Related
Hi, I'm running into the issue that the screen is being rendered larger than the physical size of the screen so status boxes sometimes partially off screen and app icons get half hidden in the corners.
I plaid around with build.prop, but it didn't really help any. Is there a way to modify the home screen without changing the resolution? Also, if anyone knows of a way to change icon sizes short of installing a different launcher, that would be a huge plus.
TIA!
I've read that there are limitations in place for the preview image that kind of create this problem. If I understand the problem correctly it may be a case of changing pixel density but the preview image doesn't let you go beyond a certain density so even then the problem still exists. It's probably just something we have to deal with until Honeycomb becomes publically available for development.
This makes sense. The only reason I care about this is that when I use Aldiko, I can't see the top line of text because it pushes the words above the actual screen.
Does anyone have a recommendation for an E-Reader that they use successfully on HC???
xdadidida said:
Hi, I'm running into the issue that the screen is being rendered larger than the physical size of the screen so status boxes sometimes partially off screen and app icons get half hidden in the corners.
I plaid around with build.prop, but it didn't really help any. Is there a way to modify the home screen without changing the resolution? Also, if anyone knows of a way to change icon sizes short of installing a different launcher, that would be a huge plus.
TIA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You changed the LCD density in build.prop and the screen didn't change???
What is your lcd _density set at?
Sent from my NookColor using XDA App
I haven't really looked into this but I do know there are ports of honeycomb for various phones such a the evo, maybe try pulling the build.prop from one of those and see howe they altered screen density.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
i've tried changing the number but havent had much success through the buid.prop. Any ideas on a good number and which number to change? Looks like there are 3 density numbers
For Honeycomb, I found that 120 is the best lcd density, it shows all the options when you expand the settings from the clock, it also displays the correct number of running apps in the quick change button (or whatever you call it) Also, Lcddensity is a good app for trying out diffrent settings. For Aldiko, I recommend increasing the margin size to see the top line of text, not a perfect solution, but it works.
This is something I haven't seen before. I just got a Nexus 6, and on the first day I had it, I poked around on the phone with the OOB configuration, and chrome did work in landscape. Videos would be full screen, etc. Since then, I have:
Upgraded to 5.0.1
Rooted the phone
Removed the encryption
Changed the dpi to 493 with textdroider
Replaced the google launcher with Nova
Set the desktop grid to 8x7
Now, if I switch the chrome into landscape mode, the page takes up the whole screen for about a second, but then half of the screen becomes black, like there is an overlay over it. It cuts off the bottom half of the page. This happens when playing full screen videos in chrome too. Everything else on the phone, including the desktop.
I put the dpi back to its original value, but that didn't matter, so I changed it back. I've also set the desktop grid in Nova back to its original settings, which also didn't matter. I tried using chrome beta, but it has the same issue. Has anyone experienced this before? I haven't found any other examples of this. I tried to take a screenshot to post here, but the screenshot came out looking normal.
Fixed it.
Setting the DPI back to 560 fixed the issue. It must just not like the 493. I tried 520, but that didn't work either. I'm going to try 480 now, since 493 looked pretty nice.
cptInsane0 said:
This is something I haven't seen before. I just got a Nexus 6, and on the first day I had it, I poked around on the phone with the OOB configuration, and chrome did work in landscape. Videos would be full screen, etc. Since then, I have:
Upgraded to 5.0.1
Rooted the phone
Removed the encryption
Changed the dpi to 493 with textdroider
Replaced the google launcher with Nova
Set the desktop grid to 8x7
Now, if I switch the chrome into landscape mode, the page takes up the whole screen for about a second, but then half of the screen becomes black, like there is an overlay over it. It cuts off the bottom half of the page. This happens when playing full screen videos in chrome too. Everything else on the phone, including the desktop.
I put the dpi back to its original value, but that didn't matter, so I changed it back. I've also set the desktop grid in Nova back to its original settings, which also didn't matter. I tried using chrome beta, but it has the same issue. Has anyone experienced this before? I haven't found any other examples of this. I tried to take a screenshot to post here, but the screenshot came out looking normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Change lcd density to 560 in /system/build.prop, save changes, exit, and then reboot. 520 was the closest I've found that was free of issues but chrome would still have that issue in landscape with side buttons down. In landscape with side buttons up, however, chrome works fine in landscape in 520. I'm sure other values will provide the same but it seems other apps get affected.
480 was a no-go
Nope, issue persists on 480 too. Guess I'm going to be stuck at 560 until this is figured out.
cptInsane0 said:
Setting the DPI back to 560 fixed the issue. It must just not like the 493. I tried 520, but that didn't work either. I'm going to try 480 now, since 493 looked pretty nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
460 DPI seems to work for me. I had issues with 480 and other DPI I tried as well. Seems hit or miss at certain settings.
