Latest Articles
Snapchat for Android to be Rebuilt With a Focus on Performance and Ease of Use
Snap Inc. has officially announced that Snapchat for Android will be rebuilt from scratch with a focus on performance and ease of use. Read on to know more!
Even though Snapchat is one of the most widely used mobile-only social networks in the United States and many other parts of the world, they have always had a rather poorly built application for the most widely used mobile operating system, Android. The Snapchat app on Android, unlike its iOS counterpart, has severe issues with UI lag, camera quality, and resource consumption, even on higher-end flagship devices.
Here's What's New in Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview 1: UI Changes & More!
Android 8.1, the first maintenance release for Google's latest Android Oreo, now has its first developer preview! Here are the new changes and features!
We received news from Google some days back that Android 8.1, the first maintenance release of Android Oreo, was making its way to Pixel and Nexus devices as a developer preview in the coming weeks. And indeed, just 8 days after the initial confirmation, the first system images for the 8.1.0 developer preview have now dropped for the Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. While this update might seem like a really modest improvement over the first Android 8.0 release, there is actually way more than meets the eye, as the update packs some major fixes and improvements as well as some other small tidbits and changes that should, all in all, improve the overall user experience in various ways. Today, we're doing a small rundown on some of what the Android 8.1 Developer Preview 1 brings to the table.
Unreleased LeEco Le Max 3 Shows Up on the XDA Forums
An XDA user has got his hands on the unreleased LeEco Le Max 3, giving us a glimpse at the internal specifications and software.
LeEco has earned a really controversial and shady reputation during the last few months. After a heavily failed attempt of taking over the US market by storm, trying out literally every single thing to stay afloat in some boat or market, as well as attempting to buy Vizio, the company has been pretty much forgotten to this day. However, there is one thing that LeEco did right back in the day: hardware. LeEco phones used to carry flagship specifications at bargain $400 or even sub-$300 price. The company, however, was preparing to show off and launch the Le Max 3, their latest big-screen flagship. Financial issues aside, the Le Max 3 seems to have been shelved altogether, but someone still managed to get his hands on a prototype phone.
Amplify, Xposed Module to Block Wakelocks/Alarms and Save Battery, Updated for Nougat
Amplify, an Xposed module for blocking wakelocks/alarms to save battery, has received a version bump to 4.0.0, adding Android Nougat and SELinux support.
Before Android 7.0 Nougat was launched, one of the most popular modules for the Xposed Framework was Amplify. Amplify, to put it short, is an Xposed Module which allows users to take full control of wakelocks and alarms on your Android device. Since it's able to control some of the worst system wakelocks, like NlpWakelock and NlpCollectorWakeLock, Amplify has been shown to significantly improve battery life. It, along with GravityBox, was one of the most sorely missed features when users upgraded to Android Nougat and left behind Xposed. Now that the Xposed Framework has been updated with full Android Nougat (7.0/7.1) support, though, Amplify has now followed suit and is compatible with the latest version of Xposed.
Developer Ports Xiaomi Mi A1's Android One ROM to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4/4X
After a successful Xiaomi Mi A1 Android One port for the Mi 5X, the Mi A1 firmware has now been successfully ported to the Redmi Note 4!
With the release of the Android One-branded Xiaomi Mi A1 and the Moto X4, and the upcoming HTC U11 Life, Google seems set on delivering a no-frills, Google-supervised stock Android experience with a more global focus and big hardware partners like Motorola and HTC. The Mi A1 is the first of such "global Android One" phones, and it's also coincidentally the first phone ever made by Xiaomi using close-to-AOSP software. And because it's officially supported firmware rather than a custom ROM, the developer community has set out to port the Mi A1 firmware to other, MIUI powered Xiaomi devices. After a successful port for the Xiaomi Mi 5X, we're now getting an Android One port for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 and Redmi Note 4X.
Enable Always On Display on Any Samsung Nougat Device Without Root
Samsung's Always On Display feature, previously exclusive to certain phones, has now been ported to all Samsung phones running Android 7.0 and higher!
Always on Display is a nifty feature available in flagship Samsung phones, and finally on the new Google Pixel 2/2 XL. Introduced on the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, Always on Display takes advantage of the AMOLED screen to light up parts of the screen with a clock or other widget without having a noticeable impact on battery life. Samsung states that Always on Display is limited to newer Samsung phones (like the aforementioned S7 series and the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8) due to hardware optimizations necessary for battery life, but that doesn't mean other Samsung devices can't enjoy the feature.
