Bad camera quality on EMUI 9.1 - Huawei Mate 9 Questions & Answers

First things first. I love my Mate 9, and will probably use it till death do us part....
However, the quality of the front and back camera has decreased significantly with EMUI 9.1 update (EMUI 9 included). The autofocus in the video has become worse, stabilization isn't as it should be, and it loses focus continuously, and sometimes the video becomes blurry.
I have read on different forums that many phones had this issue with EMUI 9.1, but most have received fix (software version 295) which our phone has not (and will not) receive. So I am wondering is there a way to port and install old camera from EMUI 8 on EMUI 9? Or to port camera from different phone which has received a fix?
If not is it possible, via dload method (official way) to downgrade EMUI 9.1 to 8? My old P7 had this option (ages ago). My phone is on the latest available software 9.1.0.275 (C432E7R1P8).
I am most definitely sure that my phone does not have a camera hardware issue because I have replaced camera module, with no results (works the same).

smack_exTreme said:
First things first. I love my Mate 9, and will probably use it till death do us part....
However, the quality of the front and back camera has decreased significantly with EMUI 9.1 update (EMUI 9 included). The autofocus in the video has become worse, stabilization isn't as it should be, and it loses focus continuously, and sometimes the video becomes blurry.
I have read on different forums that many phones had this issue with EMUI 9.1, but most have received fix (software version 295) which our phone has not (and will not) receive. So I am wondering is there a way to port and install old camera from EMUI 8 on EMUI 9? Or to port camera from different phone which has received a fix?
If not is it possible, via dload method (official way) to downgrade EMUI 9.1 to 8? My old P7 had this option (ages ago). My phone is on the latest available software 9.1.0.275 (C432E7R1P8).
I am most definitely sure that my phone does not have a camera hardware issue because I have replaced camera module, with no results (works the same).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TG, I don't have my Mate 9 anymore (and generally, no more Huawei phones to vare about)
First, be aware that Huawei removed the old firmwares and e.g. you can no more examine and download them by using FirmwareFinder.
You will have to find an alternative, trusted store with the old firmwares and with the appropriate info which of those firmwares are suitable for DLOAD (usually, not all firmwares were suitable for DLOAD, and that info was something easy to read from FirmwareFinder)
Second, Hawei changed the Bootloader sometime during the mid of 2018 - it was one (but not the last one) of EMUI 8 releases
It is a well known fact (search through XDA, not only for Mate 9) that downgrading from the new Bootloader (you do have with your EMUI 9) to any firmware with the old Bootloader causes an immediate hard brick, recoverable only by phisically opening the phone, short-cutting Test points and by flashing the board firmware (there was also a thread about the Test point method for Mate 9)
For more info, dive into the old threads and posts, it has been discussed two years ago (people were not aware about the new Bootloader and many Huawei users bricked their phones thinking that they could, as usual, downgrade their phones by DLOAD)
Hence, if you are going to downgrade to EMUI 8, you must downgrade to some of the latest versions that already had the same new Bootloader as you do have with your EMUI 9 (to avoid the brick)
Again, it was all easier when FirmwareFinder worked, because it was possible to distinguish (from date, Security patch, Changelog) which firmware came before or after the Bootloader change
Therefore, take a time and carefully study the old threads to find more info about the Bootloader change and hopefully the information what was the first c432 EMUI 8 build bXXX with the new Bootloader - you must not downgrade to any older firmware than to that one.
In other words, think twice before you attempt to downgrade to EMUI 8
On the other side, I'm pretty sure that stock camera apps are tied to the EMUI versions, i.e. that you could not 'extract' Huawei camera app from EMUI 8 and to 'install' it to EMUI 9
Of course these are just my thoughts and concerns. Please fill free to dive in and search through the old threads and posts.
As usual, you should be able to find all answers to your 'new' questions in those old posts
Unfortunately, the phone is no more supported, most users (specially the best hackers) have long ago moved to the other phones (they forgot the stuff and they no more read this Mate 9 forum to answer new questions), hence you could hardly expect a (quick and) knowledgeable answers/comments anymore

