Related
Found at the official MIUI forum:
Xiaomi Mi A1 issues and missing features for Android 8.0 Oreo January 2018 update
I wonder if XDA users have found something else.
Click CONFIRM for the bug reports that you want to be fixed​The issues below are confirmed to be present on all Xiaomi Mi A1 devices for the January 2018 Oreo update.
[NEW] [Android 8.0 January] If the screen is off but the phone is not locked notifications make the screen light up but there are no notifications on the screen! That's a January 2018 regression. Bug report.
[NEW] [Android 8.0 January] SMS text messages backup doesn't work: "Waiting to backup". Bug report.
[NEW] [Android 8.0 December] RCS Phone/Service instead of Android System in battery stats - that's an Oreo regression. Bug report.
[NEW] [Android 8.0 December] Launcher3 bug: icons shape can only be changed if Developer mode is enabled. Bug report.
[NEW] [Android 8.0 December] The phone ignores the Contacts app settings and always uses but doesn't show SIM contacts. Bug report.
White noise for both bluetooth and analogue (3.5mm jack) headphones (slightly improved in the December 2017 update). Discussion. Older discussion. Bug report. Older bug report.
Low light camera performance is horrible for photos and especially for videos due to missing EIS and Camera2API.
High Android System and Android OS power usage/battery drain (reproducible under Oreo as well). Bug report.
Things which Mi A1 users and developers are craving for:
Camera2 API and EIS are not enabled even though both are perfectly supported by software and hardware but disabled only because ... no idea - not to compete with Pixels, I guess. When rooted the solution is to edit build.prop and add persist.camera.eis.enable=1 and set persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1 ). Bug report.
Add an option to configure display color temperature: there are two very different matrices for MI A1 one of which has a coldish (bluish) hue, another one is warmish (reddish). That also affects how photos and videos are percieved.
Wi-Fi: 40MHz bandwidth for 2.4GHz mode is disabled in software even though hardware is capable. For rooted devices it can be reenabled by editing /data/misc/wifi/WCNSS_qcom_cfg.ini and setting GChannelBondingMode24GHz = 1. Bug report.
The new Google Camera App with HDR+.
There's no option to swap "Back" and "Apps Overview" capacitive buttons. If it's stock Android why it follows Xiaomi's conventions? Bug report.
FM module is present but there's no app for it and it's not exposed to apps (aside from dialling *#*#6484#*#*).
Edit 2018-01-30: The kernel sources for the MI A1 have finally been released - unfortunately they are for Nougat.
Nice to have features:
Gestures: double tap to wake, lift to wake and others which are present in Google Pixels.
Configuring the lighting time of the physical keys.
Making it possible to keep the physical keys always on and configuring their brightness level (also depending on the time of a day).
Bug and feature requests which have been rejected by Xiaomi moderators (what?!):
[Android 8.0] A visual glitch: WiFi/Cellular Indicators have additional dynamic traffic flow symbols which shift the icons to the left of the indicator. Bug report. Here's an app to fix a jumping traffic indicator.
[Android 8.0] "App network access" feature (which allowed to configure per-app WiFi/Cellular access) is no longer present. Bug report.
[Android 8.0] Scheduled power on and off is no longer present. Bug report.
There's a completely unnecessary 1.5GB SWAP partition which causes a tear and wear of the internal storage. Bug report.
These issues need verification:
Some people experience lags and jitters while scrolling, including scrolling in the system settings ( https://youtu.be/wu4CR9tOw8o ). The source of the problem is not known at the moment and the issue doesn't look widespread, i.e. only certain units are affected. Installing the Google Now launcher mostly fixes it.
[Needs root to check] CPU usage monitors cause disk write activity (probably an Android OS bug - need a confirmation from Pixel owners). Discussion. Bug report.
Fixed in the January 2018 update:
[Android 8.0] If you enabled DND mode in volume change UI in Android 7.0(using system UI tuner), in Android 8.0 you will either see empty space or DND icon will be cut off. Bug report.
