other Orange Pi models/builds)
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/NEW-orange-pi-plus-Allwinner-A31s-Dual-Core-1GB-RAM-Open-source-development-board/1553371_32248189300.html

2. Android Image: Loboris' opi2_lobo_Android_v2.img.xz (Android v.4.4.2 - Kitkat)
Forum thread here: http://www.orangepi.org/orangepibbsen/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=363
Download the image from the mega link provided on that thread (183MB XZ file)
(Thanks Loboris )


B. Other important notes:

1. Power adapter output should be 5V with 3A output (or higher) current capability

(Note: Model shown above needs a jack adapter since the output plug does not match that of the orangepi's.
Alternateively choose another adapter with a male DC jack compatible with the OrangePi's)
(To do: Place DC barrel dimensions for OrangePi here)

2. External multicard Reader

Some users report higher error rates on using an internal card reader on laptops or AIOs.
I personally experienced this as I am using an AIO PC -- I wasn't able to successfully burn an image using the internal card reader.
So its recommended to use an external one like as shown above.

3. A fast MicroSD card. I personally use this:

Note: You can use at most 16GB only! Soure: http://www.orangepi.org/orangepibbsen/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=363&pid=2868&fromuid=998337
Required speed: Class 10, anything lower than Class 10 is discouraged due to slowdown in R/W speeds.
Recommended: UHC1 (the 8GB one shown above is cheap anyways)

ALSO:
Ethernet MAY or MAY NOT work, depending on how the MicroSD card is prepared prior to burning the Android image: http://www.orangepi.org/orangepibbsen/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=519&extra=&page=3
Basically, MicroSD card SHOULD be FULLY formatted (not the quick-format version) before burning the image.

4. PhoenixCard v.3.1.0
Use this software to burn the Loboris Android image to the MicroSD card.
Download PhoenixCard from this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_VynIqhAcB7NTg2UkRDdHRWX2s/edit?usp=sharing
or
https://androiddatahost.com/sddw2 (link by user The009)

5. USB Mouse
Just use an ordinary USB mouse (I used an old Logitech CLICK! optical mouse)

6. Wifi Antenna (with the uFL connector)
Your OrangePi should have one upon purchase

Optional:

• USB Keyboard
• Ethernet
• Speakers
  

chook

C. Preparing the Android image:

Using the PhoenixCard software, burn opi2_lobo_Android_v2.img to the MicroSD card.
To use the software, follow the "Install Android OS image" instructions from this page:
http://www.orangepi.org/Docs/SDcardinstallation.html#Install_Android_OS_image

You need to unpack the downloaded XZ file first using 7zip.
Upon burning the image, you should see the following on the logs:


In case of encountering successive errors, follow the instructions from https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=548.
Steps (credits to Keex of forum.pine64.org. You only need to do this if you keep encountering an error during image burn, else skip to [D])

• (Last resort, shouldn't be necessary): Perform complete card clean with Diskpart, as described on the link above)
• (Optional: Format SD Card using SD Card Formatter (if it says that Full Erase wasn't supported for your card and instead did Quick Format, don't worry))
• Start PhoenixCard
• Select correct drive letter and image
• Select "Startup" method
• Click Burn (not format to normal!)
• Wait for error
• Leave PhoenixCard running, and pull out the SD card from the computer (i pulled out the card from my reader, not the whole reader)
• Wait for PhoenixCard to say "No devices found" or similar. Usually happens instantaneously. If nothing happens, start again at the top and try pulling the whole reader instead.
• Push the card/reader back into the reader/PC
• Select correct drive letter
• Click burn.
  

D. Powering up the Orange Pi Plus:

1. Plug in everything to the OrangePi

• (DO NOT PLUG THE DC ADAPTER FIRST)
• MicroSD card with the Android image
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• HDMI
  

2. Power up the OrangePi unit by plugging in the DC adapter

• Wait for around 15 minutes or so (only for the first bootup, succeeding bootups shouldn't last 2 minutes).
• Red LED (D8) beside the audio port will light up steadily.
• If you see nothing on the HDMI display, try pressing the keyboard's numlock/capslock
  If the keyboard LED indicator toggles and LED D8 flickers, its a good sign that the OrangePi booted up.
• I initially experienced issues on my monitor not supporting the display output of OrangePi.
  What I did was to change the monitor (both Samsung, but different models) and there it was, the welcome screen.
  I think there are issues on the default configuration which my initial monitor does not support.
  Else, check your HDMI cable if its good and plugged in well on either terminals.
  

