Related
I only have one app in my market, it is download-able but none the less its the only thing there. any idears?
Any ideas folks?
So you started doing the Manualnooter 4.5.2 for 1.2
Just continue one with the rest of the steps. Reading further down on the Step-by-step guide you get these instructions.
Market has limited visibility - This is a known tablet issue, not just a NOOKcolor one.
Originally Posted by Pentagram
For those with missing apps in market this did the trick for me:
STEPS:
1) Already have your Google Account entered into the table & synced.
Settings=> Accounts & sync => Add your account/Sync your account
2) Run Android Market first by using your desktop icon or the applet grid panel choosing the Market app. When run it should produce a Market with missing apps when you search as is usual.
3) Leave the Android Market program running & tap the Home button to go to the desktop.
Replaces 4-6 = Nook Color Tools => All Settings => Manage Applications
4) Tap the Menu button, then select the Settings option in the bottom bar that pops up.
5) Select the Applications option
6) Select the Manage applications option
7) Select the Running TAB to show all running applications.
8) Scroll down the list until you see Market, then select it.
9) Tap on the Clear cache option button
10) Tap on the Force stop option button. DO NOT tap on the Clear data button here under Market, it will break the process I believe!
11) Tap on the Back button to go back to the entire list of running apps.
12) Scroll the app list up until you see the Google Services Framework app & select it.
13) Tap on the Clear data button here first, then tap on the OK button to confirm the action.
13) Tap on the Force close button now.
14) Now tap on the Back button or use the Home button to go back to the main desktop screen.
15) If you have the Market app on your desktop, then tap on it to run it, or open the dockbar applet panel & run Market from there again.
16) You should get an error box that has "Attention", then states that "An error has occurred. Please try again later."
This is good & what seems should happen if all is going well.
17) Now just hold down the On\Off button & then use the shut down menus to shut down the device normally.
18) Now just turn the device back On normally, let it boot to the desktop ... when you get a working Wifi connection, try Market again ... hopefully if all went as it did for me many times, Market should work fully now & show apps that used to be missing!
Thanks, your awesome!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Ok so now I have a market with apps but they won't actually download. Any idears?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Ok so just angry birds won't dl. Weirddddd
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
This is a version of the stock MotoACTV system ROM 1.7.12N with several modifications that allow you to use many more android apps.
All userdata is erased when you install this from another ROM, I'm not responsible with what you do with your device.
What works, in no particular order:
- This is already rooted, it doesn't matter what version you come from. I receive a lot of questions about this. Really, the state of your motoactv software doesn't matter. Rooted or not rooted, stock or modified, etc.
- All stock apps and functions work as expected, nothing changes from a stock MotoACTV.
- All google apps I've tried, Market, GMail, Maps, Talk, etc
- Live Wallpapers and widgets stay after reboots.
- LED notifications for Gmail, Email, etc.
- Wifi stays on. Icon shows in status bar when connected. New!
- Accelerometer based games and launcher rotation.
- Enabled settings menus:
* Wireless & Network Settings. Where you can turn on/off wifi, add networks, set advanced parameters, etc
* Application Settings. Where you can uninstall apps, turn on/off ADB, see battery usage, etc
* Accounts & sync settings. Manage accounts for autosync, etc.
* Sound Settings. Choose notifications tone, volume, etc
- Calendar widget and application working.
- Music button is "menu", double-press power button for "home" or choose a launcher.
- Battery percentage modded by ClearD. (thanks!)
- Preferences in most apps are shown black text over white background for easier reading on the MotoACTV.
What doesn't work:
- Search, nowhere. force closes every time. This has never worked.
- Audio input for installed apps. This has never worked.
- Some Bluetooth profiles are not implemented.
- Wifi stays on, but but some times doesn't turn off when you deselect it. turn off/on the MotoACTV if you're in this situation.
- MotoCast setup messes up the Accounts and Sync settings, so Motocast needs to be setup after the google account.
Zeam launcher is preinstalled, but it's not really needed, because you can access all installed applications with the "music" button, you can uninstall it if you prefer. Also you can install another launcher if you like, just be sure to move it to the internal flash from Settings, Application Settings, choose the app and tap the button "move to phone". You'll have to do this for other apps that require to be installed internally, like extra widgets.
Instructions
You can use ClearD's excellent image flasher http://www.cleardroidroms.com/download/click.php?id=103 (be sure to use the "wipe" button) or follow these instructions :
* you need "fastboot" to be installed and working on your computer, here are instructions for windows: http://dottech.org/tipsntricks/2153...ows-computer-for-use-with-your-android-phone/
* Your MotoACTV needs to be fully charged.
Download and extract the zip at the end of this post:
- With the MotoACTV turned off, press and hold "volume down" key and "power" key until the display lights up, release both keys.
- Plug the usb cable to the MotoACTV and the computer.
- Open a command line and change directory to where you extracted the zip file.
- Issue the followings commands in order:
Code:
fastboot -w
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash preinstall preinstall.img
fastboot -w
fastboot reboot
If you are starting from a previous version of DPRom, you can try to upgrade with the following commands:
Code:
fastboot erase cache
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash preinstall preinstall.img
fastboot reboot
This is the way to set it up that works for me:
The first boot will take a couple of minutes.
Choose the country, language, press "motoactv setup", choose time zone, set hour, set date, press "next", press "profile setup", set your age, select gender, set height, set weight, set primary activity.
***Don't setup the MotoCast things yet, so press "Later".***
Go to Settings, Wireles & Network Settings, turn on wifi and setup up your network.
Go back to the main screen and press the "Music" button (that's the menu button from now on), choose the TALK application and go trough the google account setup. You'll see your talk contacts appear.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and disable the calendar sync.
Go back to settings, application settings, manage applications, All,
at the bottom choose Zeam Launcher and press "move to phone"
Choose also Flit keyboard and press "move to phone"
find Calendar and delete its data.
find Calendar Storage and delete its data.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and enable the calendar sync. If you don't use the calendar, leave this unselected to avoid a few ForceCloses.
If you want to add your MotoCast ID, go to Settings, Personal Profile, MotoCast ID. The accounts and Sync setting will force close after you setup the MotoCast ID, I'm still working on this.
Remember that double pressing the power button will let you choose the launcher. Some preinstalled programs need a bit of setup to adapt them to the MotoACTV, be sure to use their preferences menu and explore them. Some examples:
- In flit keyboard, select first keyboard as "Small Querty", second keyboard as "small number"
- In Zeam Launcher, preferences, action bindings, select swype up to "Toggle Full Screen" and swype down as "Expand Notifications". Also in Applications grid, set Columns LandScape completely to the left.
- In SuperUser, press the wrench icon to enter preferences, and set "automatic response" to "allow". Otherwise you can have problems to allow apps to use the su function.
- In Settings, Wireles & Network Settings, press the music button (menu) select avanced and setup the turn off policy to "when display goes off", press menu button again to save this setting.
Thanks to everybody reporting issues, keep them coming!
Enjoy!
Downloads:
DPRomBeta4.zip First Release 2nd July 2012
DPRomBeta7.zip Second Release 10 July 2012
* updated to version 1.7.10, updated included android apps to their latest versions. Used Cennis91 anyroot.zip to root the stock ROM. Thanks!
* added ClearD Battery percentage mod.
* changed general theme to "light", now all settings menus are black text over white background, messes with some programs that have hard-coded colors. WIP.
* Undo hack to make wifi stay on. Seems to be more stable with 1.7.10. Report if you have problems.
* Modified SystemUI to make the pull-down notifications menu more usable. Thanks to ClearD.
* Fixed preinstall script, now you can uninstall included apps.
* included modified Clock and CarHome, just for testing.
DPRomBeta8 Third Release 2nd August 2012
* updated android apps to latest versions.
* Better "light" theme applied to app's settings, black text over white background.
* Modified wifi to stay on for 10 minutes.
* fixed su binary.
* added Bluetooth settings. You can now change the name and turn it on from settings. WIP
DPRomBeta8.1 3rd august 2012
* fixed error with Google maps
DPRomBeta9 3rd January 2013. It's better to use Beta 8.1, this version has problems when turning off wifi.
* updated to 1.7.12N
* wifi Icon in status bar. Wifi time out is now 24 hours.
dproldan said:
This is a version of the stock MotoACTV system ROM 1.7.2 with several modifications that allow you to use many more android apps.
All userdata is erased when you install this, I'm not responsible with what you do with your device.
What works, in no particular order:
- This is already rooted, it doesn't matter what version you come from.
- All stock apps and functions work as expected, nothing changes from a stock MotoACTV.
- All google apps I've tried, Market, GMail, Maps, Talk, etc
- Live Wallpapers and widgets stay after reboots.
- LED notifications for Gmail, Email, etc.
- Wifi stays on.
- Accelerometer based games and launcher rotation.
- Enabled settings menus:
* Wireless & Network Settings. Where you can turn on/off wifi, add networks, set advanced parameters, etc
* Application Settings. Where you can uninstall apps, turn on/off ADB, see battery usage, etc
* Accounts & sync settings. Manage accounts for autosync, etc.
* Sound Settings. Choose notifications tone, volume, etc
- Calendar widget and application working.
- Music button is "menu", double-press power button for "home" or choose a launcher.
What doesn't work:
- Search, nowhere. force closes every time. This has never worked.
- Audio input for installed apps. This has never worked.
- Some Bluetooth profiles are not implemented.
- Wifi stays on, but but some times doesn't turn off when you deselect it. turn off/on the MotoACTV if you're in this situation.
- MotoCast setup messes up the Accounts and Sync settings, so Motocast needs to be setup after the google account.