[Android 8.0] You cannot interact with ambient display notifications. Also if your phone is not locked but the screen is off, you cannot answer an incoming call from the lock screen. Bug report.
[Android 8.0] There's no UI/setting to enable fingerprint swipe notification gesture. Bug report.
[Android 8.0] Under some circumstances the GPS icon might stuck. Bug report.
[Android 8.0] Certain users report that BlueTooth is seemingly draining their batteries. Bug report.
Bad audio for video recording. When rooted the solution is to edit build.prop and set ro.qc.sdk.audio.fluencetype=fluencepro. Bug report.
SIM is "HD Capable" icon..
Erroneous "rapid charging" message.
[Android 8.0 December] Lock screen notifications font doesn't match system settings - it's much bigger. Bug report.
Fixed in the December 2017 update:
Pressing the Home button while being on a second/third/fourth launcher screen doesn't return to the primary home screen. Bug report.
Fingerprint scanner became quite slower with November 2017 update. Bug report.
Complete changelog for updates: three(!) changes for a 1GB update just don't cut it. A better changelog was posted for the December update.
Fixed in the Oreo update:
It's not possible to install the Google Phone app (it does support dual SIM phones). Good bye SPAM protection and caller ID. Why? Bug report.
Xiaomi Mi A1 Contacts app is a different app than Google Contacts for no obvious reasons. Bug report.
Google Assistant sometimes doesn't speak. Discussion. Bug report, another bug report.
The camera app uses a zoom lens instead of a normal lens for recording video. Discussion. Bug report.
Some people report that the fingerprint scanner is still not as snappy as in the October 2017 update. Discussion.
To be updated.
Xiaomi needs to fix all this ASAP! Mi A1 has potential, but it seems like they are undermining the device on purpose.
The OP has been updated.
I agree to every single point you have made. The biggest concern for me is the battery, the difference between the battery backup of Oct and Nov update is almost of 1 hour - 1 hour 30 mins of SOT, which is huge!
Also i like how you have pointed out the dialer and contacts application differences, which is a thing I have wondered from the start. Why the hell not just included Google's own dialer or atleast the contacts application since this whole project is a brainchild of Google itself!? Moreover that contacts application sucks, it shows duplicates for Google and WhatsApp and even Truecaller contacts while calling, so a single contact has 3 duplicates for no damn reason, without any option to sort the same out! The default dialer too doesn't show contact picture for incoming or outgoing calls. I wonder why Xiaomi is hell bent on ruining such an awesome device.
Xadus said:
I agree to every single point you have made. The biggest concern for me is the battery, the difference between the battery backup of Oct and Nov update is almost of 1 hour - 1 hour 30 mins of SOT, which is huge!
Also i like how you have pointed out the dialer and contacts application differences, which is a thing I have wondered from the start. Why the hell not just included Google's own dialer or atleast the contacts application since this whole project is a brainchild of Google itself!? Moreover that contacts application sucks, it shows duplicates for Google and WhatsApp and even Truecaller contacts while calling, so a single contact has 3 duplicates for no damn reason, without any option to sort the same out! The default dialer too doesn't show contact picture for incoming or outgoing calls. I wonder why Xiaomi is hell bent on ruining such an awesome device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want it solved and not only to complain, you can fix some of the issues in few minutes. XDA used to be place for mods and tips & tricks, not for whining (MIUI forum is obviously the right place for that).
1. No option to remap "Back" and "Apps Overview" capacitive buttons.
It's not possible even on stock Android. Just install button mapper by flar2 and configure all HW buttons as you wish.
2. No camera2 API and no EIS even though both perfectly supported by software and hardware but disabled only because ...
Install Magisk with appropriate module and modded Gcam.
3. It's not possible to install Google Dialer.
Install Magisk with appropriate module, then install Google dialer from play store.
4. Xiaomi Mi A1 Contacts App is a different app than Google Contacts for no obvious reasons.
Install Google contacts from play store.