Dude, thank you very much on your reply. You see, there are still good users in this forum
I did some digging around, you are very much correct about downgrading via dload method.
However, I've discovered that Hisuite has an option of downgrading, one version at a time.
Now the question is, has Huawei made it safe to downgrade via this method (I'm guessing that they allow downgrade up to a certain point)? Can't find out what are official Huawei forums to ask the question.

smack_exTreme said:
Dude, thank you very much on your reply. You see, there are still good users in this forum
I did some digging around, you are very much correct about downgrading via dload method.
However, I've discovered that Hisuite has an option of downgrading, one version at a time.
Now the question is, has Huawei made it safe to downgrade via this method (I'm guessing that they allow downgrade up to a certain point)? Can't find out what are official Huawei forums to ask the question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you are downgrading to EMUI 9.1 you should be safe.
Unfortunately, not sure how would HiSuite react if you try to cross the BL border (I cannot recall but maybe it would not even show the downgrade possibility then)
But I saw some other people complaining that even by HiSuite they cannot upgrade (hence I don't know would it really work or fail reporting that firmwarwe is not available or something)

You may try:
Huawei Firm Finder
Quickly, easily and freely find your Huawei phone's firmware. HiSuite Proxy's official integrated firmware finder.
www.firmfinder.ml
For the Phone Model, enter MHA-L29 (or Mha-l09, what was your model?), Region c432 and scroll down to EMUI 8.0 firmwares.
E.g., to b377, as on the screenshot
Take the URL of the File List (e.g., open and Share the address, Copy to Clipboard), here it will be:
http://update.dbankcdn.com/download/data/pub_13/HWHOTA_hotaMigrate_900_9/4f/v3/0c957c1e0789446d8411bc3853d78340/full/filelist.xml
Replace filelist.xml by changelog.xml:
http://update.dbankcdn.com/download/data/pub_13/HWHOTA_hotaMigrate_900_9/4f/v3/0c957c1e0789446d8411bc3853d78340/full/changelog.xml
(By putting the update.zip instead to the URL, you will download b379 update.zip, etc - you can see the filenames in filelist.xml)
and open, you will read the ChangeLog for b377.
It says:
>>This update adds the Huawei GPU Turbo...
Although about Graphics, this is actually exactly where Huawei switched to the new Bootloader - downgrading fom b379 to b377 would brick the phone (however, if I recall correctly, one could not force that downgrade by any regular way - it would simply fail, but only by HWOTA8 method, root required - and then the downgrade would brick the phone)
But wait for more info, I'm checking now from ny old friend, Huawei guru (unfortunately no more active on XDA), what about downgrading from 9.1 to 9.0.1 and then to any 8.0, even b379 - if that was dangerous as well

In the mean time let me explain my frustration.
Imagine WRC finally arriving in your country. You manage to get off of work. The first day of rallying you carry old Lumia 950 (still use it as a work phone, works great for email) with you because I forgot to charge my mate. The pictures and video comes out great. The next day (being a little drunk of course) you find a perfect corner with a tree and it's branch over the corner (about 6 m tall). I climbed it and waited for the cars up there like a monkey just to take the perfect video of certain driver going for it (hint i20 driver), and the bloody slow motion video turns out like ****. Normal video a bit better (because re focusing is less noticable). The pictures didn't turn out good also (skilled eye will notice), despite perfect conditions for taking video and photos..... And it's all because of stupid software.
It kind of suck that lumia 950 takes better video and photo than mate 9....

