I have been steady researching this and I have stumbbled upon what lloks like an unfinshed doc for the [Developer Verification Progra](https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/limited-distribution)m Key notes - still no rollout schedule - Fee can be found in FAQ. Says it will be $25 - That you will have to provide a state-issued ID even for the now free "Limited Distribution" that has a 20 device maximum - In the FAQ it shows that this is covering all devices Android 7.0 and up and admits that the Advanced Flow in Google Play Services. - still does not address how they are justifying this at all They have stolen a free product and are now activity locking out the people who built it. [ASOP does not belong to them it belongs to us](https://disintermedia.net.nz/android-time-to-stop-hunting-the-replicants-decker/). Time to get it back I think.

Is anyone familiar with the specifics of how Circle to Search (linked) works? I was looking for a FOSS alternative to the google circle to search tool and came across it. It seems to describe its implementation in a clear way on the GitHub page, but I have not validated that it does actually operate using that architecture, or that it keeps to its promises about not caching info that is pulled from its third party OCR tools. On android it asks for "advanced permissions" which I presume are needed to take screenshots and share these with the third party OCR service. Since I havent validated how it works though, I wanted to check if anyone else has before I provide it those permissions.

Starting in August, installing APKs from unverified developers will require a new procedure called Advanced Flow. It involves enabling developer mode, rebooting the device, and waiting 24 hours with biometric verification. After that, you choose: allow the APK installation for 7 days or indefinitely. The procedure is a one-time process and applies to all versions of Android. Will the 24-hour wait stop you from installing APKs outside the store?

Over the years I've tested out pretty much all the Android keyboards, but swipe typing always kept me on GBoard, even though GBoard did not support voice typing for anything except Google, so I had to switch keyboards for that. Recently I learned that HeliBoard has support for gesture typing with the Google library. But I couldn't find any instructions on where to get the necessary files or how to do it. Well, someone posted a link to the file elsewhere so I'll [share it here](https://github.com/erkserkserks/openboard/blob/46fdf2b550035ca69299ce312fa158e7ade36967/app/src/main/jniLibs/arm64-v8a/libjni_latinimegoogle.so). And it works! Extremely well. I can also pin a button for voice typing and then select Transcribro for that (which uses OpenAI Whisper locally and works super well. Another gripe I had with GBoard was the cursor moves way too fast when swiping on the space bar. Not so with Heliboard. You can also swipe backwards from the backspace key and it will highlight text and then delete it when you let go.

Trust me, I push Signal _hard_ and even donate to it monthly. As I'm sure many of you know, there are always a few contacts who unfortunately refuse to use it. In this case: do you prefer to use insecure SMS in something like QUIK SMS or Fossify Messages, or do you prefer to bite the Google bullet to get end-to-end encrypted messages (even if the metadata isn't encrypted)? I can see good arguments for both sides, so I am curious what Lemmy's take is.

If you haven't seen this yet, Google is planning to require mandatory developer identity verification for all Android apps, including apps distributed outside the Play Store, taking effect September 2026. This affects every independent and open source Android developer directly. This is not just about the Play Store. After September 2026, on any certified Android device, applications from unverified developers will be blocked by default. The only proposed bypass, the "advanced flow", exists only as a blog post and has not appeared in any beta, dev preview, or canary release. No one outside Google has seen it. The community has been fighting back at keepandroidopen.org: - Read the full breakdown of what this means - Sign the open letter (organisations only) - Contact your national regulators — contacts listed by country on the site - Add the countdown banner to your project September 2026 is closer than it looks. The time to push back is now.

I just updated my 2025 Moto G Stylus 5G to Android 16 only to discover the only feature I updated for doesn't work on my device thanks to Qualcomm.

if I buy a pixel 7a within the next 5 days they'll add on top of the 20% off they already offered, a free pair of pixel a-series buds (retail price $100), so I'd get a 33% discount on both items. online reviews say it's compatible with every android device, but Im going to buy this model to delete the software and install either graphene or lineage, so, will these buds work with either OS?

I have a Razr flip phone that I often use folded halfway (laptop style) and watch videos on the top half while I do other things. Certain video apps center the content across both halves of the screen and I have to activate split screen and put a random app on the bottom half of the screen. Long story short, is there a way to split screen only 1 app to only the top half of the screen? I've tried to search for something but I'm coming up empty.