5. FM module is present but there's no app for it and it's not exposed to apps (aside from dialling *#*#6484#*#*).
Install Magisk and 3rd party Radio app.
6. Bad audio for video recording.
Install Magisk and appropriate module.
_mysiak_ said:
If you want it solved and not only to complain, you can fix some of the issues in few minutes. XDA used to be place for mods and tips & tricks, not for whining (MIUI forum is obviously the right place for that).
1. No option to remap "Back" and "Apps Overview" capacitive buttons.
It's not possible even on stock Android. Just install button mapper by flar2 and configure all HW buttons as you wish.
2. No camera2 API and no EIS even though both perfectly supported by software and hardware but disabled only because ...
Install Magisk with appropriate module and modded Gcam.
3. It's not possible to install Google Dialer.
Install Magisk with appropriate module, then install Google dialer from play store.
4. Xiaomi Mi A1 Contacts App is a different app than Google Contacts for no obvious reasons.
Install Google contacts from play store.
5. FM module is present but there's no app for it and it's not exposed to apps (aside from dialling *#*#6484#*#*).
Install Magisk and 3rd party Radio app.
6. Bad audio for video recording.
Install Magisk and appropriate module.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With all due respect, you may be rich and would not mind spending 15k on a phone to explore "mods and tips & tricks" in it's first 2 months of use and you may even have all the time in the world to spend on XDA and find the "mods and tips & tricks" for every phone you buy off your money; But, there are people who buy the device and expect things to be good after spending a sum of money which may be more/less according to personal preferences and who would not want to unlock and root so soon. Especially more so when the phone is advertised as a Google initiative Android One phone. I have been on XDA long enough and I don't need someone telling what does it stand for and what counts as "whining" and which forum should I go to do it. I am not fond of throwing bread crumbs to every little pesky things that comes in the way; and I am supporting the OP on the thread on points he have made.
Thank you for your time to point out the obvious solutions.
Ah, also, it seems I have run out of bread for you good sir. Good day!
Dialer and Contacts apps are AOSP ones, apparently Android one uses AOSP ones and Google ones are used on Pixels.
Xadus said:
With all due respect, you may be rich and would not mind spending 15k on a phone to explore "mods and tips & tricks" in it's first 2 months of use and you may even have all the time in the world to spend on XDA and find the "mods and tips & tricks" for every phone you buy off your money; But, there are people who buy the device and expect things to be good after spending a sum of money which may be more/less according to personal preferences and who would not want to unlock and root so soon. Especially more so when the phone is advertised as a Google initiative Android One phone. I have been on XDA long enough and I don't need someone telling what does it stand for and what counts as "whining" and which forum should I go to do it. I am not fond of throwing bread crumbs to every little pesky things that comes in the way; and I am supporting the OP on the thread on points he have made.
Thank you for your time to point out the obvious solutions.
Ah, also, it seems I have run out of bread for you good sir. Good day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I do spend time on XDA before I purchase a phone. If there is a risk that phone will have low interest in XDA community or it's not possible to root it, I simply pass it and buy something else. It's about priorities, few hours at XDA will save me from weeks/months with phone which I don't like. I would advise the same to you, especially if you don't want to root and mod your phone. Better luck next time with choosing your perfect cheap phone.
Xadus said:
With all due respect, you may be rich and would not mind spending 15k on a phone to explore "mods and tips & tricks" in it's first 2 months of use and you may even have all the time in the world to spend on XDA and find the "mods and tips & tricks" for every phone you buy off your money; But, there are people who buy the device and expect things to be good after spending a sum of money which may be more/less according to personal preferences and who would not want to unlock and root so soon. Especially more so when the phone is advertised as a Google initiative Android One phone. I have been on XDA long enough and I don't need someone telling what does it stand for and what counts as "whining" and which forum should I go to do it. I am not fond of throwing bread crumbs to every little pesky things that comes in the way; and I am supporting the OP on the thread on points he have made.
