This is how I make any Android phone feel more like a Google Pixel

Many individuals will argue that the Google Pixel collection is the top of Android smartphones. These units provide the slickest implementation of the OS I’ve ever used, whereas together with heaps of exclusive features. Google’s continuously including to this listing, additional distancing the Pixel line from its contemporaries. However, to be fully frank, Pixels aren’t fully distinctive. Even their “unique” options might be ported to different Android telephones with out a lot fuss and a few know-how.

You’ve come to the fitting place for those who’ve ever needed your OnePlus, Samsung, or Xiaomi to really feel a bit extra like a Pixel cellphone. After experimenting with my Galaxy S24 FE, I’ve slowly made my Samsung-designed cellphone really feel like a Mountain View invention. You may too by following my information under.

Effectively, why wouldn’t you? To begin with, it’s enjoyable to experiment! Even for those who don’t desire a Pixel per se, turning your cellphone into one is a superb studying train. Secondly, there are some extremely helpful Pixel-only options that I’d like to have on my Samsung. Take Now Enjoying, as an illustration, a function that uncovers and information the small print of music within the background. It’s satisfying to get house from a visit to the mall and see a listing of recent songs registered. Then there’s the appear and feel of Pixel Launcher. Whereas I’ve quarrels with the native launcher, it’s so slick that I can forgive its quirks. I crave its quickness once I’m utilizing anything.

There’s some benefit to adopting some traits that make Pixels Pixels. However, in fact, there are some options you received’t be capable of entry except you’ve a Google cellphone your self. This consists of the myriad calling options like Maintain for Me and Name Display, each of which goal to cut back the annoyance of utilizing one’s smartphone, you realize, as a cellphone. Greatest Take and Add Me are two further smarts I want I might entry on all units, however stay locked to Pixel {hardware}.

So, which Pixel options are you able to port to your Android cellphone?

Regardless of the restrictions Google imposes on most Pixel-exclusive options, a number of can nonetheless be loved in your Android cellphone. That is largely achieved utilizing particular apps impressed by Pixel options or ports of these options. Under is a listing of these apps, together with a common overview of their performance and any dependencies they might have.

At a Look might be annoying at instances. The irremovable data bar sits on the prime of the house display, ticking by means of info because it turns into related, reminiscent of an upcoming occasion or a site visitors replace. Because it’s a fixture on the Pixel Launcher, I’ve grown to like and hate it. Naturally, I needed to really feel the identical feelings when utilizing any Android gadget.

The simplest solution to convey At a Look to any Android cellphone is thru Smartspacer. I’ve coated this fairly sensible app earlier than, and, in some ways, it’s an improve of At a Look. It may be utilized in a widget slot and however affords extra customization choices and data sources from many apps. Every part from inventory fields, like Digital Wellbeing knowledge and climate forecasts, to third-party plugins that embody package deal monitoring and a very lovely energetic greeting possibility, can be found to me.

There’s one small caveat: Smartspacer requires Shizuku to run. Shizuku successfully permits Smartspacer to run at an elevated privilege, and the app wants this to exchange At a Look. One should comply with its personal set up and activation steps, which is important as a number of apps on this listing require Shizuku’s assist.

Bear in mind me mentioning how a lot I like it when my Pixel 8 greets me with a listing of songs it heard alongside my each day journey? You may have this function on any Android cellphone with AmbientMusicMod. By the way, it comes from the identical developer as Smartspacer and requires Shizuku to run.

Like Now Enjoying, AmbientMusicMod affords computerized music recognition, the frequency of which might be adjusted to extend the variety of outcomes or preserve battery. It additionally consists of historical past, favorites, a abstract, and a guide set off for those who’re impatient. Lastly, it could possibly present the music at present taking part in on the lock display, which I discover endlessly entertaining.

Lawnchair is each a hilarious title and one of many oldest third-party launchers out there for Android units. The open-source app has largely adopted the inventory Android and Pixel expertise all through its improvement historical past, with model 14 based mostly on the present appear and feel of Pixel Launcher. This consists of full assist for Google’s Materials aesthetic, a slot for At a Look, and the Google search bar on the foot of the house display.

Whereas it seems to be like Pixel Launcher, Lawnchair is basically higher. Its world search smarts assist you to discover objects throughout your gadget, whereas its assist for wider grid layouts makes it simpler to position icons and widgets. There are extra toggles to tinker with, making it good for many who need the appear and feel of Pixel Launcher with out the fuss.

There’s one small drawback with Lawnchair: model 14 has been in beta for a number of months. Whereas model 15 is on the market, discovering and downloading it’s comically tough. The launcher additionally has its fair proportion of bugs, however I noticed no game-breakers whereas utilizing it on my Pixel 8.

Regardless, Lawnchair stays the perfect reinterpretation of the Pixel Launcher you will get on Android, and it makes a wonderful base for anybody desirous to make their cellphone really feel extra like a Pixel.

Relying in your Android cellphone’s pores and skin, you could be unable to alter the trace coloration of your numerous UI parts freely. ColorBlendr places these buttons and toggles again in your arms. It’s an excellent app that I exploit on my Pixel 8 and different units. It permits finer management of system colours to match your wallpaper or temper. Perhaps you need to customise the saturation or companion colours — ColorBlendr affords these options.

