Related
So I just picked up a pair of evo's yesterday.
I got my fiance a white one and me a black one.
I'm new to the whole android scene but not to the hacking scene. I came from the palm pre which lets face it sucks if you don't hack it.
But I was wondering what are some must have apps and/or widgets for the evo.
For me and my fiance alike.
I got a task killer and sms popup and some stuff like that. But what else is there that is going to really make this phone shine?
Let me know. OH and I got the xda app so don't worry about suggesting it lol
And I've used xda in the past with my old windows mobile dash/exaclibur. It's a great community.
Please use the Q&A section. It's there for a reason.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
If someone would be kind enough to move this for me that would be awesome. I didn't see that question and answers thread at the time of posting this. My bad.
Just do some research.
Task killers are a no no.
There are 70,000 apps to choose from, to each their own. Check out appbrain.com for reviews etc.
redditor01 said:
Please use the Q&A section. It's there for a reason.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[sarcasm] excellent response, junior [/sarcasm]
For one, give up on the task killers now. They are redundant and do more harm than good. Task killers are good for one thing in an android device, closing a problem app. Android does a great job of managing tasks all on its own.
My must haves:
Handcent (be sure to disable notifications in the stock messaging app)
Audio Manager
DocsToGo
Root Explorer
Google Earth
Google Voice (I use it for vvm only)
Dropbox
Pandora
Shazam
System Panel
ShootMe
Wireless Tether for Root Users (now in the market )
What's wrong with task killers? I'll take it off cause I trust you guys but just wondering what is the problem with them?
Barcode Scanner
Apps Organizer - Put apps in folders instead of having one long list
Systray Monitor - See percentage of battery left in toolbar
LED Desire Light - lets you use the flash for your camera as a flash light
Google Sky Map
Dolphin Browser - better browser
Shazam - recognizes songs
Pandora
Music Junk - can find just about any song
guitarjockey said:
What's wrong with task killers? I'll take it off cause I trust you guys but just wondering what is the problem with them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do some searching, you will find plenty of good reading on the subject. You may even start in one of the older device forums, there was a lot of discussion on the subject in the CDMA Hero section.
Android manages it's ram and it does it quite well. A task killer is just another app that is always running, it's completely unnecessary and if you don't set it up right you might be killing stuff that you need.
If you want more detail than that I'm sure it will be VERY easy to find..
@xHausx, fwiw I used to be a huge fan of SysTray Monitor but I learned it runs rampant and uses more juice than it deserves. Unless they have updated it to perform more efficiently I had to drop that one from my must haves list when I had my Hero.
I use a task killer and have had good results with it, I just have it ignore everything except stuff I know is not needed and kill it when I am done. If you kill everything stuff will be constantly restarting and draining your battery
nebenezer got most of the must have apps. However, one app you MUST get is AppBrain. Its also a website. What it does is you go to www.appbrain.com, log in with your gmail account, get the app from the android market and then you can surf the Android market through a web browser and select which apps you want. Then go to your phone, open AppBrain, select Manage my apps, and sync. Then you can install all the apps that you just saw on your PC. Very handy and much easier than surfing the entire market on your phone.
Basically, you will want a file explorer like Root Explorer (only useful if you are rooted (which I recommend you do)), Astro File Manager, ect.
If you dont like the Sense UI that comes with your HTC Evo or if you would like to try something else, some other home applications are available. My fav is LauncherPro but another great one is ADW.Launcher. These apps replace your entire home screen and interface with highly customizable interfaces that can be themed and tailored to your expectations.
The stock music app sucks imo. doubleTwist is a great player to replace it until we get froyo.
Another must is Screebl Lite. This app detects how you are holding your phone and will prevent the screen from sleeping until you set it down so that its resting at a 90* angle or a 180* angle and with this you can have the phone's timer set very low to allow for excellent power savings. Mine's set at 15 sec so when Im reading something on the internet, I dont have to keep tapping my screen so that the screen wont dim, turn off, and lock on me.
Here is the list of Apps I use a lot and are must haves for me:
Barcode Scanner
Torrent-fu
Gmail Unread Count
Screebl Lite
doubleTwist Player
Handcent SMS
Dropbox
AppBrain App Market
Pandora Radio
AudioManager Widget
Engadget
ASTRO FileManager
Gmote 2.0 <~ Very cool app if you like to watch stuff on your PC from your bed or couch.