Related

Mate 9 Pro Daydream

I've updated my L29-c636 to the latest 181 version. I see that daydream vr been installed, so I bought the Daydream View headset. Went through the setup process, only to find that I get a black screen when I'm told to put the phone in the vr headset. Daydream seems to be working partially as I can hear some birds from the phone's speakers. I can increase or decrease the volume using the remotre, and there is an x and settings cog in either of the upper corners. Other than that though, nothing, nada: black screen only.
Anyone else have a similar experience?
I have LON-L29C721 and no update available Anybody else ?
Try firmware finder, it seems like 181 is authenticated.
I used firmware finder app to upgrade to LON-L29C636B181 (still on locked bootloader), which worked fine. No Daydream VR controller yet, so couldn't get past the controller pairing menu.
Cool, if you do get one, see if you can view something. Btw, I read someone had used another phone to simulate the controller, not sure if it's genuinely possible though.
drdino said:
I've updated my L29-c636 to the latest 181 version. I see that daydream vr been installed, so I bought the Daydream View headset. Went through the setup process, only to find that I get a black screen when I'm told to put the phone in the vr headset. Daydream seems to be working partially as I can hear some birds from the phone's speakers. I can increase or decrease the volume using the remotre, and there is an x and settings cog in either of the upper corners. Other than that though, nothing, nada: black screen only.
Anyone else have a similar experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how did you get 181 to download with firmware finder?
I only see 2 OTA's for 181, not a full file..
thanks
With firmware finder proxy. Selected the ota, changed the proxy settings as the app dictates and used the phone's menu to search for an update. As soon as it started downloading, I removed the proxy settings.
thanks; I didn't think of switching to the "system" update option once it started to download, but I did, and now its downloaded it and it installed B181 perfectly!..thanks again:good::good::good:
LON-C636 here. I tried both OTA updates on Firmware Finder and them both gave me "Authentication failed" dialog
Seems that it's rolling out in phases again
yfnew said:
LON-C636 here. I tried both OTA updates on Firmware Finder and them both gave me "Authentication failed" dialog
Seems that it's rolling out in phases again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here... and its annoying to have to keep trying it and fail - chewing up heaps of bandwidth... i guess im just impatient lol. My FF shows 3 different updates.. one that says "FullOTA-MF" which is 2.353gb and then two smaller ones (509mb and 615mb) which just say "OTA-MF".. its strange they have 2 differing smaller ones.. either way I have tried all 3 of these, and none work yet.
Called Huawei UK support and they said that all updates including the daydream support rols out in CHINA followed by USA, followed by Western Europe and then all others. There can be up to 7 days delay between regions. Ah well..
Ok, i tested LON-L29C636B181 with Daydream view and saw the same result as drdino, aka: everything looks good up to the point when it asks to insert the phone into the viewer. The background just stays black and does not start to show the video. Foreground is just the white separator bar, X and settings icon.
If i quickly switch off/on the phone, then i will see a quick blink of the VR video, so this seems to be some rendering problem.
Not sure what i could still do myself - except factory reset. But i do not dare because right now i do depend a lot on the phone (no good backup phone at the moment).
Given how i have an overseas model, i have not yet found a way to effectively complain to Huawei. I had contacted Huawei on the US once about the mate 9 pro (different issue), but they refused politely given how they do not sell it.
I did open a case with google though, not sure if that helps. Daydream app -> Settings (VR Settings) -> Help -> Contact Us -> Call
Google promised to send me an email about the case i opened with them, but i have not yet received any email. Maybe others here with the same problem on the Mate 9 Pro could also call up google, maybe someone will succeed bringing this problem to someones attention.
