If you experience the touch screen panel becoming unresponsive or show signs of input delay, updating the TSP firmware can be one solution you can try without sending your Galaxy device to a service center. Most brands have their own proprietary touch screen panel driver which gets integrated into the Android OS. In this article, we will discuss how to update TSP firmware update on Samsung Galaxy phones.

What is TSP Firmware?

The touch screen panel (TSP) firmware (FW) is a software component that is responsible for managing the touch screen on your Samsung Galaxy device. It ensures that your touch inputs are registered correctly, and the device responds accurately with minimum lag.

This is a built-in software feature as part of the OneUI layer on top of Android, so you do not need to download or install a separate “TSP FW Update APK” for Samsung phones.

Why Update Touch Screen (TSP) Firmware?

Updating the TSP firmware can help to fix issues such as unresponsive or inaccurate touch inputs, slow response times, and other touch-related problems. Additionally, updating TSP firmware can improve overall device performance and stability. This is particularly notice able when you play games at high FPS and the screen does not register touch inputs quickly like it should.

How to Update TSP Firmware on Samsung Phones

As mentioned earlier, you do not need to download or install an update APK file or a firmware package that you can flash via Odin. This is a built-in firmware component part of the Android software on your Samsung device.

To update the TSP firmware, here are the simple steps that you need to carefully follow:

Step 1 – First, open the Phone app on your phone and select the Dialer.

Step 2 – Now you have to enter a secret code in your dialer area. Dial the following *#2336# from the keyboard.

Step 3 – The new screen will open with two options: TSP FW update (General) and TSP FW update (Internal Storage). Other options on the same screen include buttons for “WACOM FW Update (Kernel Binary),” “WACOM FW Update (Internal Storage)” and to “Refresh WiFi Version“.

Step 4 – From the given options, select “TSP FW update (General)” and tap on it to upgrade.

Step 5 – It will now update the touch screen firmware as shown in the screen below.

Step 6 – Once the update is completed, you will see the following message.

Step 7 – Now reboot your phone and start using it normally.

You should check your touch screen now for any previously occurring issues that you faced. If this worked for you and helped save a trip to the Authorized Service Center, drop us a comment below. You can also read more tips on how to fix an unresponsive touch screen.

FAQs

Since a lot of you have asked us about the different buttons on the TSP FW update screen, here is all the information you may need to know:

The post How to Update TSP Firmware on Samsung Galaxy Devices | Touch Screen Panel Update appeared first on Team Android.

The highlights of this release include a brand new Zygisk API v4, new implementation for Magic Mount and the minimum Android version required by Magisk is Android 6.0. As per the developer, “Magisk’s support for Android Lollipop has been pretty broken for a while without it being noticed.” Plus, it is now easy these days to find Android 5.0 Lollipop based devices in the market. Android Studio’s emulator itself has dropped support for a Lollipop emulator image with SELinux.

Magisk v26.0 Changelog

Here are all the latest changes in Magisk v26.0 as revealed by the official website:

• [General] Bump minimum supported Android version to Android 6.0
• [General] New magic mount backend. It supports loading modules into system with overlayfs files injected
• [Zygisk] Release new API version 4
• [Zygisk] Prevent crashing daemon in error
• [Zygisk] Rewrite zygote code injection with new loader library approach
• [Zygisk] Rewrite code unloading implementation
• [MagiskBoot] Support amonet microloader devices
• [MagiskBoot] Always use lz4_legacy compression on v4 boot images. This fixes boot image patching issues on Android U preview.
• [MagiskInit] Support replacing existing *.rc files in overlay.d
• [MagiskInit] Rewrite sepolicy.rules mounting and loading implementation
• [App] Make stub patching 100% offline
• [App] Support patching init_boot.img for Samsung ODIN firmware
• [MagiskPolicy] Fix minor bug in command line argument parsing
• [MagiskPolicy] Update rules to support Android U

UPDATE: Magisk v26.1 is now available as a small bug fix update. You can download it here: Download Magisk (All Versions)

Download Magisk v26.0

You can download Magisk v26.0 from the download link given below.

Magisk v25.0, v25.1, v25.2 Changelog

This new v26.0 release comes almost a year after the previous release. In case you missed out all the changes in the last Magisk version, here is a refresher of the changelog as it also brought improved support to gain full root access on Android 13 devices:

v25.2

• [MagiskInit] Fix a potential issue when stub cpio is used
• [MagiskInit] Fix reboot to recovery when stub cpio is used
• [MagiskInit] Fix sepolicy.rules symlink for rootfs devices
• [General] Better data encryption detection
• [General] Move the whole logging infrastructure into Rust

v25.1

• [MagiskBoot] Fix ramdisk backup being incorrectly skipped
• [MagiskBoot] Add new feature to detect unsupported dtb and abort during installation
• [Zygisk] Change binary hijack paths
• [App] Fix incorrect recovery mode detection and installation
• [MagiskInit] Fix config not properly exported in legacy SAR devices
• [General] Enforce the Magisk app to always match or be newer than magiskd

v25.0

• [MagiskInit] Update 2SI implementation, significantly increase device compatibility (e.g. Sony Xperia devices)
• [MagiskInit] Introduce new sepolicy injection mechanism
• [MagiskInit] Support Oculus Go
• [MagiskInit] Support Android 13 GKIs (Pixel 6)
• [MagiskBoot] Fix vbmeta extraction implementation
• [App] Fix stub app on older Android versions
• [App] [MagiskSU] Properly support apps using sharedUserId
• [MagiskSU] Fix a possible crash in magiskd
• [MagiskSU] Prune unused UIDs as soon as system_server restarts to prevent UID reuse attacks
• [MagiskSU] Verify and enforce the installed Magisk app’s certificate to match the distributor’s signature
• [MagiskSU] [Zygisk] Proper package management and detection
• [Zygisk] Fix function hooking on devices running Android 12 with old kernels
• [Zygisk] Fix Zygisk’s self code unloading implementation
• [DenyList] Fix DenyList on shared UID apps
• [BusyBox] Add workaround for devices running old kernels

The post Magisk v26.0 Released: Zygisk API v4, New Magic Mount, Minimum Android Version Bumped appeared first on Team Android.

The most popular usage of this flashtool is to flash FTF (Flash Tool Firmwares) onto compatible devices that you download using XperiFirm. This can be helpful when updating to a newer version of the operating system or when trying to fix issues with the device’s software. Additionally, Sony Mobile Flasher can be used to unlock the bootloader of Sony Xperia devices which isn’t very common with flashing tools like this.

Sony Mobile Flasher | Features

Sony Mobile Flasher requires some technical knowledge regarding unlocking the bootloader of Android devices, flashing custom software like ROMs, kernels etc. and also should be aware of terms like ADB and Fastboot.

Here is a quick list of some of the features of this utility:

Flash FTF Files: Sony Mobile Flasher can flash FTF firmwares on compatible Sony phones that utilize the S1 protocol. These FTF firmwares can be used to upgrade the OS or also, can be used to downgrade to an earlier version of the release.

Unlock Bootloader: The tool can be utilized to unlock bootloader of the device connected easily. This makes it sort of an all-in-one scenario as you can unlock bootloader and then proceed to flashing files through this single tool.

