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This guide will show you how to turn an old phone into on really great iPod/iPod Touch replacement.
It will strip the phone out, enhance the audio and extend the battery life.
It will breath new life into the phone that was just upgraded.
I have done two of these so far, with lots of trial and error just to get to this point. My current one is now my main music player for the gym and my car.
They end up sounding amazing.
[Note: this guide is a moderately advanced user, I say that because to do this your phone
must be unlocked and rooted - you can find a guide on how to do that for almost any
phone, you just won't find that information here.]
This is my first thread here (so go easy on me). I did a search and never found any fully flushed out “how to” guide for something like this
(plus I didn't agree with some of their choices).
Ok, here we go….
Badass Android Music Player (BAMP)
(It’s just a working title - I am open to any suggestions)
Q: What is it?
A: Modifying a phone you no longer use and turning it into a audio and video
player with good battery life (even on a phone with crappy normal battery life will work a lot better).
Q: Why?
A: A replacement phone makes a great iPod type player. I have an iPod and iPod Touch
and currently I prefer my BAMP to both of them hands down because it sounds better!
Q: What is the benefit?
A: It sounds awesome (beats my iThings hands down for audio). Even in my Camery (not known
for it's audio) I use the line in am blown away at how good the speakers really are. I can get my rear view mirror shaking from the bass.
Also, It re purposes a device that is NOT end of life.
What you need:
1. a unlocked/rooted phone with Android 4.x or higher
2. a non-stock recovery (TWRP, CW, ...)
3. Android 4.x (that's a must)
What you don't need:
1. a custom ROM (I would suggest one but, the choice is yours). I am running CleanROM Pro 4.5 but I prefer CM but, none of this matters
for this project. Anything you need we will add and anything you don't will be removed or disabled.
2. a SIM card (your phone will complain at first but we will fix that).
Feedback? / Help? / Ideas? / Suggestions? / Criticisms? - all are welcome but, don't jump in too quick, let me finish the guide first
Yes, this is very much just an idea/work in progress. There are places where I use apps that you have to pay for and suggestions for
replacement apps that don't cost or alternatives are welcome.
Also, while this is the second phone I have done, I have in no way thought of all the things that could improve this setup. I think the battery
life could be extended even further.
I definitely need help with other manufacturers: I have only converted two phones so far, both HTC, so I am fairly good and what I can
remove, freeze, disable on a Verizon HTC phone. It would be a great help to get a list of what can be done for other manufacturers.
Even point out if I missed a process that is not needed for our purposes.
That’s what this guide is going to be a step by step guide how I did my phone and with a little luck and participation I can improve the process,
support other manufacturers and one day automate as much of this as I can.
This is just the intro - please give me a few days to post all the notes and screenshots before jumping it.
Next Post: Making sure your phone is prepared!
Remember: You need a phone already unlocked/rooted and custom recovery flashed to be able to begin.
New Info: I did find out that if you don't "check in" after a certain amount of times certain apps like Titanium and PowerAmp will complain. All I did is turn on my wifi - connect -- I let them both update (I didnt see the harm) and I've been good since then.
Prep Work
Prep Work!
OK lets get started. I'm assuming you have your unlocked/rooted phone with custom recovery ready to go?
Lets double check everything before we strip your phone...
If for some reason you didn't install a custom ROM then you need to install/flash a superuser program. I like SuperSU
but on older phones superuser seems to work ok.
You need to install a utility that can "freeze" apps:
- I use and own Titanium Backup root Pro (this app costs $) - There are other apps that are free that can "freeze" (I just haven't tried them) ---> Ultimate Backup ---> App Quarantine ROOT/FREEZE ---> System Tuner *all of those listed are on the Play Store - if you have an opinion on any of them please feel free to post that*
First, make sure your phone is in developer mode. Each phone, ROM is a bit different but if you don't see this in your settings
then you should stop right here and Google how to turn on developer mode. Once you are in developer mode you need to turn on USB Debugging.
Second install the recovery manager software on your phone. I usually match up TWRP with TWRP and CWM with CWM but I think CWM handles
most other recovery programs now.
If you went with CM or Paranoid or some other ROM then most of the above is already done for you (except the "freezing" app).
