We’ve had a ton of experience with the T-Style radios and have gathered our knowledge together in this FAQ that hopefully will answer a lot of your questions regarding the features, operation, installation and troubleshooting of the system. We highly recommend reading through this whole section both before your purchase and prior to installation so you can gain a better understanding of the capabilities of the unit, the idiosyncrasies of the various installations and some tips and tricks that will help your install and setup of the system go much smoother.

We will be adding to this section as time goes on, and are happy to take feedback from owners in order to make this FAQ as definitive as possible. Feel free to contact us with your feedback on our Contact Form.

APPLICATIONS & FEATURES:

• Will the system work on my truck?

  • The GM XL T-Style radio works on these models:
    • 2014-2018 Silverado & Sierra 1500 with RPO codes IO3 (4″ screen), IO4 (4″), IOB (7″), IO5 (8″) & IO6 (8″) with Bose (UQA) or non-Bose audio systems. Non-Bose systems are fully compatible with the harnesses included in the box. Bose systems require additional adapters at additional cost.
    • 2015-2019 Silverado & Sierra 2500/3500/4500/5500 with RPO codes IO3 (4″ screen), IO4 (4″), IOB (7″), IO5 (8″) & IO6 (8″) with Bose (UQA) or non-Bose audio systems. Non-Bose systems are fully compatible with the harnesses included in the box. Bose systems require additional adapters at additional cost.

• Where do I find  the RPO codes in my truck?

  • The RPO codes are usually in the glovebox and consists of a silver label that has dozens of three character codes that signify the option codes for the options your truck was built with. RPO codes IO3 (4″ screen), IO4 (4″screen), IO5 (8″screen), IO6 (8″screen w/navi) and IOB (7″screen) are the codes that signify which radio system was installed. The UQA code indicates the truck has the Bose audio system and will require the Bose adapter if you want to retain the Bose amplifier.

• What factory functions are maintained when I install the XL T-Style radio?

  • Providing the truck was originally equipped with it, the following functions will be maintained: Factory rear camera, factory wi-fi hotspot, chimes and turn signal audio from factory speakers (Bose systems only), chimes and turn signal audio from outboard speaker (non-Bose systems), front & rear sensor graphic display, audio & seat buzzer warnings, OnStar, steering wheel controls, all factory USB ports, HVAC functions (for all versions of factory controls), vehicle settings, .

• Can I keep the factory CD player with the T-Style radio?

  • No.  The factory CD player is removed when installing the T-Style radio.

• Can I keep the factory satellite radio tuner with the T-Style radio?

  • No.  The factory satellite tuner contained in the factory radio and is removed when installing the T-Style radio.

• I can’t lose XM! What are my options to keep it?

  • The XL can run the Sirius/XM app to allow retention of satellite programming.

• Making my phone into a hotspot is a pain – are there other ways to add wi-fi if my truck did not come with it?

  • Yes. The XL now allows you to add a SIM card to allow the radio to have its own data plan. it can even function as a hotspot for other devices in the vehicles, like ROKU, etc.
• Will the T-Style system make my manual climate controls into the dual and or Automatic controls?
  • • No.  The system will turn your manual controls into touch screen controls but it will not add the functions of the Automatic temp control or dual climate control.

• Will my factory camera still work?

  • Yes.  The radio will retain your factory back up camera and retain the factory parking and dynamic (moving) lines. It will also provide graphic display of front and rear sensor data on the rear camera screen. However, the factory camera is notoriously bad quality, so you may want to consider the upgrade option.

• Can I add an aftermarket camera to the T-Style radio?

  • Yes.  The system comes with 3 dedicated camera inputs, front, right and rear.
    • If your truck does not have a factory rear camera, one can be added and will trigger by default in reverse.
    • The right turn signal input is triggered from the right turn signal. The front camera input is accessible manually.
    • All camera inputs will need to be turned on in the Settings Menu in order to be used.

• Can I add a third brakelight or trailer camera to the system as an add-on to the factory rear camera?

  • Yes.  Although the “FRONT CAMERA” input is primarily designed for use with a front-facing camera, since it is manually operated via the touchscreen, it can be used for any camera view.
    • If your truck does not have a factory rear camera, one can be added and will trigger by default in reverse.
    • The right turn signal input is triggered from the right turn signal.
    • The front camera input is only accessible manually.
    • All camera inputs will need to be turned on in the Settings Menu in order to be used.

• Will my factory Steering Wheel Controls work?