Hi everyone! I'm happy to share my app, Octopi Launcher, which I've worked on for quite a while now. Octopi Launcher is a launcher for Android, built with the latest trends in mind, which includes visual and haptic effects, and support for foldables. **Features:** - App drawer, dock and homescreen - Different homescreen for different screen layout/ orientation/ size/ foldable position - Widgets and (autoscrolling) widget stacks - Home screen folders - Fine/ free positioning of home screen apps and widgets - Big home screen icons - Swipe actions for icons - Display drawer items as icons or tiles (or single list); sort by installed date or updated date - App search + instant launch - Icon pack support - Wallpaper blur when opening app drawer (on supported devices) - Work profile support - Fun animations, reflections and haptic effects **Screenshot album:** https://photos.app.goo.gl/8xiXqSABV7Rhad139 Firstly, join the Google Group to gain access: https://groups.google.com/g/octopi-launcher-alpha-testers Then, use this link to download the closed beta: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.otp.octopilauncher I'd love to hear your feedback below, and have a nice day!

I'm looking for an upgrade on my CDMA carrier in the US and it really seems like my only options are Samsung, Pixle, Motorola, or IOS. Am I missing something or do companies just not support this technology? I got excited about the zenphone 10, but it looks like it is GSM only.

I've been wanting to Curb my Doom Scrolling Habits as of Recent as I've been wasting waaaay to much time opening the Same Apps 5 Times in 10 Minutes. One Method thats been Said to Work wonders in that Regard is to have Apps only be accessible after typing in a Password. After doing a bit of Light research it seems I'll need an App for this as I don't wanna deal with Samsungs "Safe Folder" needing a Samsung Account stuff. Do any of you have Suggestions for Trust Worthy Apps for this?

Replacing Nokia 8.3 5G cuz it's broken

>In addition to Private Space, Android at I/O 2024 is really working to boost the mobile operating system’s theft, security, and privacy protections.

They really didn't have to redesign a text box. Please stop reinventing the wheel. I don't need another pop up in my life.

For years now after a while I just stop getting texts. Reboot the phone and they work again for a while. The crazy thing is that it's happening on several phones. A pixel 3, a galaxy s20, and now a OnePlus 8. Signal works fine obviously but only a few people I know are on signal. Carrier is T-Mobile and they always just want to sell me. A new phone. Anyone have ideas?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21184378 >The longevity of Android updates has always been a problem, but one that’s been getting better with time. Google has, behind the scenes, introduced some big changes for Android manufacturers that will make it easier for more Android phones to offer support for up to 7 years, just like Pixel.

Hello, mostly-PC person here who still doesn't understand much. I recently upgraded my old unlocked phone to an unlocked one with LineageOS (in case the Android ROM matters for this). Want to set up the most important things such as banking apps for this, and I'm hitting a knowledge block. Back in my time, we used **Magisk** for customizing phone modules and most importantly for hiding root and custom ROM status from apps that demand a "Google experience". For the newer phone I wanted to do this, but I'm finding extremely conflicting information on what is the current status of Magisk and if it should be used. On one side, Magisk seems to still exist and still to be the recommended way for installing modules on phone, and it's still available on F-Droid. On the other one, I find verifiable information that the developer of Magisk went to work *with Google* of all companies, plus indications that they removed the hide root mechanic from the program and that other stuff might be removed or the software abandoned outright. So, in light of that I thought of asking here. Is Magisk still "legit" for custom ROMs? If it's not / if it's been enshittified, what is the current way to hide root from eg.: banking apps? Thanks in advance.

Hopefully this becomes the app that ends this nonsensical "blue bubble" supremacy by iSheep.

> The Google Play Store has a Nearby Share-powered method for sending apps on your device to others, but this is now going away...

> Google Messages gets a new animation for sending and receiving messages, making your conversations more delightful. Check it out!

Hi everyone, ::: spoiler Genesis I have an unused [Xiaomi redmi note 6 pro](https://www.devicespecifications.com/en/model/bdca4cb9) that was standing in a drawer and I wanted to re-use it. This phone was already running with a custom ROM lineageOS but they do not support it any longer and they've also deleted all the ROM files relative to it 🤯 so no way to download again those ROM ! So I tried few other stuff and I landed in bricking my phone. Too bad as it was still in a great shape and condition. What a waste/pollution !! I'am myself an IT guy, but the unnecessary complexity of the Android phone and what the brands does.. etc. make too many steps and I cannot spend ~two weeks to unbrick it. And additionally to that, when I see what Google planned for us https://keepandroidopen.org/ oh my God. 🤮 ::: So I am looking for a phone[^Floss]: - around 100-150€/$ - screen ~6.50' - a mini jack 🎧 - Easy to install/Flash another ROM ! ( let's dream, maybe the vendor itself guide/help in order to do so ) - Bootloader not locked !? - Easy to be the root [^root] - Not need to be the newer model [^Floss]: Floss \ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_open-source_software [^root]: And by the way, why we should struggle and trick so much just to gain **root** access? Do are we not the owner of our phones? Why not a simple option that asks to be root? And the user will take its own responsibility for it !?