Places Directory
SwitchPro Widget
LauncherPro Beta
XDA
System
Lastly, the whole speculation on task killers is kinda iffy. Some ppl think that killing tasks hurts the battery cause the apps will just then have to restart and that uses more CPU cycles than just leaving it running in the background, and in theory they are right. With a stock, unrooted, HTC Evo, you are going to have bloatware constantly restarting if you use a taskkiller. I used one anyways cause I multitask like a champ and when I finished my session, I ended it with a task killer and then locked my phone and went about my business. Now, what you need to do is pay for and use a program called 'System'. Its amazing. It will show you all the apps running in the foreground, background, system apps, and user set excluded apps. System shows how much CPU time apps are using and how much of a drain it puts on your battery for a period of time which is set by you, the user. It can monitor and show apps that eat battery like a fat kid at mcdonalds. With System, you can add apps to an "excluded" list so that they arnt killed when you run the taskkiller. Very handy app.
Hope this helps. tl;dr.
xHausx said:
I use a task killer and have had good results with it, I just have it ignore everything except stuff I know is not needed and kill it when I am done. If you kill everything stuff will be constantly restarting and draining your battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should definitely check out an app called autostarts, you'd probably like it
HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO MENTION LauncherPro?????
so embarrassing
Since Sony Xperia X10 is now running on 2.1, topics related to 1.6 is not mentioned here.
This thread are created based on compilation of other threads related to optimization, and meant as an entry point for user interested in optimization.
Understanding your Android
Just to put something short, so we can understand our Android and some points related to optimization better.
Android is an open source operating system owned by Google that is maintained by Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The operating system is based on modified Linux kernel, where most of the application is written in Java language and running on DalvikJVM.
Android do things differently than old generation OS like Symbian, and below is the explanation related to performance.
Unlike Symbian, Android designed to have as many as application loaded and running in the OS, it maintain list of least used application that will be unloaded when a requests for more memory is made when the free OS memory is already low.
These are the nature of JVM, where allocation and deallocation of memory is managed by garbage collector as doing things in bulk is faster then working with small chunks. So you don't have to be alarmed when you open a memory viewer application and see your Android is running on low memory. Freeing RAM with task killer is only momentarily, as you uses the phone again, the free memory will goes down again.
Android phones stores system application, data and files internally in NAND flash area and stores user data in internal memory storage or external storage such as SD cards. This memory is different than your operating sytem memory.
Operating system memory is memory allocated for the kernel, native application and most application you download from market. Installing a lot of application will not directly reduce free RAM, nor uninstalling or removing files will increase free RAM directly. Action such as removing ringtones, wallpaper and even Sony PC Companion ISO will not free your RAM
In general there are two type of android application. One is a standalone application that only run if you open the application, and the other one is running even you haven't open the application which called service.
By design, guideline and suggested practice, application should not continue to run lengthy processing when it get pushed to background via home button, back button or switching to other application; properly build application will just go idle. Which means you should be less paranoid about application eating you processing power.
But service is meant to run lengthy operation as they don't have user interface and runs in background. Some service meanth for pushing or pulling data from internet, reading your files and do processing like playing songs, or just doing something then update the widget just to make you happy. Unnecessary services are the things that you should be aiming if you want to optimize your Android.
General FAQ about Optimizing Sony Xperia X10 2.1
I just updated to 2.1 and my phone really feel slower than 1.6
Since you had been using 1.6 for quite some time, your SD card should have quite a lot of photo and media. Just after you updated to 2.1, and add your Google and maybe Facebook account, the new Face Recognition service is actually already starting to scans all your photo, then when your Google and Facebook contact arrived, it will try it best to match photo and contact. This new Face Recognition really kicks hard in your processor, then after a while your phone will be as fast and even better than old stock 1.6.
I still feel that the phone is slow, is there any simple and quick way to optimize
The simple and quick to optimize your phone instantly is by changing the 2.1 dalvikvm to JIT capable dalvikjvm. You can read and apply them by reading the thread referred below, but before you do that open the below link in background tab and please do read more first.
Android 2.1 OPTIMISER V002 by Jerpelea
2.1 Customizer v0.99.1 by ttxdragon
Both optimizer contains script that will erase your "junk/unused" application from your phone, be sure to read them first before executing. My suggestion is you apply JIT modification first, before going optimizing by remove your "junk/unused" application.
Please do remember that you have to Root your X10 first.
How to root the phone
You can root the phone using methods below.