Thank you for your time to point out the obvious solutions.
Ah, also, it seems I have run out of bread for you good sir. Good day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't say better. I don't want to root and mod my phone right off the bat just because Google and Xiaomi cannot properly collaborate. Maybe three/four years later, when its support has stopped, I will root and mod it to hell, but right now I prefer stock experience and locked bootloader because it gives me a feeling of safety and security. I'm not afraid to do banking on my phone, I'm not afraid to make online purchases. Once the phone is rooted, all the hell breaks loose and I no longer can trust my phone.
MI A1 DETAILED REVIEW AFTER COUPLE OF DAYS OF USAGE.
Pros :
1) Potrait shots are exceptionally well in good light conditions.
2) HDR works pretty well in Daylight.
3) The Dirac Sound built in is fabulous both in terms of speakers & on headphones.
4) Build quality is amazing.
5) Voice quality is very very clear.
Cons:
1) Night mode is really really bad.(Too much noise & Shaky pictures are captured ,loses focus most of the time)
2) Lack of image stabilization while clicking pictures in HDR mode as well as normal mode.
(Slight shaking of phone loses focus in HDR mode and makes pictures blurry)(MUST NEEDED IN NEXT UPDATE)
3) HDR mode in artificial light feels too much exposed over bright light and image feels too artificial.
4) No Electronic image stabilization (EIS) while shooting video its too shaky & not upto the mark.(MUST NEEDED IN NEXT UPDATE)
5) 2X shots are not that great when zoomed even 50% and also are much noisy at times.
6) The UI is smooth but feels at times having less transiston.(Forced swipe has to be done from up to down & from down to up)
7) Selfies are bit artificial at times want it more natural and too much beautification is being applied.
8) In phone app while clearing the call history the app crashes and doesn't clear the call history. It force stops.
Oreo beta testing is worthless at the moment. Beta testers all praise how wonderful it is without mentioning any bugs. Either Re Tardos or just unfit for the job.
I have to say I've been very pleased with the December update. The phone feels much snappier coming from the November update which was a mess with the home button issues. Headphone hissing has also been fixed for me in the December update.
_mysiak_ said:
5. FM module is present but there's no app for it and it's not exposed to apps (aside from dialling *#*#6484#*#*).
Install Magisk and 3rd party Radio app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a 3rd party app for radio? Can you give link for this? Thanks.
Is it just me? The hissing noise is much more audible since Dec update. Using Mi In Ear Pro HD. Previously its there but just not that audible. Now its pretty obvious
soralz said:
Is it just me? The hissing noise is much more audible since Dec update. Using Mi In Ear Pro HD. Previously its there but just not that audible. Now its pretty obvious
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it's pretty much the same, didn't notice any improvement or degradation with December update. Still can't use some of my headphones without impedance adapter.
Anyone has any ideas why the photos are 9mp instead of 12mp? It is very frustrating that one fourth of the camera megapixels are deleted somehow.
blackice999 said:
Anyone has any ideas why the photos are 9mp instead of 12mp? It is very frustrating that one fourth of the camera megapixels are deleted somehow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your camera frame would be 16:9(Full screen), change it to 4:3(standard). And your pics will be 12mp.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/flQfFXBfP0YqizUh2
Visit link if you don't understand
Hey,
thanks for the quick reply, I did change it and now it is ok. I couldn't check the content of the album as it said it is empty,but whatever.
Does sRGB work for anyone? Is it a recognized bug or we will never get proper sRGB colors?
Hello, after december update i have noticed that when i am on mobile data i can't download any apps from google play. I tried different solutios(hard reset, clear cache, clear data, blabla) and nothing really works. Do some of you experience that?
Hey guys!
First, my apologies if I am in the wrong section posting. I was not sure where to post. Please move my thread if needed. Thanks!
