That is is true. But I can tell you it won't work with that latest update.
55.00.650A/753A/760A / 56.00.521A-NA(NA N)
56.00.100A/230A/240B/511A/512A/513C/514A-ADR(4A N)
56.00.100A/210A/230A/511A/512A/513A/513B/513C-EU
56.00.401A/403A-JP / 59.00.445A-JP / 56.00.100A-CHN
58.00.250A-NA(NA N) / 58.00.251A-ADR(4A N)
59.00.326A/330A/342A/442A/443C/449A/450A-ADR(4A N)
59.00.330A/441A/443A/446A/450A-NA(N NA)
59.00.330A/331A/443C/447A/449A-EU
**59.00.502A/504A/532A-NA/-EU/-ADR
It only work on the ones above except the last ** one. This is because Mazda flat out removed the USB accessibility.
Youre only option, yes there is one very advanced option, is to remove the radio, wire in a cable to attach a computer, use SSH to login to the head unit and enable the USB port. THEN use the AIO.
Yea, crazy, right?
Mazda did not do it on purpose, before anyone gets any ideas. I am one of the individuals who's contributing in the "other" forum w.r.t. tweaks.
1st: What 7E wrote is correct. If you've done a firmware upgrade recently / dealership did it then you're completely locked out.
Reason: There's a security hole identified. Mazda had to fix it. The same can be exploited via the USB port and upload into vehicle - malicious software. Not really applicable in NA but in other regions the Wifi setting can be activated and thus if enabled the software will spread into your smart phone, etc. (potentially).
In order to fix it, a security code is now implemented and without the handshake nothing will happen.
What 7E wrote about the work-around is also correct. Yes, in order to circumvent it you'll need access to the back-side of the head unit and via a special adapter log-in into the head unit (which BTW runs a rather decent Linux distro) via SSH to work around the bypass. However, each and every time you'll need to do it as and when you'd like to upgrade. Furthermore by doing so or by NOT upgrading to official Mazda firmware you're effectively locking yourself out from upgrades into foreseeable future.
Collectively, we are of the opinion the SSH approach will also stop very soon as it relies on the simple hack which 100% Mazda is already aware.
In short - if you really need the features: do NOT upgrade. If upgraded already: forget using the features.
Lastly: In my trusted dealership I personally witnessed a 2017 CX-5 having freeze issues with BT and screen however dealership upon determining look and feel not matching what Mazda provided has refused to fix under warranty and even when customer offered to pay since dealership has no idea what changed and what to fix. The only option made available to the customer was a complete replacement of the head unit which was priced at $2200 with labor (he had navigation).
Disclaimer: I used to heavily apply tweaks and had a lot of stuff. In addition - I was playing around bringing in the video from my built-in Mazda dash cam (lane departure/etc.) into my 2016 head unit. All of which I removed right after what I witnessed at the dealership and now using the stock firmware - latest.
The only real hack I'd be interested in is how to keep getting updates for free beyond the initial 3 years for my navigation.
This details out the security flaw which post identification - MZ fixed.
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