460 works fine. I started at 480 and had half black screen as well.
I have been fiddling with different settings and 498 was the lowest/smallest I have been able to get with out any issues what so ever. With other numbers that I have seen seem to work but then I always end up with letters in the keyboard being cut off from the pop-up when I tap them. I don't know much about how the screen works and how scaling works to figure it out which DPI's will work with out any issues.
493 dpi over here.
I experience half black screen bug in landscape when i rotate my phone in such way that my power/volume buttons are on the buttom of the phone and if the keyboard is not present.
if I rotate the phone in proper direction, meaning, when the phone is in a landscape position and my power/volume buttons are located at the top of the phone, bug isn't present.
if keyboard is present and the phone is in landscape mode( power/volume buttons on the bottom) position results in keyboard flashing/constantly trying to redraw itself every time I press on keyboard.
Black overlay bug is system wide for me, not just in chrome(also present in other browsers, message app, file manager, etc), so I think the bug lies in Google Keyboard not liking 493dpi in landscape.
{ I'm as well, removed the encryption, root'ed, 5.0.2(AOSP, LRX22G, Pure Shamu) with Nova(12x7 grid) as default launcher. }
I just wanted to let you know that this issue seems to be resolved on Android 6 / Marshmallow.
I'm now able to set the density to 384dpi without getting the infamous half black screen in landscape mode (when the phone is rotated clockwise).
FYI: 384dpi is the highest value possible to keep the UI in tablet mode (including 4-way screen rotation, etc). From 385dpi up the UI switches to phone mode.
I just used the phone for half a day and thoroughly enjoy it. On first impression, the phone is very light for the size and they give nice accessories considering the price; earphones, screen protector, case. The phone have an RGB notification light.
Interface:
-The interface is not stock Android, it's more like a modified version of MIUI. It's very usable once you install your choice of stock launcher, replace the default keyboard, and disable some of the bloat apps.
-Since it's not stock Android, I find it take a bit of time to get used to finding things in the Settings menu.
-The swipe up hardware toggles (Control center, similar to iPhone toggles) are pretty useful and more well organized than stock Android imo.
-Screen off gestures, you get many different commands (double tap on, camera, flashlight, customize your own, etc) and it work pretty good.
-Feature to display network speed on the notification bar
-"Close all" button in the recent apps menu.
-There is a feature to modify apps permissions called "Permissions of App".
-I can not find the shortcut to "Smart Lock" window anywhere, even though it is supported in the OS, if you pair a bluetooth device it will display the notification to enable it. But there seems to be no way to get to the actual Smart Lock window to enable other smart lock features, or I miss it somewhere.
Performance:
I installed all my programs pretty quick. I don't see any lag issues. All the apps launches fast and run smoothly. I don't intend to play any heavy games on a $100 phone, all the light games I play like Subway Surfer and Horizon Chase have no lags.
Connection:
Cell: The dual sim feature seems to work good. I still have to to test the signal quality, but I have to say the data speed is average. I get about 10 to 12mbps down for T-Mobile LTE speed test.
Bluetooth: I'm happy to report the Bluetooth have good performance, the motion of people lips in videos are in synced with the audio from the bluetooth speaker.
WiFi: Can reach high speed, no problem.
GPS: No problem.
Storage:
There is a strange quirk with the phone which is by default your microSD is acts as the main 'internal storage' of the phone (sdcard0), and the actual internal storage act as external (sdcard1). So it would help if you use a fast microSD. I think this is because I have the microSD inserted the first time I set up the phone. Maybe this problem can be prevented by not inserting the microSD for the first time you boot up the phone. I don't know, but I'll just live with it.
Display:
The screen is very nice for a 5.5" 720p AMOLED display. It's not going to be sharp, but it the pixels are smooth so you don't get so much of that pixelation effect. Pretty much deep black, saturated colors and good viewing angles you expect from AMOLED. It's definitely not the brightest of display though, so you might have some problem under direct sunlight.
Camera: I haven't used it too much, but it's pretty average. Like all lower end camera, it have issue with under/over exposure, also the white balance is really off on auto mode. I like the manual mode that let you control the ISO and shutter speed. It's no where bad in good lighting condition, I'd say it takes good enough details for a budget phone.
Speaker: Very average, don't expect much here.
Charging: I used my Anker quick charger and it seems to charge the device fast and safely.
Ringtones selection:
The only thing I don't like is that if you have music in your phone, when you go to change the default ringtones, it will display every single songs in your phone and you have to scroll through it. The way to remedy this is to use the file manager in the phone and create a file called ".nomedia" in your music folder, so the phone will not recognize songs in it. Once you set your desired ringtone, you can remove that file. Or you can simply use a third party app to do the job.
