Database Info

Feature Requests

Hopefully Essential takes some user feedback as far as features we would like to see going forward. If you post please try to keep it to reasonable features that mostly stock devices have or non os software tweaks.
The two big ones for me are
1. Night mode
2. Fingerprint shortcuts, primarily for notifications

tw1tch175 said:
1. Night mode
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Click to collapse
+1

Damn just checked and realized no night mode since got the phone just today.
+1 on night mode, that thing is must have at system level. Don't want to go back to using apps like twilight etc

My needs are simple. Would like the option to rearrange navigation buttons, battery percentage, and finger print gestures.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Has anyone tried enabling night mode by enabling the UI tuner?. night mode is built into nougat but on some phones still has to be turned on. I don't have the phone yet to do it. Pull down the notification shade twice and then long press the settings cog icon. A wrench will show up next to the icon indicating that UI tuner has been enabled. Next install "night mode enabler" from the play store.

Unlocked bootloader, TWRP and root. Hopefully. ? - Not sure any devs are on board with this device.
I haven't received the phone yet, but does it support gestures while the screen is off? Such as double tap to wake, swipe up to unlock, etc.

Night mode is nice. I also like to separate ring volume from notification volume. I know that's not native to Android, but a simple mod makes all the difference for me.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Night mode for sure. Second would be system level to force apps to use the full screen, like what Samsung has for the s8+

hx3 said:
Unlocked bootloader, TWRP and root. Hopefully. ? - Not sure any devs are on board with this device.
I haven't received the phone yet, but does it support gestures while the screen is off? Such as double tap to wake, swipe up to unlock, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep.
I'm waiting for TWRP.
For root, I plan to use Magisk to root and hide BL status. Since it's mostly ASOP, it should work like the Nexus 6P I have.

First off +1 to both, I really don't want to use the app that allows finger gestures, was a little sad to see it not available in stock Android since I got used to using it on the Pixel XL.
barleysoda said:
Has anyone tried enabling night mode by enabling the UI tuner?. night mode is built into nougat but on some phones still has to be turned on. I don't have the phone yet to do it. Pull down the notification shade twice and then long press the settings cog icon. A wrench will show up next to the icon indicating that UI tuner has been enabled. Next install "night mode enabler" from the play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried it and it isn't there sadly. Just like the fingerprint gestures I don't want to have to add it through an app.
On the flip side I got exactly what I deserved/wanted. Nothing but pure Android (minus the Essential Cam app and the Essential option in the settings) so that was good but in a way I want to kick myself because I forgot that these two features were add ons to the skin for the Pixel devices. Whatever the case maybe, I'll get over it lol.

ability to change navigation buttons

Ghost_1 said:
First off +1 to both, I really don't want to use the app that allows finger gestures, was a little sad to see it not available in stock Android since I got used to using it on the Pixel XL.
Just tried it and it isn't there sadly. Just like the fingerprint gestures I don't want to have to add it through an app.
On the flip side I got exactly what I deserved/wanted. Nothing but pure Android (minus the Essential Cam app and the Essential option in the settings) so that was good but in a way I want to kick myself because I forgot that these two features were add ons to the skin for the Pixel devices. Whatever the case maybe, I'll get over it lol.
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Click to collapse
Hopefully those features, switching navigation buttons and more will come to the table once we get the bootloader unlocked and the possibility of custom ROM's/mods. Keeping my fingers crossed.

bricky23 said:
My needs are simple. Would like the option to rearrange navigation buttons, battery percentage, and finger print gestures.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
tsquare2112 said:
ability to change navigation buttons
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Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xyz.paphonb.systemuituner&hl=en
Use this to change nav bar.
For battery percentage just enable the UI tuner

1. Changing audio track with volume buttons when screen is off.
2. Resizing nav bar height
3. Double tap to wake

I second the fingerprint gestures and double tap to wake wholeheartedly.
Would also love to see these:
1. Ability to use Light Flow or another LED manager to customize notification LEDs. This is my favorite thing about Android phones and Essential's stock LED patterns aren't cutting it for me. Somehow they managed to make it impossible for the LED to flash more than once every 5 seconds.
2. Ability to use 360 camera attachment as a fisheye lens. Currently the camera stitches two 210 images together to form a 360 photo. I want to be able to choose just one lens to capture an image.