OK so you have:
1. installed a "freezing" app
2. installed a recovery manager app
3. made sure your phone was in developer mode
4. made sure you have USB Debugging on
5. made sure you have superuser (whichever app you choose working)
If all that is done then we create a backup rigth now using recovery!
BACKUP CURRENT ROM in whatever recover you have installed.
We need a baseline recovery because I promise you that you will get into an endless "Phone Not Responding" loop sometime during this process.
The goal here is to disable and/or remove a LOT OF APPS and FEATURES and you will get into and error loop if you freeze the wrong thing.
It happens that's why we backup and backup often in the beginning.
Next Post: Disabling, removing, uninstalling and freezing!
-dOpiate
Delay - Just a bit...but I'm good now.
I wasn't able to post images because I was a new member and the next 4 or 5 parts are confusing without images as examples.
The board OP was kind enough to lift this image restriction so now I can continue the posts tomorrow.
I got some great testing results testing today (trapped in my house today by the blizzard) - I ran BAMP at full volume for 40 minutes and captured the battery stats. I got better results that expected (proof to be posted soon).
-dOpiate
Disabling, removing, uninstalling and freezing!
Disabling, removing, uninstalling and freezing!
Ok now that your phone is backed up (you created a backup of the current ROM)
it's time to start removing all the unnecessary parts of the phone.
The first thing to do is remove all the bloatware or apps not related to processing
music. There is a lot of personal preference here because we are going to leave WiFi
working so if you want to keep Skype on the phone or GoogleDrive then you should.
They will continue to work but unnecessary programs that you can easily uninstall
you should start removing.
You get the picture, anything in your apps list that you can easily uninstall.
Not everything will allow you to uninstall it. Sometimes the only option you have
is to remove updates. Don't worry we will get this stuff later.
A lot of the software directly related to your provider or phone manufacturer will
not allow you to uninstall it. This is when we start freezing applications and
processes.
You should also go through your settings and start turning off all the parts not needed for
a music player. Though after you are done freezing most of these things won't work anyway.
At this point you should put your phone into "Airplane" mode and then re-enable/disable Wifi
as needed.
I will screenshot my settings (in an update to this post) later today - I brought the wrong
phone to work so I can't get those images right now.
Here is a list of the processes that I froze on my HTC Rezound AFTER having uninstalled
everything I could. Keep in mind your list will be different and there will be a time when you
freeze something and it puts your phone into an error loop - I would freeze a screen full of
stuff then create a backup, then continue on.
My Frozen List (Using Titanium Backup Pro - root)
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
These processes can also safely be frozen:
Just to jump ahead a bit I want to show you where we are headed. These are
screenshots of my BAMP phone after blasting music on the highest volume for 40+ minutes.
For anyone who doesnt know, an HTC Rezound is NOT know for good battery life! Plus,
we are going to improve on the sound
Time to build the media player
Lets build that Music Player now!
I will be listing the apps I use and I will list alternatives that I have seen.
I have tried some and some I haven't tried.
We basically (if all went well) have a blank slate here. We have an Android
device that has been modified and changed to have 1 main purpose.
Play music, loud!
1- Install a DSP
2- Install a Music/Media player
3- tweak the final install with a few other apps
First I would install Beats. There are a lot of other DSP Managers's out there now but
honestly I like Beats and since the management of it is getting better and
better and the Audio Player I use plays nice with it I got with Beats.
I must confess that I used this...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1816719
to install beats and I can't uninstall it. Plus it's no longer supported.
I recommend getting your Beats from RockAudioMod (or RD Music Mod) ... it's still evolving but it's really good.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1525226
You also don't need Beats you just need a DSP Manager. The one from CM is also really good.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jsf.cmprojects.cyanogenmodappinstaller
I did try this application and could not get it to work but I am only running Android
4.0.3 - it says it runs on Android 3.0 and up but that was not my experience.
Apps you could grab from the [Root] CM App Installer that would be useful are:
- Apollo music player (you could use this as you main music device if you wanted)
- DSP Manager (you are going to need a DSP Manager and if you can't or don't want Beats
then you can grab this one).
- CM File Manager (perfectly fine for moving songs, deleting old ROM's and files)
There are also standalone installs for Apollo and CM DSP Manager, to find them all you have to do is
search for them. Plus there are DSP's in the PlayStore that I never tried so you have a ton of options.