Same here, I chatted with Google for about an hour, and reached the same result, i.e. they will email me.
I think it's a display rendering issue, as I can see the momentary flicker as well.
An additional issue that I discovered is that the phone's nfc reader is on top, above the camera, whereas the headset's nfc tag is in the middle of the flap. For what it's worth, I copied an nfc tag and stuck it on the leftmost side of the flap but got the same result.
To replicate the flicker, you can try sticking the phone on top of the headset's nfc tag, it's reproducible maybe 4/10 times.
buntyji said:
Called Huawei UK support and they said that all updates including the daydream support rols out in CHINA followed by USA, followed by Western Europe and then all others. There can be up to 7 days delay between regions. Ah well..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not even aware of any official USA or north-america versions of Mate 9 Pro or Mate 9 Porsche. All i can see are just overseas versions. This article https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/03/huaweis-mate-9-pro-finally-supports-daydream.html also claims "Google also reiterates that the Mate 9 Pro and the Mate 9 Porsche Design are both available in the U.S., the UK, Germany, Australia, and Canada". WTF ?!
drdino said:
An additional issue that I discovered is that the phone's nfc reader is on top, above the camera, whereas the headset's nfc tag is in the middle of the flap. For what it's worth, I copied an nfc tag and stuck it on the leftmost side of the flap but got the same result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I did not even knew that the VR viewer has an NFC chip . Yeah, playing around with it, the reader in the mate 9 pro can not read it when it is inside the viewer, but only when you match up the locations of the reader and the chip. Funny.
te36 said:
I am not even aware of any official USA or north-america versions of Mate 9 Pro or Mate 9 Porsche. All i can see are just overseas versions. This article https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/03/huaweis-mate-9-pro-finally-supports-daydream.html also claims "Google also reiterates that the Mate 9 Pro and the Mate 9 Porsche Design are both available in the U.S., the UK, Germany, Australia, and Canada". WTF ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL think that article is misinformed.. we definitely do NOT have the Mate 9 Pro for sale here in Australia, and when people asked on the Official Twitter / Facebook pages, Huawei AU responded to say it would not be sold. The Porsche Design however, did make a minor appearance here in Australia - Huawei AU did a Auction to raise funds for a charity, in which case they auctioned off 1 (yes ONE) "Limited Edition" Porsche Design Mate 9. We only have the Mate 9 as officially sold here in AU. Believe the same in USA? (or possibly you get the PD there in USA too?)
On Firmware Finder's website I found LON-L29C721B180 where the changelog says that "This update adds Daydream and optimizes system performance and stability." Not sure if this version is authenticated yet, however.
yfnew said:
On Firmware Finder's website I found LON-L29C721B180 where the changelog says that "This update adds Daydream and optimizes system performance and stability." Not sure if this version is authenticated yet, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LON-L29C721B180 is for PD.
Believe some users have mentioned on PD forums they have managed to install it, and some others failed to install (auth failed).. But as per posts above the Daydream maybe not work and gets black screen when they try to add the device into the VR headset - would think the PD would have the same issue...
buntyji said:
Called Huawei UK support and they said that all updates including the daydream support rols out in CHINA followed by USA, followed by Western Europe and then all others. There can be up to 7 days delay between regions. Ah well..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very interesting to see people just get this issue after B181 OTA. I am using LON-AL00C00B175 and found this issue since updated. So it's like couple weeks ago when Google hasn't announced M9P is daydream ready. Also, my friend in Huawei dev team told me Chinese version of M9P wouldn't get daydream support soon. So let's wait and see.
It was B181 that brought daydream support to the International Mate 9 Pro.

