The 2025 HUAWEI HiCar certification update is far more than just "higher barriers." With the official launch of HiCar 6.0 in June, the certification system has fully shifted from function compliance to ecosystem integration capability evaluation—with core logic, testing priorities, and adaptation requirements all evolving.

Based on BLUEASIA’s official August certification announcements and Huawei Developer Portal’s latest October vehicle catalog, this update avoids speculation and unsubstantiated claims, breaking down key impacts: mandatory requirements, hidden adaptations driven by new features, and manufacturer strategies for recertification risks.

1.2025 HiCar Certification Updates

Many search for an official "2025 HiCar new regulations" document—but they’re looking in the wrong place. Huawei has never released a standalone new regulations checklist. This update is a natural evolution driven by HiCar 6.0 rollout, tightened in-vehicle compliance rules, and ecosystem growth. Simply put: Huawei isn’t creating arbitrary barriers—your product must meet technical standards to support new features and scenarios.

Three authoritative drivers underpin this update:

·HiCar 6.0 launched in June (reported by NetEase News on June 23), with new features like 3D vehicle control, computing power sharing, and shake-to-navigate demanding upgraded head unit hardware and software—requiring aligned certification updates.

·Elevated in-vehicle compliance standards (ISO 26262 for cybersecurity, GB/T 17626 for EMC) now mandate automotive-grade validation in certification testing.

·Over 500 compatible models (Huawei Developer Portal, October 30), pushing Huawei to tighten certification controls to prevent "compliant in testing, subpar in production" and ensure consistent user experiences.

The key to understanding this update isn’t memorizing rules—it’s grasping the logic: align with HiCar 6.0’s feature evolution and in-vehicle compliance requirements to avoid pitfalls.

2.Three Core 2025 HiCar Certification Updates：

①Mandatory HiCar SDK V5.0+ Adaptation; Older Versions InvalidatedBLUEASIA’s August 8 official announcement mandates (https://www.cblueasia.com/xingyexinwen/8492.html) that as of June 30, 2025, all new certification applicants must use HiCar SDK V5.0+. Existing certified products on V4.x or earlier must upgrade by January 2026—or face certification invalidation and removal from the HiCar ecosystem catalog.

SDK upgrades aren’t simple version updates—they’re underlying capability overhauls impacting two core areas:

·HiCar 6.0 compatibility: New features like 3D vehicle control dashboards and phone computing power sharing rely on V5.0+ distributed interfaces—older versions are incompatible.

·Data security compliance: V5.0+ adds AES-256 encryption and in-vehicle local data storage, aligning with the latest automotive data security rules. Older versions pose breach risks.

An aftermarket head unit manufacturer’s adaptation lead noted SDK upgrades add 2–3 weeks to development but eliminate invalidation risks—a necessary investment.

②Two New Mandatory Tests for All Products (Including Aftermarket)BLUEASIA’s announcement adds two non-negotiable tests for factory-installed and aftermarket products—fail either, and your application is rejected immediately:

·Mandatory IPv6 support (compliant with RFC8200): As connected cars enter the 5G era, IPv4 shortages make IPv6 critical for stable multi-device collaboration. Testing verifies address allocation and transmission smoothness.

·Wireless connection success rate validation: 30 consecutive connection attempts with a 99%+ success rate (max 1 drop). Targeting top user complaints about wireless mirroring drops, Huawei has strengthened this evaluation.

  Additionally, automotive-grade testing carries more weight:

·Factory-installed models require vehicle road testing: 90-day temporary plate testing for GPS accuracy (≤5m) and 72-hour high-load stability.

·All products must pass EMC tests: Radiation immunity and electrostatic discharge testing to avoid in-vehicle EMC interference with HiCar functions.

·Bench testing costs clarified: ¥20,000–50,000. Aftermarket devices are exempt from vehicle testing but need 30-day continuous operation reports.

③Regularized Recertification; 3 Triggers for RetestingHuawei Developer Portal’s October vehicle catalog marks models like Voyah Dreamer and Xingyuan as "under recertification" (https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/HiCar-Guides/available-models-0000001226230373), reflecting a 2025 regularized recertification mechanism. Recertification is mandatory for 3 scenarios to avoid invalidation:

·Critical hardware changes: Wireless module upgrades (Wi-Fi 5 to 6), core chip replacements (non-equivalent), USB supplier changes (impacting connectivity).

·Major software upgrades: Cross-version HiCar SDK updates (e.g., V5.0 to 5.1), underlying system protocol changes.

·New feature additions: Vehicle data-integrated features (e.g., speed-linked mirroring UI), third-party navigation/music integration (additional Huawei compatibility review required).

3.HiCar 6.0 Rollout: Hidden Adaptation Requirements

HiCar 6.0 centers on multi-dimensional integration, with hidden adaptation requirements not listed in certification standards. Poor implementation leads to subpar user experiences even with certification—potentially triggering Huawei-mandated revisions. These requirements come from June ecosystem summit case studies:

①Hardware Thresholds: Adapt for New Features, Not Just "Meet Standards"

·Head units: 3D vehicle control dashboards need sufficient computing power (min 1080P/60fps) to avoid lag; shake-to-navigate requires gyroscope integration for instant phone-car response.

·Smartphones: HarmonyOS 5.0.0.126 SP8+ required for wired HiCar (Huawei official requirement); Kirin 980, Snapdragon 778G+ or higher chips optimize computing power sharing—older chips may have limited functionality.

②Feature Adaptation: Prioritize Experience Consistency Over "Feature Availability"Huawei emphasized "First-Sight Aesthetics" at the summit, prioritizing driver safety—a hidden certification bonus:

·Minimalist navigation display: Core driving info (routes, speed) shown via floating geometry during split-screen to avoid obstruction.

·Seamless cross-device handover: 3-second head unit response to phone address copying or shake-to-navigate—no lag or parsing failures.

·Complete scenario modes: Nap Mode syncs with AC and seats, activating within 1 second of voice wake-up—no function gaps.

The 2025 HiCar certification update sends a clear message from Huawei: HiCar is no longer just simple mirroring—it’s the core entry to the HarmonyOS in-vehicle ecosystem. Certification isn’t one-and-done—it’s the start of long-term adaptation. Certification approval is just an entry ticket; sustained HiCar 6.0 adaptation, consistent experiences, and compliance are what set you apart from 500+ compatible models.For professional certification consulting, reach out to BLUEASIA at +86 13534225140.