Process Log: The activity and processes of the Sony Mobile Flasher are showed directly to the user through the main interface. The log will help identify whether the flash process is running successfully and also indicate what a problem actually is rather than an unexplained error message.

Graphical User Interface: Sony Mobile Flasher utilizes a graphical user interface which means you wont have to type in manual commands to get things done. All functions are explained with clickable buttons which you can press to execute once the compatible phone is recognized.

Enable Root Access: You can easily grant root access to your Sony Xperia devices with SuperSU. Once full rooted, you will be able to install system modifying utilities like Magisk Modules, Xposed etc. to further tweak your device.

Supports all Operating Systems: It is very rare that we see such tools offering such wide range of compatibility. The Sony Mobile Flasher supports Windows, Mac and Linux. You can download the exact version corresponding to your OS from below.

Download Sony Mobile Flasher

You can download the latest Sony Mobile Flasher here for the Windows, Linux and macOS platforms.

Note from developers: C4 and C5 users please do not flash using Flashtool. It will brick the device. M5 users please do use FSC when flashing or it will brick your device.

Note 2: Some users have reported that Sony Mobile Flasher does not work with Apple Silicon Mac computers i.e. M1 and M2 processors.

There are two more tools that you need to keep in handy when trying to install custom or stock firmware on your Sony Xperia phones. One of the tools is built by Sony and is available officially, and the other utility is built by a developer on XDA-Developers for newer Xperia models. You can read up more about them and download here:

• Download Emma – Sony Xperia Unlock Tool and Flash Tool
• Download Newflasher – Command Line Sony Xperia Flash Tool

How to Use Sony Mobile Flasher

Using Sony Mobile Flasher requires some technical knowledge and caution, as the process can potentially damage your device. Here are the steps to use Sony Mobile Flasher:

1. Download and Install Sony Mobile Flasher: You can download the latest available version from the links given above and install it on your computer.
2. Download the Firmware File: Find the firmware file for your specific Sony Xperia device and download it to your computer.
3. Boot the Device into Flash Mode: Turn off your device and press and hold the Volume Down button while connecting it to your computer via USB cable. Your device should now be in flash mode.
4. Open Sony Mobile Flasher: Open the Sony Mobile Flasher tool on your computer.
5. Select the Firmware File: Click on the “…” button in the “Firmware” section of the tool and browse to the location where you downloaded the firmware file.
6. Select the Bootloader Unlock Option: If you want to unlock the bootloader of your device, select the “Unlock bootloader” option.
7. Flash the Firmware: Click on the “Flash” button in the Sony Mobile Flasher tool to start the flashing process. Wait for the process to complete.
8. Disconnect the Device: Once the flashing process is complete, disconnect your device from the computer and reboot it.

Sony Xperia Flashtool – More Information

USB Drivers: You would need proper USB drivers for your specific device for Sony Mobile Flasher to run successfully. To download the latest available Sony Xperia USB drivers, check out our Android USB Drivers section.

You can also download Sony Xperia Companion for the latest USB drivers.

XperiFirm: Download XperiFirm to get the latest Sony Xperia firmware.

Compatibility:

• Windows XP
• Windows 7
• Windows 8/8.1
• Windows 11 / 10
• Linux
• macOS

Credits: Sony Mobile Flasher was developed by Androxyde, so all credits for this tool goes to him.

The post Sony Mobile Flasher (All Versions) | Xperia Flash Tool appeared first on Team Android.

If you have just jumped on to the BeReal bandwagon after the success of TikTok, Snapchat and other similar social apps, you might be facing the issue of “Time to BeReal” notification not appearing on your phone. You can post pictures and new updates later, but that update will be tagged as ‘Late’. You need to make sure you get the BeReal notification on time and your phone’s notifications are working fine as this this two-minute window can happen at any time.

For power users, you do not want to miss out on the daily reminder and notification to post new captures. Recently, a lot of users have been reporting issues with the notification not coming in on time. We think it’s because of the various new Android phones coming out with aggressive power-saving features that doesn’t allow the BeReal app to run in the background.

Here are some tips you should follow if the “Time to BeReal” notification is not showing up for you:

1. Restart your phone

There is nothing a simple restart will not fix for you. This is the most basic fix that you should first try when not getting any BeReal notifications on your phone. There could be an underlying issue that is not visible, but a reboot should fix it.

To reboot an Android phone, simply hold the Power button for a few seconds to see the Restart option.

2. Check BeReal notification settings

If a device reboot doesn’t fix the issue for you, next step is to check all your BeReal notifications from the Android settings. Even if they seem enabled, you should give them a quick toggle to see if the “Time to BeReal” notification starts working again.

You should completely disable the setting and then enable it again for it to work. To find this setting, simply follow these steps:

• Go to ‘Settings‘ on your phone
• Go to “Apps” and tap on “See all XXX apps“
• From this list, select the “BeReal.” app
• Now, go to the “Notifications” option.
• From here, tap on the “All BeReal. notifications” toggle to disable it
• Now wait for a minute before you tap on it again
• Tap it again to enable back all the notifications

Now wait for the random time when BeReal notifies all the users worldwide to post what they are up to.

3. Enable in-app BeReal notifications

In case you have ever disabled BeReal’s in-app notifications from letting you know when your friends post updates, you should enable all of them back. There could be an annoying bug at BeReal’s end which is getting triggered because all of the app’s built-in notifications are turned off.

You can rule out this point once you check these preferences and enable back all the options. Here is how you can enable the in-app BeReal notifications from friends:

• Open the BeReal app on your phone
• Tap the profile icon at the top-right corner
• Now tap the 3 dots icon at the top-right corner
• Under the Settings label, tap on “Notifications” to see the options
• You will see here all the push notification options. Enable everything

Now wait till the app sends out the “Time to BeReal” notification to check if the issue has been resolved for you or not.

4. Unrestricted battery usage for BeReal

Do you think your Android phone is killing the BeReal app when in background? It may very well be because most modern budget-friendly devices go very aggressive with battery optimizations. They do not allow apps to run in the background to preserve battery life, which at times, make the app doesn’t work as expected and new notifications do not come in.

This is a common issue when battery optimization takes place with messaging apps like WhatsApp or Slack, new notifications stop working. You can allow BeReal to have unrestricted access to the battery. To allow that, follow these steps:

• Go to “Settings” on your phone
• Tap on “Battery” settings and look for “Battery usage” option
• From the list of “App usage since the last full charge“, look for the app that uses most amount of background time
• Tap on the app, and then select “Unrestricted” from the list of options

This option may use more battery, but at least you can rule out any issues with the battery optimization taking place on your Android device.

5. Delete BeReal app data

If you have been using BeReal for a very long time, there must be a lot of temporary app data in your phone. Sometimes, it can get corrupted which can make the app not work as expected. To fix this, you will have to clear the app data for BeReal and set up the app again as if doing it for the first time.

You can clear BeReal’s app data by following these steps:

• Go to ‘Settings‘ on your phone
• Go to “Apps” and tap on “See all XXX apps“
• From this list, select the “BeReal.” app
• Now, go to the “Storage & cache” option
• Tap on the “Clear storage” button to delete all app data
• You will be shown a warning, tap on “Delete” to proceed

6. Disable Adaptive Battery

Adaptive battery was introduced in some Android phones for the OS to manage your usage patterns with machine language. This helps Android to prioritize which app should be given more battery juice as compared to the ones you do not use the most.