We are dealing with all personal preference here now. As my DSP manager and music player I use
Poweramp Full Version. I purchased it with my first phone and I think it does a great job.
It fully integrates with the Beats installs and it has a built in DSP Manager.
While that's what I use I wanted to make sure this "how to guide" had a fully implemented free
version.
So take your phone, in Airplane Mode, and pick the DSP you want to use.
Install that DSP then select the media player you want to use. Apollo is good but
there are also a ton of free ones on the PlayStore.
Additionally you want to set your screen timeout to something reasonable so you don't waste
any battery on the screen.
Pre-KitKat there was a great app called VolumeControl+ that would lock your volume buttons so
while you were jogging it didn't screw up the sound. I am still using it on my 4.0.3 and I
just wrote the developer since I have had no luck using it on 4.4.2. If I can't get anywhere I will
need to find a new app to lock the buttons on the phone.
Now just load some music and enjoy!
Total Cost: 0.00
Both phones I have done like this sound great and have really long battery life. It's only purpose is
to play music. I turn on the WiFi every once in a while to do updates or grab songs from GDrvie.
There is no standard setup or quick and easy .zip to flash or .apk to install. Hopefully in the
future there will be.
I'm open to any ideas or suggestions to make this setup better.
I would definitely like to make a list of other processes that can safely be frozen (manufacturer specific or not).
Here is just a quick example of my layout.
Hopefully it's helpful for those looking to do something with an old replaced phone.
No Interest?
I found out a few more things but I don't see anyone interested in this thread.
If not, no big deal, it was good for me - instructions or a guide if I have to make another one.
For the moment I'll just let the thread die.
Any questions you can always PM me.
No bumps - besides this one :laugh:
Thank you for posting this. It gives me a better understanding of what I intend to do with my 3 1/2 year old Captivate.
I saw it for the first time today, mostly because this is probably the first time I have searched outside of my device forums.
Wasn't sure where the post should go....
dawgdoc said:
Thank you for posting this. It gives me a better understanding of what I intend to do with my 3 1/2 year old Captivate.
I saw it for the first time today, mostly because this is probably the first time I have searched outside of my device forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea it's a very non-specific device modification, so I wasn't sure where it fit in the forums.
I use my HTC Rezound audio player constantly, from the gym to work to/from the drive home. I love it, it sounds great and it makes crappy speakers (like in my Camry) sound so much better than an iPod using the line in or the CD player. I have iPods and I don't care what EQ you setup in them, they never sound as good as this.
Only when I forget to turn off the WiFi do I even remotely have a low battery at the end of day(s).
I think I had some minor tweaks that I wrote down at home, I'll add them if I can find my notes or remember what it was.
Just because a phone is a year or two old doesn't make it worthless. Sure you can probably eBay it for 50.00 or around there but I'm getting so much use out of it and not draining a drop of battery from my primary phone.
I don't have to have my Galaxy Nexus sitting in the car charger just to hear some music. I haven't ever used the car charger on the BAMP Rezound.
Rezound was probably the worst phone I ever purchased and now, honestly, it's more useful than it was as a phone!
First of all, thank you very much for this guide. I have one question. Did you freeze Google play? Because it is a battery eater but it is needed to check that you actually purchased poweramp. The thing with the volume buttons is that im just the opposite, I need to be able to skip songs by pressing physical buttons due to I usually use it while skating and it a pain in the ass to take out my mobile in the meantime.
Enviado desde mi Desire Z mediante Tapatalk
Tested your question
meadillas11 said:
First of all, thank you very much for this guide. I have one question. Did you freeze Google play? Because it is a battery eater but it is needed to check that you actually purchased poweramp. The thing with the volume buttons is that im just the opposite, I need to be able to skip songs by pressing physical buttons due to I usually use it while skating and it a pain in the ass to take out my mobile in the meantime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi luckily I read your question before my commute to work today so I can tell you what I found out.
Real quick question first, can you confirm you are using your phone with WiFi off? I never saw any Google Play services activity unless I had WiFi on and WiFi searching is a huge battery killer. I only get less than a day if I keep WiFi on.
