.apk Files or Third-Party Applications on an Automotive Device

Your device is able to read .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.

If the device is not working properly after an .apk file has been sideloaded to it, a factory data reset of the device can be completed to remove the files. Performing a factory data reset will reset the device to factory default settings and delete any saved waypoints, downloaded apps, music, photos, videos, and other data. A factory data reset will also remove eLog driving log data and profile information for the compatible devices.

Before performing a factory data reset, some device data can be backed up to your computer by following the steps in the FAQ  Backing up, Restoring, or Transferring Saved Data on Garmin Automotive Devices. Note that this will only back up saved waypoints, trips, and custom points of interest. Other data, including eLog data, will not be backed up.

To Back Up the eLog Data:

1. On the dēzl™, touch the eLog app icon
2. Touch Settings
3. Touch Back Up Data
4. Insert a USB storage device into the USB port on the Garmin eLog adapter
   • The light ring on the adapter glows green and plays a tone when it is ready to back up data
5. Touch Back Up Data

To Perform a Factory Data Reset:

1. Open the device's Settings menu
   
2. Touch Personal
   • Skip this step on some devices
3. Touch Device Reset
4. Touch Factory data reset
   
5. Touch Reset Device
   
6. Touch Erase Everything
   

The device will restart and prompt you to set up the device again. Note that the device can take longer to start up for the first time after it has been reset in this fashion.