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.
Related
Well, I got a refurb. 32GB Nexus 6 on ebay.
Love the phone, so far I unlocked the bootloader and manually flashed the latest 6.0.1 image from the google site.
I have not yet rooted the phone or installed a custom recovery.
I am wondering what kind of tweaks you guys are running on the phone?
So far I want to have these:
DPI change - icons and UI are huge
Black Settings menu
Vibration strength needs to go down
Speaker volume increase
Double Tap to wake
Possibly a better camera app (not sure which one is best, im coming from Lg G4-that phone was crap, battery life and heat killed it for me)
"DPI change - icons and UI are huge"
Pointless, waste of time, unnecessarily risky. Buy Nova Launcher and you can have as many small icons on your home screens and app drawer as you like. (If you're interested I'll post a screenshot).
"Double Tap to wake"
Requires root. I use the app Double Tap to Wake, and it's pretty good but doesn't work 100% of the time. I read a long time ago that it's in the ROM but Google disabled it for this very reason - doesn't work every time, so a flaw in the hardware/ROM, not in the app.
These two in conjunction minimise the use of the power button - and you don't have to look far in this forum to find how many people have power button problems. Double Tap to wake the phone, and Nova's swipe gesture (paid version only) to lock it - great combination. Plus all the other stuff that Nova does, so much stuff that I doubt I use a quarter of its functionality.
And I don't have shares - I'm just a very happy buyer...
I made my own rom.
And Nova Prime is on offer now on Play Store for 50p - 70 cents...
for dpi, i've used an app called textdroider_dpi and set mine to 420 with no problems. Everything works fine - Play store, Android Pay etc and it looks great.
For volume, use the ROM in my sig. It's sweet
Looks like the OP has lost interest...?
The purpose of this thread is simple...
To discuss anything that will truly add features to our phone... As we know this is a light skinned version of stock Android
And here I will be presenting links to apps and threads and everyone can contribute... Which add features to Op5...
Not just ui customizations..... Features...
Definition of a feature...
Something which your phone does which it couldn't do before that app..
So come on guys.. Lets start...
Though I did hate the laggy TouchWiz. I did live the s pen and S note...
And honestly speaking you wll too...
Let's try and customize our Op5.. To the extent that we want to...
This thread will present a series of apps and threads links etc..
Which will help the user to truly add whatever features they want from whatever skin htc sense Samsung TouchWiz to their op5
And I am no developer so please help me out here...
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
1.fooview
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fooview.android.fooview
Thai all add the air command and scrapboom like features to the phone ..
What it does....
Allows you to take custom screen shots and save content like scrapbook for later use...
It is also a over screen float like air view...
It kinda blows samsung air view out of the box... But ya note devices do have bigger screens...
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
2.featured I am looking for
An action memo like on screen memo taking app..
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
MacroDroid - Device Automation
MacroDroid is a powerful task automation and configuration app that focuses heavily on usability with a simple UI and logical step by step process.
Amazing UI. In my experience better than Tasker.
How about Always On AMOLED - BETA?
It's a simple app which keeps your screen on always (like MOTO devices). Nice and cool. If you pay a small amount you get an unlocked version with customization...
Loved the suggestions guys... Specially the always on amoled
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
I have two minor additions I'd want added:
1. More customizable theme colors (or honestly I just want red back!)
2. Invertable color option for the system tray
TL;DR add automatic rules
I had a note 5 I loved it, unfortunately it didn't like the hot tub.. TBH I never used the pen much, but when I did it was handy, perfect for field work; snap a pic, doodle on it, send it off. Awesome! I was torn between buying a note FE or the OP5, I'm glad I stuck with OP from a 2 to a 3 to a 5. I've become a flash-a-holic.
The feature I'd love to see is "automatic rules" you can actually get access to the setting on OOS if you have nova launcher, but it just doesn't work. I'm using "#1 profile" to automatically set the phone to priority only at bed time, this shouldn't be a difficult thing for OP to add/activate to OOS.
I'd also like the old dialer, or for that matter any other dialer, swipe down to answer for me is counter intuitive. Like thumbs up thumbs down, swipe up to answer, or swipe down to reject a call.