This feature also checks for which apps drain battery on your phone, so they are optimized for not using a lot of data in the background. This is similar to giving unrestricted battery access to BeReal, something we discussed earlier in fix no. 4.

You can disable Adaptive battery by following these steps:

• Go to “Settings” on your phone
• Tap on “Battery” settings and look for “Adaptive preferences” in the options
• You will see two options here, “Adaptive Charging” and “Adaptive Battery“
• Disable the second option, “Adaptive Battery” as shown in the screenshot above

If none of the tips have helped you so far, please check the next fixes which would definitely fix the “Time to BeReal” notification on your phone.

7. Re-install BeReal from Google Play Store

Did you sideload the BeReal app for some reason? Or may be you installed a corrupted APK file? You should always install apps from the Google Play Store for security and stability. In case you already did, it is better to uninstall the app and install BeReal again from the Play Store.

You can re-install BeReal by following the steps given below:

• Go to ‘Settings‘ on your phone
• Go to “Apps” and tap on “See all XXX apps“
• From this list, select the “BeReal.” app
• Tap OK on the confirmation message to proceed
• Now open the Google Play Store and search for “BeReal“
• Download and install the app just like how you’d do for other apps

8. Enable background data for BeReal

Are you sure you have given the BeReal app permission to access your network in the background? There is nothing wrong in giving it a quick check to confirm. If background data is disabled for BeReal, it will not push any new notifications when you are using mobile data and not connected to a WiFi network.

To enable background data, follow these steps on your Android device:

• Go to ‘Settings‘ on your phone
• Go to “Apps” and tap on “See all XXX apps“
• From this list, select the “BeReal.” app
• Now, go to the “Mobile data & Wi-Fi” option
• Check if the toggle for “Background data” is set to active as shown above

9. Do not pause app activity if unused

By default, most Android phones these days will remove permissions, delete temporary files and stop your notifications if you haven’t used an app for a long time. If you have neglected the BeReal app for a while, and now your notifications have paused for some reason, you may need to enable them back.

To get stop this from happening again, you may need to check the following:

• Go to ‘Settings‘ on your phone
• Go to “Apps” and tap on “See all XXX apps“
• From this list, select the “BeReal.” app
• Scroll down till you see the “Unused app settings” label
• Under that, you will see “Pause app activity if unused” option
• Disable the option if it was already enabled by default

This feature was developed part of the Digital Wellbeing part of the newer Android versions.

10. Turn off Do Not Disturb mode

Does your Android device have the Do Not Disturb mode enabled by default? This allows notifications to pause for certain non-essential apps at a set schedule like bedtime or during office hours so social media apps like BeReal and their notifications do not disturb you.

You can disable the Do Not Disturb mode from these steps:

• Go to ‘Settings‘ on your phone
• Now go to ‘Notifications‘ and scroll down
• You will see the “Do Not Disturb” option under the “General” label
• Tap on the “Turn off now” button to disable this feature

BeReal is a popular app among social media power users who like to post regular updates about their whereabouts. And we can certainly understand how annoying it can get when an app you like does not work as expected due to unknown reasons.

These were all the methods you can try to fix the BeReal notifications issue. We are hopeful that once you try all of the above mentioned tips, the “Time to BeReal” notification will start appearing again on your device. Please do let us know what solution worked for you as it may also help other users facing the same problem at their end.

If you found this article helpful, you might also want to read up the following guides:

• How to Calculate K/D? Find Kill/Death Ratio for Any Game
• Google Camera 8.8 APK Mod by BSG
• How to Fix Google Pixel 7 Heating Issues

The post “Time to BeReal” Notification Not Working: How to Fix? appeared first on Team Android.

The new Pixel 7 series is powered by the latest Tensor G2 chip, which is Google’s own processor for their mobile line-up. We all know what a mess was the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro last year with all it’s overheating, connectivity, screen and camera issues. In this guide, we will discuss what causes the Pixel 7 Pro / Pixel 7 heating issue and how to fix it.

What Causes the Pixel 7 Pro / Pixel 7 Heating Issue?

Before we get to the fixes, let’s look at some of the common reasons why your Google Pixel 7 is getting hot (overheating) and causing problems. In some cases, the phone completely powers off due to the heating issue and this is something you do not expect from an Android flagship that you paid hundreds of dollars for.

There are several reasons why the Google Pixel 7 may experience heating issues, but the most common ones are:

• Heavy usage: If you use your device heavily for gaming, streaming, or other resource-intensive tasks, it can cause the device to heat up.
• Charging: If you charge your Pixel 7 using a non-certified or incompatible charger, it can cause the device to heat up. This is why we always suggest to buy USB PD compatible chargers only.
• Overuse of location / Bluetooth services: If you use location services extensively, it can cause the device to heat up. Also if you try to transfer large files over Bluetooth, that will make your Pixel 7 to overheat.
• Software issues: Bugs or glitches in the latest Android update or badly-coded apps can cause the device to heat up.
• Direct sunlight: Have you been using the Pixel 7 in direct sunlight for a long period of time with heavy camera usage? This can also cause the device to overheat.
• Connectivity issues: If you are using the Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro in an unstable network environment, that also heats up the device. If you are facing call drops and slow network, check out some tips here.

Also Read: Fix Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro “Vibration Not Working” Issue

How to Fix the Google Pixel 7 Heating Issues

We have had the Google Pixel 7 Pro for a while now, and have been through the device overheating several times. In most cases, we have been able to fix the issue by following these tips and we believe will be helpful for you too.

Restart Your Phone

This is the first thing you should try. If you have been using the Pixel 7 or the Pixel 7 Pro for gaming or watching movies for a very long time, then you might face the device heating up. The best fix to try out is to restart your phone. In most cases, that should fix the Pixel 7 overheating issue – it always worked for us at least.

Restarting helps you get rid of any stuck process that may be causing the device to heat up or clear up other temporary problems in your phone. Once the device gets back on, you will notice it is not heating up any more. If it starts to overheat again, move on to the next fixes as that might help you.

Also Read: Does Google Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro Have SD Card Slot?

Disable Adaptive Charging and Adaptive Battery

These new Adaptive features were introduced in Google Pixel devices a few years back, and unfortunately, it is not a very stable feature for most users. It has caused heating up or phone burning feeling for a lot of users while charging or when playing games, hence we suggest to disable it completely in most cases.

Adaptive Charging is a feature that allows the Google Pixel 7 to optimize its charging speed and prolong the battery life of the device. Adaptive Battery prolongs the battery life by optimizing the battery usage. These features use machine learning algorithms to analyze the user’s charging habits, app usage and adjust the charging speed and battery usage accordingly. On paper, this should help you increase the battery life, but it is better to turn it off until Google rolls out a new software update to fix this feature.

