Develop Bugs

[INFO][HOWTO] Official Galaxy Nexus LCD Density Modding Thread

***REQUIRES ROOT***
This thread will serve as a discussion for modifying the LCD Density of the Samsung Glaxy Nexus. Stock density is 320 dpi, and the preferred modded density is 240 dpi. Please feel free to discuss lcd density, and notify me of anything you want added to the list.
Why modify the lcd density of your phone? Simple answer: more screen real estate.
1. How to modify you lcd density
Note: You can always go back to 320 dpi at any time by following these same steps and putting 320 back in for 240!
240 dpi is the recommended modded dpi for the Galaxy Nexus. You can however set it to whatever you want. Just know that many dpi's will cause the on screen buttons to disappear, and even possibly cause the launcher to crash. In both cases you can use the adb method to restore to 240 or 320.
241 dpi is also a good number to try. It fixes the problems some apps have when running at 240 dpi. Credit goes to g33k3r. However it will cause market incompatibilities. Read #6 to fix this.
246 will fix the contact widget, and quick contact, but it will use the old style contact info which shows a large contact image above their info, not small and to the side. Credit goes to maddler.
250 dpi OR 260 dpi OR 280 dpi are also good values if you would like a smaller than stock value, but 240 is too small for you.
Method 1 (Using an app):
Download LCD Density Modder (Free) / LCD Density Modder Pro from market. Set density to 240 or 241, apply, then reboot. There are multiple different apps that can change your dpi, but this app is guaranteed to work on the Galaxy Nexus.
Method 2 (Modify a file):
Using Root File Explorer or a similar program, modify /system/build.prop file (must mount /system as r/w).
Replace:
ro.sf.lcd_density=320
With:
ro.sf.lcd_density=240
Save and reboot.
Method 3 (Using adb):
adb pull /system/build.prop C:/build.prop
In build.prop, replace:
ro.sf.lcd_density=320
With:
ro.sf.lcd_density=240
adb remount
adb push C:/build.prop /system/build.prop
Reboot phone.
2. Apps where UI is different on 240 dpi (for better or worse, ui elements have been rearranged, but none are broken)
Launcher: Home screen icons are still 4x4 and squished into the center of the screen. App drawer and Widget drawer do not fill. There is a mod that fixes this in this thread: FIX HERE
Market: Now has 2 columns instead of one when listing apps.
Gmail: Quick access icons have been romved from the bottom and placed on the top. Only first two icons are visible, other are collapsed into the drop down menu.
People: Contact info now has a two column layout: a small icon of contact on left (static) with all of the contact info as a scrolling pane on the right (no visible divider). Favorite contact icons are much smaller.
3. Apps where UI is broken, but still useable
Sports Tracker: Some interface items dont stretch to fill the screen.
ADW /ADW Ex Launcher: There is a blue line and a menu icon above the homescreen at all times.
Speedtest.net: App shows up centered on screen, not filling whole screen.
Kindle: It still works but the text is now centered in the middle and there is a large amount of paddling around it.
4. Apps where UI is completely broken
Music: App displays incorrectly at 240 dpi. Run at 241 to fix this
5. Android UI glitches
Sometimes when selecting text the menu bar on the top of the screen will have a weird blue streak across it.
Stock ICS keyboard the popup when you press a key seems like it gets clipped off a little on the bottom.
Clicking the picture of a contact either from the people app, or from a 1x1 contact widget you no longer get the quick access popup, instead it is now the person's contact picture blown up to full screen and half cut off on the right side.
6. Market apps incompatable with device (according to market)
None that I know of. Since 240 dpi is a standard dpi for most android phones, I don't envision very many apps being incompabile. If you find an app that the market say is incompatible, you can try setting your density back to 320 temporarily in order to download it.
For those with market issues on a non-standard dpi (241, 250, 260, 280 etc.), try this:
1. Boot your phone into 320 or 240 dpi mode (depending on which kind of compatibility you want).
2. Find the Market app under manage apps. Click uninstall updates, clear data, clear cache.
3. Find Market Updater under manage apps and click Disable.
4. Open Market and accept terms of service.
5. Change dpi back to 241 and reboot.
Alternatively, LCD Density Modder Pro has the ability to download and install a modded market apk to fix market compatibility issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
7. Apps that crash (with possible workarounds)
Youtube: Will crash on start. Open from landscape mode! Youtube will not crash if openened in landscape mode. You can also open youtube links from the browser and other apps just fine.
8. Before and After Photos (320 dpi on left, 240 dpi on right):
***CLICK ANY SCREENSHOT TO VIEW FULL SIZE!***
Settings:
People:
Contact Info (note that the bottom bar has merged into the top bar):
Android Market:

***RESERVED***

can you provide a screenshot?
like a before/after pic.

I think this is crazy.
The stock DPI is amazing.
Get an SGSII if you want an old-school resolution or have bad eyes.
My stock DPI is absolutely beautiful...

ericshmerick said:
I think this is crazy.
The stock DPI is amazing.
Get an SGSII if you want an old-school resolution or have bad eyes.
My stock DPI is absolutely beautiful...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are completely missing the point. On Android when you change the DPI, you are essentially telling android the size at which to "scale" all objects on the screen. Notice how the Galaxy Nexus has a 720p screen yet you can only fit 4x4 icons on the desktop like the Galaxy S2? Well that is because the 320 dpi is telling android to scale those things bigger. Setting it to 240 dpi will make everything smaller and give you more screen "real estate". The resolution is still 720p.
You mention having bad eyes, but when you lower the dpi you actually need GOOD eyes because everything is smaller and harder to read if you have bad eyes.
paOol said:
can you provide a screenshot?
like a before/after pic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am going to post some screenshots later today.

YouTube crashes on launch for me when set to 240 DPI. I have not performed a wipe, though I have tried wiping the settings and cache for the app.

LadFromWales85 said:
YouTube crashes on launch for me when set to 240 DPI. I have not performed a wipe, though I have tried wiping the settings and cache for the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes, thanks for reminding me. YT crashes for me as well, however if you have the widget you can click one of the videos and it will open that video. You can search for videos from there, but you cant access the home page for some reason.
EDIT: It turns out if you open youtube in landscape mode it will work!

Well thx for the Tip with the density. But however...When I start DPI Changer I get an error "Unable to read configuration file"
Any ideas?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using My Thumb...

Kizura said:
Well thx for the Tip with the density. But however...When I start DPI Changer I get an error "Unable to read configuration file"
Any ideas?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using My Thumb...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you rooted? This requires root.

for sure iam rooted...it was the first thing i have done... and i have ARHD Custom rom installed.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Kizura said:
for sure iam rooted...it was the first thing i have done... and i have ARHD Custom rom installed.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have Root File Explorer? You can use the second method i listed to change the build.prop file. You can also use adb to pull the file locally, edit it, and push it back to the phone.

Oh ok then I will do it manually
I will report back soon ...I hope xD
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Edit: Ok this is more awesome as it was on my DHD !!!
Really thank you for that great Tip and the Help

Kizura said:
Oh ok then I will do it manually
I will report back soon ...I hope xD
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Edit: Ok this is more awesome as it was on my DHD !!!
Really thank you for that great Tip and the Help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. Make sure to check out my modified home screen launcher to get the full effect:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1390935
Also, if you find any apps that don't display properly or something else is wrong with them (when running in 240 dpi), please post back in this thread to help inform others.

Mhh I use adb launcher... but on top of the screen is now a blue horizontal line with the three dots for options on the right side....
Will your mod take care of this? I hope you know what I mean...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Kizura said:
Mhh I use adb launcher... but on top of the screen is now a blue horizontal line with the three dots for options on the right side....
Will your mod take care of this? I hope you know what I mean...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have ADW Ex launcher and i see that as well. It is the default titlebar and menu system for apps in ICS. Did you experience this when in 320 dpi as well or only in 240? I haven't tested it in 320.
And no, my mod only affects the stock launcher so it will not fix your problem.