  • Yes.  It will retain the all the functions of the steering wheel controls EXCEPT the voice control button due to the system not having any voice control functions

• I use voice control for everything! How can I get it back?

  • If you use the PhoneLink app for Car Play or Android Auto, those apps will support full voice command (Siri and Google Assistant) just as they do on the phone.

• Will I need to purchase any other parts to install this T-Style radio into my car?

  • No. Our system comes 100% complete with everything needed for a standard installation in non-Bose systems.
    • If your vehicle is equipped with the Bose audio system, it will require the purchase of the optional Bose adaptor.

• Does the T-Style Radio retain the factory Bluetooth microphone?

  • No.  Bluetooth functions require the use of the supplied microphone.

• How many USB inputs does the T-Style System have?

  • XL Systems come with 3 USB inputs.  The factory USB input(s) are retained (1 or 2 ports) and there will be 1 additional universal input.

• What can I use the USB’s for?

  • Music & Video Play back.  The T-Style systems supports the major audio and video formats.
    • Audio: MP1, MP2, MP3, APE, WMA, WAV, OGG, OGA, FLAC, ACC, M4A
    • Video: MPG, TS, DAT, VOB, MP4, MOV, 3GP, AVI, MKV, TS, FLV, RMVB,RM, WEB, WMA, ASF
  • Data transfer.  You use the USB inputs to run firmware updates as well you can use them to download music/video files or 3rd party Android applications.
  • PhoneLink System.  See following question for more info on the PhoneLink System.

• Can I use a mouse/keyboard on the T-style radio?

  • Yes.  Since the Android tablet that runs the system has USB inputs, any USB keyboard or mouse should work, including wireless devices that use USB receivers.

• Will the T-Style Radios work with an iPhone?

  • Yes.  The system will work with both Android and Apple phones.  You can connect either through Bluetooth to do hands-free calling and music streaming.  You can also use the PhoneLink system for wireless Car Play to give you onscreen access and control to your phone’s text messages, music, navigation and select applications, (ie. Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, Waze, etc.)

• What navigation system does the radio come with?

  • The system comes with Google Maps already installed, but any navigation app you can download from the Google Play Store can be used in its place. NOTE: All app-based navigation systems will require the use of a internet hotspot (either a dedicated hotspot or your phone hotspot) for their data.

• Can I get a navigation system with the radio that DOES NOT need to use internet data to operate?

  • YES. For situations where you will be traveling and can’t rely on cell coverage, or you have a limited data plan, you can either download “offline” content in Google Maps or install another navigation app that allows for offline use.

• What version of Android does the T-Style Radio system run?

  • Android 11

• Can you upgrade the Android version?

  • No.  All of the CANBUS protocols for this unit have been written to work on the Android 9 platform.

• How big is the built-in hard drive on the GEN 6 T-Style radios?

  • 128GB w/8GB of RAM.  A note of caution: the more memory you use for applications and media, the more likely to affect the speed of the system.

• Can I go online with the T-Style radios?

  • Yes.  The T-Style radios are Android tablets, and so are able to do the majority of the same things a standard tablet can do – things like access to the Google Play store for apps, a web browser for internet exploring, etc.  The system will require a data connection to go online.

• Does the T-Style have a built SIM Card that I can activate with my cell phone provider?

  • Yes.  The system will allow for a SIM card to be used.

• Can I connect a T-Style Radio to aftermarket amplifiers?

  • Yes.  Front, Rear and Sub RCA outputs allow you to connect to your aftermarket amplifiers.  The RCA output is a low voltage so if you plan on building a high end system, we suggest using a 3rd party DSP or Line Driver to up the voltage on the RCA.

• How do I know if there are firmware updates that are designed for my radio?

  • You will always be able to keep firmware updated over the air (OTA) by checking for updates in the Settings>Upgrade section.

• How do I update my system to the latest firmware?

  • Connect to a strong, high speed network (not a hotspot), and go to Settings>Upgrade. Tap on each section to check for updates. If one is found, apply it and let it install and reboot. Shut off the truck and reboot the radio before checking for and applying other updates.

• How long is the warranty?

  • 1 Year.  All Linkswell products have a 1 year replacement warranty from time of purchase.

• Is this system the same as the other brands out there?

  • NO!  Linkswell is not related to any of the other brands selling a similar-looking product.  Linkswell has their own product development team and software engineers that do product development out of their Southern California office. Others, notably the Rhino and Phoenix Android radios, are based out of China and have little to no North American presence or support. ADC Mobile will not sell other brands, as we have not determined that their commitment to quality is the equal of Linkswell.