This is how you can disable Adaptive Charging and Adaptive Battery on the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro:

• Go to “Settings” on your phone
• Tap on “Battery” settings and look for “Adaptive preferences” in the options
• You will see two options here, “Adaptive Charging” and “Adaptive Battery“
• Disable both of them from the toggles as shown above

Remove Case

If you’re using a case on your device, remove it to allow for better air circulation, which can help prevent overheating. Newer phone cases these days are very thick and bulky for better protection for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro against drops and falls from heights. However, this might also cause the phone to heat up when exposed in direct sunlight or warm places.

The back cover adds an extra later, so always remove it when you plan on playing high-graphic games for long periods.

Also Read: How to Fix Google Pixel 7 Connectivity Issues – Signal Loss, Slow WiFi, Calls Dropping

Disable Physical Activity Permission

Do you use a smartwatch with your Pixel 7? If yes, then you might have granted the phone permission for track your physical activity. This permission let’s the phone track your steps, heart rate and other functions depending on your smartwatch model. But this also keeps the Health app running in the background which can cause the device to overheat in some cases.

To disable this permission, follow these steps on your Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro:

• Go to “Settings” on your phone
• Go to “Apps” and tap on “See all XXX apps“
• From this list, open your smartwatch app. For us, this app is “Samsung Health“
• Next, go to “Permissions” and look for the “Physical activity” option
• You will see that the physical activity access has been allowed. Select the “Don’t allow” option to disable this access.

Once this is disabled, you should check for the results over the next few hours. If your phone doesn’t heat up, then this app was the culprit.

Avoid Intensive Usage in Warm Temperatures

If you are traveling at a warm country and using the camera to take pictures very often, you should avoid doing that. The camera on the Google Pixel 7 series uses a lot of processing power, so each shot you take uses significant battery / energy which could cause the device to heat up. Also if you shoot long videos on the phone in direct sunlight, that would overheat the device and it might shut down completely until it cools off.

Also Read: How to Remove Search Bar on Google Pixel 7

Restrict an App’s Battery Usage in Background

Social media apps are known to run aggressively in the background to collect user data and patterns. At times, this leads to using excessive battery drain on the Pixel 7 and it causes the phone to heat up. To avoid this, you should restrict some apps’ battery usage in the background.

You can do that by following these steps:

• Go to “Settings” on your phone
• Tap on “Battery” settings and look for “Battery usage” option
• From the list of “App usage since the last full charge“, look for the app that uses most amount of background time
• Tap on the app, and then select “Restricted” from the list of options

This will restrict the app’s battery usage while in the background. But you are warned, that this app might not work as expected as you may face some notifications delay.

Use Official Charger Only

You should always use an official / genuine charger to charge your Google Pixel 7. These new phones do not come with a charging brick right out of the box, so you should buy a good brand, high-quality charger that also supports USB Power Delivery.

If you are looking for an official Google charger, there is one available on the Google Store: Google 30W USB-C Power Charger. You can also buy other third-party adapters from Anker, Nomad, Aukey etc.

This was everything you need to know if you are facing the Google Pixel 7 heating issue with your device. We discussed several tips how you can fix this problem, so if it did help you, do let us know in the comments below.

If the issue persists, contact the device manufacturer or a professional technician for further assistance. You can also read up more about why your Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro might be heating up.

The post How to Fix Google Pixel 7 Heating Issues appeared first on Team Android.

In this article, we’ll discuss what K/D ratio is and how to calculate it. We will also show you how many kills do you require to achieve a certain KD ratio in any particular game so you can join your favourite clan or team. If you’d like to find out what is KD ratio (or even KDA ratio) and discover important facts about your game career or online multiplayer performance – you’ve also come to the right place.

What is K/D Ratio and K/D/A Ratio?

K/D ratio is a statistic that measures a player’s kill-to-death ratio, as mentioned above. If you have more kills than the number of deaths, that means your KD ratio will always be positive and it also means you have been performing well in a game. However, if it comes out to be negative, that means you will have to work harder to improve your performance and in return that will bring your Kill/Death ratio to over 1.

It is calculated by dividing the number of kills a player has by the number of deaths they have suffered. For example, if you have 20 kills and 10 deaths, your K/D ratio would be 2.0 (20/10).

Next, let’s move on to K/D/A ratio. This is where it gets tricky. Some games like the Call of Duty: Mobile also reward you when you assist in killing an opponent. Assists are usually taken as half the value as compared to a full kill. It is calculated by dividing the total number of kills and the total number of assists, by the number of deaths you have.

Here is an example to better explain. If you have 20 kills, 10 assists and 10 deaths, your K/D/A would be 3.0.

How to Calculate K/D Ratio

Calculating K/D ratio is a simple process that can be done manually or with the help of a calculator. We show you two ways to calculate the KD ratio, one is the manual way and the other is by using an online K/D calculator. You will need to know the following from your game stats:

• Your number of deaths
• Your number of assists
• Your number of kills

Here are the steps to calculate KD ratio for any shooting game (FPS) you are playing these days:

Step 1: Determine Your Number of Kills

The first step is to determine the number of kills you have in the game you’re playing. In most games, this information is readily available in the player’s stats or profile.

Step 2: Determine Your Number of Deaths

The second step is to determine the number of deaths you have suffered in the game. This information is also available in the player’s stats or profile.

Step 3: Divide Kills by Deaths

The final step is to divide the number of kills by the number of deaths. This will give you your K/D ratio. For example, if you have 25 kills and 10 deaths, your K/D ratio would be 2.5 (25/10).

This was easy, right?

To summarize it, you can use this formula to determine your overall K/D ratio in a game:

KD = kills / deaths

And for the K/D/A ratio, use this to calculate:

KDA = (kills + assists) / deaths

If you are confused about how well or poor you are doing in a shooting game, check out the following table to understand your position:

Alternatively, you can use an online calculator to compute your KD or KDA ratio. Here are some calculators you might want to check out:

• KD Calculator by Calculatorly
• KD Calculator by Calculator-Online
• KD Calculator by Omni Calculator

How to Calculate KD in Battle Royale Games

It is slightly different when calculating your KD ratio in battle royale games like the Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, Fortnite etc. because unlike multiplayer matches you only die once and the match is over then. So technically, a match lost in battle royale is to be considered as a death. This is why it is important to always get several kills before you are taken out by the opponent to maintain a good KD or KDA ratio for yourself.

The formula to calculate K/D ratio in BR games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warzine 2.0 is: KD = kills / deaths

To determine the number of deaths, you will have to subtract your total number of wins from the total number of matches i.e. 50 (matches) – 20 (wins) = 30 deaths

So if your total number of kills are about 100, this would come out to be: 3.33 K/D ratio

How to Improve K/D Ratio

To improve your K/D ratio, first you need to find out why and how do you die so much in a multiplayer / battle royale game. It may be due to bad motor skills, poor hardware or you are just very new to FPS games so you will have to work harder on your skills.

A higher K/D ratio usually indicates that a player is skilled and has a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. However, it’s important to note that K/D ratio is not the only indicator of a player’s skill, and factors like teamwork, objective play, and map awareness also play a significant role in a player’s performance.