No with 320 dpi that line doesn't appear its there since I have 240 Dpi...
Tested your Launcher replacement...
Great Work
But as you said it will not fix this "line affect" in adw
Maybe in a future update in adw launcher it will be fixed.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

I added photos to the main post now. Click on any photo to view the original size image!

Awesome, really cool. Trying it out today to see if I like it.
Another noticed bug - if you have a contact on your home screen (single icon version), which normally pops up the quick box for the contact, this now just seems to pop up their display picture and nothing else.

I see what you mean about the contact. It also happens when in the people app and you click their picture. I added it to the first post. thanks.

I thought changing the DPI would enable the ICS for tablets UI?

LCD Density Changer?

Has anyone been able to get any density changer apps working on their Nitro HD? I've tried all of the following, and none seem to work. It's possible there is a problem with my su access, so if anyone HAS gotten any of these to work, please let me know. That at least tells me I definitely have an su problem...
DPI Changer
LCD Resolution
LCDDensity
Root Tools

Never mind; my build.prop file was set to read only.

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly are they for? Does the density changes only the size of text or everything including graphic become bigger/smaller?

[email protected] said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly are they for? Does the density changes only the size of text or everything including graphic become bigger/smaller?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wondering the same thing as well.

aquariuz23 said:
wondering the same thing as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the most part, yes. Decreasing the LCD Density is like increasing your desktop's resolution. Icons and text become smaller, though apps that are written to scale to any resolution will usually appear the same.

Hmmm...I do see some issues with current density, for instance the avatars in Talk don't stretch to fit the square.
So witch tool would you suggest?

I tried DPI Changer the other and couldn't get it to work, thanks for the heads-up about the build.prop!
The Nitro also already has the "Screen Optimization" util (Settings > Display > Screen Optimization) that resizes checked apps to the Nitro's display. It helped with a few games, but some games just won't work (like Asphalt 5)...But now with the Density changer, maybe I'll give it another try.

[email protected] said:
Hmmm...I do see some issues with current density, for instance the avatars in Talk don't stretch to fit the square.
So witch tool would you suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I'm not sure any of the tools above would work; part of the problem I am sure is that the build.prop file was not only read only, but there wasn't an entry for the LCD Density - so if the apps work by simply retrieving and editing the property, they aren't going to work. I just edited the file directly with a text editor, saved, and restarted the phone. Some of the apps would then at least report the new value, but still didn't seem to successfully update it. I quit looking because I got the density I wanted (about 270, down from the native 320).
As for compatibility with other apps, if they don't quite look correct it is because they aren't written well, and a different density changing app isn't going to do you any good. Again, it's like changing the resolution on your computer - it doesn't matter how you change your resolution - once it's set it is what it is, and apps that don't accommodate it just aren't going to look good.
Namuna said:
I tried DPI Changer the other and couldn't get it to work, thanks for the heads-up about the build.prop!
The Nitro also already has the "Screen Optimization" util (Settings > Display > Screen Optimization) that resizes checked apps to the Nitro's display. It helped with a few games, but some games just won't work (like Asphalt 5)...But now with the Density changer, maybe I'll give it another try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Screen Optimization utility only seems to address apps that are written to a specific resolution - not pixel density. In this sense, the LCD Density is actually more like changing your computer's DPI - I didn't use that analogy first because more people are more familiar with changing a desktop's resolution. The fact is that LCD screens have a set resolution, and you cannot increase or decrease that resolution through software. The Nitro's extremely high resolution (1280x720) just isn't common enough in phones (most software would see it as a tablet) to be accounted for in all apps - particularly older ones. So, the screen optimization app that is built-in will automatically stretch apps to take up the entire 1280x720 pixels, even if the app only renders (for instance) 800x480 pixels .