Installation:

• Can I do the installation myself? How difficult is it and how long should it take?

  • YES! However, it depends entirely on your skill level and your willingness to approach the installation with care and caution.  You should be familiar with hand tools and be able to follow instructions IN THE ORDER GIVEN. You will absolutely need to take your time, read the instructions, watch our videos and do a methodical, step by step install. Fully 80% of our customers do it themselves, with guidance from the paperwork included with the unit and by watching the installation and demonstration videos. We will try as much as possible to assist you in attempting the installation yourself, with phone support from installers with decades of experience.
  • We categorize this install at a 1-2 on a 10 scale of difficulty (again, provided you read the instructions and watch the videos), as there no operations that require anything more than basic hand tools and reasonable care to complete. On this system, most people will do the installation start to finish in under 4 hours.

• Is there anything I need to do on the factory radio before I remove it?

  • No. You will be able to review the wi-fi password after the installation via the OnStar menu, so you do not need to retrieve that prior to removal, but it wouldn’t hurt if you took a picture of it. :- )

• Are there any tips or tricks that will make the installation easier or minimize the possibility of damage to the radio or my truck?

  • YES! We have over 110 years of professional installation experience on the ADC Mobile staff and we’re happy to pass along “best practices” to help with your install – feel free to call us if you get stuck on any step, and we’ll be happy to help. Here are some of the major tips that will help your installation go smoothly:
    • Use the right tools: This installation will require 7 & 10mm sockets, plastic trims tools, a pick or a small flat blade screwdriver and some small zip ties.
    • Protect the new radio and the truck: Don’t do any work in the truck before bringing a blanket from the house and covering the center console of the truck so that you don’t have to worry about scratching the radio bezel or the truck’s console. Nothing will wreck your day faster than ruining the finish on your new radio!
    • Take your time! Allow plenty of time for the installation and setup of your new radio. Rushing the install or not covering all of the setup steps required once it’s up and running adds to your frustration and to ours. Do the install on a weekend when the truck doesn’t need to be used. Do the setup when you can spend the time to learn the system and explore all of the menus.
    • Have an extra set of hands available: Since this is a BIG radio with a lot of harnesses attached to it, a second set of hands will definitely make things easier. Try to line up a spouse or a friend to lend a hand when it comes time to make all of your connections.
    • DO NOT PRY PLASTIC PANELS APART WITH METAL TOOLS! To remove the trim around the factory radio, we suggest that you use a plastic trim tool. These are readily available online or in your local auto parts store, and most sets cost less than $10.
    • The metal clips that hold the factory radio trim into the dashboard will need to be swapped to the new radio. You can use a small pick or flat blade screwdriver to remove these clips, but do this on your kitchen table – don’t swap them inside the truck where they can fall on the floor and get lost. Leave the plastic film on the radio and new trim bezels, and consider laying a soft cloth or towel down as you install the clips onto the radio and bezel pieces.
    • Make sure to check your work, and test the system BEFORE you bolt it all back together! There will be nothing more frustrating than getting the system all done and bolted back in only to find that you overlooked a connector or have something plugged into the wrong spot. Although you may want to admire the finished product ASAP, do yourself a favor and check ALL FUNCTIONS before you bolt it back in.
      • Make sure the radio works and it pulls in stations on both AM & FM. If FM works and AM does not, check the connection on the antenna adapter.
      • Make sure all USB ports charge your phone and play digital media. If you can’t charge on the factory USB ports, make sure you plugged the USB extensions in to the GREEN and BLACK USB cables at the factory HMI module.
      • Make sure the Bluetooth system works and that you can make calls using the outboard microphone. If not, make sure the microphone is plugged in tight.
      • Make sure the steering wheel controls work.
      • Make sure you hear OnStar audio – press the menu button on the mirror to get the OnStar menu.
      • Make sure the HVAC system is set and works properly. If you have the AUTOMATIC A/C controls, follow the programming steps in the HVAC setup.
      • Make sure the radio can pair to your hotspot and that it connects to the internet. If not, make sure the small rubber antenna is installed and tight and that you are entering the password properly. You can review the password on the OnStar menu.
      • Make sure the backup camera works.
      • Make sure Google Maps is able to get a GPS fix. If not, check the GPS antenna connection.
      • (OPTIONAL) Make sure the DVR camera operates. If not, check the USB connection and that the connection in its harness is plugged in tight.

• Do you have any tips if I have this professionally installed?