As to the question about PowerAmp: I do not not believe it works that way, When you purchase it (from the PlayStore) you have to download two things the program and the "pro" key. After those are installed it never checks the Play Store (that I am aware of). If you are getting an error I would ask them about it. I am fairly certain about this because I use it 99% of the time with WiFi disabled (and there is no data plan at all on this phone). If it worked as you mentioned then no one could use it airplane mode.
I did read that there is some problem if you purchase the key directly from their site and then get the program from the PlayStore. Maybe that's it? But, I only turn on my WiFi to check for updates when I'm recharging, no other time, and I never have an issue.
As to Google Play services... before my ride to work I froze it
and everything was fine. It is still frozen and I was able to upload that image via "share to gdrive" using WiFi. Also, I was able to go to the Play Store and check for updates without an issue. Based on my very limited testing it seems safe to "freeze" - I don't plan on unfreezing it until I see a problem.
With the volume program that's really just based on how you use it. I use playlists in PowerAmp and just keep the phone in my pocket at the gym. If I didn't use the volume program then my volume would go up and down and tracks would change as it bounces around. If you use a clip and/or don't have that problem then you can skip using a program to lock your volume. I also don't change tracks with the buttons so for me it works but for you it seems best to not use it.
Thanks for the question, if after a week or so I have no issues I will amend my other post about what to freeze and add Google Play Services.
Google Play Services
Not all processes under Google Play services are started by the Google Play Store. Some are messaging and location services started by apps such as Google Search, Maps, and Hangouts. I'm pretty sure I've also had the location services started by non-Google apps.
Therefore, you can probably freeze some, especially the location services, without having any effect on the Play Store.
agreed
dawgdoc said:
Not all processes under Google Play services are started by the Google Play Store. Some are messaging and location services started by apps such as Google Search, Maps, and Hangouts. I'm pretty sure I've also had the location services started by non-Google apps.
Therefore, you can probably freeze some, especially the location services, without having any effect on the Play Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are correct.
I reset my battery monitor this morning and will look after I get a few days of stats to see what else runs and takes up battery that is basically useless in a music player.
Since I posted the original screen shots of what I had frozen I added Maps, the HTC Location Service and just this morning Google Play services. I forgot about the first two until your post.
These are the three processes I have frozen since in my original screenshots:
I would like to freeze anything Google that doesn't break the Play Store and GDrive. Not everyone would care about GDrive but I like the convenience of it. If you don't use it, it could probably be frozen too.
I'm usually the cause of any battery problems now if I forget to switch off WiFi or use the screen too much while creating new playlists .. screen timeout is a big deal if you are trying to squeeze every minute out of your battery.
just freeze everything it moves like Solid Snake would do
Enviado desde mi Desire Z mediante Tapatalk
I'm not sure I understand what you mean?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Thanks
Thanks dOpiate for sharing this. I have been using CM on my old SGS I9000 to serve as a music player (just keeping the airplane mode on all the time), but this goes even further. I'll have to try that!
I'm surprised there aren't more people coming to this thread, with the number of people who have an old Android phone and don't know what to do with it.
Keep up the good work!
fabecoool said:
Thanks dOpiate for sharing this. I have been using CM on my old SGS I9000 to serve as a music player (just keeping the airplane mode on all the time), but this goes even further. I'll have to try that!
I'm surprised there aren't more people coming to this thread, with the number of people who have an old Android phone and don't know what to do with it.
Keep up the good work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I appreciate the feedback.
I think because this thread isn't device specific that it doesn't get that much traffic. And like you, I don't know what people are doing with all the old android devices they have. Just because it's not your phone anymore doesn't mean they are useless. They are very powerful computers that can be used for lots of things.
I actually used my 1st phone, the HTC Incredible 1, to replace my alarm clock. It was perfect, my alarm clock broke - I had the HTC Incredible in a drawer doing nothing so I set it up on my night stand as an alarm clock and I saved myself some $ and found a way to reuse the device.
As for the BAMP phone - I use it all the time - gym, car, work, data center, collocation, lol you get the point.
Soon I am going to have to part with my Galaxy Nexus as my primary phone but I can't wait to see how far I can take it as a media player only.