LCD Resolution won't work: can't change DPI

Hello everyone,
I am having a lot of trouble changing the resolution of my Epic 4g Touch to simulate a 720p display. I am using LCD Resolution app, but have also tried a couple of other apps to try and change the resolution.
Every time I open the app and set the density to, say, 160 from the default 240 I click apply and it restarts the phone. Then when I boot up, it is the same 240 again.
I really would like to have a 720p-like screen in terms of size of icons and screen space, but I cannot get any apps to do this.
Can someone help me?
I am running the MIJJz BLEND "The Goodness" ICS rom, one of the newer ones.
Thanks for any help I receive.

Same problem. It also blows up my keyboard to where I can only see half of it and have to uninstall LCD Res.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

change resolution with rom toolbox?

So there's a setting inside ROM toolbox under build.prop tweaks. It let's you choose the resolution of the device. So this got me wondering if you can actually change the resolution of a phone or is the resolution of a device a limitation of the phone's screen. I know on computer monitors its really easy to alter the resolution and wasn't sure if a mobile device could function the same way. I tried changing the resolution from 720*1280 to 768*1280. It didn't brick my device but I'm not sure if it actually did anything.
Can anyone shed some light on this?

I don't think you can change the resolution
You can change the DPI but that's about it
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

What dpi are you running?

I was wondering what dpi everybody is running. Currently I am running stock but was wondering if there is a good dpi level everybody is using that gives more space and does not cause force closes.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

400. No problems with FC on any DPI in the past.
However it does mess with a lot of apps. To fix this you need the Xposed framework and an app called App Settings.
I've dialed it down to 320, sure makes things TINY but love the extra real estate. 480 on this phone is huge, reminds me of the folks running 800x600 on 21" monitors!

cpufrost said:
400. No problems with FC on any DPI in the past.
However it does mess with alot of apps. To fix this you need the Xposed framework and an app called App Settings.
I've dialed it down to 320, sure makes things TINY but love the extra real estate. 480 on this phone is huge, reminds me of the folks running 800x600 on 21" monitors!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
400 sounds pretty high to me. i haven't rooted my N3 yet so i cant change my DPI but on my N2 i was running 280 and it seemed perfect to me. Thats what ill use on my N3

320, and I think it makes things look normal. I put it at 220 in per-app DPI and that was tiny. 320 on the Note 3 is comparable to 220 on the Note 1 which was what I always set my Note 1 to (ran it at 200 for a while even to get the Nexus 7 style tablet UI). I use per-app DPI to set the dialer and camera and other Samsung apps back to stock since they get distorted at 320dpi.
Edit: You realize the N1/N2 and N3 are not comparable in dpi right? The increased resolution means to get N2 280dpi you'll likely need 380-400. 280dpi on N3 is getting pretty small. N1 220 compares roughly to N3 320.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

rlee008 said:
400 sounds pretty high to me. i haven't rooted my N3 yet so i cant change my DPI but on my N2 i was running 280 and it seemed perfect to me. Thats what ill use on my N3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a 1080 display, 320 is definitely the lowest I'd go!
280 would definitely be small.
320 on 720 devices such as the Note II look about the same as 480 on the Note 3, in my experience.
Nice thing is it's easy to change in build.prop.

I like 360. Its a nice round number... Puns aside, I really do like this dpi.
That or 380
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

Thanks for the replies. Okay so if I set it somewhere around 360 to 400 I will have no problems with system ui only apps that I will have to adjust with app settings module? Would I have to go into each one and adjust or adjust all at once. I have a lot of apps. Also what is the stock dpi set at? To change it I would edit it under build prop using rom toolbox?
Was wondering if you guys could post screen shots to get a better idea.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