I wish you could choose the text bubble colour in the default sms app. Like textra or Google messages (too bad they don't have a dark theme for Google messages).
A setting to switch the wireless data indicator from 4g to LTE, I'm not sure why this bugs me, but it does.
How about Tiles? Also, Virtual Hosts is excellent for setting up a root free ad block. Just download one of Steven Black's host files from GitHub and point the app to it.
Would love for buttons and gestures (especially screen off) to be able to invoke app shortcuts. Just imagine the possibilities for Tasker.
Always on display.
Notification badges on the stock launcher so I can enjoy the shelf.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 AM ----------
murali.tk said:
How about Always On AMOLED - BETA?
It's a simple app which keeps your screen on always (like MOTO devices). Nice and cool. If you pay a small amount you get an unlocked version with customization...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a nice app and I have paid to support but the battery hit is just too much right now compared to what you get using LG or Samsung's version
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I don't understand why not a single stock ROM has long-press volume to skip track. Its such a simple feature. Its baked into every single custom ROM out there. It was there on Sony Ericsson phones (Walkman and K series). I need to get the damn phone out of the pocket, turn the screen on, unlock, open notifications shade, and press to skip a god damn song. (Not all headphones come with buttons, and not all headphones support skipping songs by multi-pressing the buttons.)
2 features I'd love added:
1. Long press back to kill app
2. Brightness slider in notification drop down. I know there is one, but you have to fully extend it to change it. My S7 had the option to place it in the first drop down.
Yeah I agree with most of you, some useful additions:
1. Badges on the Stock OP Launcher! I love it from my iPhone and sometimes forget to answer because I swyped the notification away and no badges to know there are still unread messages
2. Always On or something similar, but only if it doesn't use too much battery and no burn-in
3. Kill all apps in background with one button gesture
I'd love to see OMS commits get to OOS and probably experiment with the Kernel a bit (I know you can flash a custom, but if you'd like to stay complete stock, without unlocking). Maybe improve audio libs similar to ARISE....
How about a one-handed mode feature? That would be pretty helpful.
- Options to block QS & Power menu on secured lockscreen. (Smart Lockscreen protector app does the job, but it's service doesn't start at boot until the first unlock...)
- Skip music tracks using volume keys
- Built in Caffeine tile (the one from play store works well, but doesn't reset when turning screen off).
- Launch torch using power button long press when screen is off
- One-handed mode
- Center status bar clock
Hi guys,
1- badges for notifications. All my previous phones had this function.
2- more functions in auto mode for camera app, it's too basic for me. And in pro mode, I cannot set up the luminosity if the speed is in manual.
3- ultra power saving mode, like Samsung does, very useful when no more battery and we know no access to electricity for several hours.
4- Resize several pictures at the same time. Sometimes I need to send some pictures but the weight is too big.
1. Badges for unread msg or any notification
2. Always on
3. Camera should have more modes
4. Blurred wallpaper on lock screen
Always on clock
Ability to have status bar icons anywhere ie: signal on left
Ability to use dual cameras for wide angle
Ability to use normal USB-C to HDMI cables (not displaylink, Chromecast and wireless solutions are not fit for gaming, one of the 1+5s strongest points)
Screen off/on animation
List view animations
Full halo support
I'll think of more but that's my list of wants
After recently rooting my J7, I've decided to use one of the resolution changing apps to give my phone a 1080x1920 pixel faked resolution, with a dpi of 280. For the most part, it works. Some built-in apps such as the camera or even the touchwiz launcher (seems some UI elements used hard-coded numbers to define regions, or in case of the camera, the view is almost a quarter of the screen with black around the edge, and the touch input is offset to a different corner.
All else seemed good, until I realized another major flaw - the call screen - it works, however when trying to pull up the keypad when in a call, it only displays a single, gigantic 1 button. no other buttons are available. Button-based menus are of course now impossible to navigate... unless every button to press is 1, 1 and 1. And then 1.
Can't take pictures of it now as the resolution change causes an issue for screenshots - I'll need to get a screenshot app for this, but ultimately, are there apps that replace the call screen? I thought a dialer app would fix this but the one I have only replaces the text/call/contacts apps, not actually calling. I'd prefer there to be an app that can replace it, as it seems most third party apps are almost never hard-coded to a specific resolution, meaning I'd imagine it should work on my modded phone.