Magisk v14.3 Introduces "Invincible Mode" To Ensure Magisk is Always Running
Magisk has received a beta update to version v14.3, adding an Invincible Mode which ensures the Magisk daemon is running at all times, and more!
Magisk, the acclaimed systemless interface and root solution developed by XDA Recognized Developer / Recognized Contributor topjohnwu, has received steady and frequent beta and stable updates during the past few weeks. Version 14.0 brought by support for installing it without a custom recovery, and with v14.1 and v14.2, we got official support for the Google Pixel A/B partitioning scheme, which will help futureproof it as more and more devices adopt said partitioning scheme for seamless updates. Now, with v14.3, further improvements and features are being added to enhance the Magisk experience for users.
LineageOS Starts Removing Theme Engine Related Code, Basically Confirming CMTE's Demise
As a part of the LineageOS 15 bringup, the old CyanogenMod Theme Engine (CMTE) was finally axed for good after most mentions were removed from the code.
Before the rise of Substratum, there was the CyanogenMod Theme Engine (CMTE). Introduced all the way back with CyanogenMod 9 (based on Android Ice Cream Sandwich), it added system-wide theme capabilities to CyanogenMod builds. With the release of CyanogenMod 14 (which later became LineageOS), CMTE was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile many other popular custom ROMs started to favor the OMS-based Substratum Theme Engine in their builds. And with Android 8.0 Oreo now including native OMS support, it appears that the LineageOS team has now pulled the plug on CMTE for good.
[Update: Photos Patched] How to Enable Google Photos Unlimited Storage and Pixel-Exclusive Wallpapers on Any Phone
In this tutorial, we'll give you a rundown on how to enable the Pixel-exclusive Google Photos unlimited storage feature and wallpapers on any rooted phone.
One of the greatest and most useful exclusive features of the Google Pixel line, among many, is proper unlimited storage for Google Photos. This feature allows you to back up all your existing pictures and videos in original quality to Google Photos, without having them count up against your existing Google Drive storage. However, this feature is limited to the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and the Moto X4 Android One edition. If you're rooted, though, there's a small workaround discovered by XDA Member emime12 that will allow you to get Google Photos unlimited storage as well as exclusive wallpaper categories on the Google Wallpapers application on any Android phone running Android Nougat or higher.
How to Increase the Edge Screen Size on Samsung Galaxy Phones Without Root
In this tutorial, we'll show you how to increase the edge screen size to your liking on your curved-screen Samsung Galaxy phone.
While the Edge Screen function on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, S7 Edge, S8, S8+, and Note 8 provides a useful way to to access your favorite apps, tasks, and more, it can be a pain to activate especially since the newer phones are so tall! The size (and recognition area) can be tweaked in Settings, however, the maximum size you can set there is not enough for some users. If you feel like the edge handle is too small on your phone, you can easily change it to a custom value without root or much effort required, thanks to a tutorial originally made by XDA Senior Member Pedroc1999.
Underburn is an App that Changes Brightness Level Based on Screen Content [XDA Spotlight]
Underburn is an adaptive brightness alternative which, instead of changing brightness based on light conditions, changes it based on screen contents.
An automatic brightness feature has been present on nearly every Android device for years now. Before Android 5.0 Lollipop, the auto-brightness feature changed your phone's brightness based on the ambient light sensor readings, but the quick scaling up and down was bothersome. Auto-brightness evolved into adaptive brightness with Android Lollipop, which combines auto-brightness with a manual brightness level set by the user, so the brightness level stays generally around what the user wants it to be.
Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ (Exynos) Receives Unofficial LineageOS 14.1 Builds
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ have finally received unofficial LineageOS 14.1 alpha builds, based on Android 7.1.2.
ROM development for phones with Exynos chipsets, like pretty much all recent Samsung flagships (in their international models, of course), has been slowly but steadily growing with time. Bringing up AOSP Android on Samsung devices is way, way harder than Qualcomm-based development because Samsung does not provide public documentation for their chipsets among other reasons, so getting something to work on these devices is pretty much a hit or miss game until everything works well. However, it has been done: both the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S7 have received working AOSP-based ROMs on their Exynos versions, and the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have even received official LineageOS support. Now it's the turn for the Galaxy S8, Samsung's early 2017 flagship, to receive non-TouchWiz custom ROMs once and for all.
Chainfire Releases Source Code for suhide, SuperSU's SafetyNet-Hiding Addon
Chainfire, former SuperSU developer, has open sourced suhide, a SuperSU addon which allows users to pass the SafetyNet check successfully.
