The first stable Android 11 release is just around the corner, and I'm sure a lot of you are looking forward to trying out all the new features included in the update. However, you might have to wait a while before the update lands on your device and, even then, there's a good chance you won't get to experience all the new features. Thankfully, a couple of third-party apps have already started introducing some of these features for devices running older versions of Android. For instance, the developers behind Nova Launcher recently added new adaptive icon shapes inspired by Android 11 to the app, giving you the chance to customize your device to look like its running Android 11 even before the official release. Similarly, a notifications panel customization app called Power Shade has now introduced a new feature that brings Android 11's new media controls UI to any Android device.

Power Shade is a total notifications and Quick Settings panel replacement app that packs in a ton of customization options that will let you easily personalize the notifications shade on your device. The app offers color customization, advanced notifications controls, quick reply support, auto grouping of notifications, custom backgrounds, notification card themes, and advanced quick settings customizations. With the latest update, the app will now also let you use Android 11's new media controls UI on any Android device, with support for all music player apps.

As you can see in the attached screenshots, the Power Shade app lets you add a dedicated media controls UI to the notifications shade. The UI lets you easily control media playback on your device and it also includes a button to let you easily switch the output device. However, it doesn't offer all the features that will be available in the stable Android 11 release. The Power Shade media controls UI doesn't store previous media sessions like the real deal and it doesn't include the changes that were introduced in the Android 11 beta 3 update. Regardless, the media controls UI is a great addition to the app, and it's especially useful for those of you who won't be getting the Android 11 update on your device.

If you're interested in trying out Android 11's media controls UI before the official stable release, you can download the Power Shade app on your device from the Play Store link below. The app uses Android's Notification Listener and Accessibility Service APIs to replicate the notifications and Quick Settings panel functionality, so you'll need to grant both permissions to make use of the app.

Power Shade XDA Discussion Thread

Power Shade: Notification Bar Developer: ZipoApps
Price: Free
4.3
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