Second, would someone recommend and/or suggest Android 9 over Android 10 or Android 10 over Android 9? For myself, I really do not like Android 10. When I am referring to Android 10 and I am referring to the original in September and the two updates in September where that last update has a C3 in part of the name, as well as the October Android 10 update. I just do not like any of the updates. Would I be better off going back to Android 9? It is not an issue because I can flash the factory images via ADB when the phone is powered on than Fastboot once the phone is in the flashing mode
Can you explain why you do not like the update?
I personally don't find that there is a lot of difference between 9 and 10, but offcourse 10 has the latest security updates, which might be a reason for you to stay with 10.
Personally I think the biggest noticeable difference between 9 and 10 is the gesture based navigation. However you can turn the Android 9 style navigation back on if you so desire (Settings/System/Gestures/2-button navigation) or even the older 3 button navigation.
Other changes - like dark mode - are also optional. I see little reason to stay on Android 9. Especially since it is not being updated with security updates.
It would be nice if we could continue to use a preferred version but that comes with considerable security risks. If your dislike is purely asthetics, you can try other launchers.
For the sake of security I'll stick with Q10 for now. I have yet to succeed with a direct OTA update even under full stock. If the pending November OTA updates without needing to sideload, I might then install Magisk.
Cool I w up - Micr
alliance1975 said:
For the sake of security I'll stick with Q10 for now. I have yet to succeed with a direct OTA update even under full stock. If the pending November OTA updates without needing to sideload, I might then install Magisk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The majority of pushback comes from people USED to Android 9/Pie. I get it; I really do - when folks get comfortable, change scares the bejeebers outta them. Because I never ran Pie before the Pixel 3a came along (and Android 10 was halfway through its beta when the 3a arrived) I was able to go from 8/Oreo to 10 pretty much directly with only one migration issue; the gesture support. Simply not using them (even with Gboard) was an option, however - and one I adopted.
Launchers - Pixel Launcher was one I was already familiar with (from my Android 6 and 7 days); returning to it was therefore rather a relief.
The even bigger surprise is that I'm not rooted - or using a non-stock recovery; the first time I've done that on a smartphone (or any Android device since Android 5). TWRP was a certain install on a smartphone (as certain as doing tax returns every year); now - I could, in fact, care less. I follow TWRP development (and Magisk development as well); however, it's more a case of looking for a reason to install either - so far, nothing in Android 10 has given me a reason to move away from dead-stock. (Basically, it's a NEW sort of comfort - dead stock - for the first time in my Android phone history - IS actually good enough to run un-stepped-on.)
Dark mode requires neither; it's an option in Settings. Same with VoLTE/VoWiFi. Basically, so much for Magisk.
The thing is, you have to be comfortable with dead-stock; being as this is, after all, a developer/tweaker-targeting community, how many folks are actually comfortable running dead-stock?
If you CAN get comfortable running dead-stock, Android 10 on your 3a or 3a XL (or any Pixel, for that matter) makes a ton of sense.
Follow up - Due to Microsoft Launcher changing it's code base, I installed the beta on my Pixel 3a, replacing Pixel Launched as default. Due to new features, Pixel Launcher is in trouble! It is not the support for Dark Mode, third party launchers either have or are adding it. It is being able to use apps as plug ins; two I use now are Word (expected) and Google Calendar (unexpected). How many third party launchers let you use a system app - even Calendar - as a plug in directly. While Outlook for Android does, it is still nice to have Launcher do so as well. This very post is another example - I have added the XDA app as a plug in. Depending on how often you use an app, using it as a plug in May be faster than as a shortcut.
Im a new pixel user, i come from Nokia 7 plus (Android 9 - android one program, almost the same as pixel) and simply cant go back to 9...
Im glad my nokia also updated to 10 today , i really like the gestures. And i have been on 9 for 1 1/2 year now...
Nova launcher, gestures work fine on android 10, dark mode is not everywhere but its coming....
