Complete guide · Australia
13.1.33.xxxxxxx.x or 13.1.32.xxxxxxx.x. The method varies by firmware, chipset and vehicle; look up the matching combination before proceeding. This guide may not cover every combination.INSTALLATION METHODS
Native USB — “Third Party Apps 61”
Use this when the original BYD aftermarket installer is still enabled.
This is the simplest method available. Australian head units use country code 61.
- Format a USB drive as FAT32.
- Create a folder in the root named
Third Party Apps 61. Keep the spaces exactly as shown. - Copy the
.apkfiles into that folder. - Connect the drive to the vehicle's data-capable USB port.
- If the BYD password window appears, enter the password accepted by your firmware.
- Select the APKs and install them.
Known BYD installer passwords
20211231
BYD6125F
GHY0613byd
Which password works depends on the firmware generation. If no password prompt appears at all, the USB installer is probably disabled on your build and another method is required.
Engineering menu + IMEI password
No downgrade required. Works on builds that still expose the older engineering menu.
- Pair a phone with the BYD over Bluetooth so the vehicle dialer becomes available.
- In the dialer, enter
*#91532547#*. - If the screen shows an IMEI and asks for a code, generate it with the BYD Secret tool.
- Enter the generated code.
- Enable Wireless adb debug switch and Debug mode when USB is connected.
- Connect with ADB and install APKs directly.
adb connect CAR_IP:5555
adb devices
adb install -r app.apk
BYD Secret online generator ↗
BYD Secret / Package Installer repository ↗
QR factory-menu activation
No downgrade required. For UI revisions that show a QR code instead of the IMEI page.
On newer UI revisions the same dialer code may show a short-lived QR code instead of the IMEI password page. Australian service BAOLAB documents a remote activation flow that completes BYD's existing QR factory-menu process without flashing firmware.
- Open the Bluetooth phone dialer.
- Enter
*#91532547#*. - If a QR page appears, the vehicle may be compatible with the remote QR activation route.
- Once the factory menu opens, enable the USB and/or wireless ADB switches.
- Install apps using standard ADB.
Downgrade to 13.1.33.2404, enable ADB, install Package Installer
The most widely documented route when newer firmware blocks both USB and the old engineering menu.
A 2026 guide specifically targeting the 13.1.33 family uses build 13.1.33.2404 as the downgrade and unlock version.
A. Prepare the downgrade USB
- Remove any SD card from the vehicle.
- Download the 2404 firmware from the download centre below.
- Use an 8, 16 or 32 GB FAT32 USB drive where possible.
- Create the folder structure
BYDUpdatePackage\msm8953_64\. - Place the firmware package there as
UpdateFull.zip. - Keep the traction battery adequately charged and the vehicle powered.
B. Start the downgrade
- Insert the USB drive with the vehicle on.
- Accept the update if the normal updater accepts the package.
- If QR authorisation blocks the update, the documented recovery shortcut is to hold the steering-wheel left/back control together with the centre-console volume/power control for roughly 10 to 15 seconds, until the IVI restarts into the update flow.
- Do not remove power or the USB drive while the firmware is being written.
C. Enable ADB
- Pair a Bluetooth phone.
- Dial
*#91532547#*. - Use the displayed IMEI information with the BYD Secret generator.
- Enable wireless ADB and USB debugging in Test Tools.
D. Install the unlocked package installer
adb install PackageInstallerUnlocked.apk
After this, APKs can normally be installed from a file manager, USB storage or an alternative app store, depending on the package-installer build you installed.
Download 13.1.33.2404 ↗
Download PackageInstallerUnlocked.apk ↗
Full 13.1.33 unlock guide ↗
Legacy 2307 downgrade route
The established pre-2310 path, documented by Defective Tech research.
The older Defective Tech research documents 13.1.33.2307 as the established pre-2310 firmware used to restore the original Third Party Apps and ADB-enablement path.
- Download the Global
Di3.0_13.1.33.2307210.1.18.3.2.2307190.2.zip. - Prepare it as
BYDUpdatePackage\msm8953_64\UpdateFull.zip. - Downgrade using the normal updater, or the recovery-button sequence if it is blocked.
- Use the old firmware to install an unlocked package installer, app manager and/or ADB switch tool.