  • YES! If you choose to have a professional installer do the installation, we HIGHLY recommend that you encourage them to watch the installation video in order to familiarize himself with the process. Most professional installers have never seen these types of radios, and so are not familiar with every step required for a successful installation (and most of them HATE reading manuals or watching installation videos). We have had many instances of customers calling because portions of their systems did not work as intended, and the majority were caused by the installer overlooking all of the connections that needed to be made, and not testing the system before delivery.
  • If you do decide to have it professionally installed, we will gladly talk to your installer to pass along our tips and tricks.

• The installation guide included with the unit is not very explicit. How can I find more information on the installation process?

  • We agree that the installation guide included with the system is pretty bare-bones. We HIGHLY recommend that you watch the installation video and review all of the videos on the “DEMO VIDEOS” tab on this page in order to familiarize yourself with the system.

• My truck’s radio doesn’t look like the one in the installation video – is my installation different?

  • The installation video covers the install on an 8″ factory screen radio with a Bose audio system. The basic operations are almost identical for the IO3, IO4, IO5 and IO6 systems. If your truck does not have the Bose audio system, the only difference is that you will not plug in the Bose adapter. The IOB (7″ screen) system is different and we will attempt to get a video covering this installation up as soon a s possible.

• Does the GPS antenna need to be mounted outside or need to be visible in the truck?

  • NO. The GPS antenna does not need to be mounted outside the truck and does not need to be visible inside the truck. As long as there is no metal between the top of the GPS antenna and its view of the sky, it can be mounted almost anywhere. We normally mount it under the dashboard in the area to the right of the defroster vent under the trim at the base of the windshield.
  • If your truck came with factory GPS (IO6), we believe that we can use the factory GPS antenna by installing an antenna extension like this.
  • DO NOT MOUNT THE GPS ANTENNA UNDERNEATH ANY METAL!

• Where is the best place to mount the supplied microphone?

  • We ALWAYS recommend clipping the mic to the forward edge of the headliner in the center of the truck in front of the rear view mirror. Extensive testing has proven this to be the most effective location for hands-free call quality due to the fact that the headliner is specifically designed to quiet the interior and soak up vibrations from the road.
  • You may also consider zip-tying it to the harness that feeds the factory mirror.
  • DO NOT mount the microphone to any hard plastic surfaces if at all possible, as any vibration from these panels will transmitted directly into the mic, affecting sound quality.

• What is the blade antenna for and do I need to use it?

  • The plastic “blade-type” antenna supplied with the radio is the wifi antenna and is required to be used in order for the radio to pick up wifi signal from the truck or phone’s hotspot. Be sure to snugly tighten it with a wrench (DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN) before finalizing the installation so it will not loosen over time.

• What are the blade antennas with the plastic plugs for and do I need to use them?

  • These are the antennas for cell connection if you use a SIM card. You will need to use them if you plan on using a SIM card.

• My truck came with factory navigation – can I re-use the factory GPS antenna with the T-Style radio?

  • Possibly – we are testing whether a GPS antenna extension like this will work reliably and will report.

• Do I need to use all of  the harnesses supplied with the radio?

  • NO. There are harnesses for IO3/IO4/IO5/IO6 systems and for IOB systems – you will not use both.
  • The T-Style radio comes with all harnesses and adapters required to install the unit in trucks that were equipped with the 4″, 7″ or 8″ screen, with the base audio systems (Bose audio systems require an optional adapter), and also comes with RCA harnesses and adapters that allow you to connect it to outboard amplifiers and other accessories.
  • We do recommend plugging in all of the additional plugs that came with system into the proper ports on the back of the unit, regardless of whether you intend to use them or not, simply so that if you ever decide in the future to add amplifiers or other accessories, all of the plugs will be there instead of getting lost in the garage somewhere…

• Do I retain the CD player in the standard installation? In the Bose installation?

  • No. The CD player will be removed for all installations.

• I have the Bose system – which harnesses will I need to use?

  • The only additional harness used for the Bose system is the one that ships with the adapter

Tech Support:

• Why does the clock keep changing time on my T-Style Radio?

  • The system receives data for the clock from a few different sources which can sometimes cause the clock to change times.  To fix the clock issues, follow these steps:
    • Go to “Settings”
    • Then “More Settings”
    • Scroll to find “Date & Time”
    • Be sure you turn off all the “Automatic” settings
    • After turning off all Automatic settings go to manually set “Time Zone”
      • (You have to set the time zone before you change the time or the time will revert to the time zone that it is set at)
    • After setting the time Zone the clock should show the correct time.
      • If the clock skips an hour
        • Go back to “General Settings”
        • Press the clock Icon and switch the “DST” option
          • If that doesn’t fix it go back to the Time Zone options and select a time zone that makes the time display correctly on the screen.

