developer options

AppWizard
August 13, 2025
Many consumers keep their Android phones for longer periods, and there are strategies to enhance performance without complex modifications. 1. Uninstall unused apps by navigating to Settings > Storage > Apps or long-pressing the app icon. 2. Clear storage by transferring photos to external drives or cloud storage, and clearing app cache via Settings > Storage > App > Clear Cache. 3. Keep the phone updated by checking for updates in Settings > General > System Update and updating apps in the Google Play Store. 4. Adjust animation speed by enabling Developer options through Settings > About phone > Software information > Build number (tap seven times) and modifying the Window animation scale to 0.5x in the Drawing section. Additionally, minimize Transition animation scale and Animator duration scale for improved performance.
AppWizard
August 12, 2025
The Pixel Tablet Pen has been released on various online retail platforms after being hinted at during the Pixel Tablet launch in 2023. A user confirmed its compatibility with Android's note-taking feature. To activate the tail button, users must pair the stylus with the Pixel Tablet via Bluetooth and enable specific settings: toggle the “force enable Notes role” option in Developer options and select a default notes app, excluding Google Keep. After these steps, the tail button can launch the chosen notes app. A demonstration video shows the tail button's functionality. There has been no official announcement about a successor to the Pixel Tablet.
AppWizard
August 8, 2025
Google is developing a new Linux terminal app for Android that allows developers to build applications directly on their devices using a Debian image within a virtual machine. This app will provide access to essential tools like Android Studio, although currently, Android Studio does not support ARM-based CPUs, which poses a challenge. Additionally, the Android Canary build includes support for Linux GUI applications, enabling users to run graphical applications such as Chromium, GIMP, and LibreOffice on devices like the Pixel 8 Pro. This initiative may contribute to merging Android and ChromeOS for a unified development platform. The release date is not specified, but Pixel devices are expected to be the first to receive the update.
AppWizard
August 5, 2025
Google plans to introduce a new Linux terminal app for developers that will run a complete Debian environment on Android devices, allowing users to execute Linux commands directly. This app will enable developers to build Android applications directly on their devices using the Android Virtualization Framework, which boots a Debian image on a virtual machine. However, Android Studio does not currently support ARM-based CPUs, limiting its functionality within this environment. Additionally, the current Android Canary build supports Linux GUI applications, allowing users to run apps like Chromium, GIMP, and LibreOffice on devices such as the Pixel 8 Pro. The exact release date for these features is unclear, but they are expected to be available first on Pixel devices.
AppWizard
July 29, 2025
Certain applications on Android devices may not support split screen functionality due to app developers disabling multi-window mode. Users can enable a workaround by activating the "Force activities to be resizable" setting in Developer Options. This allows all applications to be eligible for split-screen use, enhancing multitasking capabilities. To enable this feature, users must navigate to Settings, select About phone, tap on Software Information, repeatedly tap the Build number ten times to enable Developer Mode, access Developer Options, and toggle on Force activities to be resizable. However, enabling this feature may cause some applications to behave unexpectedly.
AppWizard
July 25, 2025
Android is introducing a new feature that allows users to enable a dark theme in applications that do not have native support for it, as part of the second Android Canary build. This update includes two modes under Settings > Display & touch > Dark theme: Standard mode, which applies the dark theme to compatible applications, and Expanded mode, which automatically applies the dark theme to a wider range of apps. The Expanded dark mode functions similarly to the “override force-dark” toggle in Developer Options but is more effective across various applications. Users may experience visual inconsistencies in some apps and can revert to Standard mode if needed. The feature has been anticipated since its initial discovery over a year ago, and while it is live in the Canary build, its rollout to Beta or Stable channels is uncertain, with hopes for its debut in the upcoming second quarterly release of Android 16 in December.
AppWizard
July 12, 2025
A new tapjacking technique called TapTrap can exploit user interface animations on Android devices, bypassing the permission system and potentially allowing access to sensitive data or harmful actions. TapTrap operates with zero-permission applications, layering a transparent activity over a malicious one. This vulnerability exists in both Android 15 and 16. Developed by researchers from TU Wien and the University of Bayreuth, TapTrap manipulates activity transitions using custom low-opacity animations, making risky prompts nearly invisible to users. An analysis of nearly 100,000 apps revealed that 76% are vulnerable to TapTrap due to specific conditions related to activity launching and animation handling. The attack has been confirmed on Android 16, including tests on a Google Pixel 8a. GrapheneOS has acknowledged its vulnerability to TapTrap and plans to include a fix in its next release. Google is aware of the issue and intends to address it in a future update.
AppWizard
July 9, 2025
A technique for Android devices called TapTrap allows malicious applications to intercept user taps without requiring special permissions. It uses transparent screen transitions to mislead users into triggering hidden actions. Devices running Android versions 15 and 16 are particularly vulnerable. TapTrap operates by overlaying a nearly transparent screen on top of another application, making it appear as if users are interacting with one app while their taps are registered by the hidden screen. A study of around 100,000 Android applications revealed that approximately 76 percent contained screens vulnerable to TapTrap. The researchers successfully executed the attack on a Google Pixel 8a running Android 16. Google has acknowledged the issue and plans to include a fix in a future software update, but no specific timeline has been provided. Users can enhance their security by disabling animations in their system settings.
AppWizard
June 22, 2025
Google has introduced the Linux Terminal app with the Android 15 update, allowing users to run a Debian virtual machine on their smartphones. This feature utilizes the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF) to execute complex commands, run scripts, and manage storage, enhancing smartphone functionality. Activation is simple through developer options, making it accessible to all users. The Linux Terminal serves as a valuable tool for professionals and developers, enabling them to work efficiently on the go. Casual users can also benefit by running Linux-based applications directly on their devices. The upcoming Android 16 is expected to further enhance this experience with better support for external displays, positioning Android phones as central components of users' tech ecosystems.
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