Like Smartspacer and AmbientMusicMod, ColorBlendr won’t work with out Shizuku. Utilizing the app with out rooting your cellphone will open up nearly all of the out there options, nevertheless, you have to to root your gadget to entry every thing.

One of many extra distinctive Pixel options of latest years is Again Faucet. This function turns a easy finger faucet on the rear of the cellphone into a strong shortcut launcher. With Faucet Faucet, virtually any Android cellphone can make the most of this function.

The app makes use of the gyroscope and accelerometer of a cellphone to observe for faucets, and, as soon as detected, can launch over 50 actions in response. The choices are actually limitless, particularly once you consider Tasker assist. However primarily, you’ll be able to flick on the flashlight, set off an app or shortcut launch, and even use this motion to exchange the house button’s duties.

It sounds nice on paper, however I couldn’t for the lifetime of me get it to work on my Galaxy S24 FE. Whatever the measurement or sensitivity I selected, the app couldn’t register my faucets. Granted, your mileage will range. There’s likelihood that Faucet Faucet nonetheless works on different units.

In the event you use Google Messages on a Pixel cellphone, Magic Compose means that you can rewrite your textual content in numerous kinds and tones. With a easy faucet, I could make an invite extra formal or ship a cheery glad birthday message. Briefly, it makes typing up message content material far simpler than on another Android cellphone.

Notably, a number of OEMs now have comparable AI era options for textual content, but when yours doesn’t, you could need to contemplate Ainput to plug the hole.

Google rolled out a brand new quantity panel with Android 15 that’s as helpful as it’s fetching. Whereas the amount rocker nonetheless triggers the smaller quantity popup, tapping a three-dot menu on that popup now expands the panel to a bigger backside show, which incorporates quantity changes for media, calls, the ringer, notification pings, and alarms. It’s tremendous useful, so porting this to your Android cellphone gives you extra management.

One such app that does that is Exact Quantity. Sadly, that is the one app on this listing that requires a premium unlock to realize this function. Is it value it? For my makes use of, no. I personal a Samsung cellphone, and Good Lock’s SoundAssistant module exists. Nevertheless, for those who personal one other mannequin, it’s maybe value contemplating.

To provide Exact Quantity its dues, the app affords loads of further performance, together with additional panel customizations, numerous equalization choices, and automation smarts.

Pixel Screenshots is a must have app for those who religiously file content material in your display for later. Accessible on the Pixel 9 collection, the app collates and organizes screenshots and data for simpler recall later. It leans closely on onboard Gemini smarts, so it’s not a function that may be simply replicated on different units.

However, third-party app PixelShot goals to do one thing comparable for telephones operating Android 11 and newer. Like Google’s instrument, PixelShot organizes and extracts info from screenshots to be used later. The app additionally affords a be aware facility for screenshots and a collections instrument that lumps comparable photographs into bundles.

I don’t recognize that the app calls for entry to all my storage, not simply the Screenshots folder. In the event you worth your privateness, you could need to assume twice about this. As PixelShot isn’t a Google product, it doesn’t use onboard Gemini processing (and the way can it, if it’s appropriate with a lot older Android telephones?) As a substitute, on-line companies require a connection to do the heavy lifting.

Nonetheless, for those who should have Pixel Screenshots in your Android cellphone, right here’s one great way.

Now, I’ve coated all of the apps and companies that imitate unique Pixel options on any cellphone, however what concerning the smaller ins and outs that matter? What about wallpaper, widgets, icons, and the like?

• We’ve collated the best Pixel wallpapers from the Pixel 9 collection to the legacy fashions. You should definitely seize these and apply your favourite.
• Google makes the overwhelming majority of its huge widget library out there to Android telephones. Lawnchair makes it simple to pick and transfer these widgets across the house display, too. You’ll want to seize a few third-party widgets, although.
• Personally, I desire utilizing Breezy Weather‘s Materials widget for my ambient situation wants. It makes full use of Google’s Materials stylings, making it an excellent match.
• As for icons, you’ll be able to decide to make use of the default listing of icons your gadget affords, make the most of Lawnchair’s personal icon pack known as Lawnicons, or go for a third-party Pixel-inspired pack from the Play Retailer.

You’re possible asking your self, “Is it even value shopping for a Pixel cellphone anymore if I can get unique options on my common cellphone?” My reply to that query continues to be “sure!”

Past the agency Pixel-exclusive options, you’re nonetheless more likely to be among the many first smartphone customers on the earth to obtain the most recent variations of Android. As well as, Google has robust update support for contemporary Pixel fashions, with assist spanning over seven years since a tool’s launch. Solely Samsung can match that promise, and few different Android producers come shut.

There’s additionally the distinct design. You may’t use an app to revamp your cellphone’s exterior, so for those who’re craving these quirky stylings, that polished pebble exterior, and the cyclops digicam module, you’ll should buy the precise {hardware}. There’s no getting round that.

However, the listing of apps and my ideas will assist your smartphone really feel somewhat bit extra like a Pixel cellphone than earlier than.

Have I missed any apps or companies that port a Pixel-exclusive function to Android telephones? Let the neighborhood know within the feedback!