OneClick z4root Android Application
SuperOneClick Windows Application
Is [INSERT APP NAME] here is save to remove?
By removing unused application, you will gain certain amount of performance gain. Below are the links with app list.
2.1 Customizer v0.99.1 by ttxdragon
Official List of Apps that Can be Removed from a 2.1 x10 by exekias
And still a lot more in other Sony Ericsson X10 forum section but those two is quite complete
And in case you forgot to make backup you can go to
2.1 System Apps - In Case You've Deleted Them by XperiaX10iUser
After doing all that my Quadrant Benchmark is still low
You should run Quadrant as least two or three time or until you get best score, the first one usually yield low score, because a lot of memory allocation process to Quadrant happening during the first run.
Tuning Utilities
Memory Usage - Application to see how much memory used by your application and services
Advanced Task Manager - Application to see is your application running on foreground, background or idle and its memory usage
Quadrant Standard - General benchmarking tools to see if your changes make improvement
Linpack - Processor benchmarking
Titanium Backup Pro - Back up application, the paid version can freeze your app rather then uninstalling it.
Fine Tuning Guide
About Widget, Application shortcut and Live Wallpaper
Even though widgets looks really good in your phone, some widgets required simple periodic process for updating its display, some have a full blown service running to support it. A very instant example that you can see in your phone is the Power Control widget and the new Status Switch widget.
Power Control widget update triggered by configuration change such as wifi on and off, while Status Switch widget which have a battery level is triggered by a running service. Just put Status Switch widget then go to Settings -> Application -> Running Services. Then you will see there a Status Switch Update service running in background to update the battery level.
By selectively put widgets on your home screen, you can gain extra processing and memory. Timescape widget is even worse, it have three service running to support it.
Application shortcuts also uses extra memory in your home screen app and your home screen app is usually system persistent, reducing number of shortcut will give extra RAM and reducing the required rendering process during scroll.
Live Wallpaper just as the name said looks really nice and require extra memory and process of course.
Tuning via build.prop
Some value can be added and modified into build to increase the performance of X10.
dalvik.vm.heapsize=32m
This will change the maximum memory size per application. If you decrease the value, smaller application starts faster, but big application like games will prone to crash, if you increase the value too much, smaller application takes longer to start, but big application will extra gain benefit from less garbage collecting.
Reference: Test: How changing the max amount of memory per VM Heap can effect your ROM (Cyanogen)
windowsmgr.max_events_per_sec=60
This will change the maximum number of touch screen gesture events per second, the bigger the value, the smoother the scrolling will be
There still some more build.prop tweaks that you can do, but not all of them will be processed by X10 as each device behave differently.
reservation for more article to go
Nice clean guide, should help newcomers. Good work!
synlar said:
Nice clean guide, should help newcomers. Good work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but i am quite depressed after reading it my self and found that i make a lot of typo. Had to revise and revise again.. lol.
Nice piece of work there Xeviro..
Can you post your build.prop please i cant find the windowsmgr.max_events_per_sec=60 one in mine.
Wolfbreak said:
Can you post your build.prop please i cant find the windowsmgr.max_events_per_sec=60 one in mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That one you add by your self to you build.prop. If you look further in google, there still a lot of other build properties that you can set to Android.
There is another way to add and test build.prop instantly by using adb shell command "setprop key value" and "getprop key". Some property will take effect immediately, some require you to reboot.
How do you prove that the windowsmgr.max_events_per_sec=60 actually works? After applying that I tried input benchmark and it still showed 33hz.
ooidort said:
How do you prove that the windowsmgr.max_events_per_sec=60 actually works? After applying that I tried input benchmark and it still showed 33hz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, i just checked, that for this build.prop property to take effect, you need to reboot the device first. I just test on my, giving 10 and 200 in value. With 10, the input benchmark showing less then 20hz most of the time, while with 200 it gives me 40hz+.
Also you can see if you scroll the app list with 10 and 200 value, you can see the difference.
xeviro said:
Ok, i just checked, that for this build.prop property to take effect, you need to reboot the device first. I just test on my, giving 10 and 200 in value. With 10, the input benchmark showing less then 20hz most of the time, while with 200 it gives me 40hz+.