Zeam launcher is preinstalled, but it's not really needed, because you can access all installed applications with the "music" button, you can uninstall it if you prefer. Also you can install another launcher if you like, just be sure to move it to the internal flash from Settings, Application Settings, choose the app and tap the button "move to phone". You'll have to do this for other apps that require to be installed internally, like extra widgets.
Instructions
* you need "fastboot" to be installed and working on your computer, here are instructions for windows: http://dottech.org/tipsntricks/21534/how-to-install-adb-and-fastboot-on-your-windows-computer-for-use-with-your-android-phone/
* Your MotoACTV needs to be fully charged.
Download and extract the zip at the end of this post:
- With the MotoACTV turned off, press and hold "volume down" key and "power" key until the display lights up, release both keys.
- Plug the usb cable the de MotoACTV and the computer.
- Open a command line and change directory to where you extracted the zip file.
- Issue the followings commands in order:
Code:
fastboot -w
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash preinstall preinstall.img
fastboot -w
fastboot reboot
This is the way to set it up that works for me:
The first boot will take a couple of minutes.
Choose the country, language, press "motoactv setup", choose time zone, set hour, set date, press "next", press "profile setup", set your age, select gender, set height, set weight, set primary activity.
***Don't setup the MotoCast things yet, so press "Later".***
Go to Settings, Wireles & Network Settings, turn on wifi and setup up your network.
Go back to the main screen and press the "Music" button (that's the menu button from now on), choose the TALK application and go trough the google account setup. You'll see your talk contacts appear.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and disable the calendar sync.
Go back to settings, application settings, manage applications, All,
at the bottom choose Zeam Launcher and press "move to phone"
find Calendar and delete its data.
find Calendar Storage and delete its data.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and enable the calendar sync.
If you want to add your MotoCast ID, go to Settings, Personal Profile, MotoCast ID. The accounts and Sync setting will force close after you setup the MotoCast ID, I'm still working on this.
Remember that double pressing the power button will let you choose the launcher. Some preinstalled programs need a bit of setup to adapt them to the MotoACTV, be sure to use their preferences menu and explore them.
Enjoy!
Downloads:
DPRomBeta4.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your Beta, but your link has issues. I cannot seem to download your zip file. It reaches 30% and then says it can't read source file on server.
It could be that the zip file is corrupt on google drive.
tansoftware said:
Thank you so much for your Beta, but your link has issues. I cannot seem to download your zip file. It reaches 30% and then says it can't read source file on server.
It could be that the zip file is corrupt on google drive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It downloads fine for me and another person. Anybody else can confirm if it works for them?
Does this have to be installed only as per your instructions, or can it be installed by putting the zip file onto the storage area of the motoactv and use clockwork mod as per the wiki instructions?
Mine works too.
delboydell said:
Does this have to be installed only as per your instructions, or can it be installed by putting the zip file onto the storage area of the motoactv and use clockwork mod as per the wiki instructions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can only be flashed with fastboot. This is the easiest way.
For now, works well. Good work!!
Un saludo de un Asturiano!!
Noticed issue with SystemUI.apk
Thank you very much for this long anticipated release
I'm quite impressed with the WIFI stability.
But I have noticed that the status bar shows the "No Service" grey rectangle. This makes viewing the status bar notifications difficult. My old rom had a modified SystemUI.apk that removed this grey rectangle allowing easy viewing of notifications. Any possibility of releasing a patch ?
Also, as a result of setting the SD-Card as the default install location, Google Play is not capable of updating Superuser and suspect many other non sd-card apps will face similar issues.
Once again thank you for your great work.
tansoftware said:
But I have noticed that the status bar shows the "No Service" grey rectangle. This makes viewing the status bar notifications difficult. My old rom had a modified SystemUI.apk that removed this grey rectangle allowing easy viewing of notifications. Any possibility of releasing a patch ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'll ask the person who did this (was it ClearD?) about it and release a patch for that.
tansoftware said:
Also, as a result of setting the SD-Card as the default install location, Google Play is not capable of updating Superuser and suspect many other non sd-card apps will face similar issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I don't know what Motorola changed to do this. At the moment, SuperUser.apk not updating doesn't cause any issue, but I'll keep an eye to see if this becomes a problem.
dproldan said:
Yes, I'll ask the person who did this (was it ClearD?) about it and release a patch for that.
Yes I believe it was ClearD's patched SystemUI.apk
It would be nice if you guys could coordinate to release the patch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry so late getting back to the scene, I live in Ohio and we've not had internet for like the last 3 days, or cell service. Or power. Or cable. Or land line phones. Or anything of value for that matter lol . As soon as I can get a stock 1.7.2, I can mod things back to usable state, not a problem. Dproldan, I assume the framework has changed also? And the services.jar? If so, I could probably decompile and mod those back as well.
This is really awesome and I love the setup. Having music launch the app drawer makes the phone so much more usable for me than having to use a separate launcher. One issue that I am running into however is I get some FCs. Specifically gapps and system framework FC from time to time, most often when trying to launch an app.
I am also having problems uninstalling some apks. They uninstall just fine but when I reboot they are back. Do you have some script that runs at start and installs these?
I also have a hard time reading some of the menus because the background is black and the font is gray. Is there a way to change that throughout the whole system?
I added in the SpareParts apk from CM7 and it might be helpful for some other users. With it I can change font size and animation speeds among other things. I also added the AccountsAndSync settings apk to control what syncs with my gmail account. The setting menu works great and shows up with all the other MotoActv settings. After I have everything setup and running smoothly I want to flash the beats audio libs to see if I can improve the audio on this thing.
Thanks again for all the hard work everybody is putting into this.
I put this on my device and I have to say I'm very impressed. The install process wiped like you said it would but it did not wipe my "sdcard" if I had known I would have wiped that in cwm.
Did this process remove CWM from my watch?
Glad you like it. Did you find any problem with what you had in the sdcard?
CWM should still be there, you can reboot to it with "adb reboot recovery" or installing "ROM manager"
dproldan said:
Glad you like it. Did you find any problem with what you had in the sdcard?
CWM should still be there, you can reboot to it with "adb reboot recovery" or installing "ROM manager"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No issues with what was left, I've been reinstalling all my apps and cleaning things up as I go. The only issue I have so far is superuser will not update, says I cannot update it in the current location... My guess is it needs to be moved to internal or something? I haven't really looked into the issue itself yet.
Before I attempt this I wanted to ask a question...
Has anyone experienced any issues?
Do I install this ROM with the same method as before?
Should I return to unrooted stock, update the motoactv to latest version then root and install rom? Or should I skip the device update while its in stock version?
Thanks guys and thanks to the devs who put in the work creating this.
dproldan said:
This is a version of the stock MotoACTV system ROM 1.7.2 with several modifications that allow you to use many more android apps.
All userdata is erased when you install this, I'm not responsible with what you do with your device.
What works, in no particular order:
- This is already rooted, it doesn't matter what version you come from.
- All stock apps and functions work as expected, nothing changes from a stock MotoACTV.
- All google apps I've tried, Market, GMail, Maps, Talk, etc
- Live Wallpapers and widgets stay after reboots.
- LED notifications for Gmail, Email, etc.
- Wifi stays on.
- Accelerometer based games and launcher rotation.
- Enabled settings menus:
* Wireless & Network Settings. Where you can turn on/off wifi, add networks, set advanced parameters, etc
* Application Settings. Where you can uninstall apps, turn on/off ADB, see battery usage, etc
* Accounts & sync settings. Manage accounts for autosync, etc.
* Sound Settings. Choose notifications tone, volume, etc
- Calendar widget and application working.
- Music button is "menu", double-press power button for "home" or choose a launcher.
What doesn't work:
- Search, nowhere. force closes every time. This has never worked.
- Audio input for installed apps. This has never worked.
- Some Bluetooth profiles are not implemented.
- Wifi stays on, but but some times doesn't turn off when you deselect it. turn off/on the MotoACTV if you're in this situation.
- MotoCast setup messes up the Accounts and Sync settings, so Motocast needs to be setup after the google account.
Zeam launcher is preinstalled, but it's not really needed, because you can access all installed applications with the "music" button, you can uninstall it if you prefer. Also you can install another launcher if you like, just be sure to move it to the internal flash from Settings, Application Settings, choose the app and tap the button "move to phone". You'll have to do this for other apps that require to be installed internally, like extra widgets.
Instructions
* you need "fastboot" to be installed and working on your computer, here are instructions for windows: http://dottech.org/tipsntricks/21534/how-to-install-adb-and-fastboot-on-your-windows-computer-for-use-with-your-android-phone/
* Your MotoACTV needs to be fully charged.
Download and extract the zip at the end of this post:
- With the MotoACTV turned off, press and hold "volume down" key and "power" key until the display lights up, release both keys.
- Plug the usb cable the de MotoACTV and the computer.
- Open a command line and change directory to where you extracted the zip file.
- Issue the followings commands in order:
Code:
fastboot -w
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash preinstall preinstall.img
fastboot -w
fastboot reboot
This is the way to set it up that works for me:
The first boot will take a couple of minutes.
Choose the country, language, press "motoactv setup", choose time zone, set hour, set date, press "next", press "profile setup", set your age, select gender, set height, set weight, set primary activity.
***Don't setup the MotoCast things yet, so press "Later".***
Go to Settings, Wireles & Network Settings, turn on wifi and setup up your network.
Go back to the main screen and press the "Music" button (that's the menu button from now on), choose the TALK application and go trough the google account setup. You'll see your talk contacts appear.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and disable the calendar sync.
Go back to settings, application settings, manage applications, All,
at the bottom choose Zeam Launcher and press "move to phone"
find Calendar and delete its data.
find Calendar Storage and delete its data.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and enable the calendar sync.
If you want to add your MotoCast ID, go to Settings, Personal Profile, MotoCast ID. The accounts and Sync setting will force close after you setup the MotoCast ID, I'm still working on this.