bricky23 said:
My needs are simple. Would like the option to rearrange navigation buttons, battery percentage, and finger print gestures.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
The battery percentage option is in the system ui tuner I believe. Pull down the notification shade and long press on the settings icon then go into settings and look for it.

ability to change navbar height. it's too big uses unnecessary screen estate

There are several Improvements I would like to see in the phones software. More so just general optimization. However I think that most of these answers of what features are coming will be answered in Thursday's Q&A session with Andy Rubin on Reddit. So I guess we should wait until then to see where Essential and the ph1 is headed.

Hide Navigation Bar Buttons/Immersive Mode?

Hello,
Has anyone found a way to hide the navigation bar buttons or toggle immersive mode? By having the home key buttons slide out of the way when not in use, it makes the bezels appear much smaller and really takes advantage of more screen space. Both LG and Samsung have this feature built into their system options and I've noticed how much better many apps look when it's enabled. Plus, it may help with the apparent screen burn-in issue. I just tried loading the GMD Full Screen Immersive Mode app on a demo Pixel 2 XL at a Verizon store and it kind of worked, but not in all apps. It worked great in Chrome and Maps, but not in Twitter or the NFL Mobile app. In those apps, the buttons hid out of the way, but the black bar stayed. I'm considering purchasing a Pixel 2 XL, but this one feature has been holding me back. Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.
Have a great day!

theragtopman said:
Hello,
Has anyone found a way to hide the navigation bar buttons or toggle immersive mode? By having the home key buttons slide out of the way when not in use, it makes the bezels appear much smaller and really takes advantage of more screen space. Both LG and Samsung have this feature built into their system options and I've noticed how much better many apps look when it's enabled. Plus, it may help with the apparent screen burn-in issue. I just tried loading the GMD Full Screen Immersive Mode app on a demo Pixel 2 XL at a Verizon store and it kind of worked, but not in all apps. It worked great in Chrome and Maps, but not in Twitter or the NFL Mobile app. In those apps, the buttons hid out of the way, but the black bar stayed. I'm considering purchasing a Pixel 2 XL, but this one feature has been holding me back. Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.
Have a great day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom Navigation Bar app in Play Store. Need to have adb set up to grant permission.

Ra6idr0y said:
Custom Navigation Bar app in Play Store. Need to have adb set up to grant permission.
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Click to collapse
Thank you sir this works perfectly, you can also enable immersive statusbar. Now my screen is seems a bit bigger and I don't have to worry about the burn in. Jesus this app just made me fall in love with this phone ?

Ra6idr0y said:
Custom Navigation Bar app in Play Store. Need to have adb set up to grant permission.
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Click to collapse
I've tried using this on my Pixel 2 a couple times. The grant permissions are given, but the app shows it is not compatible with the device.
**UPDATE** and now just letting it sit on the test screen (had to do something else) it shows it can.

krelvinaz said:
I've tried using this on my Pixel 2 a couple times. The grant permissions are given, but the app shows it is not compatible with the device.
**UPDATE** and now just letting it sit on the test screen (had to do something else) it shows it can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you've granted permission the test screen seems to stall so you need to close the app and open it again

Can someone explain how to setup adb? Thank you.

erojas388 said:
Can someone explain how to setup adb? Thank you.
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Click to collapse

I just did this mod on my Pixel 2. I hid the navbar which gives me more screen space, very cool. Thanks.

would the 18:9 aspect ratio of the 2xl just hide the buttons or would it stretch the screen?

Ra6idr0y said:
Custom Navigation Bar app in Play Store. Need to have adb set up to grant permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is amazing! Loving the look of my Pixel 2 with no nav bar or status bar.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Is there anyway to do this without the navbar showing up when i swipe? I want to use swipe navigation

1112ee said:
Is there anyway to do this without the navbar showing up when i swipe? I want to use swipe navigation
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Click to collapse
Nova Launcher

rajnallan said:
Nova Launcher
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Could you explain how?