Aside from some quirks, I honestly have no complaints so far, I would have no problem paying the full $150 for this device. I definitely like it better than the Moto G3, except that Motorola phones tends to have superior signals and call quality compared to most other brands. I definitely will not use this phone without a case though since it's on the light side.
Couple of things I noticed
1. The navigation buttons at the bottom (Home, Back & Option) does not have backlight. Not sure if there is a LED there that can be enabled in settings. I couldn't find any setting for that.
2. The data connection drops from 4G LTE to 'H' (HSPA) when on a call.
One of thing I notice about the Gallery app in this phone is there is an "Encrypt" option. If you press it accidentally it encrypt the file and move it into the "Pictures\.GallerySafe" folder. To access the encrypted photo, you have to "pinch outward" in the app.
No Smart Lock support: I tested and even though the smart lock feature turned on when you paired a bluetooth device, it actually doesn't work.
Here are some photo samples. The main problem are over exposure, white balance detection and some lost of saturation. The quality suffers when you're indoor with less lights.
https://goo.gl/photos/j9BrJ7gcbDCXBQgD6
The LED notification light seem like its set a ways under the glass and has this really bright shining affect versus a little glow other devices have.
I must say, the amoled screen on this is quite impressive for $100 phone..
wifi and data speeds are very similar compared to my oneplus 2 (both running Tmobile)
I noticed that the user cannot remove home screen icons. Like when you press and hold there's no option to remove the icon. Some apps show an option to uninstall. But for some pre installed apps there is no option to remove the icon.
Like Google chrome, opera browser, BLU help, amazon etc....
I don't want to uninstall the app, just remove from home screen.
Yea I noticed the LED light being very bright. I could read a book under that lighting.
hamilLewiston said:
I noticed that the user cannot remove home screen icons. Like when you press and hold there's no option to remove the icon. Some apps show an option to uninstall. But for some pre installed apps there is no option to remove the icon.
Like Google chrome, opera browser, BLU help, amazon etc....
I don't want to uninstall the app, just remove from home screen.
Yea I noticed the LED light being very bright. I could read a book under that lighting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just use another launcher. google now, nova
eksasol said:
One of thing I notice about the Gallery app in this phone is there is an "Encrypt" option. If you press it accidentally it encrypt the file and move it into the "Pictures\.GallerySafe" folder. To access the encrypted photo, you have to "pinch outward" in the app.
No Smart Lock support: I tested and even though the smart lock feature turned on when you paired a bluetooth device, it actually doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The smart lock is really baffling. It prompts to turn on smart lock but never works after that.
tlxxxsracer said:
just use another launcher. google now, nova
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, that's what i finally did
so i found that there is an option on the desktop settings to 'hide' apps that you don't want to see on the desktop. it will hide the apps, with a password / pin. i'll post a guide later.
I've been using the Honor 5X a bit today so here is a comparison.
Things I prefer on the Vivo XL:
-This is a faster device. Everything about the Blu is more responsive and I don't think it's down to just the 720p display. It seems that this Mediatek CPU is actually pretty decent, games are smoother on it as well. In comparison, Honor 5X is slightly sluggy, not just in the interface, but in apps as well. This is probably due to the EMUI OS on the Honor 5X.
-Blu's UI is actually easier to understand and getting used to, especially if you're not accustomed to MIUI style interface on the Honor 5X.
-I'm not sure if it's due to the screen protector preinstalled on the Honor 5X, but the Blu touchscreen is a bit more sensitive and responsive to touch. Though it's not bad on the Honor 5X.
-The slide up "Control Panel" on the Blu is more useful with lots of options. Hate to admit it, but I prefer this slide up behavior more than Android's default because it's faster being close to your thumb. The notification toggles for the Honor 5X is missing a few options, but not a big deal.
-Blu is thinner and more light weight.
-The USB Type C connector is god sent.
-Removable battery.
Prefer on the 5X:
-Sharper screen that is very bright, its actually brighter than some highend flagship devices. The viewing angle isn't great however, but that is non-problem because it's a phone, not a TV.
-The camera is (only) slightly better. It have a bit more details and much better handle at white balance. Although the Blu camera's tap to focus is faster and more responsive. At this price range, it's not a big difference between the two phones.
-While their EMUI interface takes time to learn, it have some useful features, such as network control for apps. This let you disable data or wifi access for any apps you want, which is a very useful security feature.
-Very nice metal body.
-Finger print scanner, which I don't use.