With the HTC Rezound I was stuck with what was an essentially cleaned up Verizon OTA update mod but the Nexus is CM 11 latest nightly! So much less bloat/trash to start with. I'll be doing a lot of trial and error on that one and will update this thread when/if I discover something new.
Thanks again and I hope this thread was helpful to you. If you learn anything new let me know and I'll add it here.
-dOpiate
Hi and thanks for the tutorial.
Why ia android 4+ mandatory ? This kind of things can be done with gingerbread…
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tmz83 said:
Hi and thanks for the tutorial.
Why ia android 4+ mandatory ? This kind of things can be done with gingerbread…
--
Xiaomi mi2s with Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stated that specifically for my guide. The apps/settings I suggest don't all run on 3.x, that's the only reason.
I'm sure you could do the same things in gb but if your going by my guide (which will get an update very soon) you would need 4.x
The "idea" would certainly work in gingerbread.
I still use the HTC Rezound I created while writing this guide every day in my car and it still works great. Haven't noticed any battery life deterioration at all.
I did learn that every once in a while I have to enable WiFi or some of the apps no longer think they are licensed (Titanium, PowerAmp) -- but you need to make sure the Play Store isn't set to auto-update. Once it's working - don't let Google update any apps unless you want them updated otherwise you will end up with new Google apps you don't need/want.
I will make this guide more "current" very soon as I have another phone to do and I hope to use CM 4.4.4 as my base.
Ok, thanks again!
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hey, is this thread still alive? i need some help in turning my Sony Ericsson Live With Walkman into a real music player with camera and video available as extra features..
now i succeed to throw away all the unwanted apps like maps, messaging or phone call..
one question, how to remove all quickpanel in CM11? i need it to stay clean or just disable the notification dropdown. ( no use if your device is a music player )
if it impossible to do so, do you have any recommendation about using third party notification center like iOS iNoty or else which eat a little amount of RAM?
Hi there!
As far as U have seen, HTC 10 is a hyge hardware device but it comes with only standard Google apps pre-installed. So HTC Sense interface is basically disappeared from the phone.
Considering how much better HTC apps are compared to Google standard apps, it's a huge shame having such a great phone on hardware level running on standard google base system. People have always had hate for custom interface but they don't know what are they saying if they consider everything as a third-party apps, the evil. There are 2 different situations, one thing is customisation of network operator which install useless and buggy application, another thing is manufacturer applications, which in the case of HTC, have always been better than the standard Google applications since the beginning of android. So having no HTC apps on the sense 8 is a great loss. My question is: it will still possible to install all HTC apps on the play store of sense interface on the new sense 8?
By the way I have an HTC One M9+ Supreme Camera and I'm currenlty on sense 7 and android 5, well if sense 8 will be with google standard apps only, I hope that the update to Android 6.0 for my device will keep sense 7.0 interface. I want to use HTC apps.
I think this is a welcomed change. Simpler, faster updates, faster phone... But I do think I saw somewhere that you could install the applications from the play store. Worst case just port them over, there are so many mods that allows you to port to other phones I bet it would be easy to move it over to the 10.
joshuadjohnson22 said:
I think this is a welcomed change. Simpler, faster updates, faster phone... But I do think I saw somewhere that you could install the applications from the play store. Worst case just port them over, there are so many mods that allows you to port to other phones I bet it would be easy to move it over to the 10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that if you go looking to the quality of HTC apps compared to standard google apps, there is no match. If someone want a standard and free Android interface, then buy a nexus phone which is excellent. If I buy an HTC, I want a customized Android experience, at least this is my opinion. Having to struggle with MOD it's second hand option and also if HTC won't develop its apps in the future it would be impossible to do.
Sent from my HTC_M9px using XDA-Developers mobile app
light_n_roses said:
I think that if you go looking to the quality of HTC apps compared to standard google apps, there is no match. If someone want a standard and free Android interface, then buy a nexus phone which is excellent. If I buy an HTC, I want a customized Android experience, at least this is my opinion. Having to struggle with MOD it's second hand option and also if HTC won't develop its apps in the future it would be impossible to do.