These past 2 weeks have been quite a ride for root lovers. First, we got a new Magisk update, which features complete Google Pixel and A/B partition scheme support. Then, we got a minor SuperSU update, which fixes a bug with Android Oreo on the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL, only to receive sad news days later that Chainfire was retiring from SuperSU development as a whole. Now, we're getting some really unexpected news for suhide - coming from Chainfire as well.
NVIDIA SHIELD Experience 6.0 Coming to NVIDIA Shield TV, Brings Google Assistant Support
After first learning that Google Assistant was coming to Android TV streamers and TVs, NVIDIA has announced an Assistant update for the NVIDIA Shield TV!
Earlier today, we've learned via the Google Blog that the Google Assistant was soon making its way to Android TV devices, starting with the NVIDIA Shield TV and later coming to Sony Bravia TVs in the following months. Google Assistant brings users the ability to browse content on your TV, search for relevant information, and pretty much anything you can already do using your phone's Assistant. Following this announcement by Google, a new system update for the NVIDIA Shield TV was set to roll out to Shield TV devices starting today.
[UPDATE: Magisk 14.2 Released] Magisk 14.1 Adds Official Support for the Google Pixel & Other A/B Partition Devices
Magisk v14.1 brings official A/B partition scheme support. Google Pixel/Pixel XL, Moto Z2 Force, and Xiaomi Mi A1 are now supported!
Update 9/29/2017: Magisk v14.2 has been officially pushed out, fixing a critical bug which broke the vast majority of Magisk modules. We strongly recommend all 14.1 users to upgrade to the newest version as soon as possible. You will be able to find the latest v14.2 in the official beta thread.
LaunchEnr is a Simple, AOSP-Style Launcher with Many Android Oreo Features
LaunchEnr is a Launcher3-based launcher which includes Android 8.0 Oreo features, AOSP looks, and lots of additional features aside simple icon packs!
Custom launchers are the first thing that comes to mind when people think about Android customization. After all, the home screen can be considered as the main UX element of your phone and can be customized in many different ways, going from a simple icon change to a complete overhaul of every aspect of the launcher. There are many different alternatives including Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, Lawnchair, you name it. However, those looking to keep it simple while getting some additional features also have many options available. One of them being LaunchEnr.
LineageOS Changelog #14 Brings Burn-in Protection and Changes to PrivacyGuard, AudioFX, and More
The LineageOS team has announced burn-in protection support for several AMOLED equipped devices as well as revamps to Privacy Guard, and more!
The LineageOS team has just released a new changelog summarizing the most important changes made to the popular third-party custom ROM in recent weeks. Originally made every two weeks, the changelog is now being released only when the team deems that there has been enough changes to warrant a blog post. That appears to be the case now, as changelog #14 brings some important changes as well as an official update on the status of LineageOS 15.0 and yet another expansion of the already gigantic device roster.
Lenovo A6000, Launched in January 2015 with Android KitKat, Receives Unofficial Android 8.0 Oreo Port
The Lenovo A6000, a budget device launched by Lenovo with Android KitKat back in January 2015, is now receiving an unofficial (and mostly stable) Oreo ROM!
The software situation of Lenovo phones has been, to put it in simple words, less than ideal. Putting the whole spyware thing to a side, updates for their smartphone lineup have been really slow and lacing during the past few years, on both their Motorola-branded phones and their own, Lenovo-branded devices. They still produce good hardware and while there have been rare cases of redemption, as long as you know how to stay clear of Lenovo's software by using custom ROMs, you should have a great phone. And speaking about Lenovo custom ROMs, we are now getting an Android Oreo taste for the Lenovo A6000.
Many LG Phones have a Root Checker Tool which Heavily Slows Down Device Performance
A root checker tool made by LG has been found on several flagship LG devices; it apparently degrades system performance heavily until disabled.
LG once had a mixed stance when it came to modifying their devices, though they've opened up in recent years and now most international LG phones have an easy way to unlock the bootloader. In fact, LG devices are now pretty popular among developers in our forums, with flagship lines having solid custom ROM support. However, for years now the company has been incorporating a root checking tool onto many of their devices, which users on our forums have found to significantly degrade performance until it is disabled.
Unofficial TWRP Recovery Released for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (Exynos)
An unofficial, mostly stable TWRP recovery build has been released for the just-launched Samsung Galaxy Note 8, in its Exynos variant.
TWRP has become an essential tool in the life of an Android enthusiast. It's a must have if you're serious about modifying your device with custom ROMs, kernels, and more. Official and unofficial builds are available for dozens of different devices, but today we are adding another new device to that list: the newly launched Samsung Galaxy Note 8.