Also you can see if you scroll the app list with 10 and 200 value, you can see the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely notice the difference between 10 and 200, but it still doesn't go above 33hz... Maybe it's the framerate cap doing it's thing?
xeviro said:
Thanks, but i am quite depressed after reading it my self and found that i make a lot of typo. Had to revise and revise again.. lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good write up! I was actually going to say something about the typos/errors, because I'm a jerk, but, you noticed them too, so I feel satisfied.
I hope people will read your little intro about RAM and realize a task killer's real purpose is to kill rogue services that kill battery.
xeviro said:
That one you add by your self to you build.prop. If you look further in google, there still a lot of other build properties that you can set to Android.
There is another way to add and test build.prop instantly by using adb shell command "setprop key value" and "getprop key". Some property will take effect immediately, some require you to reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But where do i need them to add? At Beginning or at End or Middle?
iead1 said:
Good write up! I was actually going to say something about the typos/errors, because I'm a jerk, but, you noticed them too, so I feel satisfied.
I hope people will read your little intro about RAM and realize a task killer's real purpose is to kill rogue services that kill battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please forgive my typo and grammars, i life in country where people simplify their way of communication. I cannot talk proper now. hahaha
Wolfbreak said:
But where do i need them to add? At Beginning or at End or Middle?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anywhere
xeviro said:
Please forgive my typo and grammars, i life in country where people simplify their way of communication. I cannot talk proper now. hahaha
Anywhere
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If i add this to the end of my build.prop my phone does not accept SIM unlock code anymore .... ??
EDIT: Strange, second time it worked ... btw. what is the default value ?
Ive added dalvik.vm.heapsize=32m to see what diff it will make and well..
wow.. it killed my phone.
It will show sony ericsson on the screen when you turn it on and just stay there!
So yeah... how can i fix this?
It's bricked, you'll need to reflash the software!
:-(
OP- Great thread, thank you!
Post on my Rooted 2.1 X10i using Tapatalk Pro and Swype
Yeah i knida noticed...
fixed now but im not trying that heapsize thing again..
Anyone here have the original/untouched nordic build.prop? I'm really appreciate it if you share it here. ^_^
Sent from my Xperia X10i (2.1 and rooted) using XDA app
Seansmit17 said:
Ive added dalvik.vm.heapsize=32m to see what diff it will make and well..
wow.. it killed my phone.
It will show sony ericsson on the screen when you turn it on and just stay there!
So yeah... how can i fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seansmit17 said:
Yeah i knida noticed...
fixed now but im not trying that heapsize thing again..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its working correctly in my phone, and this heapsize settings is the most common one in android modding. you go check google and see the results.
I also attached build.prop from my phone.
Has anybody figured out a way to use the back button to exit out of programs instead of hiding them so that you don't have to go to "manage applications" in order to force close them and save battery life?...i know, run.on.
konsts said:
Has anybody figured out a way to use the back button to exit out of programs instead of hiding them so that you don't have to go to "manage applications" in order to force close them and save battery life?...i know, run.on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand the MT4G is supposed to do a job on it's own of closing most applications most of the time, better then any other android had (at time of release anyway). I suppose if you think it's that big of an issue you could download a task killer, but I've heard over and over again to not use on on the mt4g because you just don't need it. That's just what I heard though.
Could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.
Is there a setting for that then? because nothing closes on my phone
yeah i agree on NOT using those task killers. i have seen many posts from devs saying they cause more problems then there worth. interfere with apps causing force closes and some other thing that i cant remember off the top of my head.
Google up "Why you shouldn't be using task killers with Android", read, educate yourself, and stop doing unnecessary things with your phone. Understand how things work before you attempt "making them work better", and screw them up in the process.
Ok sounds good, but why then when you get rid of the bloatware like "amazon mp3" by disabilig them, do you get improved battery life? What am I missing?
You don't. Battery life won't be bothered by having or not having Amazon MP3. The only thing you get is more memory (which isn't used anyway) and more space on the /system (which isn't used anyway). Additional thing you get that IS used - is less cluttered app drawer.
konsts said:
Ok sounds good, but why then when you get rid of the bloatware like "amazon mp3" by disabilig them, do you get improved battery life? What am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Task Killers do more harm then they do good. any developer, any coder, any one with any Android knowledge will tell you "you do not need it, and they do more harm then good". In fact Google themselves has said that it's not worth it. and the dev team @ Cyanogen will not accept a event log for trouble shooting if you have used a task killer.
But the reason we delete bloat ware is to gain that memory for other applications and data. no all apps can be stored to the SD card and they do leave a foot print on the phone. So we delete them to gain the space back.