If more explanations are needed I can try to provide some screenshots as needed when i'm done. I'm really hoping I don't have to reset the screen. I love how everything works otherwise...
anthonyloprimo said:
After recently rooting my J7, I've decided to use one of the resolution changing apps to give my phone a 1080x1920 pixel faked resolution, with a dpi of 280. For the most part, it works. Some built-in apps such as the camera or even the touchwiz launcher (seems some UI elements used hard-coded numbers to define regions, or in case of the camera, the view is almost a quarter of the screen with black around the edge, and the touch input is offset to a different corner.
All else seemed good, until I realized another major flaw - the call screen - it works, however when trying to pull up the keypad when in a call, it only displays a single, gigantic 1 button. no other buttons are available. Button-based menus are of course now impossible to navigate... unless every button to press is 1, 1 and 1. And then 1.
Can't take pictures of it now as the resolution change causes an issue for screenshots - I'll need to get a screenshot app for this, but ultimately, are there apps that replace the call screen? I thought a dialer app would fix this but the one I have only replaces the text/call/contacts apps, not actually calling. I'd prefer there to be an app that can replace it, as it seems most third party apps are almost never hard-coded to a specific resolution, meaning I'd imagine it should work on my modded phone.
If more explanations are needed I can try to provide some screenshots as needed when i'm done. I'm really hoping I don't have to reset the screen. I love how everything works otherwise...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install Google Phone apk and set it as the default dialer app.
It also replaces the incall screen
Ruturaj Kadam said:
Install Google Phone apk and set it as the default dialer app.
It also replaces the incall screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. It worked like a charm. Thank you so much!
I read somewhere that you can choose the Asus UI or stock Android UI when setting up the phone. Is that true or do you have to buy something like a "Google play edition" phone to get the stock Android UI?
loudog3114 said:
I read somewhere that you can choose the Asus UI or stock Android UI when setting up the phone. Is that true or do you have to buy something like a "Google play edition" phone to get the stock Android UI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have read, only the international version will have that option. The china version is locked down to the ROG ui
I can confirm (I have the chinese Tencent version), the non-global version does not offer this option.
ROG UI is not the worst though, the logic and behaviour is quite stock, it's of course visually where it's a bit... intense.
aolazaba said:
I can confirm (I have the chinese Tencent version), the non-global version does not offer this option.
ROG UI is not the worst though, the logic and behaviour is quite stock, it's of course visually where it's a bit... intense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah its a pretty awful... brown.
Personally, Google stock rom experience is so boring. ASUS latest stock roms are one of the best roms I had to experience. They add a few essential apps and not useless bloatware and even if you redeem them to be you can easily uninstall them if you wish so.
Can anyone list the feature of this rog UI ?
Though i still prefer stock UI, more simple.
Shady282 said:
Can anyone list the feature of this rog UI ?
Though i still prefer stock UI, more simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-Black/ light mode interface for the settings menu including the notification shade.
-Mobile manager app to control every app in the system, the control is at the system level not like 3rd party apps on the play store.
-Wifi/mobile data control at the system level.
-built in call recorder.
-Game Center/ Armoury Crate.
-ASUS default launcher and local market app store.
-Most importantly "Gesture Navigation" full screen experience without Google useless implementation.
-Dual apps, one hand mode, long screenshot ability, always on panel(removed for now),AI features, gestures to launch certain apps when screen is off.
Other than that it's the Google stock experience.
ASUS roms are very light currently speaking. The rom comes with 4 to 5 Chinese apps at tops of which you can uninstall any time you like.
P.S maybe there are other minor features I forgot to add but the ones i listed are the major ones.
Hello everybody.
I noticed there are some issues trying to use third party launchers such as NOVA or SmartLauncher.
Or, at least, that's what happens to me with the One UI 3.1.
I've been using NOVA since my first NEXUS and since then, moving to S7 up to the Note 10, even after choosing to be part of the Beta Testing Program, I've never had problems.
Now there are some laggy and crash issues. With both of the launchers aforementioned.
I don't know if this is due to the choice of using gestures instead on the buttons in the navigation bar (it doesn't look like, considering I tried to change) but it causes strange "movements" everytime I go back home: like the launcher restarts itself, if you know what I mean.