It's a bit hard to choose which phone I would use as the daily driver. I think that if you go with the Blu, the software is good enough that you don't need to install custom roms. If you go with the Honor 5X, I believe you will need to install custom roms if you want the most out of the performance. I would have to pick the Blu Vivo XL as better value for the money, since it performs better for $50 less, and may last longer due to removable battery and USB Type C connector (more durable than microUSB). Also I like it when companies throw in free phone case and headphones, which is lacking in the Honor 5X packaging.
hamilLewiston said:
so i found that there is an option on the desktop settings to 'hide' apps that you don't want to see on the desktop. it will hide the apps, with a password / pin. i'll post a guide later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wheres the guide?
Thanks you for this app
1. The volume button and power button are too close together. The amount of times I went to reach the power button to turn off the display and accidentally took a screenshot by pressing power and volume down together.
2. The back is way too slippery. If the phone is on my bed and and leaning on the mattress slightly, the phone moves. Even just tapping the screen to navigate makes the phone slowly move away. Have to keep putting the case back on.
3. Gloves don't work with the front mounted sensor button. Not really blaming Huawei for that, but if out and about and gloved, you can't press the home button as the sensor won't work. I disabled my navigation bar which is the main reason I got this phone for full screen real estate. Thank God I can add the Navigation Floating Dock on the Quick Tiles so I can enable and use that when gloved and out.
4. Battery is good but not what I was expecting. Same as my Mate 9 battery life and yet I thought the Kirin 970 was 50% more efficient than the 960.
5. Wish camera had more slow motion speeds.
6. Persistent Android System notification but that's an Oreo thing and not a Huawei thing.
Having said all that I love this phone and it's the best phone I ever had.
Only had mine two days so more annoyances will probably come to light.
Agree about the power/volume button positioning.
Also since I've got a glass screen protector on it, it's a bit harder to access the sensor (have to press down into it) which is a bit annoying since it's my main means of navigating back and home as well as unlocking.
Infact the same sensor/button being used for both back (short press) and home (long press) is also awkward as I frequently do one when I mean to do the other.
Finally, it seems a bit complicated seemingly with multiple apps and settings for the same thing (though I am coming from Windows Mobile which might seem simpler as it didn't have many apps)
Agree great phone though (probably my best ever also)
I just got my mate 10 (alp-l29,black,4gb) from UAE.
1. Inability to theme notification/quick toggle area - stays black no matter what theme you apply. Looks out of place considering all notifications except spotify are light/white themed.
2.home button with 3 functions is not as easy to manage as I thought, but I will have to get used to it, since i aint giving away screen real estate and use on screen buttons on this monster.
3. Display settings in regard of View Mode and Text Size are not perfect, meaning that View Mode setting does not change size of text for notifications and they just look to big unless you use small text, but then again small text and default viewing area makes other areas look to big like whatsapp, chrome and so on. the best setting for perfect view View Mode - Small, Text Size - Normal, while taking into account that in such combo your notifications will be large/too large to fit notification are when you receive 3-4 messages/emails.
Otherwise I love this phone. Its fast, lag free. Kinda fat, but in combo with the weight, I like how it sits in my hand.
For the first time I quible only about thickness. Anything over 8mm feels a little thick...
tboy2000 said:
3. Gloves don't work with the front mounted sensor button. Not really blaming Huawei for that, but if out and about and gloved, you can't press the home button as the sensor won't work. I disabled my navigation bar which is the main reason I got this phone for full screen real estate. Thank God I can add the Navigation Floating Dock on the Quick Tiles so I can enable and use that when gloved and out..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well to update my post, I just tried with a very thin pair of unlined black leather gloves I own and in fact the sensor button DOES work while gloved. So I can press it to go back and forth and navigate as usual. It does not work with fingerprint recognition apps/phone unlocking of course, but once you are in, they do work.
FYI they are a UK brand: Dents Extra Soft 3000 silk lined gloves but I ripped out the silk lining to make them unlined and for more flexibility and thinness and to work with the sensor. ?
jemeljsh said:
3. Display settings in regard of View Mode and Text Size are not perfect, meaning that View Mode setting does not change size of text for notifications and they just look to big unless you use small text, but then again small text and default viewing area makes other areas look to big like whatsapp, chrome and so on. the best setting for perfect view View Mode - Small, Text Size - Normal, while taking into account that in such combo your notifications will be large/too large to fit notification are when you receive 3-4 messages/emails.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPDATE.
I found a solution to this issue where none of the combinations of View Mode and Text Size settings give you ideally looking system, meaning not too large or not too tiny. At default everything looks to large IMO and they should done better on qhd 6.0” screen. If not by default, view mode needs 5 not 3 steps.