Improving your K/D ratio in a game requires a combination of skill, strategy, and practice. Here are some tips to help you improve your K/D ratio:

• Practice Aim and Movement: Improving your aim and movement can help you take down enemies faster and avoid getting killed. Practice in the game’s training mode or use aim training software to improve your skills.
• Choose the Right Loadout: Choosing the right weapons and attachments can give you an advantage in the game. Experiment with different loadouts to find the one that suits your playstyle.
• Use Cover and Map Knowledge: Knowing the map and using cover can help you avoid getting shot and take down enemies from a safe distance.
• Play with a Team: Playing with a team can help you coordinate attacks, cover each other, and revive each other when necessary.
• Play Objectives: Playing objectives like capturing a flag or a point can help you gain points and improve your K/D ratio.
• Avoid Overextending: Avoiding overextending can help you avoid getting outnumbered and killed. Stick to the group and take down enemies together.
• Analyze Your Gameplay: Analyzing your gameplay can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and improve your gameplay accordingly. Watch replays or gameplay videos to identify areas for improvement.

While K/D ratio is an important statistic, it’s important to remember that it’s not the only indicator of a player’s skill, and other factors like teamwork, objective play, and map awareness also play a significant role in a player’s performance.

This was everything you need to know and understand about the Kill/Death ratio in a game. If you think there are more factors that come into play, drop us a comment our team would be happy to debate about it.

The post How to Calculate K/D? Find Kill/Death Ratio Easily for Any Game appeared first on Team Android.

After several months, Google has finally brought the same improvements to their last year’s flagship devices as part of the March 2023 Pixel Feature Drop update. Once you have installed this latest update, you will see a small circle on your Pixel 6 every time you open the Night Sight mode on the Google Camera app. This circle will allow you to change the exposure time when capturing low light shots.

All in all, this means google wants you to now decide if you want a faster Night Sight shot or a better image quality with a longer exposure.

Google updating their older flagship phones with newer features is one of our favourite reasons of why one should get these devices – and not just for the amazing camera features alone.

March 2023 Pixel Feature Drop

One of the highly anticipated announcements around this feature drop was Google bringing yet one more Pixel 7-exclusive feature to other devices. Magic Eraser is now available on all Pixel phones. A lot of users are already able to use it from their Google Photos app.

In case you missed all the features announced as part of the March 2023 Pixel Feature Drop, here is a refresher for you:

• Night Sight is much faster now
• Magic Eraser is available on more Pixel phones
• Save time (and sanity) with Direct My Call
• Elevate your health and fitness tracking game with Health Connect
• See timers across all of your Pixel devices without unlocking your phone
• Get help when you need it most with fall detection
• Customize your Pixel Watch so it works for you

And here are some existing features that Google is finally bringing to more regions, languages and devices:

• With ultra-wideband digital car key, you can keep your phone in your pocket or purse and your car will automatically unlock or lock as you approach or leave your car. You can also start your vehicle’s engine with your phone in your pocket instead of docking it on the interior phone tray. This feature will be available in the coming weeks.
• Fast Pair is now available on select Chromebooks, so you can automatically detect and pair your Pixel Buds or Fast Pair enabled-Bluetooth headphones to your Chromebook with just a tap or click.
• New emoji combinations are available on Emoji Kitchen for you to mash up, remix and share as stickers via Gboard.
• You can now use two eSIMs with Dual SIM Dual Standby on Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.
• Hold for Me is available in Japan (in addition to the U.S., Australia and Canada).

You might have missed, but the new Google Camera 8.8 is now fully compatible with the WearOS 2.0+ devices that are connected to Android phones. Not all the features work yet, but most of them do.

Download Google Camera 8.8 APK

If you already own a Google Pixel phone, you should be able to download and install the latest update from the Play Store. And for those who still do not see this update, you can always sideload the APK file. Google has not yet started rolling out this new version widely to all the users.

Here is the new Google Camera APK file:

If you need help in sideloading this APK file, or this is not working for you – drop us a comment below and our team will help you out with it.

This Google Camera 8.8 APK file should work fine with the Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. For older devices, you will have to wait for the GCAM 8.8 port to be released.

Also for those waiting for the latest GCam port for older Android devices, we got you covered. We will update this page as soon as the first port is out and released for you to try.

How to Install Google Camera 8.8 APK

To download and install this APK file on your Android phone, simply follow these steps:

• Download Google Camera 8.8 APK from the download link above
• Copy the file over to your phone and install the APK just like how you would install any other file
• You need to have a Files Manager installed i.e. Solid Explorer or Google Files
• Enable the, ‘Install from Unknown Sources,’ option if you have not enabled it yet.
• You can now start using the new Google Camera app!

GCam 8.8 APK (BSG Mod)

GCam 8.8 APK download is now out by the popular developer that goes by the name BSG. This is the very first modded version of the Google Camera 8.8, and we are glad to bring you the download link here – just as promised.

There is no changelog yet from BSG, just that he has already brought all the changes from the previous GCam 8.7 release:

– The first release of the google camera modification 8.8.224.514217832.10 (the application may not work stably on some devices).
– Added all fixes from version 8.7.165.479933554.19

You can download GCam 8.8 APK (Mod) from the link below:

This is everything you need to know regarding the Google Camera 8.8 APK and GCam 8.8 APK (BSG Mod) files. You can easily sideload these on your phone and enjoy the new features that have been announced and released as part of the March 2023 Pixel Feature Drop update.

The post Google Camera 8.8 APK Brings Faster Night Sight, Better Zoom UI and More | Download GCam 8.8 APK appeared first on Team Android.

Most of our gadgets charge with USB these days, but this charging standard was never designed to provide lots of power. This is when USB has seen several iterations of improvements and new better standards which can provide higher amounts of power to charge all sorts of power-hungry devices.

Fast charging is supported by almost every smartphone these days, but there are way too many standards you need to look out for when picking an adapter. Previously, phones used to come with a charging brick but with the trend of not including one in the box has caught on, you need to buy a new one every once in a while.

This is a godsend feature as smartphones have gone thinner in the form factor with only a slight increase in the battery capacity. Fast charging standards like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge or the USB-C PD have allowed us to top up our battery juice quickly and efficiently.

In this article, we explain everything there is you need to know about the USB PD standard, its benefits and how many versions are out there so you can pick the best possible adapter for your gadget.

What is USB Power Delivery (USB PD)?

USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a fast-charging protocol that allows devices to receive more power through a USB connection. It was first introduced in 2012 as part of the USB 3.1 standard and has since become an important feature in modern smartphones, laptops, and other devices. Prior to this, the only universal option for fast charging was the USB Battery Charging specification that allowed up to 25W power.

This specification was created by the USB-IF as laptop manufacturers were requesting for a connector that could deliver a lot more power than what was already available. Most notably, Apple notebooks i.e. MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, all charge with USB cables along with several other laptop manufacturers moving to this standard for much better performance in charging speeds.

The USB-C PD standard is compatible with the USB4 and USB Power Delivery 3.1 specifications. This specification defines how devices can use the USB-C connector to supply power and how these devices are identified and managed. USB PD specs also defines what the pins in the connector do and how they can be used to provide power at various voltages and currents.

How USB PD works?

USB Power Delivery or USB PD for short, works by negotiating the optimal voltage and current to deliver to the device being charged. This negotiation takes place between the charging adapter and the device being charged over the CC (configuration channel) wires in the USB-C cable.