PGHammer said:
The majority of pushback comes from people USED to Android 9/Pie. I get it; I really do - when folks get comfortable, change scares the bejeebers outta them. Because I never ran Pie before the Pixel 3a came along (and Android 10 was halfway through its beta when the 3a arrived) I was able to go from 8/Oreo to 10 pretty much directly with only one migration issue; the gesture support. Simply not using them (even with Gboard) was an option, however - and one I adopted.
Launchers - Pixel Launcher was one I was already familiar with (from my Android 6 and 7 days); returning to it was therefore rather a relief.
The even bigger surprise is that I'm not rooted - or using a non-stock recovery; the first time I've done that on a smartphone (or any Android device since Android 5). TWRP was a certain install on a smartphone (as certain as doing tax returns every year); now - I could, in fact, care less. I follow TWRP development (and Magisk development as well); however, it's more a case of looking for a reason to install either - so far, nothing in Android 10 has given me a reason to move away from dead-stock. (Basically, it's a NEW sort of comfort - dead stock - for the first time in my Android phone history - IS actually good enough to run un-stepped-on.)
Dark mode requires neither; it's an option in Settings. Same with VoLTE/VoWiFi. Basically, so much for Magisk.
The thing is, you have to be comfortable with dead-stock; being as this is, after all, a developer/tweaker-targeting community, how many folks are actually comfortable running dead-stock?
If you CAN get comfortable running dead-stock, Android 10 on your 3a or 3a XL (or any Pixel, for that matter) makes a ton of sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know that I had to, but I sideloaded the December update. However, the January update downloaded and installed w/o problem. I have had time to get used to full Q10 stock and it does many nice things. I don't think I'll do root until major changes happen.
Hi there. I recently installed LineageOS 19 after being with MIUI.eu for over a year. The main reason was that I wanted to try Android 12, thinking I'll get whatever latest security patches and possibly performance improvements.
Though I'm disappointed with the downgraded performance of regular apps. Things I use regularly like Google Maps, Firefox, and even my SwiftKey keyboard, takes a good few seconds longer to load and be usable. I don't play games or use any super intensive apps, I'm just looking for a ROM which lets me load and use basic apps without needing to wait a few seconds for things to be usable
I tried installing custom kernels, like Stormbreaker, which seemed to help a bit but things are still not as snappy as they were before.
Am I better off "downgrading" back to something older like LineageOS 17?
Thanks for your time!
Hi. I have the same problem. I'm still using Android 10, it's super fast. (xiaomi.eu_multi_POCOX3NFC_V12.0.9.0.QJGMIXM_v12-10)
I tried to update but newer releases are very slow.
Same thing with LineageOS, I tried a lot.
poltak11 said:
Hi there. I recently installed LineageOS 19 after being with MIUI.eu for over a year. The main reason was that I wanted to try Android 12, thinking I'll get whatever latest security patches and possibly performance improvements.
Though I'm disappointed with the downgraded performance of regular apps. Things I use regularly like Google Maps, Firefox, and even my SwiftKey keyboard, takes a good few seconds longer to load and be usable. I don't play games or use any super intensive apps, I'm just looking for a ROM which lets me load and use basic apps without needing to wait a few seconds for things to be usable
I tried installing custom kernels, like Stormbreaker, which seemed to help a bit but things are still not as snappy as they were before.
Am I better off "downgrading" back to something older like LineageOS 17?
Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. I have the same problem. I'm still using Android 10, it's super fast. (xiaomi.eu_multi_POCOX3NFC_V12.0.9.0.QJGMIXM_v12-10)
I tried to update but newer releases are very slow.
Same thing with LineageOS, I tried a lot.
We received a notification to update to One UI 5/Android 13 with baseband S908WVLU2BVK1. Seeing as we never had any issue with any update, my wife updated the device AND then the problem started.
Problem: Immediately after the update, OneDrive started crashing which was odd. Then my wife complained that she can't see the images in Gallery and she can't download Whatsapp messages. I tried checking storage using X-plore file manager and I can't see any mounted storage. Trying to update apps in google store results in "Not enough space" message.