So far the best I got is with this combo of settings:
1. View Mode and Text Size at Small;
2. Dpi @392 (under Developer Settings).
With this settings I believe the text size and viewing area is appropriate for qhd 6” screen.
For me,
I simply hate the single button implementation. Especially for recent task action, sometimes it ends up detecting my swipe as a tap, and going back accidentally
If one button is indeed a must, then i prefer the Meizu style implementation, where i can simply swipe up from bottom screen to access recent.
Current huawei implementation is too slow to my liking, not to mention, its a waste of space, since we can actually put something next to the button
otonieru said:
For me,
I simply hate the single button implementation. Especially for recent task action,
If one button is indeed a must, then i prefer the Meizu style implementation, where i can simply swipe up from bottom screen to access recent.
Current huawei implementation is too slow to my liking, not to mention, its a waste of space, since we can actually put something next to the button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thikn the one button is great. but the beauty of android is that you can simply change to something like Nova Launcher and get this swipe-up-for-recents functionality :good:
snachez said:
I thikn the one button is great. but the beauty of android is that you can simply change to something like Nova Launcher and get this swipe-up-for-recents functionality :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that might be true if we are on home page,
But if we are still using an app, swiping up will only do scrolling :silly: , and the point of getting into recent screen is of course, for switching between app
Also,
I kinda expect by this time, huawei would already implement off screen gesture. At least for skipping song,
I mount my phone on my car center dash often, using maps and streaming spotify,
Without off screen gesture, its too troublesome, since i need to reach the phone while driving (not to mention its dangerous)
Because of this, now most of that job done by my Meizu Pro 7
They already implement "Knock & Draw" feature to launch app, so i dont see why they still cant get offscreen gesture
I miss the double tap to wake.
Do you have an app for this ?
maniyoshi said:
I miss the double tap to wake.
Do you have an app for this ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't need that for Mate 10. Its one tap on fp to wake.
Hi. I don'l line che "twin app" that is no wotking with other launchers and there isn't a toggle to manage the duble sim (favorite ecc..)
maniyoshi said:
I miss the double tap to wake.
Do you have an app for this ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I missed double tap to wake. Huawei should not remove the set data limit feature as well.
I overall like the phone but couple things
Camera is disappointing. Not as good as expecting. I do believe it's the software side letting it down. I was more impressed with the pixel 1 and HTC u11 camera
Battery life could be better. It's good but should be better with the battery size. Again seems needs more software tweaks. Inside just browsing with WiFi I can get up to 7-8 hours SOT. it just seems when I'm at work. I use a little sat nav and mobile data and a bit of music streaming it drains quickly. Just as quick as phones with smaller battery's
The software. I like emui . I like it a lot more than I thought. But it definitely is a bit buggy here and there ..again software updates could improve this
Another really picky thing...even though I really can't notice this isn't a 2k screen and is 1080p and it's a gorgeous screen. It still would have been nice to have the option. Especially since all flagships at this price and above have 2k screens
windozeanti said:
Yes. I missed double tap to wake. Huawei should not remove the set data limit feature as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought data limit is still there? In mobile data setting.
Or are we talking about different thing ?
Reuben_skelz92 said:
I overall like the phone but couple things
Camera is disappointing. Not as good as expecting. I do believe it's the software side letting it down. I was more impressed with the pixel 1 and HTC u11 camera
Battery life could be better. It's good but should be better with the battery size. Again seems needs more software tweaks. Inside just browsing with WiFi I can get up to 7-8 hours SOT. it just seems when I'm at work. I use a little sat nav and mobile data and a bit of music streaming it drains quickly. Just as quick as phones with smaller battery's
The software. I like emui . I like it a lot more than I thought. But it definitely is a bit buggy here and there ..again software updates could improve this
Another really picky thing...even though I really can't notice this isn't a 2k screen and is 1080p and it's a gorgeous screen. It still would have been nice to have the option. Especially since all flagships at this price and above have 2k screens
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- I don't know... different people report different experience. I mean some people are getting a lot of SOT and some not. which is quite confusing.
- also, the same regarding the camera, some say it is amazing some say not that good, check this post, what do you think about it:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-10/how-to/mate-10-vs-pixel-2-xl-camera-t3707909
according to these pics, Mate 10 definitely wins over pixel 2 xl !
well these 2 things are what is going to make me buy the mate 10 in few days. so i was looking for reviews around the web to make up mind.
Shady282 said:
- I don't know... different people report different experience. I mean some people are getting a lot of SOT and some not. which is quite confusing.