When a device is connected to a USB PD charger, it sends a request for power to the charger. The charger then responds with a proposal for how much power it can deliver. The device and charger then negotiate until they reach an agreement on the optimal voltage and current to deliver. In this way, your devices are always charged at a safe level that has been programmed by the manufacturer. So you can always be assured that even if you use a high power adapter with your laptop or a phone, it will not charge your device above its maximum limit.

Power delivery over the USB Type-C connector takes advantage of the existing USB methods as defined by: the USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 specifications, the USB BC 1.2 specification and the USB Power Delivery specification. The USB Type-C Current mechanism allows the Downstream Facing Port (DFP) to offer more current than defined by the USB BC 1.2 specification.

All USB Type-C-based devices support USB Type-C Current and also support other USB-defined methods for power. The following order of precedence of power negotiation is followed: USB BC 1.2 supersedes the USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 specifications, USB Type-C Current at 1.5 A and 3.0 A supersedes USB BC 1.2, and USB Power Delivery supersedes USB Type-C Current.

The table summarizes this order of precedence of power source usage as compared to our latest connectors:

According to the table above, all USB ports support the basic level of charging at 5V and can go up to 500mA in current. This was during the time of devices like the Nexus 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 etc. The USB port can be configured to support 5V and 3.0A to pull 15W of power, but that is relatively slower to what we are now used to seeing with the new USB-C PD standards.

USB Power Delivery is much more advanced as it can delivery up to 240W of power, hence loved by laptop manufacturers. It has a configurable voltage and supports seven levels 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, 28V, 36V and 48V to support its negotiation with power outputs ranging from 0.5W to 240W.

The latest USB Power Delivery Programmable Power Supply (USB PD PPS) standard allows for adjustable voltages, making charging more efficient. If two devices can’t agree on the best power setting, USB Power Delivery will default to the next available power option supported by the USB protocol, such as USB-C 1.5A. We will talk about USB PD PPS later in another article.

Advantages of USB Power Delivery

Now that we have understood what USB PD is and how it helps deliver a lot more power to our devices and charge them faster, let’s take a look at all the benefits it provides:

• Faster charging: USB PD can deliver more power than traditional USB charging methods, allowing devices to charge faster.
• High power delivery: This standard can deliver up to 240 watts of power, which is enough to charge laptops and other power-hungry devices.
• Backwards compatibility: USB Power Delivery is designed to be backwards compatible with older USB standards, so it can work with devices that use USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports.
• Bidirectional power delivery: This protocol also supports bidirectional power delivery, which means that devices can charge each other using a USB-C to USB-C cable.
• More efficient charging: USB PD delivers the optimal voltage and current to the device being charged, which can reduce the amount of heat generated during charging and prolong the lifespan of the battery.
• Improved device functionality: With USB-C PD, devices can receive more power and perform more functions, such as powering external displays and connecting to peripherals.
• Standardized protocol: USB Power Delivery is a standardized protocol that is widely used and recognized, making it easier for manufacturers to implement and consumers to use.

USB PD Versions Explained

USB Power Delivery is now in its fourth revision. The first version was very basic as compared to the modern version, but let’s take a look at the differences between them below. One thing to note here is that modern versions of the standard are backward compatible with older gadgets and chargers.

There are currently four versions of USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) specifications: USB-PD 1.0, USB-PD 2.0, USB-PD 3.0, and USB-PD 3.1. USB PD 1.0 is a rather basic version providing fixed power profiles, whereas the newer PD 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1 revisions are more dynamic and provide greater flexibility.

• USB-PD 1.0: This was the first version of USB Power Delivery and was released in 2012. It supported a maximum power delivery of 60 watts and was designed to work with USB Type-C connectors.
• USB-PD 2.0: This version of USB Power Delivery was released in 2014 and added several new features, including support for delivering up to 100 watts of power and the ability to deliver power in both directions. It also introduced support for multiple power profiles and increased the maximum voltage from 20V to 28V.
• USB-PD 3.0: Released in 2017, USB-PD 3.0 introduced several new features, including support for PPS (Programmable Power Supply), which allows for configurable voltages to enable more optimal charging. It also introduced extended messaging support, allowing for more advanced device-to-device communication.
• USB-PD 3.1: The latest version of USB Power Delivery, USB-PD 3.1, was released in 2020. It builds on the features of USB-PD 3.0 and adds support for up to 240 watts of power delivery, extended PDO (Power Data Object) support, and more advanced PPS capabilities and features like battery condition, enhanced security, and fast role swapping.

These different versions of USB Power Delivery differ mainly in terms of the amount of power they can deliver, the voltage range, and the supported features. With each new version, USB Power Delivery has become more advanced, more efficient, and better suited for powering a wider range of devices.

USB PD Power Ranges

Here are the different USB PD power ranges that are being used for the type of devices in the market these days:

• 0.5 – 15W: 5V and 0.1A to 3.0A is used to charge and power smaller gadgets and accessories like headphones
• 15 – 27W: 9V and 1.67A to 3.0A is typically used to charge phones, cameras and other similar devices
• 27 – 45W: 15V and 1.8A to 3.0A is used to power and charge small laptops (MacBook Air) and devices like a tablet (iPad Mini)
• 45 – 100W: 20V and 2.25A to 3.0A is required to charge large laptops (MacBook Pro 16-inch), 4K/8K display screens etc.

What is USB PD Programmable Power Supply (PPS)?

You might have read or heard power users suggesting to look for a charger or a power bank that supports Programmable Power Supply (PPS) – but what exactly is it?

USB PD PPS is a feature that is included in the USB Power Delivery 3.0 specification and above. PPS allows for more precise control over the voltage and current used to charge a device, enabling more efficient and optimal charging. With Programmable Power Supply, a charging device can dynamically adjust the voltage and current based on the specific needs of the device being charged, ensuring that it receives the optimal power delivery for its battery.

This set voltages of the standard are not optimal for fast charging the battery, hence the need for PPS. This allows the device to further receive the exact amount of power they need to charge quickly and safely, without overheating or damaging the battery.

The voltage range supported by USB PD PPS is 0.5V to 20V, with a maximum current of 5A. This makes it suitable for charging a wide range of devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more.

USB PD PPS is particularly useful for charging devices with different battery capacities, as it allows for a more tailored and efficient charging experience. It can also help to prolong the lifespan of the battery by reducing heat generated during charging and ensuring that the battery is not overcharged or undercharged.

Do Not Buy Uncertified Products

Before buying a new phone / laptop adapter and USB cables, make sure the products you are looking for are fully certified according to the official USB specs. If a product claims to be USB PD compatible, make sure it complies with all of the Power Delivery specifications.

It is really worth doing some research when buying a USB compatible product. If you remember, there was a big issue with incompatible USB cables in the market around the time when the Google Pixel was released. A lot of these USB cables sold were not complying with USB-IF’s standards.

Consumers are always recommended to purchase Certified USB products from trusted sources that display USB-IF Certified Logos on packaging, in product briefs or on the cable or device itself. Basically, you should always go for good, high quality cable.

USB PD FAQs

All this information must be confusing for a lot of you. So to help you further, we have compiled a list of the most asked questions that will help explain the differences between the USB Power Delivery and USB 3.1 fast charging standards better.