If I go into the Settings > Storage section, all I see are 0 B everywhere. Calls, and receiving & sending messages in WhatsApp/SMs app works fine too. All apps that needs to store on internal user storage can't do it because its not there.
I am attaching some images if they can be of any help to anyone. If you have any cmds to do over ADB, please do let me know. I have used ADB years ago, and I hope nothing much's changed since then.
Try clearing system cache.
Try in safe mode.
I hope all your critical data was backed up redundantly on hdds... before this happen.
If worse comes to desperate factory reset.
If that doesn't work you can probably roll it back to the last working version if the bootloader wasn't upgraded too.
Go to the Samsung members forum (Google search it) and see who else has this issue and if they have a fix.
Rule #1 - if an OS is fast, stable and fulfilling its mission, let it be! I'm still running Pie on my stock N10+; current load is over 2.5 yo, last update was 3 years ago. Still fast, stable with minimal maintenance. Security is not an issue.
That's what Android is capable of... or should be.
blackhawk said:
I'm still running Pie on my stock N10+; current load is over 2.5 yo, last update was 3 years ago. Still fast, stable with minimal maintenance. Security is not an issue.
That's what Android is capable of... or should be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I reach this mental state Mate?
I'm a flashaholic, and I need even the tiny weeny apps updated to the latest.
Hell, I wish I could be like you.
JazonX said:
How do I reach this mental state Mate?
I'm a flashaholic, and I need even the tiny weeny apps updated to the latest.
Hell, I wish I could be like you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, don't get me started It's easy to be like me over time. Android's are (or were) the easiest OS to use. Almost crash and burn proof. Didn't like where Samsung or Google was going with their products so I dug in with the best Note they ever made and Android 9/10. I'm good for another 2-3+ years as is. The newer Samsung's are less capable, have worse form factor, get worse SOT, have less memory (I have a 1.5tb dual drive device in my hand) and are only marginally faster by milliseconds doing most tasks. Not much bang for the buck even after 3 years. Not buying Samsung's marketing hype.
I had a S4+ running on Kitkat. The last cirmware update for Kitkat blocked the ability to use quick root. That's all it did. No rollback. The Lollipop update completely screws up the S4+, the playlist and contacts format is altered from line to awkward squares although an Edge running on Lollipop retains the line format. Really?
Thanks for that garbage Samsung. Samsung claimed to S4+ lacked the resources to support the line format on Lollipop; it uses less resource than the grid pattern does. Samsung lied to me.
Lesson learned, the hard way.
Then I heard the endless Google scare hype about how one needs to upgrade from 9 to 10, then 11, then 12 and each one was worse then the one before with cpu cycle sucking scoped storage being fully active on 11 and up. Google has wanted to kill expandable storage and force you to use inferior cloud storage. Just like MS they want control through cloud apps. It's an old ploy. Didn't buy the vaccine hype or Google's security scare hype. I use/do what works.
I have 2 N10+'s the newest one is running on 10. The Pie variant is more capable though, far less system apps (about 100) and a very stable platform. This 3yo N10+ is the most stable and longest lived load I ever had with only minimal maintenance. My free 6 yo copy of WPS Office (the ony free none cloud office app that can write Windows Office files) runs on both 9 and 10. I know 11 would not load it, security you know. I simply firewall block WPS Office to neutralize it, but it remains 100% functional.
Security simply isn't an issue with just a few modifications and common sense. I go everywhere on the internet but vet all apps but don't allow updates (apps that pass Playstore can latter download their payload as an update evading Playstore security). I firewall block all apps that don't need internet access and monitor those that do. Karma Firewall's logging feature is fully active on Pie but 10 blocks it. I also disable wifi since I don't need it and bt when not in use, 2 potential vectors for hackers. I hawk the download folder daily for anything I didn't authorize and vet everything before it leaves the download folder. All email is kept in the cloud, I rarely download anything from there especially jpegs and png's. Another vector plugged. I back out of bad websites, close the browser if needed and if needed I will delete the cache or even browser data. Brave browser is my primary browser and it's pretty much bulletproof, so far. No social media or shopping apps are ever installed, they are malware.
