Droid Maxx Android Kit Kat 4.4 Tips and Tricks

[SeigaGen]

Figured this should get started as we now venture into Kit Kat and join our Moto X brothers and Nexus Sisters as well as cousin Google Experience Devices.

So I'll add this tip.... If you want to switch from Dalvik to ART as your standard Runtime, you will want to do the following:

Settings -> Developer Options ->Select runtime -> (Choose between Dalvik and ART)

Keep in mind, many apps are not optimized for ART runtime, so you might see a lot of Force Closes on your apps.

If you wish to read up on the differences between the two runtimes, please check out this link:
ART vs Dalvik - introducing the new Android runtime in KitKat — Infinum

 

[CrazyRussian007]

Good tip, thank you. Just read some more info on this topic and I'm going to give this a try.

 

[CrazyRussian007]

I dont know if it's combination of KitKat and ART but the apps seems to open quite a bit faster. Very nice tip!

 

[S4Rs]

Is there a tip to get rid of the blue icons in the notification menu at the top of the screen. I was hoping everything would be grey. Haven't connected to bluetooth yet. Hopefully that icon is somewhat normal now.

 

[SeigaGen]

Is there a tip to get rid of the blue icons in the notification menu at the top of the screen. I was hoping everything would be grey. Haven't connected to bluetooth yet. Hopefully that icon is somewhat normal now.

I don't think there is a way to change the notification colors to white instead of blue at this time.

I did notice that cloud print was missing on mine. Just shows HP.

Sent from my XT1080M (Droid Maxx) using Tapatalk 4 Pro

 

[ulnek]

what's "runtime" and is it something I should know?

 

[HES]

what's "runtime" and is it something I should know?

Check the link at the bottom of the OP

 

[SeigaGen]

If you are looking for the google experience launcher that the nexus 5 has, you can sideload the app below and access it from the home settings.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...get-your-kitkat-update-apk-download/#download

Sent from my XT1080M (Droid Maxx) using Tapatalk 4 Pro

 

[thisiscrazy]

I don't see "Developer Options" in settings.

 

[skatergirl]

If you are looking for the google experience launcher that the nexus 5 has, you can sideload the app below and access it from the home settings.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...get-your-kitkat-update-apk-download/#download

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/20/9ebe3u7a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/20/aqusavur.jpg

Sent from my XT1080M (Droid Maxx) using Tapatalk 4 Pro

I would really like the new dialer with caller ID.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Jay Sacks]

I don't see "Developer Options" in settings.

On your Maxx (I think it works for all droids) go to settings...about phone...build number...click 7 times and you have developer options. No need to click your heels.
Merry Christmas.

 

[thisiscrazy]

On your Maxx (I think it works for all droids) go to settings...about phone...build number...click 7 times and you have developer options. No need to click your heels.
Merry Christmas.

Thanks!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[hickmanje2]

I would really like the new dialer with caller ID.

Posted via Android Central App

I managed to get the Kit Kat dialer working on GEL. This should also work for any other launcher as well. You will need ROOT since you have to change permissions.

Here is what you'll need to download and install:

1. com.google.android.dialer-1.01.apk
2. Icon Changer free
3. Secure Settings
4. An icon pack of your choosing (I used a Kit Kat icon pack so I could stay true)

Step 1: Copy com.google.android.dialer-1.01.apk to /system/priv-app and change permissions to 644. Now reboot.

Step 2: Open Icon Changer free and choose Secure Settings from the shortcut tab.

Step 3: When Secure Settings launches, choose Launch Activity.

Step 4: Pick Google Dialer from apps.

Step 5: Select [Phone] com.android.dialer.DialtactsActivity from drop down and save.

Step 6: It makes you select a Shortcut icon here but we'll overwrite in the next step so just choose randomly and save.

Step 7: Change title to Google Dialer and click change under the icon to pick your new Shortcut icon.

Step 8: Press OK and now it will create an icon on your homescreen. When you click it it will open up Google Dialer!

And viola, you now have stuck one to the man (aka vzw). It's not perfect. You still have to keep your other Phone unfrozen and any calls that come in will still use the old phone. Also if Icon Changer or Secure Settings in in cache, it will pop up Icon Changer or Secure Settings for a split second before loading Google Dialer. Just remove the background app and it will stop doing that.