Remember that double pressing the power button will let you choose the launcher. Some preinstalled programs need a bit of setup to adapt them to the MotoACTV, be sure to use their preferences menu and explore them.
Enjoy!
Downloads:
DPRomBeta4.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download does not appear!!!
The link is BROKEN.
Can I flash this ROM with clockwork mod? I do not really get along with command line.
Thanks,
Arie.
i just installed the rom i got motocast and some playstore apps, but how do i activate the mass storage? medialink always pop up a message of netwrok problem in motoactv. The rest is working fine.
You CANNOT flash this in CWM you need to follow the fastboot commands. It's very easy and takes less than a minute each line.
I do have a question for the dev though. Once I launch a launcher, adw ex for example I cannot get back into the motoactv launcher without rebooting. I tried to find a shortcut but have been unable to do so. I tried to clear adw launcher defaults but it is not set as the default launcher. I can use Jay's easy script modder to change the buttons back to what I had before but I do like the setup you have for us. Let me know what way you have been doing it.
Also I am getting some force closes, "gapps" whatever that is and some framework errors. Otherwise it's very stable and runs great.
Prack said:
You CANNOT flash this in CWM you need to follow the fastboot commands. It's very easy and takes less than a minute each line.
I do have a question for the dev though. Once I launch a launcher, adw ex for example I cannot get back into the motoactv launcher without rebooting. I tried to find a shortcut but have been unable to do so. I tried to clear adw launcher defaults but it is not set as the default launcher. I can use Jay's easy script modder to change the buttons back to what I had before but I do like the setup you have for us. Let me know what way you have been doing it.
Also I am getting some force closes, "gapps" whatever that is and some framework errors. Otherwise it's very stable and runs great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You press the power button twice to replicate the home button. It should also work by pressing start.
The gapps and framework fcs occur whenever enabling wifi and first connecting. I think it has something to do with google/gmail sync but I only have anecdotal evidence of this.
When i bought the Nexus Player I had a 3 dots menu in apps.
Now I'm on android 5.1 and i did a factory reset (don't ask why. Just needed) and now I don't have 3 dots any more.
Any way to get them back? They are needed for some apps and can't be replaced by "tablet remote" for example.
same here...after updating to 5.1 the menu is gone! :*(
I might be wrong, but I think that LP 5.1 for "ATV" removed/broke the support for apps that... either don't follow Google's new Material Design guidelines or restricts apps that are coded to support the soft/hardware Menu button in Android devices. (The menu button and the the 3 dots on the GUI have equivalent functions in later versions of Android) Of course, it might also have to do with restrictions for apps that are not designed "specifically" for the Nexus Player ATV. I'm having this issue with Titanium Backup. I can't restore the apps I backed up using LP 5.0 because the Titanium interface is missing the main action buttons. The same version of Titanium works fine on my Nexus 7 running LP 5.1 for "Tablets".
tamanaco said:
I might be wrong, but I think that LP 5.1 for "ATV" removed/broke the support for apps that... either don't follow Google's new Material Design guidelines or restricts apps that are coded to support the soft/hardware Menu button in Android devices. (The menu button and the the 3 dots on the GUI have equivalent functions in later versions of Android) Of course, it might also have to do with restrictions for apps that are not designed "specifically" for the Nexus Player ATV. I'm having this issue with Titanium Backup. I can't restore the apps I backed up using LP 5.0 because the Titanium interface is missing the main action buttons. The same version of Titanium works fine on my Nexus 7 running LP 5.1 for "Tablets".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly the same problem in my case. i cant restore my titanium backup and even to set up sixaxis app. Even tablet remote that has a menu button doesn't help... Maybe there is a way to get it back?? Or does vanillipop rom has it fix?
The inability to access the 3-dots menu is one of the most frustrating changes with Android 5.1 on the Nexus Player. Sometimes you can still access the menu if you try moving a mouse cursor over the area or by using Droidmote Client's hamburger menu button but that may not always work. As for customizing Sixaxis Controller, there is a solution. If you go in to the keyboard settings menu of the Nexus Player and choose "Sixaxis Controller" as the current keyboard, a "configure" option shows up underneath it which leads you in to the settings menu for Sixaxis Controller.
Is there no way to enable this? Sending the menu key via adb input keyevent doesn't work and the little ribbon that some application have don't show up either. Seems weird to remove such an essential functionality.
First screenshot shows trying to set a background with Nova. Second shows what's supposed to be there.
If Google doesn't bring back the 3 dots menu in Android M, then I think our only hope may be to see it restored through an Xposed module. GravityBox has a "force overflow menu button" in its miscellaneous tweaks menu but it does not seem to work on Lollipop, unfortunately. I've already asked the GravityBox developer, @C3C076, if he can fix that option in a future update of his module but he's going to be very busy with a project at his job until further notice.
I'm curious if anyone was ever able to figure this out. Not being able to get to the menu on some sideloaded apps is killing me. Do custom ROMS (AOSP or CM) have this same limitation?
Yeah I really need the 3 dots as well. Setting up vnc client and can't disconnect. Too bad there isn't some app to force the bottom menu bar, or an app that could bind the 3 dot function to a button the nexus remote would be nice. I'm assuming a custom rom doesn't suffer from this.
I found a solution! These are floating nav buttons. I used to use them when I had a Nook Color and it only had 1 physical button and app implementation for softkeys wasnt very great yet. They work on Nexus Player Marshmallow! You need a mouse or a pointing device though and these have to be sideloaded.
Floating Soft Keys *Root*
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rhoadster91.floatingsoftkeys
Works great - doesnt auto hide but everything seems to work fine.
-or-
Button Savior - Root Version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smart.swkey
Also works. Has an Auto Hide feature which is good. Less ability to edit stuff since there is a paid version. It will ask you to change accessibility services when you start, but it will then also say that device does not have this feature or something like that. The NP does. You have to go to Settings, Accessibility, Services, and then activate it. Then the app will work fine!
GabbyWC said:
If Google doesn't bring back the 3 dots menu in Android M, then I think our only hope may be to see it restored through an Xposed module. GravityBox has a "force overflow menu button" in its miscellaneous tweaks menu but it does not seem to work on Lollipop, unfortunately. I've already asked the GravityBox developer, @C3C076, if he can fix that option in a future update of his module but he's going to be very busy with a project at his job until further notice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's impossible to set xposed modules now because just like titanium backup, the menus in the xposed app are gone/missing. I tried using xposed to fix this menu button problem but no dice.
---------- Post added at 04:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:36 PM ----------
minotauri said:
I found a solution! These are floating nav buttons. I used to use them when I had a Nook Color and it only had 1 physical button and app implementation for softkeys wasnt very great yet. They work on Nexus Player Marshmallow! You need a mouse or a pointing device though and these have to be sideloaded.
Floating Soft Keys *Root*
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rhoadster91.floatingsoftkeys
Works great - doesnt auto hide but everything seems to work fine. I had to double click the buttons to get it working.
-or-
Button Savior - Root Version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smart.swkey
Also works. Has an Auto Hide feature which is good. Less ability to edit stuff since there is a paid version. It will ask you to change accessibility services when you start, but it will then also say that device does not have this feature or something like that. The NP does. You have to go to Settings, Accessibility, Services, and then activate it. Then the app will work fine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for this!!! Now I will be able to set xposed modules i"ve been needing to set but couldn't.
minotauri said:
I found a solution! These are floating nav buttons. I used to use them when I had a Nook Color and it only had 1 physical button and app implementation for softkeys wasnt very great yet. They work on Nexus Player Marshmallow! You need a mouse or a pointing device though and these have to be sideloaded.
Floating Soft Keys *Root*
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rhoadster91.floatingsoftkeys
Works great - doesnt auto hide but everything seems to work fine. I had to double click the buttons to get it working.
-or-
Button Savior - Root Version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smart.swkey
Also works. Has an Auto Hide feature which is good. Less ability to edit stuff since there is a paid version. It will ask you to change accessibility services when you start, but it will then also say that device does not have this feature or something like that. The NP does. You have to go to Settings, Accessibility, Services, and then activate it. Then the app will work fine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried out Button Savior on my Nexus Player with Android 6.0 but it isn't the universal solution that I was hoping for. There are still some apps such as AdAway and Xfinity TV Go which do not work when the soft menu button (four squares) is clicked on. The function works in ZArchiver but DroidMote Client already has this capability in the form of its three lines menu button.
Ya I believe Xfinity TV Go app doesnt use the dot menu though. It's a sliding menu from the left side. I believe you can click and drag it open in Lollipop but not in Marshmallow.
IRIE4IPIER said:
It's impossible to set xposed modules now because just like titanium backup, the menus in the xposed app are gone/missing. I tried using xposed to fix this menu button problem but no dice.
---------- Post added at 04:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:36 PM ----------
Thank you so much for this!!! Now I will be able to set xposed modules i"ve been needing to set but couldn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya no problem. Titanium backup works with this add-on. It was the main thing I was trying to use with NP actually.
Note: Please don't tell us how easy it is to change launchers in default apps, that has not been possible since EMUI 9 for chinese roms, see > https://forum.xda-developers.com/hu...i-9-removes-default-launcher-options-t3853441
WARNING:RECENT APPS MENU WILL STOP WORKING
All credits to Web1n on Github for figuring out this method.