circuit.007 said:
Thanks for the replies. Okay so if I set it somewhere around 360 to 400 I will have no problems with system ui only apps that I will have to adjust with app settings module? Would I have to go into each one and adjust or adjust all at once. I have a lot of apps. Also what is the stock dpi set at? To change it I would edit it under build prop using rom toolbox?
Was wondering if you guys could post screen shots to get a better idea.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use app settings you can fix issues with programs not displaying correctly OR just looking too small...
Default is 480 in build.prop.
I use root explorer, open the system folder R/W and click and hold build.prop and select open with, text editor. Make changes and it will save original as build.prop.bak. Reboot to see changes.
I can post a screen shot of the settings used in app settings. Once you get the hang of this you can adjust as you wish. With some apps I prefer to use a slightly different DPI in app settings so it's not as big as it would appear at 480 yet not as tiny as it would appear at 320. That's the nice thing as you can pick anywhere in between for a balance that suits your needs/wants.
Furthermore, all these settings will be saved/backed up if you use Titantium Backup to back up your device. That's a good thing if you're a flashaholic like I tend to be!

ignore this post please, i posted in wrong thread

cpufrost said:
If you use app settings you can fix issues with programs not displaying correctly OR just looking too small...
Default is 480 in build.prop.
I use root explorer, open the system folder R/W and click and hold build.prop and select open with, text editor. Make changes and it will save original as build.prop.bak. Reboot to see changes.
I can post a screen shot of the settings used in app settings. Once you get the hang of this you can adjust as you wish. With some apps I prefer to use a slightly different DPI in app settings so it's not as big as it would appear at 480 yet not as tiny as it would appear at 320. That's the nice thing as you can pick anywhere in between for a balance that suits your needs/wants.
Furthermore, all these settings will be saved/backed up if you use Titantium Backup to back up your device. That's a good thing if you're a flashaholic like I tend to be!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Globally I use default settings but I like to adjust the dpi for certain apps using App Settings. For example, for some apps I like a tablet look to them which can be achieved sometimes. Notablly this can be done with gmail app. In this case I set dpi to 320 and screen dp to 800x1280. Here is a screen shot. Maybe not for everybody but I like it.

I personally use 400 for most apps except for media player style apps as the large button interfaces help for use on the go.
That said, do you guys have issues with the gallery photo editor app and other apps that display pictures using stock libraries (or so I'm guessing) where the picture is zoomed and cropped where you cannot see the whole pic even if you try to zoom out?
So far the google gallery photo editor, the samsung photo editor and ES file explorer all have the same problem for all DPIs other than 480 applied globally or specifically to "Android System".
Even if I set the photo editors to 480, as long as the "Android System" package is not 480 the pictures will be cropped.
Thanks

mscion said:
Globally I use default settings but I like to adjust the dpi for certain apps using App Settings. For example, for some apps I like a tablet look to them which can be achieved sometimes. Notablly this can be done with gmail app. In this case I set dpi to 320 and screen dp to 800x1280. Here is a screen shot. Maybe not for everybody but I like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you change your dp (i assume that's the resolution) to 800x1200? I already did the global DPI change to 400, but I want to see how that resolution looks for myself.

Techngro said:
How did you change your dp (i assume that's the resolution) to 800x1200? I already did the global DPI change to 400, but I want to see how that resolution looks for myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. I'm just using the xposed module called App Settings. In the screen shot you can see where I change the dpi for the gmail app and the screen dp. There are a set of dp you choose from. Some make a difference and other settings don't seem to have an effect. Might want to do a back up before trying. Sometimes a bad selection can cause problems when booting up. Hope it works out!

I run almost everything at 340, as 320 is just a little too small for me. For the Samsung apps (that I haven't removed), I either use ones modded for multi-dpi from the International Note 3, or ones that I have modded myself, at 320. I don't think I have anything that still runs at the stock 480. Having a screen this size, but with everything blown up that large just seems like an incredibly bad utilization of space to me...
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

does anyone know how to make it so that your keyboard won't shrink? I use SwiftKey and though you can make it bigger it's not big enough and of you try using app settings it messes with it and turns out all bonky. I want to go down to something like 400 but the keyboard gets a tad small.