Rooting an Oppo R11

Hi all, was just putting this out there to ask if any of the XDA faithful have been able to successfully root an Oppo R11? I don't need to go into details about how bad the ColorOs is, so you get where I'm coming from
I've read a fair bit since receiving the phone (Gift) about being able to root older models from the work by Wuxianlin and others.
Is it safe to assume the older methods of rooting the Oppo phone wont work for the R11?
Details are below of the model (Australia) etc
Model # - CPH1707
ColorOS version - v3.1
Android version - 7.1.1
Build # - CPH1707EX_11_A.06
Cheers guys, appreciate any help or guidance
Sanchez
dirty cow - NO. msmdownload tool - YES
sanchez78 said:
Hi all, was just putting this out there to ask if any of the XDA faithful have been able to successfully root an Oppo R11? I don't need to go into details about how bad the ColorOs is, so you get where I'm coming from
I've read a fair bit since receiving the phone (Gift) about being able to root older models from the work by Wuxianlin and others.
Is it safe to assume the older methods of rooting the Oppo phone wont work for the R11?
Details are below of the model (Australia) etc
Model # - CPH1707
ColorOS version - v3.1
Android version - 7.1.1
Build # - CPH1707EX_11_A.06
Cheers guys, appreciate any help or guidance
Sanchez
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ColorOS is by far and away the worst experience I've ever had on a phone.... it boggles the mind how they thought this was a good android alternative. The phone is great but really unusable for me at this stage.
carlochiefsg said:
dirty cow - NO. msmdownload tool - YES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please go into detail, I've never rooted and Android device, as I've never needed to. I'm coming from a BlackBerry PRIV, which I used for many years, and I came dependant on the keyboard (BlackBerry PRIV onscreen keyboard). This is all good, as you can download a Blackberry manager and install the keyboard, however, the keyboard doesn't appear when you tap into message, email, you name it. Sometimes you'll have to tap 4 or 5 times before it'll appear. And it's got all the permissions in the world.
Now I'm here, hoping I can install a stock android version. Is this at all possible? Any help would be much appreciated.
Same same
OppoR11 said:
The ColorOS is by far and away the worst experience I've ever had on a phone.... it boggles the mind how they thought this was a good android alternative. The phone is great but really unusable for me at this stage.
Can you please go into detail, I've never rooted and Android device, as I've never needed to. I'm coming from a BlackBerry PRIV, which I used for many years, and I came dependant on the keyboard (BlackBerry PRIV onscreen keyboard). This is all good, as you can download a Blackberry manager and install the keyboard, however, the keyboard doesn't appear when you tap into message, email, you name it. Sometimes you'll have to tap 4 or 5 times before it'll appear. And it's got all the permissions in the world.
Now I'm here, hoping I can install a stock android version. Is this at all possible? Any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the same boat.... for me ColorOS is almost unuseable as I struggle to get the font size and colour that works for my eyes... and it's very non customisable. I am playing around with Themer (Play store download) and it looks better but so far not a final solution