- also, the same regarding the camera, some say it is amazing some say not that good, check this post, what do you think about it:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-10/how-to/mate-10-vs-pixel-2-xl-camera-t3707909
according to these pics, Mate 10 definitely wins over pixel 2 xl !
well these 2 things are what is going to make me buy the mate 10 in few days. so i was looking for reviews around the web to make up mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The camera definitely isn't bad. But hasn't given me that wow factor. Especially in low light. Like I said I think after a couple software updates things will improve slot. No doubt the battery is good but could be better considering the Battery size
I've switched from One Plus 2 to Mate 10 and I think the Mate 10 could use some gestures,like hold home button to lock the phone etc. Right now, it's just pressing the power button to lock the phone. Bugs me.
The other thing i've noticed is that, there's no dark theme on Mate 10, but there's dark theme on the Mate 10 pro. Besides, another thing that irks me is the fact that we can't mute the shutter sound in 3rd party apps even when you're in silent mode. Like if my phone is in silent mode and I want to send a pic using the whatsapp camera, i can't disable the sound.
focacciabread said:
The other thing i've noticed is that, there's no dark theme on Mate 10, but there's dark theme on the Mate 10 pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because the Mate 10 Pro has an OLED screen and white backgrounds consume more power, so they give you the option to use black backgrounds to save power. The standard Mate 10 has an LCD screen and white backgrounds be are not an issue.
The always on display which doesn't display any useful notifications is quite annoying.
Turn Your Galaxy S9 into a Google Pixel
Unless you own an Exynos model, there won't be much development on the custom ROM front for the Galaxy S9. But that doesn't mean you have to put up with all of the UI quirks from Samsung Experience (née TouchWiz). With a little work, you can give your S9 a stock Android makeover, even without root.
To be clear, you can't remove TouchWiz. It's baked in to the Galaxy S9's framework, so it's not as simple as installing a custom launcher like Nova or Action. But if you apply several mods in that same vein, you can actually get the Galaxy S9 to look and behave quite similarly to the Pixel 2. From the home screen to the Google Dialer and the Pixel's wallpapers, the following tips will all but turn your S9 into a Pixel.
Tip 1: Install the Pixel 2 Launcher
Installing the Pixel 2 launcher is the biggest step you can take in turning your S9 to a Pixel 2, as it replaces the TouchWiz home screen app with Google's. The launcher isn't available on the Play Store though, so you'll need to sideload the app. To do so, tap on the link below to download the Pixel Launcher APK, then open the file and press "Install" when prompted.
Download Launcher
Note: If you download the APK through Samsung Internet, you shouldn't have any issues. But if you use a different browser like Chrome, you may be prompted to grant the browser permission to install apps. If so, just tap "Settings" on the prompt, then enable the switch at the top of the next screen.
Press your home button after installing the launcher. A prompt should now appear on the bottom of the screen asking which launcher you'd like to use. Tap on "Pixel Launcher" and your home screen will now be almost identical to the one found on the Pixel 2.
Alternatively, you can set Pixel Launcher as your default by going to the Apps menu within Settings if no prompts appear. From there, select "Pixel Launcher," then tap on "Home screen" and choose "Pixel Launcher."
It's worth noting that the newest Pixel 2 Launcher has the added bonus of featuring a functional At a Glance widget, along with Google Now integration, adding tremendously to the Pixel experience while on your Galaxy S9. For more information on this ported version of the Pixel Launcher, check out the link below.
Tip 2: Get the Google Dialer
The Pixel's stock phone app isn't available on the Play Store and will also need to be sideloaded. You can get the newest patched version of the stock Pixel phone app by tapping on the following link, then launching the APK and pressing "Install."
Download Dialer
Once you've installed it, you'll now want to set Pixel's phone app as your default dialer, so head the Apps menu in Settings. Next, tap the three-dot menu icon and select "Default apps," then choose "Calling app." Finally, select "Phone" from the list, which uses a circular blue icon.
Now open the Google Phone app. You'll need to grant it a few permissions to allow the app to access your phone, contacts, and camera, so tap "Allow" when prompted. After granting it access, you'll now be able to make and receive calls through the Google Phone app. To learn more about your new dialer's features, check out our full guide below.
Tip 3: Get the Google Dialer
The Pixel 2 has another Google app called Android Messages to handle texting. While unimpressive at first glance, it features a clean Material Design interface and supports the new RCS Universal Profile for iMessage-like texting on T-Mobile and Sprint. Best of all, this app can be installed directly from the Google Play Store.
Download Android Messages - Play Store
To set the app as your default messenger, simply open Android Messages once you've installed it, then follow the setup prompts. Tap on "Yes" on the confirmation prompt that appears, then you're good to go.
You can also perform the same steps that were done with the calling app to make Android Messages your default app for texting. So if you want to go this route, follow the steps you took in Tip 2 to make the phone app a default. This time select "Messaging app" and choose Android Messages as your primary means of handling SMS messages.