1112ee said:
Is there anyway to do this without the navbar showing up when i swipe? I want to use swipe navigation
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Click to collapse
Do you have root?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/themes-apps/mod-navbar-gone-t3704708

Tulsadiver said:
Do you have root?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/themes-apps/mod-navbar-gone-t3704708
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Click to collapse
Will this work on pixel XL?

1112ee said:
Will this work on pixel XL?
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Click to collapse
No, that is for the 6P but This will work for the Pixel XL
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/themes/mod-navbar-gone-root-t3704916

Did anyone else have trouble getting the permission to work? I followed exactly but got nothing.

No, no problem.
You can also LeeDroid's Shortcutter app for this purpose - I've used that to put a toggle for immersive mode in my notification shade. Both that and Custom Navigation Bar work fine on my phone, but if you are having trouble with one you could try the other. You have verified that ADB is working (e.g. a quick "adb devices")? I had to update it on my laptop before it would work with my Pixel.

I finally got it all to work just took multiple times of opening and closing the app. Are we unable to completely get rid of the nav bar without root? Im using swipe navigation but the nav bar keeps coming up.

Why can't google make this an option like samsung?

gestures like iPhone x or one plus 5t

Hi I would like to know if there is a app or other thing to have full screen and use gestures to navigate , I have iPhone x to and it's so soft with those gestures.
Thanks

lima002 said:
Hi I would like to know if there is a app or other thing to have full screen and use gestures to navigate , I have iPhone x to and it's so soft with those gestures.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use substratum mods to put navbar DPI on 0, and install Home bar gestures from play strore.

wesanin said:
Use substratum mods to put navbar DPI on 0, and install Home bar gestures from play strore.
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Hi I tried that's not a bad idea thanks, but I would like to have the multitasking from iPhone gestures it's more naturally

I'm too disappointed where the fingerprint scanner is seated on the Galaxy S8+, it could be placed somewhere else but not adjacent to the rear camera. Hopefully, Now galaxy S9 is not repeating this trend.

Here you go still in beta and not available for "everyone" but works great and with more fonction
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/themes/beta-testers-plasmalite-to-navbar-t3666960
Sent from my Galaxy S8+ using XDA Labs

all in one gestures:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phoenixstudios.aiogestures&hl=en

I use Edge Gestures from the play store (not free) since it has more independent control over what I can do with the gestures. It does require a bit of time to get the right settings and gesture control, but once you get past that, it becomes way better than having the navigation bar.

Try "X Home Bar" from playstore .. use 0pt.navbar.apk to hide navbar ..
Use 1. Swipe up for Home 2. Swipe left, right for back
3. Double tap on home screen (nova launcher) for recent apps

sivaf5 said:
Try "X Home Bar" from playstore .. use 0pt.navbar.apk to hide navbar ..
Use 1. Swipe up for Home 2. Swipe left, right for back
3. Double tap on home screen (nova launcher) for recent apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But works on oreo?

I havent tried this on Oreo .. still waiting for S8+ oreo update here in Australia ..

this one is best.remove navbar and happy with Swipe navigation
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suphi.swipenavigation

I am on S8+ Oreo unrooted. The 0dp Nav does not work on Oreo. I have the immersive mode via adb and a Substratum Samsung System Mod app to completely remove the nav bars, they will not show with swipe up - gone. I use Edge Gestures for full control of swipe actions. Works great on Oreo. Try it out. All on Google Play.

(GUIDE) ENABLE GESTURES OP 6T ( Gestures of OP 6T on mi a2 lite )

This is a guide to enable gestures of one plus 6t in our a2 lite
1 download the one plus gestures app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivianuu.oneplusgestures
2 download the app hide nav bar https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivianuu.hidenavbar to completely disable the nav[ bar with root
3 you configure gestures to your liking and you will already have gestures in our a2 lite
( method tested in android Oreo and PIE).
:bueno:
if it served you do not forget to hit thanks:RE

I´m tested is ok

Hello, another good solution:
Hide Navigation Bar — Rootless playstore
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fb.fluid&hl=en_US
I use it and it works without any problems.

hanuki said:
Hello, another good solution:
Hide Navigation Bar — Rootless playstore
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fb.fluid&hl=en_US
I use it and it works without any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you write the name of the app?