Sent from my HTC_M9px using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's your opinion, I see very little to no difference. If this is a deal breaker for you, protest... and buy from LG or samsung. I find the google versions are more than adequate for all I need. I love that more manufacturers are going to this style, faster updates and a more streamline approach. They can add their best features to the device and keep it fast. Give it time before you protest them, you may like the change. If not you have 14 days
Well, on HTC One M8 running HTC 10 ported ROM I could easily download all the missing HTC apps from the Play Store. So, no actual difference from Sense 7 roms.
Maybe on the real HTC 10 your experience will be different.
you know if you have the apks of the older apps you can still install them right?
domineus said:
you know if you have the apks of the older apps you can still install them right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose that it depends...if the apps has been ported to the current version of Android... and this is something that HTC have to do.
joshuadjohnson22 said:
That's your opinion, I see very little to no difference. If this is a deal breaker for you, protest... and buy from LG or samsung. I find the google versions are more than adequate for all I need. I love that more manufacturers are going to this style, faster updates and a more streamline approach. They can add their best features to the device and keep it fast. Give it time before you protest them, you may like the change. If not you have 14 days
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's my opinin but I still think that if you want standard google interface you can buy a Nexus or maybe HTC can realese the Google edition phone like it did in the past.
By the way I have recently swtich from an HTC One S with sense 4 to an HTC One M9+ Supreme Camera and sense 7 (also blinkfeed is nice) but I do miss some widgets from HTC (like gallery widget, bookmark widget and colored meteo widget).
light_n_roses said:
I suppose that it depends...if the apps has been ported to the current version of Android... and this is something that HTC have to do.
Yes it's my opinin but I still think that if you want standard google interface you can buy a Nexus or maybe HTC can realese the Google edition phone like it did in the past.
By the way I have recently swtich from an HTC One S with sense 4 to an HTC One M9+ Supreme Camera and sense 7 (also blinkfeed is nice) but I do miss some widgets from HTC (like gallery widget, bookmark widget and colored meteo widget).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was a business decision and sadly if you hate it then you'll have to keep you M9 or buy something else. Some of us are excited about it and who knows you may grow to love it. Or maybe they will regret it and put it back in an update.
As far as some reviews said it will still be possible to download all HTC Apps from PlayStore and thus install them on the new HTC 10. In fact it is wrong that they are better than the respective Google Apps, as they are just GUI modded Google Apps.
Only App I wouldn't download is HTC Gallery App, as I read that it interferes with the new HTC Camera App, as the later one has been optimized to work with Google Pictures App.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Labs
HTCNerdYoda said:
As far as some reviews said it will still be possible to download all HTC Apps from PlayStore and thus install them on the new HTC 10. In fact it is wrong that they are better than the respective Google Apps, as they are just GUI modded Google Apps.
Only App I wouldn't download is HTC Gallery App, as I read that it interferes with the new HTC Camera App, as the later one has been optimized to work with Google Pictures App.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand people sometimes. This information has been a talking point of almost every general review of the new phone. It took OP longer to ask here and wait for an answer then to just Google it! Save yourself some time and Google it first.
HTCNerdYoda said:
As far as some reviews said it will still be possible to download all HTC Apps from PlayStore and thus install them on the new HTC 10. In fact it is wrong that they are better than the respective Google Apps, as they are just GUI modded Google Apps.
Only App I wouldn't download is HTC Gallery App, as I read that it interferes with the new HTC Camera App, as the later one has been optimized to work with Google Pictures App.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Photos, in my opinion, is only good for photo editing. A standalone gallery is sorely missing from Android. Hell, I still use a pre-CM owned version of QuickPic instead of Google Photos.
I finally had the Pie OTA update notification arrive recently and have been doing some research on the usability changes that Samsung made before I update.
One change in particular is that the new camera app no longer has the video record button accessible beside the shutter button, instead you have to switch to a dedicated video mode to record. I also read that apparently this change also means that 'Pro'/manual mode can no longer record video. Is that true? This control is something really useful in my work, so is a pretty big deal breaker.
Does anyone know if it's possible to downgrade the stock camera app in Pie to the one included in Oreo? Would system changes make it incompatible or would it fail to install or work for some other reason?
Obviously the idea is to keep the better camera UI and also retain the OEM camera secret-sauce that manufacturers seem to bake into their systems/apps.