That never happened on my last device (the Note 10) with One UI 2.5: that's the reason why I'm seriously thinking it could be a problem of compatibility with the latest stock UI version.
Anybody with the same problem? Same issues? Or this "monster" behaves like it should?
Thank you
Best
IMPORTANT EDIT: I tried again and yes, it is gesture related. Deactivating the gesture navigation bar, everything went back to normal.
Yup, same issue. Flashes white after the next immediate touch action, blocking whatever that action was. Doesn't affect the stock launcher. I reported it to Samsung through their members app. Had to switch off of gesture navigation because of it. Dunno if the other gesture navigation is broken but I'm on buttons again.
I'm using good lock one hand operation + and FNG to compensate so left and right are still back. Swipe up is home and swipe up hold is recents.
Well the issue is with Google's gesture implementation. I am facing the issue with gestures too and contacted Nova launcher support and they have blamed google for it.
Its true, disabling gestures, everything works fine. I hope someone will find a solution to this.
I used Microsoft launcher and it seems fine.
mattlcfc said:
I used Microsoft launcher and it seems fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it's only affecting launchers with the Google feed
I'm running a 10+ on Pie. The native launcher is fast and very stable.
I played around with Nova and a few others including Hyperion launcher. The latter boot looped my stock 10+ twice, back to back.
2 factory resets latter I was fuming. That was the first app to ever boot loop any of my Androids in 6 years. The developer had nothing to say. REALLY? F$$$ that!
Launchers have a very real potential to cause a boot loop. Take any instability seriously; there should be none.
The stock launcher uses less battery.
Because of all the Samsung built in customization plus Galaxy Store plugins and the Good Lock family of apps, the stock launcher is better than even Nova. Easier to use and more stable.
I stopped wasting my time sampling launchers. My last reload was almost a year ago; it remains fast, very stable with low battery usage. It looks and runs great... what's not to like?
blackhawk said:
I'm running a 10+ on Pie. The native launcher is fast and very stable.
I played around with Nova and a few others including Hyperion launcher. The latter boot looped my stock 10+ twice, back to back.
2 factory resets latter I was fuming. That was the first app to ever boot loop any of my Androids in 6 years. The developer had nothing to say. REALLY? F$$$ that!
Launchers have a very real potential to cause a boot loop. Take any instability seriously; there should be none.
The stock launcher uses less battery.
Because of all the Samsung built in customization plus Galaxy Store plugins and the Good Lock family of apps, the stock launcher is better than even Nova. Easier to use and more stable.
I stopped wasting my time sampling launchers. My last reload was almost a year ago; it remains fast, very stable with low battery usage. It looks and runs great... what's not to like?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
I must say that you're right: latest UI version in very fast and stable. All the possibilities you can add with GOOD LOCK are definitely a serious improvement. There is a "missing" feature, though: those damn' icons.
I really don't understand why we must be forced to use those ugly ones on the Galaxy Store and why they decided not to allow us to change at least the shape (with the UI 3.1), as this is a stock functionality.
Let's see what will happen in the future.
Best
I've been using Apex Launcher Classic for years without issue and icon packs to customize (Desaturate pack is current favorite)
Works just fine with UI 3.1
I don't use the Gesture mode
blackhawk said:
I'm running a 10+ on Pie. The native launcher is fast and very stable.
I played around with Nova and a few others including Hyperion launcher. The latter boot looped my stock 10+ twice, back to back.
2 factory resets latter I was fuming. That was the first app to ever boot loop any of my Androids in 6 years. The developer had nothing to say. REALLY? F$$$ that!
Launchers have a very real potential to cause a boot loop. Take any instability seriously; there should be none.
The stock launcher uses less battery.
Because of all the Samsung built in customization plus Galaxy Store plugins and the Good Lock family of apps, the stock launcher is better than even Nova. Easier to use and more stable.