Tip 4 Set Gboard as Your Default Keyboard
The Pixel's primary keyboard, Gboard, is one of the best keyboard apps available right now. This awesome app lets you perform Google searches, share GIFs, and much more — all from within your keyboard. If you're not already using Gboard, now is the perfect time to make the switch, so head over the Play Store or tap on the link below to install the app.
Download GBoard - Play Store
Now, open Gboard and follow the prompts. Tap on "Select Input Method" and choose the one labeled "Gboard" to make it your default keyboard. Finish up by giving it permission to access your contacts by tapping "Allow" on the prompt, then exit the app. After you're done, Gboard will now pop up automatically whenever you need to type something.
If you've grown accustomed to the built-in number row that comes with the Samsung keyboard, fret not, you can add it to Gboard in the app's settings. And that's just the tip of the iceberg, as Gboard has tons of cool features that's sure to impress once you've given it a try. Feel free to head to the link below if you'd like to learn more about Gboard.
Tip 5 Browse the Web with Chrome
no comment
While your Galaxy S9 may not be able to run true stock Android, this method gets you as close as currently possible to the experience you would have with the Pixel's minimalist OS. How are you liking the Pixel experience on your S9 so far?
Why don't you buy an pixel instead?
ion1s said:
Why don't you buy an pixel instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
f1.5 camera, sd 845 (if in the us) etc.
matteosaeed said:
f1.5 camera, sd 845 (if in the us) etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And not everybody like the Touchwiz Launcher and other Samsung Apps.
Or somebody like the Samsung Hardware and the Pixel Software.
There are some reasons for somebody.
Xperience Z said:
And not everybody like the Touchwiz Launcher and other Samsung Apps.
Or somebody like the Samsung Hardware and the Pixel Software.
There are some reasons for somebody.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trust me. I wish a XDA would work with a manufacturer and release one XDA branded phone.
This is from here, right? https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/turn-your-galaxy-s9-into-google-pixel-0182948/
Yes it is but the mods have forbidden me to post the extern link
Unable to use dialer with two sims
Hi i am using the exynos version of the galaxy s9 plus. I am unable to use the google dialer for my second sim. The dialer doesnt show two call buttons for two differnt sims. Please help
Thanks for this thread. I am loving the google experience on my s9plus. Althiugh i am using the nova launcher instead of the pixel launcher.
To each his own, but Nova is for me (and many, many others) a far better launcher than Google's, and Swiftkey has the best prediction engine by far. And all the Samsung apps can be easily themed dark, unlike Google's versions which insist on being blindingly white.
ion1s said:
Why don't you buy an pixel instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, the lack of wireless charging is what made me pick the Samsung over the pixel. I love just having the charging puck to set the phone on.
Claghorn said:
For me, the lack of wireless charging is what made me pick the Samsung over the pixel. I love just having the charging puck to set the phone on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then, why you need to slow the phone with stupid launchers?
The omission of wireless charging was hugely disappointing when Google announced the Pixel 2 (and when they announced the first Pixel, for that matter). Many of us have been wirelessly charging for 5+ years. Even mediocre cars are coming with wireless charging pads in them. Google surely would have sold many more Pixel phones had they included Qi, as there are plenty of Samsung owners like me who don't really WANT a Samsung, we just want the best hardware and keep ending up with a Samsung device.
I have no clue what ion1s is going on about. He asks why you would slow down the phone with stupid launchers... pretty sure the answer is obvious (Nova is 100x better than TouchWiz, for one). I honestly feel sorry for people that use a Galaxy with the default launcher and default 4x4 grid homescreen layout. Like, wow your 6.2" screen has a whole 8 icons you can put on your homescreen since the clock takes up 4x2. And the dock + dots take up the entire bottom 1/3rd of the screen. Pathetic. These 2:1 ratio screens are perfect for a 7x5 desktop grid with 7 dock icons. That's 42 usable areas of the homescreen (with half increments too) compared to the anemic 16 with TouchWiz (no half increments, and can you choose 4x5 or higher in TouchWiz now? I honestly haven't used TouchWiz on any of my dozen Samsung devices ever, especially since my first Samsung was the Galaxy Nexus). Default TouchWiz homescreen is like those universal remote controls or calculators with HUGE buttons - great for old people that have terrible vision, useless for everyone else...yet people keep their default launcher, default icons, default wallpaper, default ringtone, etc. I see it all the time, even people my age in their 30's that are seemingly good with technology....their phone will ring and it's the default Verizon ring-tone and default everything on their phone...these people should just get an iPhone since they don't even know options or settings exist on their device.
ion1s said:
Why don't you buy an pixel instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a fair question. If I were looking at S9 Plus vs Pixel 2 XL, I may have gotten the XL. However I determined I didn't want a phone any bigger than the Nexus 5X I had at the time. Others have stated other reasons that also matter to me (wireless charging, camera). S9 also has a bigger battery and an SD card slot. But my biggest reason was the S9 has a 5.8" screen versus the 5.0" of the Pixel 2, while being marginally larger than the pixel but still smaller than the Nexus 5X.