I've found what I believe is the stock camera apk file for Oreo at /system/priv-app/SamsungCamera8/Samsung Camera.apk
No you cannot, best case scenario would be someone porting it but you'd need root to install it and no-one has done that yet
Damn
Is the need for porting due to significant changes in Android, or just that apps need to be specifically built to be compatible with a specific version/s of Android e.g. Using the newer environment/sdk?
hijomojo said:
Damn
Is the need for porting due to significant changes in Android, or just that apps need to be specifically built to be compatible with a specific version/s of Android e.g. Using the newer environment/sdk?
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100+
same here on s7 edge
i searched all the planet for this
I am transferring from an LG Stylo 5 to a Motorola One 5G and I am very much a fan of the LG Stylo 5's pre-built apps, especially their Gallery and Music apps. The thing is, my Motorola One phone either relies on Google equivalents (Calendar, Gallery (dubbed Photos)) or, heaven forbid, completely lacks an innate app for it (Music). I came to rely on these apps, and these apps and/or non-Google equivalents simply do not exist on the Motorola One.
I did a standard "grab the APK and install it on the new phone" at the request of someone on Reddit, and was told it may not work--it didn't, there is either some incompatibility or some sort of protection to only have the app run on an LG. They then told me to "try XDA to see if LG apps have been ported to other androids.", but didn't specify where on the XDA site that'd even be. Indeed, I don't even know if I searched correctly, as my best search result involves ROMs and makes zero mention of Motorola phones, so I figured a new thread on the phone I'm porting to would make the most sense.
So uh... What do I do? Are those ROMs my best bet? Do I just need to tweak the .APKs in settings? Are there equivalent apps in the Motorola One 5G that are just not showing up in the "All Apps" menu for some reason?
If anyone who's adept at modifying .APK files can somehow mod the apps I want into working on a Motorola One 5G, I can provide my .APKs--they seem to be more up-to-date than whatever most .APK sites offer.
While it may entirely be the case they won't work without rewriting (or worse), are you sure that you got the entirety of the applications?
Split APKs are not your friend... but not hard to catch:
Code:
adb shell pm path com.linkedin.android
package:/data/app/com.linkedin.android-09eLyCiLAFgPJHMwI-AyqA==/base.apk
package:/data/app/com.linkedin.android-09eLyCiLAFgPJHMwI-AyqA==/split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
package:/data/app/com.linkedin.android-09eLyCiLAFgPJHMwI-AyqA==/split_config.en.apk
package:/data/app/com.linkedin.android-09eLyCiLAFgPJHMwI-AyqA==/split_config.xxhdpi.apk
Grab all four. The "arm64_v8a" is processor specific.. older processors may be armeabi-v7a or similar.
If that doesn't work, try adb logcat while/after launching, see if you can figure out WHAT it is crashing on, and maybe someone could help from there
Most LG apps won't work on other phones because they require LG framework to work. These apps don't even work on aosp custom roms on LG phones.
First Google phone (Pixel 6 Pro) in years! Anyways want to slim down and get rid of Google services on a phone. I am thinking of switching to Graphene OS but also want a ROM that fixes a lot of the bugs this phone has. Better screen color and brightness control and better battery. But would like to use the stock camera if possible. Rather not have to use magisk if it's avoidable.
Would a different ROM make more sense or are there other things Graphene can do that improves on Google's buggy and strangely limited version of Android on the Pixel.
Btw downgraded from a S22 Ultra for the purpose of giving Google's snooping eyes the boot but got use to the saturated colors on Samsung phones!. I am fine with the browser versions of YouTube, YT Music and Gmail.
Any and all suggestions and comments welcome.
To what do you refer when you say "... the bugs this phone has."?
I'd say go with GrapheneOS. You can use gcam if you like, I'd recommend with "gcam-services-provider" photos version, which avoids the need to install gservices.
Magisk should not be necessary unless you want to do something that just won't work without root, like call recording (BCR is the best choice for this), or make proper complete backups (seedvault backup is available, but won't back up any application that tells it not to, with root, neobackup is the best choice)
Youtube software should be replaced with Newpipe (open source youtube client). Gmail can be replaced with Fairemail (preferred) or K9Mail (now Thunderbird? https://k9mail.app/2022/06/13/K-9-Mail-and-Thunderbird.html).