Android phones are Lunix based computers which can multitask lightyears better than any current windows based computer system, phone or server. They were designed with this very principle in mind. In fact if you have ever used Ubuntu 10.10 they have a 4 "work spaces" where you can do different stuff simultaneously. similar to the "home screens" on android.
as far as them "running" in the background they are not absorbing any data/battery/resources from your phone. They are setting in a "frozen" state until you open them. In fact, if you didn't know this, if you press and hold the home button you can access recently open apps. It keeps them in the "frozen" state so if you switch back to them they'll open where you left them.
Thanks for all the comments. But I don't need convincing on the task killers; I understand they're worthless. My intent was to find out how to make my phone perform better (battery life-wise). And although I think I have a better understanding on how android handles apps it also just confused me.
I used to get 8-10 hrs max on my phone and basically have to charge it all the time. Since I temp rooted (permroot isn't working for me) using VISIONary and disabled a bunch of apps using Terminal Emulator, I'm sitting on 23.5 hrs off the charger right now with 45% battery left!!! And all I did was disable apps. So I'm mad confused how I'm getting so much battery life when the only thing that's changed in my phone according to you wouldn't change anything.
konsts said:
Thanks for all the comments. But I don't need convincing on the task killers; I understand they're worthless. My intent was to find out how to make my phone perform better (battery life-wise). And although I think I have a better understanding on how android handles apps it also just confused me.
I used to get 8-10 hrs max on my phone and basically have to charge it all the time. Since I temp rooted (permroot isn't working for me) using VISIONary and disabled a bunch of apps using Terminal Emulator, I'm sitting on 23.5 hrs off the charger right now with 45% battery left!!! And all I did was disable apps. So I'm mad confused how I'm getting so much battery life when the only thing that's changed in my phone according to you wouldn't change anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
battery life has alot to do with your social networks, and syncing. If i turn off everything, and turn the screen brightness to about 25%, i drop about 2% per 5 hours. So it really depends on what you disabled, and if they were absorbing any resources on your phone.
neidlinger said:
Task Killers do more harm then they do good. any developer, any coder, any one with any Android knowledge will tell you "you do not need it, and they do more harm then good". In fact Google themselves has said that it's not worth it. and the dev team @ Cyanogen will not accept a event log for trouble shooting if you have used a task killer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct. However, there is one situation in which I do end apps, and that is in the case of resource-intensive, 3D games. The MT4G has so much RAM, that even games like NFS Shift, X-Plane, and Jet Car Stunts never close. They stay running in the background forever, which is unnecessary. So I'll close those, but no other apps.
TeeJay3800 said:
That is correct. However, there is one situation in which I do end apps, and that is in the case of resource-intensive, 3D games. The MT4G has so much RAM, that even games like NFS Shift, X-Plane, and Jet Car Stunts never close. They stay running in the background forever, which is unnecessary. So I'll close those, but no other apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do the same but i'll got to settings > apps > running > and sever them.
BTW Backbacker is a good 3D game.
neidlinger said:
BTW Backbacker is a good 3D game.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not finding that one. The closest I can find is this one, but that's a GPS resource, not a game.
TeeJay3800 said:
I'm not finding that one. The closest I can find is this one, but that's a GPS resource, not a game.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look for backbreaker football. it was a the Amazon freebie yesterday.
konsts said:
Has anybody figured out a way to use the back button to exit out of programs instead of hiding them so that you don't have to go to "manage applications" in order to force close them and save battery life?...i know, run.on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings/applications/development/stop app via long press.
Make sure you check the box. That's how you stop the app completely.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
No such thing on stock ROMs. CM feature.
didnt know he had a stock rom till i read his sig. xda app doesnt show that sig. saw it now that im a pc. my bad.
I'm looking for an app that helps kinda show off the S-pen for the Note 3 whether it's games or features. I also am looking for an app that helps stop all services or apps that aren't necessary to run the device when I turn the screen off. Something just to save battery ya know?
buckeyestilidie said:
I'm looking for an app that helps kinda show off the S-pen for the Note 3 whether it's games or features. I also am looking for an app that helps stop all services or apps that aren't necessary to run the device when I turn the screen off. Something just to save battery ya know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the apps that feature the S Pen come preinstalled, I haven't found any games that will show it off or really benefit from its use however that doesn't mean there isn't one. There are similar non-Samsung note taking apps that have handwriting mode which allows you to use the S Pen but nothing really special other than MindBoard.
