Frequently asked questions
Root, compatibility, the Launcher, privacy — all in one place. Can't find your answer? Email us
Getting started
Do I need root?
Yes. KoalaMirror runs with root and needs a Zygisk runtime. Magisk works out of the box; on KernelSU or APatch, the app auto-provisions ReZygisk during deploy.
Do I need a custom ROM or to flash anything?
No. KoalaMirror is a regular APK. Install it, tap Deploy, reboot once — the app provisions everything by itself. No flashing zips, no command line, no computer.
How do I get started?
Root your phone with Magisk, KernelSU, or APatch. Install KoalaMirror, tap Deploy, and reboot. Then connect to your car the way you always do — your Android desktop appears on the head unit.
Is there a free version?
Yes. KoalaMirror has a free Basic mode with no time limit and no card required. Basic runs your phone's apps on the car display through KM Launcher, alongside the stock Android Auto shell. Every new account also starts with 30 days of full features. KM Launcher itself is always free.
Why does KoalaMirror cost money?
The free Basic mode covers the foundation. What a license pays for is the ongoing work on top of it: Android Auto changes with almost every release, and each update can shift what it takes to customize it from the phone. We track every Android Auto version and keep projection working — verified on real devices against Android Auto 16.7 through 17.6. KM Launcher does not rely on Android Auto, so it stays free.
Compatibility
Which Android versions are supported?
Android 12L through 17 (SDK 32+) with Google Mobile Services, verified against Android Auto 16.7 through 17.6 on real devices and emulators.
Does it work with my car?
If your car or aftermarket head unit runs Android Auto, KoalaMirror can project to it. It rides on the standard Android Auto connection your car already supports — nothing is installed on the car side.
Which root solutions are supported?
Magisk, KernelSU, and APatch. A Zygisk runtime is required; if yours doesn't ship one, KoalaMirror auto-provisions ReZygisk during deploy.
In the car
My head unit has no touchscreen — can I still use it?
Yes. Rotary and D-pad head units are supported: the dial steps through items on the projected screen, the four-way nudge moves between areas, and the center press opens. That is the input model behind systems like BMW iDrive, Mazda Commander and Audi MMI. Rotary, nudge, confirm and back always keep their original navigation role and cannot be remapped.
Can I map my steering-wheel or head-unit buttons?
Yes, with full features. KoalaMirror detects the button you press and lets you assign one action on tap and another on long press — projected Home, Recents, Back, opening a specific app, or running a root command. Buttons you leave unmapped are passed to Android Auto unchanged.
Why is the car screen split, and can I keep Android Auto's own layout?
With full features KoalaMirror rewrites the head unit to a full-screen layout for your projected desktop. In Basic mode it does not, which is why Android Auto keeps its own split arrangement. If you have full features but prefer that split view, turn on "Use Android Auto's own layout" in Mirror settings — with full features the Back, Home and Recents buttons stay in place whichever way you set it.
KM Launcher
What is KM Launcher?
A minimal, car-friendly home screen and the companion app to KoalaMirror. It stays fully transparent over the projected wallpaper, uses a glove-friendly editable grid, and keeps a fixed low-distraction dark theme.
Can I use the Launcher without KoalaMirror?
Absolutely. It works standalone on any Android 8.0+ device — phones, tablets, aftermarket head units, even wall-mounted panels. No root needed, and it's free.
Privacy & licensing
What happens when the 30-day trial ends?
KoalaMirror keeps working. It drops to Basic mode: your phone's apps still run on the car display through KM Launcher, with the stock Android Auto shell and a reminder wallpaper. What pauses is the advanced customization — the full-screen car layout with its Back, Home and Recents bar, rotary and D-pad support, display density, steering-wheel and physical button shortcuts, and editable mirror settings. Activate or renew and they come back on the next drive.
What is the difference between Basic and full features?
Basic is the foundation, free with no time limit: the virtual display, Android Auto recognizing KoalaMirror, and KM Launcher on the car screen. Full features add everything that customizes Android Auto itself — the full-screen layout and its navigation bar, rotary and D-pad head unit support, display density, and steering-wheel or physical button shortcuts — plus editable mirror settings. Basic keeps mirror settings read-only and uses a built-in reminder wallpaper.
What data do you collect?
Technical diagnostics tied to a pseudonymous installation ID — setup state, versions, and deploy/projection milestones. After you sign in, they are linked to your account so we can troubleshoot your setup. Nothing is stored on your device, we never read your contacts, files, photos, or messages, and ad personalization is disabled. Retention periods are detailed in the privacy policy.
How many devices can I use?
A license is active on one device at a time. Switching phones? Transfer the license in-app — no support ticket needed.
Is rooting risky? What does KoalaMirror change on the phone?
Root access and system-level modification always deserve respect — only proceed if you know your way around it. KoalaMirror keeps its footprint small: a standard Zygisk module and signed remote configuration, with no changes to your system partition.
Ready to see it on your dash?
30 days of full features, then Basic stays free — no card required.
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