What is a USB-C PD charger?

A phone adapter that says it supports Power Delivery (PD) protocol means it is capable of fast charging most of the newer devices these days. It also means, your device will charge safely and the charger will not damage the device in any way. All this is only possible when you use a high-quality USB cable along with the adapter.

Are all USB-C cables PD supported?

No, some of the older USB-C cable models did not follow USB-IF’s specifications. Hence, they are not capable of handling variable voltages. If you have bought USB cables from a reputable brand in the last two or three years, chances are your cable is fully compatible.

Are Apple chargers USB-C PD compatible?

Yes, all the new USB-C Apple chargers are fully Power Delivery compatible and can provide charging speeds up to 140W for the MacBook Pro (16-inch).

Is USB-C and PD the same?

USB-C and USB PD are related but separate technologies that are often used together, but they are not the same. USB-C is a connector type, while USB PD is a power delivery protocol that works with USB-C connectors to provide fast and efficient charging for a wide range of devices.

USB-C is a type of connector that was introduced in 2014 and has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is a small, reversible connector that can carry data, video, and power, and is capable of delivering up to 100 watts of power.

USB Power Delivery, on the other hand, is a power delivery protocol that was developed to work with USB-C connectors. It is designed to provide fast and efficient charging for a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and other power-hungry devices.

This is everything you need to know about USB Power Delivery, what is it and why you should always go for the USB PD standard when buying new cables or phone/laptop chargers.

If there is anything else you’d like us to talk about and explain as part of this guide, please let us know in the comments below. You can read more about the USB and USB-IF standards at the following links:

• USB Power Delivery
• USB PD 3.1 Announcement

The post USB Power Delivery Explained: Everything You Need to Know About USB PD appeared first on Team Android.

PixelFlasher is an open-source flash tool developed by a group of developers with a huge list of features that is simple and easy-to-use for both, beginner level users and also experts. Now for the nerdy bit, this tool is at its core a UI layer on top of adb / fastboot commands, hence many of its features can be used on non Pixel devices as well.

Pixel Flasher Features:

As mentioned earlier, PixelFlasher (Google Pixel flash tool) comes with a long set of features that we have all listed below. There are two modes you can switch to, one is the Basic mode and the other is Expert mode. For most users, basic mode should work well for most of the tasks.

When you try to flash Pixel phones, you get to choose between three modes: Keep Data, WIPE all data and Dry Run.

Pixel Flasher Basic Mode:

Here are all the features you can use in basic mode:

• Simple UI interface, click and go. No more command line, no more placing all files in one directory.
• boot.img management UI, select the boot.img file to patch and click the patch button. Fully Automated patching with Magisk (without manual steps) and perform upgrades without losing root.
  No more manually extracting files transferring to the phone, patching / re-flashing and doing multiple reboots.
  No more setting airplane mode and clearing storage to retain Safetynet passing.
• Display details of boot.img (or init_boot.img for Pixel 7 / 7 Pro).
  • SHA1 checksum.
  • Origin (file it was extracted from).
  • Whether it is patched or not, and if it is patched.
    • What version of Magisk was used to patch it.
    • On what device it was patched.
    • Date of patching.
    • The SHA1 of the source boot.img file.
  • Option to Live boot from a choice of boot.img or patched image.
  • Flash just the boot / init_boot image.
• Choose to keep data or wipe data while flashing.
• Ability to flash even if multiple devices are connected to the computer.
• Option to flash to inactive slot.
• Display information about the phone.
  • ID
  • Hardware model.
  • Device architecture.
  • Current installed firmware (build).
  • If it is rooted with Magisk.
  • Magisk version (Magisk Tools).
  • Magisk Manager version (the app).
  • List installed Magisk modules.
  • Connection mode (Adb | Fastboot | Sideload | Recovery).
  • Bootloader version.
  • Active slot.
  • Android OS API version.
  • Convenient quick links to download Android platform tools or device firmware.
• Magisk Manager installation UI. Supported versions:
  • stable (official)
  • beta (official)
  • canary (official)
  • debug (official)
  • alpha
  • delta
  • special build that disables modules, used to recover from bootloops due to bad module(s) when safe mode does not work.

• Magisk Backup Manager.
  • List all Magisk backups currently on the device.
  • Highlight the one that is backup of the current installed version.
  • Delete backups.
  • Manually add backup from PC.
  • Auto Backup: PixelFlasher figures out what needs to be backed up, and if it finds it on the PC, it creates the backup.

• Magisk modules management, enable / disable modules selectively, this comes in handy to disable suspect modules before an upgrade:
  • Name
  • Version
  • Description
  • Enabled / Disabled.

• Display Android Platform Tools (SDK) version and warn / block if the version is old.
• Install APK (an app) file from the computer onto the device.
• Advanced features are hidden to keep the interface simple and easy to follow.
• A lot of checks and validations for smooth operation.
• Automatic check for program updates.
• Package (Application) Manager:
  • Disable (Freeze)
  • Enable
  • Uninstall
  • Install APK
  • Download APK
  • Multi-Select
  • Show Package Details.

Pixel Flasher Expert Mode:

This mode should only be turned on by experienced users which would allow you to use the following features:

• The ability to flash custom ROM (with or without patching boot.img)
• Option to flash to both slots.
• Option to flash to inactive slot.
• Options to disable verity and or verification.
• Ability to change the active slot.
• Ability to live boot to custom boot.img (temporary root).
• Ability to boot to recovery.
• Ability to flash custom image: boot, recovery, radio, kernel, …
• Ability to sideload an image.
• Lock / Unlock bootloader.
• Option to gain temporary root (good for testing or checking things out).
• SOS Disable Magisk modules to get out of bootloop (experimental).

How to Download, Install and Use PixelFlasher

To download, install and use PixelFlasher you need to make sure some prerequisites are available and set up on your computer. You will also need to download the correct version of Pixel Flasher for your desktop platform.

Prerequisites​:

• Android SDK Platform Tools
• Factory Images for Nexus and Pixel Devices
• Unlocked bootloader on your phone (official guide)

Download:

You can now download PixelFlasher for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms from the direct links below:

How to Install:

You do not need to install PixelFlasher. Simply download, and double-click the app file to begin. Here is how you can start using PixelFlasher:

1. Download the PixelFlasher tool from the links above.
2. Enable USB debugging on your Pixel phone. Go to Settings > System > Developer options > USB debugging, and enable the toggle switch.
3. Connect your Google Pixel phone to your computer using a USB cable.
4. Open the PixelFlasher tool on your computer.
5. Click on the “Flash” button and select the firmware or image you want to flash.
6. PixelFlasher will then start the flashing process, and your Pixel phone will reboot once the process is complete.

This is everything you need to know about PixelFlasher. For detailed how-to guides and walkthroughs on flashing updates and rooting Google Pixel devices, stay tuned as we will be covering them soon.

All credit goes to badabing2003 for releasing this epic tool for Pixel and non-Pixel phones.

The post PixelFlasher: Download Google Pixel Flash Tool for Phones and Tablets appeared first on Team Android.