As for battery Greenify is a great app management app. With root and Xposed framework you can greenify system apps. Basically this is a hibernating app that allows you to hibernate apps at command or automatically with various settings based on your needs. The free version doesn't require root or Xposed, and the paid version is only a dollar or two. I would recommend this over a task manager/killer because it works around Android's behavior of restarting apps that get force closed.
ROUNDUP OF NON-ROOT MODS/APPS/SOLUTIONS
APPS
1. iFont
It uses the native Flipfont system present in the Note to change fonts. You can install any font from a very big list and if you buy the Donate version (which I highly recommend), you can make an installable apk for any font you want. I have already made and shared Roboto L fonts, Comic Sans and Comic Neue.
2. Adblock Plus
Works on WiFi and (if APN settings are edited) on mobile data, blocks apps on browsers and other apps. An excellent solution for ad-blocking on non-routed phones.
2b. An alternative solution that only works for browsing via WiFi networks is Adguard.
3. SMS Backup & Restore
A free app that can backup and restore your messages, no root required. Works flawlessly, I used to it to backup my SMS on my S4 and restore them to my Note 4.
4. Greenify
As mentioned in this thread, Greenify works without root as well. Automatic hibernation is even an option, albeit some issues with "talking calculator" have been mentioned.
5. My Backup
As mentioned here this app is a feature-rich backup solution for non-rooted phones.
6. SD Maid - System Cleaning Tool
This app attempts to make best possible use of its features without root present. It's a tool that cleans up unnecessary files from your phone that apps leave behind.
7. AutoStart - No root
As the name suggests, this app lets you select which applications you want to auto start after phone boot-up and it works on all phones/tablets without root permission. You can also choose one or multiple apps to auto-launch at boot with customisable delay values.
8. Busybox (No Root)
For advanced users who want to run busybox commands on their phones via the Android Terminal Emulator app.
9. Call Recorder
Call recording app that uses the Samsung standard API therefore does not require root access. It is a bit pricey but well worth the money for people who need that feature. There's a full-featured trial available from XDA so you can try before you buy.
9b. There is also a free alternative that has been reported to work well on the Note 4, AndroRec Free.
9c. Another great free alternative is Automatic Call Recorder, with the added bonus that it can record in better formats, like mp3 or wav, save on the SD card and the option for prompt to "Save or Delete" at the end of every call.
10. NoRoot Firewall
Firewall without root. Host name/domain name filtering, simple interface, fine-grained access control and no suspicious permissions on the app itself.
11. Better Wifi On/Off
A free, fully featured, ad-supported app that aims at giving you the control of the Wifi state, optimizing your battery life without losing on user experience. In theory, Wifi is less power hungry than 3G but some apps behave differently when Wifi is on (DropBox / Google+ uploads, Google Maps location caching) and the well known wlan_rx kernel wakelock is a symptom of wakeups caused by uncontrolled Wifi hotspots. The Wifi sleep policy is not working consistently and does not solve all the above problems, enter this app.
12. Helium - App Sync and Backup
Helium is the missing app sync and backup solution for Android and doe not require root. You can backup both your apps and their data to your SD card or cloud storage and sync them from your other Android devices. You need access to a computer for a brief USB connection and then you're good to go.
13. Desktop VisualizeR
Application that allows you to personalize your home screen by creating icons or widgets with your favorite photos or images, works on any launcher, even TW!
14. FREE screen recorder NO ROOT
Recordable is the easy way to create screen recordings without root. The free version adds a watermark on the recordings and limits frame rate to 8fps, but is otherwise fully functional. A Windows, Mac or Linux computer required to complete the installation (like with Helium Backup), but after this it's not needed to make screen recordings.
MODIFICATIONS
1. Full Screen Immersive Mode
Full screen immersive mode in any application or game, root is not required.
2.Enable AirView and AirGesture
2b. Instead of Nova Launcher, you can use the QuickShortcutMaker app to create any shortcut directly on the Touchwiz launcher.
3. MW-Pen App Enabler
This app that enables apps for multiwindow and/or pen window without rooted access. The only limitations are that it does not work for system apps and that enabled apps can not be updated. To update them, you need to uninstall the enabled app first, install the updated app and run it through the enabler app again.
4. Mont Blanc digital content
A guide on how to get the extra Mont blanc pens for the S Note and the two exclusive Mont Blanc wallpapers and unlock effect..