Hi! I am developing an script in termux for anrdoid tv (lineageos) . Anybody know if is possible close notifications of other apps, for example kde connect, from shell?

cross-posted from: https://thelemmy.club/post/45175566

The first Android 15 beta has busted my tap and pay. Anyone else lose NFC?

This is a regional release from the brand apparently for Nigerian market only which explains the fact that despite having decent specs( things like 90W charging, 8 GB RAM and 144 Hz high PWM dimming display), it is a 4G phone only. Though it is gimmicky in some respects. It has a SpO2 sensor apparently built into the back but skips out on basic things like micro SD or 3.5 mm jack (but hey, they do give free USB C headphones; now I can switch from Sennheiser's IE 600 to an upgraded variant :p).

I recently bought a USB-C to headphone adapter so I could use my phone with the Aux input in the car. It's going great except the phone mic doesn't work when it's plugged in. I semi-frequently use voice messages while driving to avoid looking at my phone and this isn't an option now without unplugging the USB and replugging it which is distracting so defeats the purpose. Is there a way to force the phone mic through settings or similar? Lesser AudioSwitch sounds like it would do the trick but doesn't seem compatible with my device

Howdy fellow lemmings, I know your collective knowledge is greater than mine, so I have come to you for your wisdom. My OnePlus 9 is nearing the end of it's life. The power button doesn't work or registers a double press (I use tap2wake and tap2sleep instead) and some other parts are hinting that they're starting to die. Also, something in 915Mhz or 925Mhz seems to be causing random UI reboots at the grocery store. Might be hardware or custom rom related. I'm looking for something with: 1. Unlockable bootloader with option for root. I may or may not root this time around, depends on how tailscale to my pihole at home works. I absolutely must be able to strip out the bloat and preferably the google apps as well (though I'd like to keep the option for play store), I'm extremely ad-phobic. 2. Open hardware that third party developers can properly use. I'm running CrDroid on my OP9 and it's ridiculously great, but cannot make good use of my camera. There are quality issues, cropping issues, and functionality issues and I've experienced similar with other phones I had in the past. Are there manufacturers who publish specs resulting in better 3rd party camera implementations? I would be fine with a more midrange phone, as I don't play many games, but I need the camera to work well. 3. A large/active modding scene is appreciated 4. Bonus points if they don't advertise a bunch of AI bs that I don't want or need 5. Location is USA, though phone can be from anywhere as long as it works. I need at least a few bands to be able to use the phone in Germany. Can anyone advise on which manufacturers meet my requirements? My understanding is: OnePlus - unlockable, rootable, custom ROM cameras suck unless the rom uses default op9 camera and it seems that this doesn't work well with more AOSP-y ROMS Pixel - varies by manufacturer ASUS - I'm seeing concerns about unlocking and Roms though it seems they have been good in the past Nothing Phone - unlockable/rootable Fairphone - seems ideologically pure, but performance, camera, and battery life may not be awesome Suggestions and insights are appreciated.

I've been looking for something like the old app making 3D wallpapers from GCam lens blur photos, but found nothing. This is not the same, but it is quite good nonetheless.

Whenever I play audio over a usb-c to mini jack adapter the popup randomly appears and stops all audio playback. Makes it impossible to use tapDancer. I've tried disabling Google Assistant to no avail.

Cross-posted from ["Release 2026.01.24 is out"](https://sopuli.xyz/post/40180848) by @[email protected] in [email protected] --- Release 2026.01.24 is now out on all distribution channels! Beyond fresh OpenStreetMap data, it includes adding road outlines for better readability, renaming of the "Bookmarks & Tracks" to the clearer "Favorites" and many more updates: https://codeberg.org/comaps/comaps/releases/tag/v2026.01.24-5

Android 15 (code named Vanilla Ice Cream) is set to revolutionize user experiences, promising enhanced productivity, superior media capabilities, optimized battery impact