I stopped wasting my time sampling launchers. My last reload was almost a year ago; it remains fast, very stable with low battery usage. It looks and runs great... what's not to like?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree to an extent, but the current version on One Ui Home has a number of issues as well;
Freezing whenever you long press on the home screen, so you can't add widgets
Task changer keeps resetting
Why oh why won't they give us vertical scrolling in the apps menu
I distinctly remember there being similar issues with my s10+ at launch, so hopefully be fixed in the future
mtm1401 said:
I agree to an extent, but the current version on One Ui Home has a number of issues as well;
Freezing whenever you long press on the home screen, so you can't add widgets
Task changer keeps resetting
Why oh why won't they give us vertical scrolling in the apps menu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last point is true however the first two aren't for me. No issues with widgets or Task changer.
The white icon label lettering irritates me though but it's not not all the trouble comes with 3rd party launchers.
maxito71 said:
Hi.
I must say that you're right: latest UI version in very fast and stable. All the possibilities you can add with GOOD LOCK are definitely a serious improvement. There is a "missing" feature, though: those damn' icons.
I really don't understand why we must be forced to use those ugly ones on the Galaxy Store and why they decided not to allow us to change at least the shape (with the UI 3.1), as this is a stock functionality.
Let's see what will happen in the future.
Best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are hundreds of icon packs for UI 1.0 on the Galaxy store.
Not so with the 3.0 version?
blackhawk said:
There are hundreds of icon packs for UI 1.0 on the Galaxy store.
Not so with the 3.0 version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. Full of crappy icons and comic-sans-like fonts... Not considering that those on the Galaxy Store only change the stock icons and a few more.
The reign of inconsistency.
Believe me, I would be happy just having the possibility to choose the shape, as every other manufacturer on the planet allows.
Best
Im using nova 7 on my ultra exynos , how do a activate google feed ?
iamcgs said:
Im using nova 7 on my ultra exynos , how do a activate google feed ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download nova companion
maxito71 said:
Sure. Full of crappy icons and comic-sans-like fonts... Not considering that those on the Galaxy Store only change the stock icons and a few more.
The reign of inconsistency.
Believe me, I would be happy just having the possibility to choose the shape, as every other manufacturer on the planet allows.
Best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shape? Round, square... -far- less worse than Google or Apple designs
It's a pain sorting through them but there are good ones in there that most will like... for free.
If you're willing to take the performance and stability hit to have the "shape" well every rose has it's thorns.
2 back to back forced reloads taught me religion
Been using Nova for years, and it works just as well on my Exynos S21 Ultra as it always has.
Beefheart said:
Been using Nova for years, and it works just as well on my Exynos S21 Ultra as it always has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With navigation gestures or buttons?
Beefheart said:
Been using Nova for years, and it works just as well on my Exynos S21 Ultra as it always has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too! No problems until now!
I have been using nova launcher on my s21 ultra, since i got the phone ( with no gestures, only buttons ).
And i thought i was having a nice experience.
A few days ago i messed up my phone, debloated the wrong apps and had to factory reset. Since i was going with a fresh install i decided to use OneUI + some goodlock modules.
Boy.. i was wrong about the nova experience. Now i know how fluid and responsive the phone is supposed to be.
Anyway, apart from that, this is the official info from NOVA:
Google has made it very clear that they have no plans to completely fix gesture-related issues any time in the near or even distant future.
Please take note that Google admits to this being broken on their end of things and that a fix will be coming in a future update to Android (stated March 2019).
However, it's now well over a year later and there are still many issues with full system gestures and 3rd party launchers on both Android 10 and Android 11. These issues will remain for the foreseeable future as Google have now made it clear that they have no plans to completely fix their full system gestures.
Notable issues with gestures on third party launchers include:
• Close all/Clear app button not appearing(scroll all the way to verify it's not there)
• Not being able to tap icons for a short time after returning to the home screen
• Animations not being as fluid as expected
Please understand, there is absolutely NOTHING WE CAN DO TO FIX OR CHANGE THIS IN ANY WAY! Contact Google or your device OEM directly with these issues as we have absolutely no control over it whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install Hexed from the Play Store. Personalize a theme and in preferences check Navigation Bar Height and set it to 0. In regular Android settings make sure it's set to use the NavBar buttons and not the gestures. Install any third party gestures app that you like. Set up your third party gestures app then restart the phone. Then you'll have fully working third party gestures and everything will work like it used to. This is the only way I have found that fully fixes the gesture issues.