E. Customizing:
Steps below are personal preferences or suggestions which may or may not reflect what you need or want.
User preferences vary
Some steps below need root access, which is already covered by the preinstalled SuperSU app.
Just press "Grant" whenever a prompt pops out.

1. Configure your Wifi
Navigate to Settings > Wifi
(Configuration is dependent on your network setup)

2. Activate PlayStore
Input your Google account credentials to use Play Store. Wait for updates to complete.
(Personally, I just download APKs from APKMirror and not from Play Store.
Downloading APKs from  NOT safe and is NOT recommended, but this OrangePi build is just a trial for now).
Apps added:

• BuildProp Editor
• Google Chrome (or Firefox)
• Kodi
  

3. Configure Display
Navigate to Settings > Display > Mode Setting
[Check tickbox] HDMI full screen mode

Navigate to Settings > Display > HDMI Output mode
[Select] HDMI 1080p 60Hz


(After this setting was configured, I was able to reuse the initial monitor)

4. Set to Full HD Resolution
Open the preinstalled Terminal Emulator and input the codes below:

1. su
   
2. wm size 1920x1080
   
3. exit
   
4. exit

Copy code

Then, using the BuildProp app, modify the following:
ro.hwc.sysrsl=10 (increase to 10 if using 1080p, default is 5 for 720p)
persist.sys.disp_density=200 (increase to 200 for higher DPI, can be adjust between 160 and 240)
Source: http://www.orangepi.org/orangepibbsen/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=615&page=2#pid5690 (by Loboris)

Reboot afterwards using Quick Reboot app > Reboot
Source: http://www.orangepi.org/orangepibbsen/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=363  (by Loboris)

5. Add a heatsink
The OrangePi runs HOT during continuous media playback.
Its highly recommended to use thermal paste + heatsink
(I hope future OrangePi models have holes for mounting heatsinks)

That's it! I can now use the OrangePi for quick browsing and media playback.


F. Findings:

Confirmed working:

• ALL four USB ports
• Audio via HDMI working
• Audio via onboard audio jack working
• Mouse/ Keyboard
• 1080p video playback (smooth), audio via HDMI in sync with video (have to confirm if onboard audio jack is in sync with video).
  Sample video used: http://trailers.divx.com/divx_prod/profiles/Micayala_DivX1080p_ASP.divx
  Subtitles working via Kodi (used another video file)
  You might want to test other sample video files from http://www.demo-world.eu/2d-demo-trailers-hd/
• Wifi is operational (and fast, actual speed figures pending)
• USB flashdrives operational
  

Confirmed Issues:

• netcfg reports eth0 to be UP but ethernet is not working
  - DHCP doesnt work or may need manual configuration (no automatically assigned IP)
  - Ethernet port LEDs no lights/ not blinking
  
• 1080p video playback directly from USB flashdrives MAY have frame skips and stutters (depending on video bitrate)
  Workaround for stuttering playback: Copy video file to MicroSD card first and playback from there.
  

To do:

• Check 4K video playback if smooth
• Check SATA if working
• Get speed figures (USB R/W, Wifi)
• Check IR if working
• Check USB_DBG port if working
  

G. Credits/ Acknowledgements:
Credits to Loboris and other contributing forum users.


To other Orange Pi Plus users, please post your findings on using the same image

tpickle

Nice job. Thanks for documenting it.

chook

I need help making the Ethernet work... I hope someone can point me to what I should study/tackle/modify

The009

Your guide has been great help, but i could not get the version of PhoenixCard to work on win 7 or 10, i was able to use the version from https://androiddatahost.com/sddw2

chook

I stumbled upon this thread regarding making Ethernet work on Android:
http://www.orangepi.org/orangepi ... p;extra=&page=3

I have yet to test it though...

chook

Tried Loboris' image using a completely formatted Class 10 MicroSD card but the ethernet still won't work.
This time, I tried using the recently updated 'vanilla' images from OrangePi's download page and everything is OK so far.
That includes ethernet, wifi and the USB hubs.

(I just had to change the interface language to English first)

TheLinuxBug

Hello @chook

Have you considered using H3Droid which is an Android image specifically made for Allwinner H3 devices?

This has everything but Bluetooth working for you out of the box and we also have a great installer and a rescue environment allowing easy upgrade (as it is being actively developed).

Anyhow, check it out and see what you think!

Cheers!

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