5. QuickClick
Start any action (flashlight, system toggles, media controls, etc) with a sequence of volume buttons clicks.
6. Spen Toolbox
A wonderful little app that extends the functionality of the S-Pen, by offering options for: turning the screen off when you attach the pen, changing the detach and attach sounds, creating a custom shortcut popup to appear on detach, and many more!
7. No root and want to modify your DPI? You can!
Thanks to PizzaSauce, we have a way to modify DPI without root. All you need is access to a Windows PC. Changes persist after reboot too.
If you don't want to install the whole Android SDK, you could use this tool to install ADB, which is all that is needed for this mod.
Hello all!
I recently got my Note 4 and it's by far the best device I've ever owned.
I started this thread because I decided not to root the phone -at least for now. Even though, I've been rooting and heavily modding all my phones in the past.
My reasons are:
1. Warranty.
I know that you can flash a stock firmware before handing it to service and that KNOX counter doesn't matter (I've had my Note 10.1 with a tripped counter repaired twice under warranty). However, I'd like for once to be able to just send my phone to service if need be, without the extra hassle of concealing the tweaking I've done.
2. S-Pen.
I know that rooting doesn't affect the S-Pen functionality, however, the use of the Pen makes custom ROMS such as AOSP and CM useless to me. I actually use the S-Pen heavily and it was one of the reasons I bought the phone. There are of course custom TW ROMS but to be honest, and with no intention to offend anyone, they are not my cup of tea.
3. Stability.
This one will seem weird to many, but it's my personal experience. This is the 4th Samsung device I own (SGS3, SGS4, Note 10.1, Note 4) and with the previous three I noticed that when I rooted and enthusiastically started "debloating", things started to turn unstable. And I have never, ever noticed any improvement in battery life. I know it sounds odd, but it is true to me. The Note 4 gives you the option to disable a lot of preinstalled apps anyway.
4. Lollipop.
I want to get the update that was meant for my region via OTA, no cables necessary. Plus I believe that all the annoyances I rectified with root (mainly theming, such as Tinted Statusbar) will be solved in Lollipop. Again, that's my opinion and personal taste.
Now do I miss root? Hell, yeah! Why?
1. ADS ADS ADS...
Ads everywhere! I have been paying for my apps and I am not using pirated software at all. And I gladly donate/pay for ads to be removed and premium features for apps I really love. However, there are apps that either don't offer an a ad-free option or they charge an insane amount for ad removal. I know developers need to make revenue, but there's nothing uglier than an ad banner. Seriously.
2. Tinted statusbar.
And generally Xposed.
3. Call recording.
I liked the native call recording function of the TW dialer, no app comes close from what I've seen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope this thread will be used to discuss unrooted phones and ways to mod your device without root.
Kindly keep in mind that this is not a thread to persuade anyone to root or not -please respect other people's decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided not to root as well. I'm using the note 4 as my backup phone with the oneplus one as my DD. I don't want to root until an option to root without tripping knox is available. I'm very curious to know what options are avaailable to non rooted phones. Thanks for starting this thread. Great idea.
3. Call recording.
I liked the native call recording function of the TW dialer, no app comes close from what I've seen.
Try this app, by an actual XDA dev, it works great. Its very polished, very native looking/behaving app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skvalex.callrecorder
Tested and working great without root.
My reason not to root note4 is lollipop upgrade from ota too
I think this note4 is good enough for me except ads like you said
For me I need root to
- Change the very bad Arabic font
- Use proxy applications
- Be able to stop WifiKill which they use heavily over here
- Use Wanam Xposed mostly for Long press back button to kill App
- Freeze all the useless pre-installed apps I never use eating memory and battery, I need maximum memory for multitasking
- Stop auto startup of other un needed apps
well I guess these may not be important to you
deathshead said:
3. Call recording.
I liked the native call recording function of the TW dialer, no app comes close from what I've seen.
Try this app, by an actual XDA dev, it works great. Its very polished, very native looking/behaving app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skvalex.callrecorder
Tested and working great without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I'll have to try this!
khaeid said:
For me I need root to
- Change the very bad Arabic font
- Use proxy applications
- Be able to stop WifiKill which they use heavily over here
- Use Wanam Xposed mostly for Long press back button to kill App
- Freeze all the useless pre-installed apps I never use eating memory and battery, I need maximum memory for multitasking
- Stop auto startup of other un needed apps
well I guess these may not be important to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The font is something I also miss, Roboto has been vastly improved for Lollipop. So I'm waiting for the big update.