96carboard said:
To what do you refer when you say "... the bugs this phone has."?
I'd say go with GrapheneOS. You can use gcam if you like, I'd recommend with "gcam-services-provider" photos version, which avoids the need to install gservices.
Magisk should not be necessary unless you want to do something that just won't work without root, like call recording (BCR is the best choice for this), or make proper complete backups (seedvault backup is available, but won't back up any application that tells it not to, with root, neobackup is the best choice)
Youtube software should be replaced with Newpipe (open source youtube client). Gmail can be replaced with Fairemail (preferred) or K9Mail (now Thunderbird? https://k9mail.app/2022/06/13/K-9-Mail-and-Thunderbird.html).
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I think i know some 'the bugs this phone has"
google phone navigation bar is terrible, sometimes it will lag and i will have to swipe a few times if i want it to work properly,Even on 4 xl and 6 pro
96carboard said:
To what do you refer when you say "... the bugs this phone has."?
I'd say go with GrapheneOS. You can use gcam if you like, I'd recommend with "gcam-services-provider" photos version, which avoids the need to install gservices.
Magisk should not be necessary unless you want to do something that just won't work without root, like call recording (BCR is the best choice for this), or make proper complete backups (seedvault backup is available, but won't back up any application that tells it not to, with root, neobackup is the best choice)
Youtube software should be replaced with Newpipe (open source youtube client). Gmail can be replaced with Fairemail (preferred) or K9Mail (now Thunderbird? https://k9mail.app/2022/06/13/K-9-Mail-and-Thunderbird.html).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe bugs was to strong. More like behaviors like the auto brightness being way to dim despite constant adjustment to train it. It has been using Samsung devices for a while now. Android has been getting so good I stopped rooting and installing roms. However Samsung has gotten very irritating and bloated again.
Thanks for the help and suggestions. There where some root apps that allowed you to adjust the displays saturation and contrast. Is there anything like that for the Pixel 6 Plus. Samsung broke my eye with the saturated colors. Lol.
Also is possible to use an Android wear watch without Android wear or will I have to change to a Tizen (Samsung) or maybe a Honor Magic watch. Taking suggestions.
Also is rooting for Magisk necessary as I would like to keep things more secure.
96carboard said:
To what do you refer when you say "... the bugs this phone has."?
I'd say go with GrapheneOS. You can use gcam if you like, I'd recommend with "gcam-services-provider" photos version, which avoids the need to install gservices.
Magisk should not be necessary unless you want to do something that just won't work without root, like call recording (BCR is the best choice for this), or make proper complete backups (seedvault backup is available, but won't back up any application that tells it not to, with root, neobackup is the best choice)
Youtube software should be replaced with Newpipe (open source youtube client). Gmail can be replaced with Fairemail (preferred) or K9Mail (now Thunderbird? https://k9mail.app/2022/06/13/K-9-Mail-and-Thunderbird.html).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an update. Graphenos install was super simple. Using Newpipe but looking for a YouTube Music streaming app since I listen to a lot of kpop which is hard to find elsewhere. Any ideas? Also using Open Camera for more control.
Grapheneos has a Saturated color profile so that fixed my color saturation issue!
Refusing to install even a sandboxes version of GPS.
johnciaccio said:
Just an update. Graphenos install was super simple. Using Newpipe but looking for a YouTube Music streaming app since I listen to a lot of kpop which is hard to find elsewhere. Any ideas? Also using Open Camera for more control.
Grapheneos has a Saturated color profile so that fixed my color saturation issue!
Refusing to install even a sandboxes version of GPS.
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure if it gives you exactly what you're looking for, but newpipe seems to have had some music-specific features since 2020; https://newpipe.net/blog/release/pinned/newpipe-0.19.3-release/
When you hit the search button (magnifying glass, upper-right corner), you then hit the MENU button (3 vertical dots button, upper-right corner) and can pick one of the 4 youtube music filters.
The saturated colors option is part of AOSP and is included in factory images as well. They started adding that in one of the updates for Pixel 2, which is where they started pushing *natural* colors. Some people didn't like natural colors after getting used to cartoon-level saturation and wanted some extra. I keep mine on Natural and have subsequently adjusted to it. It was probably easier for me to adjust to on account of having had no choice initially.