Here is official guide in chinese
App download on Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=web1n.stopapp&hl=zh
Steps:
(Note that this method needs to be repeated every restart)
- Install the custom launcher of your choice and ensure it is the only launcher installed other than Huawei home
- Install and setup adb on your computer
- Enable developer options on your phone
- Turn on adb debugging and adb in charge only mode
- Make sure your device is on usb charge only mode
- Install the app from link above
(note i am using a Samsung for screenshots as I don't want to mess up my main Huawei, but I got it working there through the same steps)
https://imgur.com/a/hYPkSiY
After installing app tap the right arrow until this page, tick the box to agree to TOS
https://imgur.com/a/2e3B2Vp
Tick second box
https://imgur.com/a/dKxEZwm
Tap right and you will be greeted with this home screen, tap the plus arrow
https://imgur.com/a/j1SzlFX
Tap second tab to look for system apps, find the app huawei home
https://imgur.com/a/3GgZfSA
Return to this screen, you will see the Huawei home icon, ensure it is greyed out, tap it if it is not so.
Done! Gesture navigation will no longer work but an app like fluid gestures work well enough, enable 3 button navigation in options and tap home to enjoy your new launcher. Your multotasking button has also just become useless...
Again, all credits goes to the developer
jalk44 said:
Note: Please don't tell us how easy it is to change launchers in default apps, that has not been possible since EMUI 9 for chinese roms, see > https://forum.xda-developers.com/hu...i-9-removes-default-launcher-options-t3853441
All credits to Web1n on Github for figuring out this method.
Here is official guide in chinese
App download on Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=web1n.stopapp&hl=zh
Steps:
(Note that this method needs to be repeated every restart)
- Install the custom launcher of your choice and ensure it is the only launcher installed other than Huawei home
- Install and setup adb on your computer
- Enable developer options on your phone
- Turn on adb debugging and adb in charge only mode
- Make sure your device is on usb charge only mode
- Install the app from link above
(note i am using a Samsung for screenshots as I don't want to mess up my main Huawei, but I got it working there through the same steps)
https://imgur.com/a/hYPkSiY
After installing app tap the right arrow until this page, tick the box to agree to TOS
https://imgur.com/a/2e3B2Vp
Tick second box
https://imgur.com/a/dKxEZwm
Tap right and you will be greeted with this home screen, tap the plus arrow
https://imgur.com/a/j1SzlFX
Tap second tab to look for system apps, find the app huawei home
https://imgur.com/a/3GgZfSA
Return to this screen, you will see the Huawei home icon, ensure it is greyed out, tap it if it is not so.
Done! Gesture navigation will no longer work but an app like fluid gestures work well enough, enable 3 button navigation in options and tap home to enjoy your new launcher.
Again, all credits goes to the developer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you :good:
Thank you. It works but recent app not work even if with 3 button navigation.
nhan1411 said:
Thank you. It works but recent app not work even if with 3 button navigation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately yes, huawei even went to the step of removing old vertical overview menu so that the only overview menu in these buklds comes from the launcher
Recent apps stopped working for me when I updated to EMUI 10 then downgraded because of this and now it works on EMUI 9. Thanks for this, was going mad for 3 days because I couldn't disable the stock launcher even though my phone is rooted.
For those now missing Recents : Swiftly is a circular gesture activated app launcher with its own Recents :laugh:
I now have "Tap for Recents"
You can place Swiftly with a surface area (over where the middle icon would be on the dock) for activation on the bottom center. You can then tap or tap-hold for recents.
Make sure the middle position there on the dock is empty, so it doesn't have an app icon or folder. Make the rectangle big enough to activate Swiftly, but small enough not to overlap with selecting the input field of WhatsApp, Messenger, ...
In my Nova 5T I also lost swipe up for home (anyone else?) When I uninstalled the default launcher. So I use Fluid Natural Gestures for all of the bottom to swipe up for home.
The two overlay areas of these apps overlap but for me don't interfere with each other. You can also enable "immediate activation" in both for nice swift operation.
(I could choose between Nova and Default Launcher in Emui 10, I'm in Europe. But removed default because regularly it would switch back to Default Launcher)
Update: has stopped working
Feel free to still try as it seems to be different builds for everybody
.
Guys...i've done....but not with this method....
TheFastGT said:
Guys...i've done....but not with this method....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How have you done it then?
State of market
Do NOT buy this watch. It looks like excellent value for money, but much modern H1 / W5 series with Android 9 and full Play Store just hit the shelves on AliExpress for almost the same price.
If mine arrives I'll create separate thread about them.
Brands
My specific watch that I used to experiment with is G4P, bought straight from Chinese factory:
{
"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"
}
However almost everything from this thread applies to any watch running on SP9820E SoC, like G4E or G4H series.
Those watches are also often rebranded and sold as: Kinyo, Garett, Lemfo, Wonlex, Locon and many more.
Just check in spec if it is running on 9820E chip and you are good to go.
Reasons for modding
Those watches by default use very limited set of very simple applications presented in most ugly launcher and icon sets achievable by humans.
You can not install any extra applications and what you get from the box is very disappointing.
Also they are meant to be managed exclusively by corresponding phone application like SeTracker 2 (or rebrands like Garett Tracker),
which means you need to send your data to Chinese service and use WeeChat for chats/video calls, whether you like it or not.
This is true shame, because SP9820E is quite powerful hardware, here is GeekBench score.
Do not be fooled by oversimplified stock software - you can run pretty much any "real" application on it.
Luckily because those watches use Android under the hood you can transform them to something more feature-rich and more pleasant to use.
Android KitKat is NOT Android Wear
Those watches use Android 4.4, codename KitKat. Just like old phones. Please do not confuse it with Android Wear operating system and do not try to use applications built for Android Wear. Whatever you use must be Android 4.4 compatible, anything newer won't install at all. Android on this watch is heavily modified, lacks some components and you will run into many crashes or weird behaviour. Sections below will help you to navigate through those issues.
Also applications back in KitKat era were not designed with watch screens in mind, so expect bad interface scaling, not accessible buttons and huge or microscopic fonts.
How to install any application from stock Launcher?
Get application *.apk file from trusted site.
Set up Bluetooth connection between your watch (in Settings -> More -> Bluetooth) and computer / phone. Do not use macOS computer, it does not work. Android phone seems to be most compatible.
Upload *.apk file to watch using Bluetooth.
On watch go to Settings -> Tools -> File explorer and select Local -> bluetooth. Click on *.apk file and install it.
Installed application will not be visible from stock Launcher. So I really recommend installing another Launcher as first application.
Launcher
I use Nova Launcher. You need 5.5.4 version, this is the last one compatible with Android 4.4.
Once you install it using installation method described above press power button and it should prompt you which Launcher to use. Select Nova.
And enjoy freedom. It is also surprisingly fast and does not consume more battery than stock one.
If you have Nova Pro purchased you can activate it in two ways:
Use APK extractor on phone where you have Nova Prime activation installed. Dump license application to phone storage and install it the same way as launcher itself. But beware - it must be 2017 or earlier activation package. You cannot dump it from modern phone.
Search for nova_launcher_prime_v2017_full.apk and install this fake license. This is questionable way of activating it. But if you do not have old phone with old license preinstalled you have no other options. I think that if you own legal license on Play Store you will do no harm to developers this way.
Tips:
To avoid being asked for launcher when pressing power button you can disable stock launcher (requires root) through ADB shell: su, and then pm disable com.sgtc.launcher.
This firmware has very aggressive power management and you may notice lag when waking up watch after longer period of time. This is because Nova got killed by operating system and must start from scratch. To avoid it convert Nova launcher to system application (requires root). This can be done using Link2SD application. Open it, search for Nova, click on Nova, click triple dot menu menu and you will have option to convert to system. Remember to have default launcher or ADB enabled while doing this, because you will need one of those to invoke reboot.
Lock screen using button (broken, workarounds available)
If you have two Launchers power button will always prompt for Launcher when pressed on unlocked screen. You cannot change it without root, there is something modified under the hood and even Nova cannot set itself as default Launcher.
The workarounds are to lock screen using icon:
Add Nova action widget and set it to lock screen.
Add Power Toggles widget and add lock screen button to it.
Settings (partially works)
Settings are very simplified compared to stock Android 4.4. I've tried to install stock AOSP Settings APP but it fails. A lot of "hidden settings" applications allows to invoke deep buried panels like HotSpot or lock screen patterns configurations. Tedious job, lot of crashes along the way.
You can also:
Go to engineering mode by dialling *#*#83781#*#*.
Go to Developer Options by using Developer Options Shortcut application.
Status bar (broken, workaround available)
It does not work on any launcher (I tested a few beside Nova). Probably it was so heavily modified that API is no longer compatible. It cannot even be invoked by ADB service call statusbar 1.
The good replacement is Power Toggles, which allows to add widgets with battery level, fast volume profiles switching, enabling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. Pretty much everything you used status bar for. Except cellular signal strength. I use version 6.0.4.
Tips:
Just as for launcher - aggressive power management will close it as inactive user application after short period. So because it is invoked every time screen is turned on best way to reduce screen wake up time is to convert Power Toggles to system application (requires root). This can be done using Link2SD application. Open it, search for Power Toggles, click on Power Toggles, click triple dot menu menu and you will have option to convert to system. Reboot watch.
You can set different battery colors, which makes it easier to use on small screen. I has mine set up to red (below 20%), yellow (20-80%) and green (above 80%).
You can set how frequent battery indicator is refreshed. By default it is quite laggy.
To get something looking like real status bar disable home screen margins in Nova launcher. Check my screenshot below for final effect.
Notification bar (broken)
Same deal as with Status bar - probably it was so heavily modified that API is no longer compatible with launchers.
You can open notification list service directly from Nova action. But you cannot manage it in any way (like cleaning old notifications) so it is pretty useless long list of accumulated trash.
I haven't found any good replacement.
Luckily Nova launcher notification dots work on applications icons and you can pretty much quickly figure out what just pinged you.