• I have automatic A/C controls. How do I change the climate control settings?

  • If your truck was equipped with the AUTOMATIC climate control, you will need to do this procedure to set it to the proper setting (NOTE DO NOT CHANGE ANY OTHER SETTINGS IN THIS MENU!):
    • Go to “Settings”>System>Setting Guide>Car Model/AC
    • Tap on “SILVERADO/SIERRA”
    • There will be three drop-down boxes – “PROTOCOL”,  “CAR INFO” & “LOGO SETTINGS”.  Make sure “PROTOCOL” is set to “SIMPLE”, then under the “CAR INFO” drop-down, choose “AUTO A/C”. When done, press “OK”, then press the “BACK” arrow, then press “SAVE” and “REBOOT NOW”. The system will reboot and your controls should be set for automatic A/C

• How do I  get my iPhone’s contacts to sync to the Bluetooth on my T-Style Radio?

  • iPhones require you to approve the syncing of your contacts to our Bluetooth System.  To do that you use the settings in your phone
    • Go to “Settings” on your phone
    • Then “Bluetooth”
    • Finds the T-Styles Bluetooth in the list and select the “i” in a circle icon on the right side
    • Then turn on the “Sync Contacts”

• How do I connect the T-Style radio to the internet so I can run Google Maps and my apps?

  • You must connect the radio to a data source such as the SIM card in the radio, a hotspot built into the vehicle, dedicated mobile hotspot or a hotspot built into your cell phone since the T-Style radio needs an internet connection in order to run any app-based navigation system, or any apps that require data.
    • To connect the radio to a wi-fi hotspot, hit “Settings”, then “More Settings” and click on “Wi-Fi” and turn it on. Identify the network you want to use from those displayed and enter the username and password for the network.
    • More than one wi-fi network can be paired to the system, but only one can be active at a time. For instance, you can pair to your home wi-fi network for use while parked in the driveway, and pair your phone’s hotspot for use while driving. If the network pairing doesn’t switch automatically, you must go to “Settings” – “More Settings” – “Wi-Fi” in order to change the network manually.

• How can I make the “NAVI” button run a different navigation app?

  • The system comes loaded with Google Maps pre-assigned to the “NAVI” icon, but you can have this run any other app instead by assigning in the “Settings” menu:
    • Open the “Settings” menu and click “User”.
    • On the Navigation setting, choose the app you want to use for navigation

• Some apps in Google Play Store tell me they are incompatible with my version of Android – why?

  • The Android version in this radio is 9.0. Some apps require higher levels of Android in order to install and run. Fortunately, the T-Style radio allows you to install “.apk” (app) files directly through USB, so you can download and install apps without having to go through the Google Play store. This means you can find and download older versions of most apps from “APK Mirror” sites around the world that will be compatible with Android 1.

• I’ve downloaded an APK file – how do I install it?

  • Once you have downloaded your APK file to your computer, copy it to a USB drive, then bring it to the radio and plug it into one of the USB ports. Open File Manager and navigate to the USB drive. Click on the APK file. Open with “package Installer”.  You will be asked if you want to install it. Choose “YES” to install the file. Once installed, it should show up under the App List, where you will be able to click on it to run the app.

• Why does my screen go black when I turn on my right turn signal?

  • If you have not installed a right-side camera but have that camera enabled in the menu, it will switch over to the right camera screen but display a black screen. To stop this function, go to “Settings” then “System Settings” (the icon with a single gear).  Scroll through and turn off the “Right Camera”.
• Can I change the background on my T-Style Radio image?
  • Yes. The launcher allows you to customize the home page background

• Why can’t people can’t hear me in Bluetooth calls?

  • You have to be sure you use the separate microphone that came with your T-Style radio.  There is no built-in mic on the face of the radio nor are we able to retain the factory microphone.

• My factory USB port is dead – it will not charge my phone or allow me to play music from a USB stick- what is the problem?

  • The system comes with USB extension cables that allow you to retain the factory USB ports. These need to be plugged into the factory HMI module. Only the GREEN and BLACK harnesses at the HMI module are factory USB cables. If you only have one factory USB port instead of two, you can utilize the factory-type extension harness for the factory USB port and the two universal female USB’s for the additional inputs.
  • Be sure that you DID NOT plug any USB extension harness in the the BLUE USB cable at the HMI module – although the plug will fit, the BLUE harness is actually a video output cable for the factory screen.