this post was submitted on 20 Jan 2024
2 points (100.0% liked)

Google Pixel

5819 readers
24 users here now

The World's Google Pixel community!

This community is for lemmings to gather and discuss all things related to the Google Pixel phone and other related hardware. Feel free to ask questions, seek advice, and engage in discussions around the Pixel and its ecosystem.

We ask you to be polite when addressing others and respect Lemmy.world's rules.

NSFW content is not allowed and will immediately get you banned.

It also goes without saying that self-promotion of any nature and referral links are not allowed. When in doubt, contact the mod team first.

Also, please, no politics.

For more general Android discussions, see !android@lemmy.world.

This community is not in any way affiliated with Google. If you are looking for customer support regarding your Pixel phone, look here instead: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
AlmightySnoo@lemmy.world
mandlar@lemmy.world
hackitfast@lemmy.world
2
What are the must-do changes that you've made to your Pixel? (lemmy.world)
submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by AlmightySnoo@lemmy.world to c/googlepixel@lemmy.world
12 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Physical changes are also welcome, so things like skins, cases, screen protections etc... are fine to discuss.

For me, in this order:

  • Wi-Fi calling: it was very surprising that this was not on by default, and enabling it helped a bit with the battery life on my Pixel 7a;
  • Try custom launchers: I was happy with the phone but the very first annoying thing is the damn Google search bar and how there was no way to just hide it like any other widget. So I ended up installing KISS Launcher (it's FOSS and still maintained);
  • Bite the bullet and install GrapheneOS: you get more security, sandboxed Play Services, a more fine-grained permissions system and you can still install the default Pixel apps from the Play Store while cutting off their internet access, and most importantly you get rid of the Google bar (also enabled Wi-Fi calling as previously done).
top 12 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] falkerie71@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 weeks ago

Install GCam, few reasons:

  1. The new update that requires you to go into a menu to change exposure and white balance instead of just tapping on the viewfinder to show the two sliders infuriates me to no end.
  2. Custom video bitrate. Not every video I take needs to be full quality, and even then, full quality video on my Pixels so far are not worth it. Couple hundred megabytes just for 1 min of footage that doesn't even look that good? Nah.
  3. Photosphere >>>>> panorama. I don't understand why they decided to kill it off entirely.
[–] Hildegarde@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago (2 children)

GrapheneOS is essential before connecting a pixel phone to the internet.

[–] joystick@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

Grapheneos is the whole reason I bought a pixel.

[–] onion@feddit.de 0 points 4 months ago

I had to connect it to the internet for oem unlocking

[–] onion@feddit.de 1 points 4 months ago

  • GrapheneOS, with Gcam and DeepL to get picture quality and translations back and PlayServices for email notifications

  • NewPipe, Optainium, OrganicMaps

  • dbrand grip case

I'm looking into Qi2 chargers/accessories

[–] wesker@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Use Insular to create distinct personal and work environments.

Install Silence from f-droid to screen phone calls, and completely stop spam calls in their tracks.

[–] CuriousRefugee@lemmy.ml 1 points 7 months ago

Comment on WiFi calling: I had this on for a while, but found that it was way less consistent than cell towers. Calls wouldn't drop, but they would cut out for a second or two, and I would miss stuff in the conversation. So I actually turned this off unless I need it. You seem to like it for battery life - does it make that much of a difference?

My must-have things are more generic Android than Pixel-specific, but: Revanced apps for YouTube and YouTube music, a better file manager, Firefox, and Gallery (also by Google, but for some reason they want me to use Google Photos, which isn't great IMO). Plus F-Droid to find some good FOSS.

[–] pr0927@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

Try Neo Launcher and its associated Neo Feed. Amazing control/customization.

I also recommend OpenBoard, but the newer maintained fork with gestures and other features.

Browser-wise - Mull.

Instead of Google autofill for passwords - something like Bitwarden instead.

[–] RubberElectrons@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I very much like CalyxOS, it's fast and polished, using microG (an open source clone of Google play services) so all your apps work, but your battery lasts longer since everything ribs locally if you like.

[–] AlmightySnoo@lemmy.world 0 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Anything in particular that works better with CalyxOS + microG than with GrapheneOS + sandboxed Play Services?

[–] RubberElectrons@lemmy.world 0 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

There's a lot but not total function parity. Android auto is one I wish worked, but I have a motorcycle, so don't really care.

You've just gotta hope the sandboxing is effective. I'd rather just have something open source fool the apps into thinking it's Google, vs having a low-level malware written by very smart Google engineers, constantly checking the perimeter of the sandbox for an open door..

[–] onion@feddit.de 0 points 4 months ago

  1. You still have proprietary firmware running on your phone that you have to trust, and afaik it has internet access

  2. I doubt Google would bother to add malware for the three people using Graphene