Since the device is several years old, many units require a battery replacement to maintain the 5-hour runtime originally advertised . 4. Official "Soft" Migration
for running custom software, the VIO's hardware is highly specialized as a "second screen." How To Reverse Engineer A Bluetooth Device
A retro-styled media playback controller for your handlebars.
Note: Due to map formatting updates over the years, this method has a fluctuating success rate depending on your phone's OS version.
Carefully de-solder the old battery leads and solder the new battery to the board. Apply a fresh bead of silicone sealant or electronics adhesive around the rim before pressing the screen back into place to maintain its waterproof rating. 5. The Future: Can It Be Fully Repurposed?
However, TomTom officially discontinued support for the Vio, removing the companion app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This left thousands of perfectly functional devices bricked by software abandonment.
However, after TomTom officially discontinued support and removed the companion app from official app stores, many working units were left bricked or highly limited. If you have one of these stylish devices sitting in a drawer, you do not need to throw it away.
Look for the final released version of the TomTom VIO app (typically v1.x series).
Hold the power button down for an extended period until the device resets completely.
The TomTom Vio does not have a standalone GPS receiver or an independent operating system capable of running standard apps. It uses a proprietary, encrypted Bluetooth mirroring protocol. The device simply displays video frames sent by the official smartphone app and sends touchscreen coordinates back to the phone. Locked Firmware
To mitigate the loss of the device, TomTom offered many VIO owners a as a loyalty gesture . While this doesn't fix the VIO hardware, it provides the updated maps and traffic data the VIO was originally designed to show . TomTom VIO discontinuation
Restart the app. Your custom locations will now be searchable and viewable on the Vio screen. Hack 3: Hardware Hacks for Infinite Battery Life
The Ultimate Guide to the TomTom VIO: Customisation, Lifeline Hacks, and Alternatives