Clock time picker (broken)
By default you manage alarm clocks on this watch through phone application. But if you open on watch stock Android clock app you will see that you cannot set time, only set alarms on and off. Probably some Android component is missing. No fix or workaround yet. Also beware, because once you add alarm using APP on the watch there is no way to remove it - no option in app itself and SeTracker sees only first 3 of them. You will need to clean app data from ADB.
Power management (work in progress)
There are no options to keep app running in background. I'm still searching for good power management app replacement to keep things like WhatsApp or other services running.
For controlling:
screen delay (by default set to annoyingly short 10 seconds)
fine screen brightness
you can use buttons on Power Toggles widget. Once you set it to your preference widget can be removed and settings are remembered after reboot.
Screen rotation (tricky, broken)
Accelerometer is mounted 90 degrees clockwise and stock applications have this tilt compensation hardcoded into them.
This really dumb design has bad consequences:
If accelerometer rotation (auto-rotation) is enabled all "real" applications will think "up" is on the side where power button and flashlight is.
If accelerometer rotation is disabled most "real" applications will stay in fixed portrait orientation (also called user rotation) but some may still rely on accelerometer. The reason is that you can not fully disable accelerometer. Disabled only means "not taken into consideration unless explicitly asked for". And a lot of applications (mostly camera-related) still try to be user friendly and rotates screen the wrong way.
If you mess something up you can lock Screen Rotation again by adding such button on Power Toggles widget and using it.
Or if you have root:
disable accelerometer rotation: settings put system accelerometer_rotation 0
set user rotation to portrait mode: settings put system user_rotation 0
Start sound
Requires root.
First remount /custom in read-write mode: mount -o rw,remount /custom.
Then remove /custom/movies/bootsound.mp3.
Apps recommendations (please share yours)
A lot of "phone" applications work out of the box, assuming you get Android 4.4 compatible versions of them. You can install them the same way as launcher or through ADB. My set is:
Simple Keyboard is perfect for this watch. Disable symbols, set height to 150% and typing will be really comfortable and fast.
Power Toggles. Must have to compensate broken status bar and missing settings.
WhatsApp. Communication freedom. Pretty much you can stop here if you want this watch to be simple device for kid.
VLC for listening audiobooks (although interface does not scale well, looking for something better).
Wulkanowy (polish e-grade book with lessons plan, homework, etc. I assume a lot of people from Poland will come here because of Garett popularity so I'm mentioning it).
Solid Explorer. Built-in explorer is very castrated and crashes often when other apps try to use it (for example to select icon picture or file to share). Solid Explorer is stable and has a lot of built-in format viewers. Unfortunately one cannot run FTP server using it - button to start is off the screen. Bug reported, I hope it will get fixed soon.
OurGroceries. Excellent shopping/checkbox list that can be synchronized between various devices. Very useful to make list of things kid should take to school for example.
Diki. Online dictionary with simple interface that scales very well on this small screen. Translations are straightforward, without tons of magic grammar shortcuts. Allows to listen for words pronunciation.
Stock apps that are preinstalled and work OK:
Dialer
Contacts (you can even import cards from vcf file)
Flashlight
Looking for:
CalDav / CardDav sync (unfortunately there is no accounts management in API and most apps adding Dav support to Android crash).
Call blocker that will reject everything outside contacts list. To protect kid from scammers, marketers and other unwanted calls.
Known to fail:
SMSes. Can be sent but watch management API interrupts receiving to capture push control commands. Installing any other SMS application and setting it as default one breaks watch management from phone application.
WhatsApp. Camera during video calls is upside down.
Google Play Services. Instant crash.
Google Chrome 81. Crashes after few seconds of activity. For all apps that need SystemWebView component to work try Bromite replacement. However in KitKat WebView was not an application and Developer Options has no way of choosing default one. So it may fix very small amount of applications which are self-aware of different WebViews providers.
Google Calendar. Needs working Google Play Services.
F-Droid store. Crashes randomly and may require patience to install anything.
OpenSync. Cannot add any DAV account due to SSL crash.
Wikipedia. No articles can be displayed. Probably due to their latest TLS 1.2 mandatory API switch. However simply bookmarking Wikipedia in Bromite browser works just fine.
ADB and USB debugging
By default those watches are sold with charging cable only, it does not have signal pins. Your life will be a lot easier if you will be able to transfer files directly from your computer to watch and use ADB to do stuff. You can check cable dimensions here: https://allegro.pl/oferta/magnetyczny-kabel-zasilajacy-do-garett-kids-xd-10972606997 . Remember - it must have four pogo pins.
Connecting with cable is straightforward just like when connecting regular phone. Just be aware of two things:
Magnets are not strong enough to press four pins to contact pads. If you have trouble connecting try pressing magnet plug to watch firmly.
This is Android 4.4, so you need ancient knowledge. Like for example there is no "cmd" command available in ADB shell. Some command line switches are very different from what is being used today. Etc.
You can set USB to file transfer mode. Android File Transfer desktop application works perfectly and transfers are surprisingly fast. Probably it is the most convenient way to transfer applications, audiobooks and music to this watch.
Root
Based on https://github.com/eisaev/SuperSUInstaller process.
Install Developer Options Shortcut. Installation method is irrelevant. You can do it the same way as Launcher installation described above. Or if you already have more advanced stuff installed you can use an file transfer method and any file manager to do it.
Run Developer Options Shortcut and enable USB debugging.
Install SuperSU Installer. Again installation method is irrelevant.
Run SuperSU Installer. Wait for Hello World message and go back to Launcher.
In Local files on the watch there should be new SuperSU Manager APK generated. Install it but do not open.
Restart watch.
Disable WiFi and Bluetooth.
Connect USB cable.
Open dialer and enter *#*#83781#*#*. Engineering settings will open.
Go to CONNECTIVITY tab.
Click Start Service.
Click Wifi eut and confirm popup.
run adb shell on your computer
in shell enter: am start --user 0 -n ru.eisaev.supersuinstaller/.MainActivity
Wait for Hello world message on watch screen.
In shell enter: am start --user 0 -n eu.chainfire.supersu/.MainActivity
On watch screen SuperSU Manager should pop up and offer binary update. Choose Normal mode.
Restart watch.
Open SuperSU Manager. Method is irrelevant, can be clicked from Nova launcher or invoked from ADB like in 16.
Go to Settings and set Default access to Grant.
Confirm that you have root access by going to ADB shell and invoking: su
Clean up all files generated by SuperSU Installer from Local directory on the watch.
This method slightly diverges from original because users are different and because SuperSU Installer crashes when leaving to desktop using home button. Making it impossible to go from step 8 to 9 described in original method.
So for Installer and Manager to see each other at the same time you need to do this weird loop: install Installer which generates Manager which you can install prematurely to be able to later fire up both Installer and Manager at the same time from ADB without using watch home button.
Kudos for eisaev for discovering this process and building SuperSU!
My result
Home screen of Nova launcher:
Power Toggles bar on top emulates status bar. It handles battery info, fast volume and brightness settings and connectivity settings.
Two Nova action widgets added on the bottom - one for power off, second one for applications list.
Application list:
Nova allows to hide applications, so I used it to hide everything kid is not supposed to mess with. Like settings of various sort.
Many apps like Calculator or Gallery I've extracted directly from my old Android 4.4 phone.
Keyboard:
Simple Keyboard is far more usable and fast than stock keyboard. Kid has no problem with typing on it. However just as on stock keyboard you have to type blindly and occasionally minimize keyboard to verify what you've typed.
Please contribute
If you have found solution to any of mentioned problems, encountered new problem on your own or just found good app please share in comments.
bbkr said:
Brands
My specific watch that I used to experiment with is G4P, bought straight from Chinese factory:
View attachment 5407991
However almost everything from this thread applies to any watch running on SP9820E SoC, like G4E or G4H series.
Those watches are also often rebranded and sold as: Kinyo, Garett, Lemfo, Wonlex, Locon and many more.
Just check in spec if it is running on 9820E chip and you are good to go.
Reasons for modding
Those watches by default use very limited set of very simple applications presented in most ugly launcher and icon sets achievable by humans.
You can not install any extra applications and what you get from the box is very disappointing.
Also they are meant to be managed exclusively by corresponding phone application like SeTracker 2 (or rebrands like Garett Tracker),
which means you need to send your data to Chinese service and use WeeChat for chats/video calls, whether you like it or not.
This is true shame, because SP9820E is quite powerful hardware, here is GeekBench score.
Do not be fooled by oversimplified stock software - you can run pretty much any "real" application on it.
Luckily because those watches use Android under the hood you can transform them to something more feature-rich and more pleasant to use.
Android KitKat is NOT Android Wear
Those watches use Android 4.4, codename KitKat. Just like old phones. Please do not confuse it with Android Wear operating system and do not try to use applications built for Android Wear. Whatever you use must be Android 4.4 compatible, anything newer won't install at all. Android on this watch is heavily modified, lacks some components and you will run into many crashes or weird behaviour. Sections below will help you to navigate through those issues.
Also applications back in KitKat era were not designed with watch screens in mind, so expect bad interface scaling, not accessible buttons and huge or microscopic fonts.
How to install any application from stock Launcher?
Get application *.apk file from trusted site.
Set up Bluetooth connection between your watch (in Settings -> More -> Bluetooth) and computer / phone. Do not use macOS computer, it does not work. Android phone seems to be most compatible.
Upload *.apk file to watch using Bluetooth.
On watch go to Settings -> Tools -> File explorer and select Local -> bluetooth. Click on *.apk file and install it.
Installed application will not be visible from stock Launcher. So I really recommend installing another Launcher as first application.
Launcher
I use Nova Launcher. You need 5.5.4 version, this is the last one compatible with Android 4.4.
Once you install it using installation method described above press power button and it should prompt you which Launcher to use. Select Nova.
And enjoy freedom. It is also surprisingly fast and does not consume more battery than stock one.