I can live with having to strip out the Samsung bloat and waiting a little longer for android updates.
snake2332 said:
The omission of wireless charging was hugely disappointing when Google announced the Pixel 2 (and when they announced the first Pixel, for that matter). Many of us have been wirelessly charging for 5+ years. Even mediocre cars are coming with wireless charging pads in them. Google surely would have sold many more Pixel phones had they included Qi, as there are plenty of Samsung owners like me who don't really WANT a Samsung, we just want the best hardware and keep ending up with a Samsung device.
I have no clue what ion1s is going on about. He asks why you would slow down the phone with stupid launchers... pretty sure the answer is obvious (Nova is 100x better than TouchWiz, for one). I honestly feel sorry for people that use a Galaxy with the default launcher and default 4x4 grid homescreen layout. Like, wow your 6.2" screen has a whole 8 icons you can put on your homescreen since the clock takes up 4x2. And the dock + dots take up the entire bottom 1/3rd of the screen. Pathetic. These 2:1 ratio screens are perfect for a 7x5 desktop grid with 7 dock icons. That's 42 usable areas of the homescreen (with half increments too) compared to the anemic 16 with TouchWiz (no half increments, and can you choose 4x5 or higher in TouchWiz now? I honestly haven't used TouchWiz on any of my dozen Samsung devices ever, especially since my first Samsung was the Galaxy Nexus). Default TouchWiz homescreen is like those universal remote controls or calculators with HUGE buttons - great for old people that have terrible vision, useless for everyone else...yet people keep their default launcher, default icons, default wallpaper, default ringtone, etc. I see it all the time, even people my age in their 30's that are seemingly good with technology....their phone will ring and it's the default Verizon ring-tone and default everything on their phone...these people should just get an iPhone since they don't even know options or settings exist on their device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, I actually looked at TouchWiz for all of 10 seconds when I received the phone just to see if anything had changed. Amazingly, on what I noticed in that short time, Samsung has managed to keep the same crappy launcher seemingly unchanged since I first used it years ago. Like you, I'm amazed that anyone actually uses it considering it's lack of any features.
Whoops wrong thread
Hi, just to contribute about the discussion "why didn't you but a Pixel in the first place?".... I'm a big fan of pure stock Android and Google experience, but I just got an S9 because it's very popular over here, so I was able to find it at a very very good price from my carrier.
At some point I'll just flash a custom rom such as LOS, but for the time being I'd like to keep my warranty and just installing key apps.
Xperience Z said:
[...]
Tip 2: Get the Google Dialer
The Pixel's stock phone app isn't available on the Play Store and will also need to be sideloaded. You can get the newest patched version of the stock Pixel phone app by tapping on the following link, then launching the APK and pressing "Install."
Download Dialer
[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for these tips. May I ask you a bit more info about the dialer APK link you posted? Does it have any mod, or is it similar the the one available on apkmirror? Did you made it or just repost something which was already available?
Inviato dal mio SM-G960F utilizzando Tapatalk
clem_ita said:
Hi, just to contribute about the discussion "why didn't you but a Pixel in the first place?".... I'm a big fan of pure stock Android and Google experience, but I just got an S9 because it's very popular over here, so I was able to find it at a very very good price from my carrier.
At some point I'll just flash a custom rom such as LOS, but for the time being I'd like to keep my warranty and just installing key apps.
Hi, thanks for these tips. May I ask you a bit more info about the dialer APK link you posted? Does it have any mod, or is it similar the the one available on apkmirror? Did you made it or just repost something which was already available?
Inviato dal mio SM-G960F utilizzando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty much a repost of this page so it's not something the OP made.
https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/turn-your-galaxy-s9-into-google-pixel-0182948/
Has anyone else been having trouble with the patched Google dialer app force closing on their SD S9?
ChauncyG said:
Has anyone else been having trouble with the patched Google dialer app force closing on their SD S9?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't. I didn't get the one posted here but I do use the same version and have used that version for my Honor 8 and now my S9.
Tel864 said:
I haven't. I didn't get the one posted here but I do use the same version and have used that version for my Honor 8 and now my S9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response. Now that I know it's possible to work as it should I'll keep digging into things to see if I can get this right.