- Enable ADB and verify with
adb devices. - Upgrade again afterwards, having preserved the installer and ADB setup.
Archive MD5 for the listed 2307 package: 4db4fec9e70f0426620b76853bf279ae.
Defective Tech — 13.1.33 firmware archive ↗
Defective Tech — UpdateFull / recovery procedure ↗
After unlocking
Installing apps day to day, and going back to newer firmware.
Install apps directly with ADB
Once ADB is enabled you no longer need to repeat a downgrade for every APK.
adb devices
adb install app.apk
adb install -r app.apk
# Wireless ADB
adb connect CAR_IP:5555
adb install -r app.apk
Australian Seal owners report keeping wireless ADB available after later manual and OTA IVI updates, and installing APKs directly from a phone. Persistence is firmware-dependent, so verify it after every update.
Install APKs from a file manager or an app store
Installing an unlocked package installer turns future app installation into a normal Android workflow: download or copy an APK and open it from a file manager. You can also install an alternative store such as Aurora Store or F-Droid. One well-documented procedure recommends backing up the original Android Package Installer before replacing it.
Upgrade again after unlocking
The usual workflow is downgrade, unlock ADB and the package installer, install apps, then return to a newer 13.1.33 build. Community reports from Australian Seal and Sealion 6 owners indicate that installed apps and ADB can survive later updates, although this is not guaranteed for every release.
Official Android SDK Platform-Tools (ADB) ↗
PackageInstaller.apk on GitHub ↗
Package Installer + file-manager procedure ↗
Aurora Store ↗
F-Droid ↗
Australian Sealion 6 notes
Australian owners have documented the same general sequence on the Sealion 6: flash an earlier IVI release, enable ADB, then upgrade again. One Whirlpool owner reported upgrading three times afterwards while retaining the ability to install apps through ADB. The Australian All Terrain Action EV channel also published a complete Sealion 6 walkthrough covering downgrade files, ADB enablement, app installation and the return upgrade.
Sealion 6 sideload walkthrough — All Terrain Action EV ↗
Whirlpool — Sealion 6 firmware and sideload discussion ↗
Download centre
| File / tool | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
13.1.33.2404 | Current documented downgrade and unlock build for the 2026 13.1.33 guide. | Download ↗ |
13.1.33.2307 | Legacy pre-2310 unlock firmware; filename and MD5 are listed in the archive. | Firmware archive ↗ |
| PackageInstallerUnlocked.apk | Allows normal APK installation after the initial unlock. | Download ↗ |
| PackageInstaller.apk | Alternative public package-installer build. | GitHub ↗ |
| BYD Secret | Generates the code for compatible IMEI-password engineering screens. | Open generator ↗ |
| Android Platform-Tools | Official Google package containing ADB. | Download ↗ |
13.1.33.2511 | Newer Global full IVI package used after unlock. | Download ↗ |
13.1.33.2602 | Newer Global full IVI package indexed in 2026. | Download ↗ |
Firmware links point to community archives outside DashArc. Confirm the file against the archive checksums before flashing anything.
What is not a separate sideload method
Recovery mode, UpdateFull flashing and fastboot are firmware-management mechanisms. They are useful to reach a build where ADB or package installation can be enabled, but the actual app-installation methods are USB Third Party Apps, the Android Package Installer with a file manager, and ADB over USB or Wi-Fi. Android boxes such as Carlinkit or GBox run apps on an external device, so they are not native BYD sideloading.
Sources
- DeBondor — BYD Unlocking Guide, updated July 2026
- Defective Tech — BYD firmware images / 13.1.33 archive
- Defective Tech — recovery and update procedure
- ahmada3mar/BYD — ADB and Package Installer guide
- Seal 5 third-party app installation guide
- BAOLAB Australia — QR / factory-menu ADB enablement guide
- All Terrain Action EV — Australian Sealion 6 sideload walkthrough
- Whirlpool — Australian Sealion 6 owner reports
- Whirlpool — Australian Seal wireless-ADB owner reports
- Google — Android SDK Platform-Tools
Last research pass: 14 September 2026. BYD changes installer and engineering-menu behaviour between firmware revisions, so check the exact IVI build before following a firmware-specific path.