No third-party launcher allowed

Hi everyone.
Just for your information. There is an issue with the next updates of EMUI (at least in chinese version), in builds 8.1.0.171, 8.1.0.181, and 9.0.0.120, you can not use a third-party launcher. In 9.0.0.120 build there is a note: "You will be unable to use third-party launchers if you install this update. This issue will be resolved in the next system update.", but I have that problem since 2 previous versions.
I saw a thread in Huawei P20 pro's forum with the same issue but just presenting it in 9.0.0.120.
If anyone has seen more information, I'll be glad to read it, because this is kind of a deal breaker for me. Maybe I'll switch to Pixel 3.
That's it.
Have a nice day =)
Hey. If you use a chinese version in europe right now i can recommend to rebrand your device to european version. I did it with my chinese Honor 10 (AL10 to CL29). Right now i m using EMUI 9 Beta and i can install custom launchers. Just an idea...

EMUI 9.1 for MediaPad M5 is coming soon

As the Titel says, EMUI 9.1 is coming for MediaPad M5 and for more 49 Devices from Huawei and its sub-brand Honor.
The confirmation is from the Chinese club.huawei (see the attachment below)
Why EMUI 9.1 is a really big deal and better than its previous firmware:
PERFORMANCE
Previously, the F2FS file system was tailored for flash memory to improve the read and write performance after long-term use. Now, with EROFS, the random read speed will be 20% faster and the system space will provide extra personal storage of up to 1000 pictures or 500 songs. Plus, the read-only memory design isolates outside interference for added security in your system files.
GPU TURBO 3.0
GPU Turbo 3.0 is a new upgrade that covers 25 of the most popular games. This new update includes reducing SoC power consumption by 10% and optimizing the underlying system performance to provide a continuous gaming experience.
HUAWEI VLOG
It has new features and effects that are perfect tools for easy editing and you can share with one-click. The Highlight videos are automatically edited with dramatic filters and give you the option to apply special speed effects and unique background music. Your cherished videos can be transformed into a personal cinematic masterpiece.
ANYTIME ASSISTANT
Whenever you need to use the virtual assistant to carry out tasks, look up facts or need an answer to a simple question, just press and hold the power button and the Google Assistant will launch in a second.
AR MEASURE
When you need a quick measurement tool for simple DIY projects, just open the AR Measure App. You can accurately measure length, total area and volume with the Huawei TOF Camera.
By utilizing the Face Recognition technology, you can now measure the height of a person with just a simple task of scanning from toe-to-head.
ONEHOP
A simple tap from your phone to the computer can send pictures, videos, and documents in seconds. You can also efficiently copy and paste between devices with Huawei Share OneHop.
And, while playing a game, just shake and touch the phone to your computer to initiate a 60-second recording of the screen1 that saves to your phone.
HUAWEI CARKEY, SECURE AND CONVENIENT
EMUI 9.1 allows you to automatically unlock your car with NFC on your phone when you forget the key and you can share this key with up to 5 people.
You can still unlock your car even if your phone is out of battery. Additionally, you can start your engine using your phone, once the phone is placed inside the secure phone box.
THE PERFECT WORKOUT PARTNER
EMUI 9.1 turns your phone into an ultimate workout partner. Use your phone to connect to a treadmill and collect information like calories burned, running speed and length of the workout.
The phone can also use an algorithm to intelligently measure the step vibrations, so you can accomplish your personal fitness goals.
SIMPLY SWITCH
With HUAWEI Phone Clone, you can simply and quickly transfer your contacts, photos, videos and more to your new phone in just a few moments.
Source: Huaweicentral
And other more detailed Improvements like: (i collected those infos from some Mate 20 pro users):
Navigation Gestures are LOT way better now than EMUI 9.0 (more fluid)
Desktop Mode got some Improvements and fixes too
Battery life is better now (the drain issues got fixed)
Thats all i can remember till now
It also says it's released, I wasted time I stalling the beta app, and setting up Huawei Id only to find I need to insert a SIM card in my WiFi only tablet.....
Chr1stOnABike said:
It also says it's released, I wasted time I stalling the beta app, and setting up Huawei Id only to find I need to insert a SIM card in my WiFi only tablet.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean you installed the 9.1 update?
No, doesn't seem to be available, and it says I need to insert a SIM card in my WiFi only tablet.
Chr1stOnABike said:
No, doesn't seem to be available, and it says I need to insert a SIM card in my WiFi only tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, correct, in order to use the beta app you must insert the sim card, but even doing this you won't be able to get the 9.1 as it is not available yet on M5
So there is no point trying this app if you don't have a 4G device?
Chr1stOnABike said:
So there is no point trying this app if you don't have a 4G device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, without sim and number it is useless
I got a m5 lte 10.8 can I get the beta version?
I can't even get 9.0 for the US 8" model yet. I'm sure I'll see 9.1 after Android 10 is released.
I'm still running 8.0. Not even a sniff of 9.0 let alone 9.1! Quite disappointed if I'm honest!
littleash88 said:
I'm still running 8.0. Not even a sniff of 9.0 let alone 9.1! Quite disappointed if I'm honest!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too! I checked for updates many times but nothing new
My mediapad details:
Model SHT-W09
Build number SHT-W09 8.0.0.198(C567)
EMUI version 8.0.0
Android version 8.0.0
littleash88 said:
I'm still running 8.0. Not even a sniff of 9.0 let alone 9.1! Quite disappointed if I'm honest!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here!
Got my tablet last week SHT- AL09 LTE
with version 8, checked for updates and went up version 8 in steps. Then was given 9 and more steps to final 9.01.190
I have the same tablet, and same version of the software.
Very nice tab, i like everything about it except for the battery life which is not too good, and also wish it supported VoLTE.
I was wondering, whether it will receive Android Q :-o
I just checked what is the firmware history of Samsung tablets on sammobile. So after 1st year of release they updated their tablet quarterly, and after 2nd year they stops updating. So it is pretty much almost the same. Except that they are much much more expensive devices. Like new tab s6. Great tablet, but quarter updates after 1st year? No thanks.
Got the EMUI 9.1 update (9.1.0.325) on my M5 8.4 WiFi last Saturday (31 August 2019) here in Romania. It's 3,51 GB in size and I got it through OTA.
metadethrax said:
Got the EMUI 9.1 update (9.1.0.325) on my M5 8.4 WiFi last Saturday (31 August 2019) here in Romania. It's 3,51 GB in size and I got it through OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's good news !
Just received 9.1 on my M5 10.8 WiFi in the UK as well via o.t.a.
I can confirm that update is rolling out. Just receveid it via ota ( model c432, italian )

Pixel 3a Android 9 vs Android 10

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.

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