EDIT: I figured out a way to change font that doesn't require root, it uses the native Flipfont system present in the Note!
Using the iFont app you can install any font from a very big list and if you buy the Donate version, you can make an installable apk for any font you want! Marvellous!
Nice Thread... main thing i miss in the Adaway..other den that the phone is perfect for me...no lag ..good battery life ..
Teardrop45 said:
Nice Thread... main thing i miss in the Adaway..other den that the phone is perfect for me...no lag ..good battery life ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a way for non-rooted phones to block ads only on WiFi though on both WiFi and mobile data connections, using an app called Adblock Plus.
iR¡[email protected]!* from i9505 via Tapatalk 4
Hi guys,
It is my first post although I had been lurking for a while now. Interesting thread, I didn't root my Note 4 as well for all the reasons mentioned above. What I miss most is App Opps or XPrivacy. I find it hard to install all the applications I want to try because of the ridiculous amount of permissions required. Other than that I don't miss much. The phone is pretty awesome.
I was forced to root because I had app data on another device that couldn't be moved, even through ADB.
But, Xposed,Titanium Backup, Adaway , greenify and a few others make rooting well worth the risk (once you know your devices hardware is good ).
Sent from my SM-N910U
Not rooting mine too, my first ever android device to remain stock.
Sent from my SM-N910G using XDA Free mobile app
I would like to stay without root but i really miss viper... Is there any non root way stay get that type of sound improvement?
monkley said:
I would like to stay without root but i really miss viper... Is there any non root way stay get that type of sound improvement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried installing Viper and see if it works? Because a quick Google search gave me these:
If you're using a Samsung device, you're lucky because you actually don't need root to install the Viper4Android! Only thing you need to do is to install the app as usual and change the sound effect in*settings > sound > music effect*to Viper4Android. Be sure you don't use the TouchWiz stock player because it may not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...And from the official XDA thread:
Setup your Device
For Samsung devices,
1. Try install V4A as user app instead of system app if the latter failed doesn't work.
2. Use Normal Mode and select V4A FX in Settings>Sound>Music Effects.
3. If don't work, use another player rather than Samsung stock Music.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iR¡[email protected]!* from i9505 via Tapatalk 4
Jumping on the band wagon here too... I've had many android devices, all rooted; most recently an S4 running CM. The reason I bought the Note was for the stylus and note taking abilities. Very happy with the speed and stability so far in stock form although the battery life sucks. Dropbox was a major drainer so killed that. I need to selective disable some of the other stock apps but so far not really missing much requiring root other than titanium backup...
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
sawy3r said:
Jumping on the band wagon here too... I've had many android devices, all rooted; most recently an S4 running CM. The reason I bought the Note was for the stylus and note taking abilities. Very happy with the speed and stability so far in stock form although the battery life sucks. Dropbox was a major drainer so killed that. I need to selective disable some of the other stock apps but so far not really missing much requiring root other than titanium backup...
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had an S4 running a GPE edition ROM too. I only miss aesthetic modifications, like Tinted Statusbar and other theming elements.
Titanium Backup is also high on my list, however, I found SMS Backup & Restore works perfectly for messages (see OP). That's something!
Thanks for this lovely thread. Getting Adblock without root feels like an early Christmas. Would like to add that "My Backup" backs up SMS and much more without root. It also now backs up to Dropbox which is lovely (at least the Pro version does).
ozaghloul said:
Thanks for this lovely thread. Getting Adblock without root feels like an early Christmas. Would like to add that "My Backup" backs up SMS and much more without root. It also now backs up to Dropbox which is lovely (at least the Pro version does).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I added your suggestion to the OP, thank you very much! :good:
Keep them coming!
Also, if anyone needs any specific installable font, post the .ttf file here and I'll make an apk.
Coming from rooted and heavy used Nexus. Really not missing anything in Notes Not planning to root.
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
bat0nas said:
Coming from rooted and heavy used Nexus. Really not missing anything in Notes Not planning to root.
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes heavily modding your phone can become too much and it's nice to let things be once in a while!
I added SD Maid and AutoStart - No root in the OP.
iridaki said:
Titanium Backup is also high on my list, however, I found SMS Backup & Restore works perfectly for messages (see OP). That's something!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out! [emoji2]