If you have Nova Pro purchased you can activate it in two ways:
Use APK extractor on phone where you have Nova Prime activation installed. Dump license application to phone storage and install it the same way as launcher itself. But beware - it must be 2017 or earlier activation package. You cannot dump it from modern phone.
Search for nova_launcher_prime_v2017_full.apk and install this fake license. This is questionable way of activating it. But if you do not have old phone with old license preinstalled you have no other options. I think that if you own legal license on Play Store you will do no harm to developers this way.
Tips:
To avoid being asked for launcher when pressing power button you can disable stock launcher (requires root) through ADB shell: su, and then pm disable com.sgtc.launcher.
This firmware has very aggressive power management and you may notice lag when waking up watch after longer period of time. This is because Nova got killed by operating system and must start from scratch. To avoid it convert Nova launcher to system application (requires root). This can be done using Link2SD application. Open it, search for Nova, click on Nova, click triple dot menu menu and you will have option to convert to system. Remember to have default launcher or ADB enabled while doing this, because you will need one of those to invoke reboot.
Lock screen using button (broken, workarounds available)
If you have two Launchers power button will always prompt for Launcher when pressed on unlocked screen. You cannot change it without root, there is something modified under the hood and even Nova cannot set itself as default Launcher.
The workarounds are to lock screen using icon:
Add Nova action widget and set it to lock screen.
Add Power Toggles widget and add lock screen button to it.
Settings (partially works)
Settings are very simplified compared to stock Android 4.4. I've tried to install stock AOSP Settings APP but it fails. A lot of "hidden settings" applications allows to invoke deep buried panels like HotSpot or lock screen patterns configurations. Tedious job, lot of crashes along the way.
You can also:
*#*#83781#*#*.
Developer Options Shortcut application.
Status bar (broken, workaround available)
It does not work on any launcher (I tested a few beside Nova). Probably it was so heavily modified that API is no longer compatible. It cannot even be invoked by ADB service call statusbar 1.
The good replacement is Power Toggles, which allows to add widgets with battery level, fast volume profiles switching, enabling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. Pretty much everything you used status bar for. Except cellular signal strength. I use version 6.0.4.
Tips:
Just as for launcher - aggressive power management will close it as inactive user application after short period. So because it is invoked every time screen is turned on best way to reduce screen wake up time is to convert Power Toggles to system application (requires root). This can be done using Link2SD application. Open it, search for Power Toggles, click on Power Toggles, click triple dot menu menu and you will have option to convert to system. Reboot watch.
You can set different battery colors, which makes it easier to use on small screen. I has mine set up to red (below 20%), yellow (20-80%) and green (above 80%).
You can set how frequent battery indicator is refreshed. By default it is quite laggy.
To get something looking like real status bar disable home screen margins in Nova launcher. Check my screenshot below for final effect.
Notification bar (broken)
Same deal as with Status bar - probably it was so heavily modified that API is no longer compatible with launchers.
You can open notification list service directly from Nova action. But you cannot manage it in any way (like cleaning old notifications) so it is pretty useless long list of accumulated trash.
I haven't found any good replacement.
Luckily Nova launcher notification dots work on applications icons and you can pretty much quickly figure out what just pinged you.
Clock time picker (broken)
By default you manage alarm clocks on this watch through phone application. But if you open on watch stock Android clock app you will see that you cannot set time, only set alarms on and off. Probably some Android component is missing. No fix or workaround yet. Also beware, because once you add alarm using APP on the watch there is no way to remove it - no option in app itself and SeTracker sees only first 3 of them. You will need to clean app data from ADB.
Power management (work in progress)
There are no options to keep app running in background. I'm still searching for good power management app replacement to keep things like WhatsApp or other services running.
For controlling:
screen delay (by default set to annoyingly short 10 seconds)
fine screen brightness
Power Toggles widget. Once you set it to your preference widget can be removed and settings are remembered after reboot.
Screen rotation (tricky, broken)
Accelerometer is mounted 90 degrees clockwise and stock applications have this tilt compensation hardcoded into them.
This really dumb design has bad consequences:
If accelerometer rotation (auto-rotation) is enabled all "real" applications will think "up" is on the side where power button and flashlight is.
If accelerometer rotation is disabled most "real" applications will stay in fixed portrait orientation (also called user rotation) but some may still rely on accelerometer. The reason is that you can not fully disable accelerometer. Disabled only means "not taken into consideration unless explicitly asked for". And a lot of applications (mostly camera-related) still try to be user friendly and rotates screen the wrong way.
If you mess something up you can lock Screen Rotation again by adding such button on Power Toggles widget and using it.
Or if you have root:
disable accelerometer rotation: settings put system accelerometer_rotation 0
set user rotation to portrait mode: settings put system user_rotation 0
Start sound
Requires root. Remove /custom/movies/bootsound.mp3.
Apps recommendations (please share yours)
A lot of "phone" applications work out of the box, assuming you get Android 4.4 compatible versions of them. You can install them the same way as launcher or through ADB. My set is:
Simple Keyboard is perfect for this watch. Disable symbols, set height to 150% and typing will be really comfortable and fast.
Power Toggles. Must have to compensate broken status bar and missing settings.
WhatsApp. Communication freedom. Pretty much you can stop here if you want this watch to be simple device for kid.
VLC for listening audiobooks (although interface does not scale well, looking for something better).
Wulkanowy (polish e-grade book with lessons plan, homework, etc. I assume a lot of people from Poland will come here because of Garett popularity so I'm mentioning it).
Solid Explorer. Built-in explorer is very castrated and crashes often when other apps try to use it (for example to select icon picture or file to share). Solid Explorer is stable and has a lot of built-in format viewers. Unfortunately one cannot run FTP server using it - button to start is off the screen. Bug reported, I hope it will get fixed soon.
OurGroceries. Excellent shopping/checkbox list that can be synchronized between various devices. Very useful to make list of things kid should take to school for example.
Diki. Online dictionary with simple interface that scales very well on this small screen. Translations are straightforward, without tons of magic grammar shortcuts. Allows to listen for words pronunciation.
Stock apps that are preinstalled and work OK:
Dialer
Contacts (you can even import cards from vcf file)
Flashlight
Looking for:
CalDav / CardDav sync (unfortunately there is no accounts management in API and most apps adding Dav support to Android crash).
Call blocker that will reject everything outside contacts list. To protect kid from scammers, marketers and other unwanted calls.
Known to fail:
SMSes. Can be sent but watch management API interrupts receiving to capture push control commands. Installing any other SMS application and setting it as default one breaks watch management from phone application.
WhatsApp. Camera during video calls is upside down.
Google Play Services. Instant crash.
Google Chrome 81. Crashes after few seconds of activity. For all apps that need SystemWebView component to work try Bromite replacement. However in KitKat WebView was not an application and Developer Options has no way of choosing default one. So it may fix very small amount of applications which are self-aware of different WebViews providers.
Google Calendar. Needs working Google Play Services.
F-Droid store. Crashes randomly and may require patience to install anything.
OpenSync. Cannot add any DAV account due to SSL crash.
Wikipedia. No articles can be displayed. Probably due to their latest TLS 1.2 mandatory API switch. However simply bookmarking Wikipedia in Bromite browser works just fine.
ADB and USB debugging
By default those watches are sold with charging cable only, it does not have signal pins. Your life will be a lot easier if you will be able to transfer files directly from your computer to watch and use ADB to do stuff. You can check cable dimensions here: https://allegro.pl/oferta/magnetyczny-kabel-zasilajacy-do-garett-kids-xd-10972606997 . Remember - it must have four pogo pins.
Connecting with cable is straightforward just like when connecting regular phone. Just be aware of two things:
Magnets are not strong enough to press four pins to contact pads. If you have trouble connecting try pressing magnet plug to watch firmly.
This is Android 4.4, so you need ancient knowledge. Like for example there is no "cmd" command available in ADB shell. Some command line switches are very different from what is being used today. Etc.
You can set USB to file transfer mode. Android File Transfer desktop application works perfectly and transfers are surprisingly fast. Probably it is the most convenient way to transfer applications, audiobooks and music to this watch.
Root
Based on https://github.com/eisaev/SuperSUInstaller process.
Developer Options Shortcut. Installation method is irrelevant. You can do it the same way as Launcher installation described above. Or if you already have more advanced stuff installed you can use an file transfer method and any file manager to do it.
Developer Options Shortcut and enable USB debugging.
SuperSU Installer. Again installation method is irrelevant.
SuperSU Installer. Wait for Hello World message and go back to Launcher.
In Local files on the watch there should be new SuperSU Manager APK generated. Install it but do not open.
Restart watch.
Disable WiFi and Bluetooth.
Connect USB cable.
Open dialer and enter *#*#83781#*#*. Engineering settings will open.
Go to CONNECTIVITY tab.
Start Service.
Wifi eut and confirm popup.
run adb shell on your computer
in shell enter: am start --user 0 -n ru.eisaev.supersuinstaller/.MainActivity
Wait for Hello world message on watch screen.
In shell enter: am start --user 0 -n eu.chainfire.supersu/.MainActivity
On watch screen SuperSU Manager should pop up and offer binary update. Choose Normal mode.
Restart watch.
Open SuperSU Manager. Method is irrelevant, can be clicked from Nova launcher or invoked from ADB like in 16.
Go to Settings and set Default access to Grant.
Confirm that you have root access by going to ADB shell and invoking: su
Clean up all files generated by SuperSU Installer from Local directory on the watch.
This method slightly diverges from original because users are different and because SuperSU Installer crashes when leaving to desktop using home button. Making it impossible to go from step 8 to 9 described in original method.
So for Installer and Manager to see each other at the same time you need to do this weird loop: install Installer which generates Manager which you can install prematurely to be able to later fire up both Installer and Manager at the same time from ADB without using watch home button.