Brugos27 said:
Can you write the name of the app?
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Click to collapse
Yes :
Fluid Navigation Gestures (Beta) in playstore

rikarddamian7 said:
This is a guide to enable gestures of one plus 6t in our a2 lite
1 download the one plus gestures app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivianuu.oneplusgestures
2 download the app hide nav bar https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivianuu.hidenavbar to completely disable the nav[ bar with root
3 you configure gestures to your liking and you will already have gestures in our a2 lite
( method tested in android Oreo and PIE).
:bueno:
if it served you do not forget to hit thanks:RE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So there won't be any problem if I want to bring back the navbar?

Actually, I liked the navigation bar because of Accessibility Menu button.
However, Back button is too far.
When I want to press the Back button in the navigation bar, my thumb cannot reached it.
So, I decided to use Fluid Navigation Gestures, with only Right edge action enabled.

coolwei1 said:
Actually, I liked the navigation bar because of Accessibility Menu button.
However, Back button is too far.
When I want to press the Back button in the navigation bar, my thumb cannot reached it.
So, I decided to use Fluid Navigation Gestures, with only Right edge action enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you experiencing any bugs with Fluid? When I enabled Fluid and hide the nav bar, my notifications seems buggy. For example my incoming whatsapp notification still there even I already read it

ghanipradita said:
Do you experiencing any bugs with Fluid? When I enabled Fluid and hide the nav bar, my notifications seems buggy. For example my incoming whatsapp notification still there even I already read it
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Click to collapse
I did not hide the navigation bar, so I can't answer your question. Sorry. :fingers-crossed:

ghanipradita said:
Do you experiencing any bugs with Fluid? When I enabled Fluid and hide the nav bar, my notifications seems buggy. For example my incoming whatsapp notification still there even I already read it
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This happens to me too. Also when I open chrome or YouTube I get a glitchy black screen for a fraction of a second.

worked perfectly on Mi A2 Lite Pie, thanks man.

Why would you want to install those two apps mentioned? Vivid NG app alone has the option to hide nav bar completely just with ADB permissions.

er15all said:
This happens to me too. Also when I open chrome or YouTube I get a glitchy black screen for a fraction of a second.
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Click to collapse
Yep, I've been experiencing the same glitch for a couple of months. You can fix this by ticking the "disable hw overlays" in developer options, but this weakens your battery life a little bit. So far I haven't found any other solutions to this but it is pissing me off. I don't like vivid ng or any other gestures app, fluid ng is by far my favourite.

novak.vujacic97 said:
Yep, I've been experiencing the same glitch for a couple of months. You can fix this by ticking the "disable hw overlays" in developer options, but this weakens your battery life a little bit. So far I haven't found any other solutions to this but it is pissing me off. I don't like vivid ng or any other gestures app, fluid ng is by far my favourite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you

How to get the old navigation gestures on 9.0?

Hi there!
My OP6 is on OOS 8.1, because when I updated to 9.0, I really didn't like the new slower gestures, so I reverted back to 8.1.
Now I feel like I'm missing some new stuff from 9.0, especially on the security side and I'd love to update, but I do not want to use any type of new gestures. Are there any ROMs, magisk modules or any other mods that would allow me to use something above 8.1 and still have the old navigation gestures?
Thanks!
EDIT: I think I used some app or something to get the old gestures on 9.0, but I remember it was really buggy and I couldn't type properly without activating the gestures. I hope there's a proper version out there.

You mean navigation bar? Back, home, recent! It's already there

Suwwan said:
You mean navigation bar? Back, home, recent! It's already there
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No, I mean the navigation gestures. No buttons or anything. Like a simple swipe up on a side for back, swipe up from middle for home and hold for recents. No navigation pills or anything. No screen estate used.

ashirviskas said:
No, I mean the navigation gestures. No buttons or anything. Like a simple swipe up on a side for back, swipe up from middle for home and hold for recents. No navigation pills or anything. No screen estate used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, sorry i had mine upgraded to pie once i had it so its the only gestures i tried. And it's pretty good.