Kia ora!

I’ve been an ios user for 100 years at this point, but used to be deep in the android scene before then. I’ve just got an android for a work phone and am wondering what’s changed in the last 10 years - what are your essential apps, settings, customisations? I’ve had a hunt around xda but can’t seem to find much in the way of roms for my model (Samsung A04) - back in the day it seemed there was a thread for every device!

What do I need to know?

  • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
    3·
    2 years ago

    You need good lock, it changes the game for customization, it’s the reason I no longer feel the need to do custom roms

    You also need to use adb to remove all the bloat.

    • araly@beehaw.orgEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      do you mean a custom lockscreen ? is that a thing ? is it actually good at keeping the phone locked ?

      • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
        4·
        2 years ago

        No, goodlock is a samsung thing that just has a bunch of general customizations for the OS meant for power users.

        There are no good custom lock screens.

      • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
        5·
        2 years ago

        neo launcher and lawnchair are the two open source options, I don’t think I could justify using a proprietary piece of software for something that should be so simple.

      • Faceman🇦🇺@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        3·
        2 years ago

        I used lawnchair for years as a launcher, allowed for excellent customisation and doesn’t require any root tinkering or custom roms.

        I only stopped using it when I got a foldy-thingo and it didn’t support it as well as the stock launcher.

      • StickBugged@kbin.social
        3·
        2 years ago

        You should look into Niagara Launcher. It’s not a very traditional one, but when you learn it it becomes lightning fast and super customizable

        • Communist@beehaw.org
          1·
          2 years ago

          Please don’t use nova launcher, they were bought out by an analytics company. Stick to foss.

            • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
              4·
              2 years ago

              I’d say the fact that it was bought by an analytics company tells you everything you need to know.

              Why else would they buy it?

              • Deebster@beehaw.orgEnglish
                1·
                2 years ago

                of course, I want to know how urgent this is - it’s stealing my data now, or they’ve only just bought it and perhaps just blocking updates is enough (until I find time to find a FOSS replacement)?

                • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
                  1·
                  2 years ago

                  It’s been years since they bought it at this point, I haven’t looked into it myself, but i’d be astounded if they weren’t already.