No OS can protect you completely if you do stupid things. My critical data is redundantly backed up so even if my SD card (used as a data drive) gets wiped by malware I can recreate it. Pie and 10 are impervious to the worst partition worming rootkits so a factory reset will kill them. If I can't eliminate malware within 2 hours, factory reset. So far that hasn't happened.
You get the idea; upgrades/updates do more damage and waste more of your time than malware. As long as the firmware and software are fulfilling their mission I leave it alone. It's almost all play time rather than chasing down loose ends and finding work arounds (if they even exist). Spent a lot of time optimizing this system and it runs like a bat out of hell. Upgrades are nothing but trouble for me.
2x post.
Hi all,
TL;DR - Please does anyone have suggestions on a stable custom OS ROM for the OnePlus 6 that has something akin to OxygenOS 10's Hidden Space feature and has ongoing security updates? Many thanks in advance!
So here's the lowdown. I love my OnePlus 6, but when OxygenOS 11.1.2.2 stopped providing security updates in late 2021, it was time to buy a new phone. I decided to go with the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, which from a hardware perspective was definitely upgrade (just crazy amount of RAM for the price). However, OxygenOS 12 has been nothing but a disappointment and I'm certainly not a fan the move to be more like Oppo's ColorOS.
OxygenOS's Hidden Space:
One OxygenOS feature I use a lot is the Hidden Space, which is great to store hidden apps like those for online banking and password management in one convenient place. To ellaborate for those that are unsure what I'm talking about, in OxygenOS 10 (and also versions of OxygenOS 11 for, I suspect, selected OnePlus models) this was where you simply opened the App Drawer, swiped left and unlocked with your passcode/finger pattern/fingerprint biometrics. Boom! There are all your hidden apps you were able to access quickly, easily and reliably.
<rant>
This feature was made worse IMO in OxygenOS 12 where you instead had to use the stock phone call dialler to dial an visible unlock code (no other unlock options) to access the same hidden apps drawer. If that wasn't frustrating enough, if you wanted to use two hidden apps consecutively, OxygenOS 12 would send you back to the stock dialler rather than what OxygenOS 10 did and sent you back to where all your hidden apps were. Even worse, there is your viewable unlock code still populated in the call dialler for any one else to see if you didn't remember to completely close dialler app afterwards. It's like having a sign on your front door telling theives where all your valuables are and that they cans also find the spare key under the flowerpot in the front yard...
</rant>
Life after OxygenOS 12:
So it's been about 18 months and I'm ready move onto a new phone. I don't think a new OnePlus phone is an option given ColorOS for Android 13/14 will be on it and that the Hidden Space is still the same as it is on OxygenOS 12. I'm thinking of going back to Stock Android (and thus the Google Pixel 7) as I have previously bought the Google Nexus 5X and Pixel 1 phones. I could be wrong and being presumptive, but Stock Android has always felt cleaner, lighter and doesn't have the bloatware that annoys me about Samsung phones. However, I've been informed that Stock Android 13 doesn't have a built-in feature similar to the Hidden Space like OxygenOS has.
As an alternative I've had a little hands-on using a different launcher app (I've tried Nova Launcher Prime and Apex) on OxygenOS 12+ with the intent to use it Stock Android too, but that solution feels unfortunately cumbersome, at least from what I experienced when using Nova and Apex.
So my next idea I'm looking into is to attempt to install a custom ROM (something I've never done before) onto my OnePlus 6. And now it's all about seeing if there is a custom ROM that fit my requirements. Is there even continuous development/patching for custom ROM's with regard to security updates? I'm freshfaced to all of this that that I'm unsure on a lot of aspects, which is why I want to try this for the first time on a phone I don't currently use day-to-day.
Anyway, any suggestions of security patch supported custom ROM's with a in-built Hidden Space feature would be gratefully appreciated!