One UI Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Pixelify Your Android Smartphone with This Wallpaper App

Doodle is a Java-based open-source wallpaper application developed by Patrick Zedler, featuring the original Doodle wallpaper collection from the Pixel 4 and unreleased Material You static wallpapers from the Pixel 6. The app allows users to explore wallpapers organized into three categories, select variants, add accent colors, set daily random wallpapers, and toggle night mode. Doodle includes three live wallpapers with interactive features like "Swipe" and "Tilt" effects. Users can customize live wallpaper animations and app color themes through various settings. During testing on a Samsung smartphone with Android 14, some features like the "Swipe" effect and Accent Colors were non-functional due to compatibility issues with the default launcher. The app's live wallpaper occasionally malfunctioned during the lock/unlock process, and transitioning between light and dark modes required relaunching the app. The source code is available on GitHub under GPLv3 licensing, and the app can be downloaded from F-Droid and the Play Store.

BetaBeacon

May 16, 2025

Samsung Game Booster Plus lets you remap controllers and enhance game graphics

The Game Booster Plus module is now available for download on One UI 7 devices via the Galaxy Store. Some features of the module are not accessible on older devices. The module offers three menus for controller remapping, GPU settings for games, and game categorization. The GPU settings menu introduces new options for adjusting performance modes and settings on a per-game basis, but it requires a more modern Samsung phone. The game category settings allow users to designate any app as a game in the system, enhancing the quality and performance of emulated games.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google talks smarter security against fraud and theft in The Android Show

Google has announced updates to enhance security and privacy for Android users, including: - Enhanced scam protection for calls and text messages. - Updated Factory Reset protections limiting phone functionality if reset without owner consent. - Upgraded Live Threat Detection in Google Play Services to identify malicious applications. - Introduction of the Key Verifier feature for verifying identities in conversations using public encryption keys, launching this summer for Android 10 and higher. - Expansion of the Identity Check feature to more devices with the upcoming Android 16 release. - Concealment of one-time passwords on the lock screen in Android 16. - Extension of the Advanced Protection program to a broader audience. - Rollout of live threat detection capabilities in Google Play Protect for Pixel 6 and newer devices and other smartphones. - Announcement of Google I/O 2025 scheduled for May 20 at 10 am PT (1 pm ET).

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Samsung could get you a secret vault for your photos in One UI 8

Samsung is enhancing user privacy in its upcoming One UI 8 Gallery app with a new feature called "Private album," designed to discreetly store photos and videos. This feature is currently in beta testing within the hidden “Labs” section of the app, indicating it may not be included in the final release. The Private album aims to provide a simpler alternative to the existing Secure Folder for managing visual content. One UI 8 is built on the forthcoming Android 16 and is expected to launch after the stable release of Android 16 in June. The update will introduce various refinements to enhance user experience, including improved background task management, smarter app suggestions, and better battery management. There are also rumors of new features like video summarization in Samsung Internet and an upgraded Secure Folder.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Don’t ruin your Galaxy phone with a half-baked beta update

Samsung is expected to begin public beta testing for Android 16 and One UI 8 as early as June, with the software already appearing on a secret test server. Users are advised to exercise caution when considering participation in the beta testing, as unfinished software may lead to bugs and glitches. One UI 8 is anticipated to introduce meaningful changes to enhance user experience, but it is recommended to wait for a fully polished version before adopting it. The initial beta versions are primarily intended for developers, and early adopters may encounter challenges. The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Ultra are highlighted as peak Android devices, featuring impressive RAM, performance, and the latest One UI with unique AI features.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

One UI 8 Watch will get a Shortcuts app, and here’s what it does (APK teardown)

Samsung will release the One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watch later this year, featuring a new application called Shortcuts. This app will allow users to place app shortcuts on the smartwatch's home screen in two tile sizes: 2×1 and 2×2. The setup process will include user-friendly prompts like "Select apps" and "Tap to add apps." This feature aims to streamline access to frequently used applications, reducing the time needed to launch them and enhancing the overall user experience.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Weather app is getting a much needed revamp with One UI 8, leak suggests

Samsung is set to introduce One UI 8, featuring a new weather app with 3D avatars that respond to weather forecasts and include accessories like jackets and umbrellas. The app will have improved animations and backgrounds while maintaining a familiar structure. One UI 7 has begun rolling out in regions such as Korea, the U.S., and the U.K., but users in India and Germany are still waiting for the update. It is unclear why the new weather app will not be included in One UI 7.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Samsung’s weather app in One UI 8 is getting a dramatic makeover

Samsung is redesigning its Weather app in the upcoming One UI 8, introducing immersive, full-screen animations that illustrate real-time weather conditions. The app will feature animated scenes with characters interacting with the environment, such as tiny figures using umbrellas during rain and sunlight breaking through clouds on sunny days. Other weather phenomena like snow and wind will also be animated. The app allows for seamless transitions as weather conditions change. The updated Weather app is currently available for download via an APK for compatible devices.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

Quick Share redesign looks more like a normal app with prep for ‘Receive’ and ‘Send’ tabs [Gallery]

Google is enhancing its Quick Share feature on Android with a redesigned interface that includes two tabs: “Receive” and “Send.” The “Receive” tab shows how the device appears to others and any incoming share requests, while the “Send” tab displays available targets for sending files and includes a new “Add Files” option for manual file selection. The redesign suggests Quick Share may function as a standalone application, and the settings page for managing sharing permissions is also being updated. Speculation about the launch of these updates exists, but the timeline for rollout is uncertain.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

Someone seems to have got their hands on the updated One UI 7 rollout schedule

An updated rollout schedule for One UI 7, featuring Android 15, has been shared on Reddit, reportedly from the Samsung Members app. The Samsung Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and Z Fold 6 are set to receive the update starting April 25, followed by the Galaxy S23 series, Z Fold 5, and Z Flip 5 around May 25. The rollout is phased with a one-month interval between groups, concluding in July. The Galaxy Tab A9 is expected to receive its update in July. Initially, One UI 7 was supposed to launch widely on April 7 in Korea, but the rollout was halted three days later due to a bug affecting several devices. Samsung has acknowledged the situation and is updating the rollout schedule for a better experience, but did not specify reasons for the pause.