To make the phone more ‘Google’ friendly, every Pixel phone features a fixed Google Search bar at the bottom of the home screen. This makes it super convenient for users who look up information very frequently without having to open up Chrome again and again. And with the latest and updated Google Search bar, you can also quickly find apps, contacts, files etc. on your phone. But not a lot of people appreciate Google for dedicating an entire row to the search bar.

Why Remove Search Bar on Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro?

We have received a number of emails from Pixel 7 users that they want to remove the Google Search bar. Users who do not like to customize the Android phone a lot may be okay with the search bar at the bottom, but people who like to make the maximum use of the screen real estate may find it annoying. At the very least, Google should include a toggle to enable or disable the search bar as part of the Pixel Launcher settings.

Read More: Does the Google Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro Have an SD Card Slot?

Here is a list of some common reasons why users want to get rid of the Google Search bar from the bottom of the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones:

• Personal preference: Some users may simply prefer a clean and minimalistic home screen without any extra widgets or apps, including the Google Search bar. Removing it can help them achieve a more streamlined look and feel for their home screen.
• Screen space: As mentioned earlier, the search bar takes up a significant amount of screen space, especially on smaller devices like the Pixel 7 or the Pixel 6a (both have the same 1080×2400 pixels resolution). Removing it can free up space for more apps, widgets, or shortcuts, allowing users to customize their home screen to their liking.
• Search bar redundancy: While the Google Search bar can be useful for quickly searching for information or launching apps, some users may find it redundant since they can access the Google Assistant by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. In this case, removing the Search bar can help reduce clutter and simplify the user experience.
• Accessibility: For users with limited mobility or dexterity, the Google Search bar’s placement at the bottom of the screen may make it difficult to reach or activate. Removing it can help make the phone more accessible and easier to use for these users. Instead, you can easily add a search bar widget anywhere else on the screen, like at the top.
• Not a Google Search user: You may actually be one of those very few people who dislike Google Search for data and privacy concerns, so we can understand how annoying the bar would be for you.

As mentioned above, some people find the search bar to be taking up too much space and it ruins the overall aesthetics of the phone. Here is a similar question from a Pixel 7 user:

The Google bar at the bottom of the home screen on the Pixel 7 ruins the device aesthetic and is unintuitive. Please provide up-to-date instructions for how to disable this.

User 9752812979865085587

Here is another similar question posted to a forum to remove the search bar from the Pixel 6 Pro:

Do you guys manage somehow to remove search bar from the home screen with Pixel launcher and add % display in QS? I checked the mods in pixel 6 pro thread, but don’t know if they will work on A13/7 pro.

PensionFond

How to Remove Google Pixel 7’s Google Search Bar

By default, you cannot disable or remove the Pixel 7’s Google Search bar from the phone. However, like most things with Android, this can be made possible by some tweaks and tinkering around with third-party apps. We will be discussing the following methods to remove the search bar:

• Install a custom launcher app
• Disable the Google app
• Install a custom ROM

Note: Some of these settings may also apply to devices by other manufacturers i.e. Samsung, Sony, Motorola etc.

Read More: How to Fix Google Pixel 7 Connectivity Issues: Slow WiFi, Signal Loss, Calls Dropping

1. Install a Custom Launcher (Third-Party App)

For power users who like to have every possible option at their disposal, it is better to install a third-party custom launcher app on your phone. This means, you will be replacing the default Android (or your manufacturer’s) home screen launcher app with a custom one that offers many more features and options that you can play around with.

Over the years we have used a number of Android launcher apps. This is why we can safely recommend the best ones out there that do not compromise the privacy of your data or corrupt any functionality.

Here are a few Android home screen launcher apps you can try:

• Nova Launcher Prime
• Lawnchair v2
• Nothing Launcher
• Hyperion Launcher
• Before Launcher

2. Disable the Google App

If you do not want to install a custom launcher, you can instead try to disable the Google app on your phone. Please note, this will not work for all Android phone models as there are a number of factors to consider. There are many features in an Android device that heavily rely on the Google app or the Google Play Services app in order to function properly. This means, you will be sacrificing a bunch of extra phone features that are tied to the Google app, just to get rid of the search bar on your phone.

You need to follow these simple steps to disable the Google app:

• On our phone, go to Settings
• Go to Apps, and then tap on See all XXX apps (this XXX could be any number of apps you have installed on your phone)
• Scroll down and now look for the Google app
• On this screen, tap on Disable
• If disabling, tap OK when prompted to Return the app to factory version
• You will need to restart your phone now for the new settings to take effect.

This method successfully works with several Motorola devices as suggested by Republic Wireless.

This method does not always work. As mentioned before, this trick also depends on your phone manufacturer and the Android version running it on. At most if it doesn’t work, the search bar will be greyed out and you will not be able to use it just because you disabled the Google app.

Read More: How to Fix Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro “Vibration Not Working” Issue

3. Remove from Home Screen

If you dropped by this article and do not have a Pixel 7 with you, we have some tips for you as well. Some Android skins and custom launchers have built-in feature to disable or remove the search bar altogether.

There are some launchers that allow you to add or remove the search bar like a widget, which means removing it as simple as dragging another widget to remove it. However, some Android skins like the ColorOS, OneUI etc. have options built into the home screen settings to add or remove the search bar.

For Samsung phones, follow these steps:

• While on your home screen, long-press the Google Search Bar
• Tap on Remove from the list of options
• And that’s it! The search bar widget has gone away from your screen.

For Sony phones, you need to follow these steps:

• While on the home screen, find an empty space and long-press on it
• Then tap on the Google Search Bar widget to select it
• Now tap on Remove from Home Screen option
• This should get rid of the widget for you

For most other phones, you should be able disable the search bar using these steps:

• While on your home screen, press and hold at any empty space
• From the list of available options, select Settings
• These are your launcher settings. From here, look for the option, “Show Google Search bar” or a something similar in the list
• Uncheck it, and this should finally help you disable the search bar

Also Read: How to Fix Google Pixel 7 Heating Issues

4. Use Pixel Launcher Mod with Substratum Theme (Root)

Another method to getting rid of the search bar requires your Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro to be rooted. Once you can change, add or remove your systems apps, you can easily replace the default Pixel Launcher with a modified one. Or you can install a Magisk mod on top, which would allow you to remove the Google Search bar.

The mod will allow you to change icons and other features, and you can install this Substratum theme (FSIM-Version1.apk) for the HideNavBar Magisk module to get rid of the gesture pill. This theme is actively maintained by the developer, so expect to see more modification options in future releases for the Pixel devices.

5. Install Custom ROM

As a last option, you can always opt to install a custom ROM on your Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro. Another ROM will give you much more control and new options that would allow you to modify every aspect of your Pixel 7.

Not a lot of users are fond of installing a custom ROM because they are technically less secure and developed by an unknown developer that you have to trust with all your private data. Plus, you can only install custom ROMs on your phone if it is fully rooted and have an unlocked bootloader.

If you think this is too much of a risk just to get rid of a small visual annoyance, scroll back up and settle for a custom launcher.

These were all the methods to completely remove and disable the Google Search bar. This may be an annoyance to a lot of you, but getting rid of it completely is not an easy task. We have discussed all the available options and drawbacks, so it is now for you to consider how badly you want to get rid of it.

The post How to Remove Search Bar on Google Pixel 7 appeared first on Team Android.