Kudos for eisaev for discovering this process and building SuperSU!
My result
Home screen of Nova launcher:
View attachment 5420419
bar on top emulates status bar. It handles battery info, fast volume and brightness settings and connectivity settings.
Two Nova action widgets added on the bottom - one for power off, second one for applications list.
Application list:
View attachment 5420423
Nova allows to hide applications, so I used it to hide everything kid is not supposed to mess with. Like settings of various sort.
Many apps like Calculator or Gallery I've extracted directly from my old Android 4.4 phone.
Keyboard:
View attachment 5420427
Simple Keyboard is far more usable and fast than stock keyboard. Kid has no problem with typing on it. However just as on stock keyboard you have to type blindly and occasionally minimize keyboard to verify what you've typed.
Please contribute
If you have found solution to any of mentioned problems, encountered new problem on your own or just found good app please share in comments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought this watch for my child, but when I want to use another tracking program other than the se tracker program, I cannot change the ip number. Can you help me with this? Since I couldn't find any more resources about g4h, I asked for help under this topic. The link to the watch I actually bought is below. If I can change the server of the watch with the sms sent to the watch, maybe I can switch to an application other than tracker. Engineering mode opens but I don't know how to do it.
Find my kids application server: pw,123456,ip,tcp.findmykids.org,8001#
https://tr.aliexpress.com/item/1005002878573395.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1cc04c4dVwpHt3
got one watch with the same chipset, but it is running at Android 8.1. any idea for root it?
already try above way to to do it. but it was failed.
rootzero7 said:
got one watch with the same chipset, but it is running at Android 8.1. any idea for root it?
already try above way to to do it. but it was failed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No model name, no build version... with amount of details you provided you won't get an answer.
afyden2018 said:
I bought this watch for my child, but when I want to use another tracking program other than the se tracker program, I cannot change the ip number. Can you help me with this? Since I couldn't find any more resources about g4h, I asked for help under this topic. The link to the watch I actually bought is below. If I can change the server of the watch with the sms sent to the watch, maybe I can switch to an application other than tracker. Engineering mode opens but I don't know how to do it.
Find my kids application server: pw,123456,ip,tcp.findmykids.org,8001#
https://tr.aliexpress.com/item/1005002878573395.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1cc04c4dVwpHt3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you want is not possible.
Findmykids.org and SE Tracker do not speak the same protocol, it is not the matter of simply changing IP.
Also findmykids.org service running on watch is for Android 5.0 and up, while this watch runs on Android 4.4.
By the way: location reporting IP is stored in /custom/config. You can remount storage it in read-write mode and change it, but as I said earlier this is pointless. What you need is Android Service running on the watch, reporting to findmykids.org in data format expected by this site.
here is some detail for this watch. it comes NO band name.
chipset,
processor : 0
model name : ARMv8 Processor
BogoMIPS : 52.00
Features : half thumb fastmult vfp edsp neon vfpv3 tls vfpv4 idiva idivt vfpd32 lpae evtstrm aes pmull sha1 sha2 crc32
CPU implementer : 0x41
CPU architecture: 8
CPU variant : 0x0
CPU part : 0xd03
CPU revision : 4
processor : 1
model name : ARMv8 Processor
BogoMIPS : 52.00
Features : half thumb fastmult vfp edsp neon vfpv3 tls vfpv4 idiva idivt vfpd32 lpae evtstrm aes pmull sha1 sha2 crc32
CPU implementer : 0x41
CPU architecture: 8
CPU variant : 0x0
CPU part : 0xd03
CPU revision : 4
Hardware : Spreadtrum SC9820e
Revision : 0000
Serial : 0000000000000000
re : Spreadtrum SC9820e
Revision : 0000
Serial : 0000000000000000
getprop | grep ver
[persist.sys.android.version]: [9.0]
[ro.build.version.release]: [8.1.0]
[ro.build.version.sdk]: [27]
[ro.build.version.security_patch]: [2019-11-05]
kernel info.
Linux localhost 4.4.83+ #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Aug 20 17:30:34 CST 2021 armv7l
install the SuperSUInstaller apk file and launched it .
adb logcat says the connection was denied by SElinux. also there is no cmd_services running when "enable wifi eut". which "superSUinstaller" needs it to run on.
also by dig the system, it seems like the SELinux was misconfigured somehow.
does it work on android 9
because i try to root LEMFO LEMP
and got this message
DMN_C16_TFT_PIX32:/ $ am start --user 0 -n ru.eisaev.supersuinstaller/.MainActivity
Starting: Intent { cmp=ru.eisaev.supersuinstaller/.MainActivity }
DMN_C16_TFT_PIX32:/ $ am start --user 0 -n eu.chainfire.supersu/.MainActivity
Starting: Intent { cmp=eu.chainfire.supersu/.MainActivity }
Error type 3
Error: Activity class {eu.chainfire.supersu/eu.chainfire.supersu.MainActivity} does not exist.
i realy need solution for root this Sh*t devices
Great tutorial!
I bought polish Garett kids 4g and I want to play with it a little bit (it's not only for kids but also for daddies ).
1. I installed WhatsApp (KitKat version) and it works great. Surprisingly I can see it in the default launcher next to "steps" ("kroki") and "QR code". How it is possible and how to do it with other apps?
2. When I change watch faces I can see a little weather icon on the preview. But when I choose one there is no weather. Do you know what weather application is missing and how to force it to show weather on the watch face?
Thanks alot! I asked for the firmware from chinese's seller, and I had got a link:
QQ邮箱中转站文件
mail.qq.com
ivvitan said:
Thanks alot! I asked for the firmware from chinese's seller, and I had got a link:
QQ邮箱中转站文件
mail.qq.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,I have a watch of the same model, but I don't know how to brush it. I tried SPD_ Research_ Tool, the driver is also installed. I tried to insert the data cable when the watch is shutting down, but the Tool reported an error "user cancel". Can you tell me how you brush the watch?Thanks.
Is there a possibility of putting an android later than android 4.4 in these watches?
Surely there must be a dev on xda who could port a rom to this watch.. anyone ?
bbkr said:
State of market
Do NOT buy this watch. It looks like excellent value for money, but much modern H1 / W5 series with Android 9 and full Play Store just hit the shelves on AliExpress for almost the same price.
If mine arrives I'll create separate thread about them.
Brands
My specific watch that I used to experiment with is G4P, bought straight from Chinese factory:
View attachment 5407991
However almost everything from this thread applies to any watch running on SP9820E SoC, like G4E or G4H series.
Those watches are also often rebranded and sold as: Kinyo, Garett, Lemfo, Wonlex, Locon and many more.
Just check in spec if it is running on 9820E chip and you are good to go.
Reasons for modding
Those watches by default use very limited set of very simple applications presented in most ugly launcher and icon sets achievable by humans.
You can not install any extra applications and what you get from the box is very disappointing.
Also they are meant to be managed exclusively by corresponding phone application like SeTracker 2 (or rebrands like Garett Tracker),
which means you need to send your data to Chinese service and use WeeChat for chats/video calls, whether you like it or not.
This is true shame, because SP9820E is quite powerful hardware, here is GeekBench score.
Do not be fooled by oversimplified stock software - you can run pretty much any "real" application on it.
Luckily because those watches use Android under the hood you can transform them to something more feature-rich and more pleasant to use.
Android KitKat is NOT Android Wear
Those watches use Android 4.4, codename KitKat. Just like old phones. Please do not confuse it with Android Wear operating system and do not try to use applications built for Android Wear. Whatever you use must be Android 4.4 compatible, anything newer won't install at all. Android on this watch is heavily modified, lacks some components and you will run into many crashes or weird behaviour. Sections below will help you to navigate through those issues.
Also applications back in KitKat era were not designed with watch screens in mind, so expect bad interface scaling, not accessible buttons and huge or microscopic fonts.
How to install any application from stock Launcher?
Get application *.apk file from trusted site.
Set up Bluetooth connection between your watch (in Settings -> More -> Bluetooth) and computer / phone. Do not use macOS computer, it does not work. Android phone seems to be most compatible.
Upload *.apk file to watch using Bluetooth.
On watch go to Settings -> Tools -> File explorer and select Local -> bluetooth. Click on *.apk file and install it.
Installed application will not be visible from stock Launcher. So I really recommend installing another Launcher as first application.
Launcher
I use Nova Launcher. You need 5.5.4 version, this is the last one compatible with Android 4.4.
Once you install it using installation method described above press power button and it should prompt you which Launcher to use. Select Nova.
And enjoy freedom. It is also surprisingly fast and does not consume more battery than stock one.
If you have Nova Pro purchased you can activate it in two ways:
Use APK extractor on phone where you have Nova Prime activation installed. Dump license application to phone storage and install it the same way as launcher itself. But beware - it must be 2017 or earlier activation package. You cannot dump it from modern phone.
Search for nova_launcher_prime_v2017_full.apk and install this fake license. This is questionable way of activating it. But if you do not have old phone with old license preinstalled you have no other options. I think that if you own legal license on Play Store you will do no harm to developers this way.
Tips:
To avoid being asked for launcher when pressing power button you can disable stock launcher (requires root) through ADB shell: su, and then pm disable com.sgtc.launcher.
This firmware has very aggressive power management and you may notice lag when waking up watch after longer period of time. This is because Nova got killed by operating system and must start from scratch. To avoid it convert Nova launcher to system application (requires root). This can be done using Link2SD application. Open it, search for Nova, click on Nova, click triple dot menu menu and you will have option to convert to system. Remember to have default launcher or ADB enabled while doing this, because you will need one of those to invoke reboot.
Lock screen using button (broken, workarounds available)
If you have two Launchers power button will always prompt for Launcher when pressed on unlocked screen. You cannot change it without root, there is something modified under the hood and even Nova cannot set itself as default Launcher.
The workarounds are to lock screen using icon:
Add Nova action widget and set it to lock screen.
Add Power Toggles widget and add lock screen button to it.
Settings (partially works)
Settings are very simplified compared to stock Android 4.4. I've tried to install stock AOSP Settings APP but it fails. A lot of "hidden settings" applications allows to invoke deep buried panels like HotSpot or lock screen patterns configurations. Tedious job, lot of crashes along the way.
You can also:
Go to engineering mode by dialling *#*#83781#*#*.
Go to Developer Options by using Developer Options Shortcut application.
Status bar (broken, workaround available)
It does not work on any launcher (I tested a few beside Nova). Probably it was so heavily modified that API is no longer compatible. It cannot even be invoked by ADB service call statusbar 1.
The good replacement is Power Toggles, which allows to add widgets with battery level, fast volume profiles switching, enabling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. Pretty much everything you used status bar for. Except cellular signal strength. I use version 6.0.4.
Tips:
Just as for launcher - aggressive power management will close it as inactive user application after short period. So because it is invoked every time screen is turned on best way to reduce screen wake up time is to convert Power Toggles to system application (requires root). This can be done using Link2SD application. Open it, search for Power Toggles, click on Power Toggles, click triple dot menu menu and you will have option to convert to system. Reboot watch.
You can set different battery colors, which makes it easier to use on small screen. I has mine set up to red (below 20%), yellow (20-80%) and green (above 80%).
You can set how frequent battery indicator is refreshed. By default it is quite laggy.
To get something looking like real status bar disable home screen margins in Nova launcher. Check my screenshot below for final effect.
Notification bar (broken)
Same deal as with Status bar - probably it was so heavily modified that API is no longer compatible with launchers.
You can open notification list service directly from Nova action. But you cannot manage it in any way (like cleaning old notifications) so it is pretty useless long list of accumulated trash.
I haven't found any good replacement.
Luckily Nova launcher notification dots work on applications icons and you can pretty much quickly figure out what just pinged you.
Clock time picker (broken)
By default you manage alarm clocks on this watch through phone application. But if you open on watch stock Android clock app you will see that you cannot set time, only set alarms on and off. Probably some Android component is missing. No fix or workaround yet. Also beware, because once you add alarm using APP on the watch there is no way to remove it - no option in app itself and SeTracker sees only first 3 of them. You will need to clean app data from ADB.
Power management (work in progress)
There are no options to keep app running in background. I'm still searching for good power management app replacement to keep things like WhatsApp or other services running.
For controlling:
screen delay (by default set to annoyingly short 10 seconds)
fine screen brightness
you can use buttons on Power Toggles widget. Once you set it to your preference widget can be removed and settings are remembered after reboot.
Screen rotation (tricky, broken)
Accelerometer is mounted 90 degrees clockwise and stock applications have this tilt compensation hardcoded into them.
This really dumb design has bad consequences:
If accelerometer rotation (auto-rotation) is enabled all "real" applications will think "up" is on the side where power button and flashlight is.
If accelerometer rotation is disabled most "real" applications will stay in fixed portrait orientation (also called user rotation) but some may still rely on accelerometer. The reason is that you can not fully disable accelerometer. Disabled only means "not taken into consideration unless explicitly asked for". And a lot of applications (mostly camera-related) still try to be user friendly and rotates screen the wrong way.
If you mess something up you can lock Screen Rotation again by adding such button on Power Toggles widget and using it.
Or if you have root:
disable accelerometer rotation: settings put system accelerometer_rotation 0
set user rotation to portrait mode: settings put system user_rotation 0
Start sound
Requires root.
First remount /custom in read-write mode: mount -o rw,remount /custom.
Then remove /custom/movies/bootsound.mp3.
Apps recommendations (please share yours)
A lot of "phone" applications work out of the box, assuming you get Android 4.4 compatible versions of them. You can install them the same way as launcher or through ADB. My set is:
Simple Keyboard is perfect for this watch. Disable symbols, set height to 150% and typing will be really comfortable and fast.
Power Toggles. Must have to compensate broken status bar and missing settings.
WhatsApp. Communication freedom. Pretty much you can stop here if you want this watch to be simple device for kid.
VLC for listening audiobooks (although interface does not scale well, looking for something better).
Wulkanowy (polish e-grade book with lessons plan, homework, etc. I assume a lot of people from Poland will come here because of Garett popularity so I'm mentioning it).
Solid Explorer. Built-in explorer is very castrated and crashes often when other apps try to use it (for example to select icon picture or file to share). Solid Explorer is stable and has a lot of built-in format viewers. Unfortunately one cannot run FTP server using it - button to start is off the screen. Bug reported, I hope it will get fixed soon.
OurGroceries. Excellent shopping/checkbox list that can be synchronized between various devices. Very useful to make list of things kid should take to school for example.
Diki. Online dictionary with simple interface that scales very well on this small screen. Translations are straightforward, without tons of magic grammar shortcuts. Allows to listen for words pronunciation.
Stock apps that are preinstalled and work OK:
Dialer
Contacts (you can even import cards from vcf file)
Flashlight
Looking for:
CalDav / CardDav sync (unfortunately there is no accounts management in API and most apps adding Dav support to Android crash).
Call blocker that will reject everything outside contacts list. To protect kid from scammers, marketers and other unwanted calls.
Known to fail:
SMSes. Can be sent but watch management API interrupts receiving to capture push control commands. Installing any other SMS application and setting it as default one breaks watch management from phone application.
WhatsApp. Camera during video calls is upside down.
Google Play Services. Instant crash.
Google Chrome 81. Crashes after few seconds of activity. For all apps that need SystemWebView component to work try Bromite replacement. However in KitKat WebView was not an application and Developer Options has no way of choosing default one. So it may fix very small amount of applications which are self-aware of different WebViews providers.
Google Calendar. Needs working Google Play Services.
F-Droid store. Crashes randomly and may require patience to install anything.
OpenSync. Cannot add any DAV account due to SSL crash.
Wikipedia. No articles can be displayed. Probably due to their latest TLS 1.2 mandatory API switch. However simply bookmarking Wikipedia in Bromite browser works just fine.
ADB and USB debugging
By default those watches are sold with charging cable only, it does not have signal pins. Your life will be a lot easier if you will be able to transfer files directly from your computer to watch and use ADB to do stuff. You can check cable dimensions here: https://allegro.pl/oferta/magnetyczny-kabel-zasilajacy-do-garett-kids-xd-10972606997 . Remember - it must have four pogo pins.
Connecting with cable is straightforward just like when connecting regular phone. Just be aware of two things:
Magnets are not strong enough to press four pins to contact pads. If you have trouble connecting try pressing magnet plug to watch firmly.
This is Android 4.4, so you need ancient knowledge. Like for example there is no "cmd" command available in ADB shell. Some command line switches are very different from what is being used today. Etc.
You can set USB to file transfer mode. Android File Transfer desktop application works perfectly and transfers are surprisingly fast. Probably it is the most convenient way to transfer applications, audiobooks and music to this watch.
Root
Based on https://github.com/eisaev/SuperSUInstaller process.
Install Developer Options Shortcut. Installation method is irrelevant. You can do it the same way as Launcher installation described above. Or if you already have more advanced stuff installed you can use an file transfer method and any file manager to do it.
Run Developer Options Shortcut and enable USB debugging.
Install SuperSU Installer. Again installation method is irrelevant.
Run SuperSU Installer. Wait for Hello World message and go back to Launcher.
In Local files on the watch there should be new SuperSU Manager APK generated. Install it but do not open.
Restart watch.
Disable WiFi and Bluetooth.
Connect USB cable.
Open dialer and enter *#*#83781#*#*. Engineering settings will open.
Go to CONNECTIVITY tab.
Click Start Service.
Click Wifi eut and confirm popup.
run adb shell on your computer
in shell enter: am start --user 0 -n ru.eisaev.supersuinstaller/.MainActivity
Wait for Hello world message on watch screen.
In shell enter: am start --user 0 -n eu.chainfire.supersu/.MainActivity
On watch screen SuperSU Manager should pop up and offer binary update. Choose Normal mode.
Restart watch.
Open SuperSU Manager. Method is irrelevant, can be clicked from Nova launcher or invoked from ADB like in 16.
Go to Settings and set Default access to Grant.
Confirm that you have root access by going to ADB shell and invoking: su
Clean up all files generated by SuperSU Installer from Local directory on the watch.
This method slightly diverges from original because users are different and because SuperSU Installer crashes when leaving to desktop using home button. Making it impossible to go from step 8 to 9 described in original method.
So for Installer and Manager to see each other at the same time you need to do this weird loop: install Installer which generates Manager which you can install prematurely to be able to later fire up both Installer and Manager at the same time from ADB without using watch home button.
Kudos for eisaev for discovering this process and building SuperSU!
My result
Home screen of Nova launcher:
View attachment 5420419
Power Toggles bar on top emulates status bar. It handles battery info, fast volume and brightness settings and connectivity settings.
Two Nova action widgets added on the bottom - one for power off, second one for applications list.
Application list:
View attachment 5420423
Nova allows to hide applications, so I used it to hide everything kid is not supposed to mess with. Like settings of various sort.
Many apps like Calculator or Gallery I've extracted directly from my old Android 4.4 phone.
Keyboard:
View attachment 5420427
Simple Keyboard is far more usable and fast than stock keyboard. Kid has no problem with typing on it. However just as on stock keyboard you have to type blindly and occasionally minimize keyboard to verify what you've typed.
Please contribute
If you have found solution to any of mentioned problems, encountered new problem on your own or just found good app please share in comments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank for this tutorial