Swap capacitive button positions?

[findmyphone]

LG's android skin gives you the ability to swap the positions of the on-screen buttons. Is there anything out there that can replicate this functionality for the 5x?

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

That depends, are you willing to root it and install custom software?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[findmyphone]

That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming. I might just wait for the S7 or until LG's next release, unless I decide Project Fi savings are worth it.

 

[jonebk12]

I wouldn't let the position of the buttons deter you from the 5X. I came from an S5, which of course had the back and recent apps buttons reversed, and got accustomed to the change in literally less than a day.

 

[findmyphone]

Thanks, but here's the thing. I bought a Samsung Tab S2 8.0 (traded in a near bricked Nexus 7 2012) which seriously is fantastic, and I prefer the button placement this way. I'd have pulled the trigger on an S6 but I just can't justify the price. I can get the 5x (currently on a 2013 Moto x) and switch to Project Fi and save money now, so that's the main motivation.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming. I might just wait for the S7 or until LG's next release, unless I decide Project Fi savings are worth it.

No probs. Sorry there isn't a better solution. It's a shame Google seem to have such a love/hate view of customisation.

I'd root it

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[findmyphone]

Can anyone verify that rooting won't affect using the phone on Project Fi?

I also really wish it had qi charging, because usb-c cables aren't cheap right now, and it's a whole other new expense that I'd rather avoid.

 

[srkmagnus]

Can anyone verify that rooting won't affect using the phone on Project Fi?

I also really wish it had qi charging, because usb-c cables aren't cheap right now, and it's a whole other new expense that I'd rather avoid.

I've done some searching and have found that you can still root. Just know that you may not receive OTA updates (kind of a given) and you may have issues with Android Pay.

 

[findmyphone]

Doesn't sound to me that the gains I'd get by rooting outweigh the possible losses and risks.

 

[Equinsu ocha]

Thanks, but here's the thing. I bought a Samsung Tab S2 8.0 (traded in a near bricked Nexus 7 2012) which seriously is fantastic, and I prefer the button placement this way. I'd have pulled the trigger on an S6 but I just can't justify the price. I can get the 5x (currently on a 2013 Moto x) and switch to Project Fi and save money now, so that's the main motivation.

I also have a Tab S2 8.0 and a 5X. It's not a big deal. I used to have a Samsung S3 and when I got my 5X I thought it would be difficult to get used to it, but it's a non-issue. At least it was for me.

 

[findmyphone]

Taken alone, maybe a non-issue, but since I know there are phones out there that will let me match my preferred button layout, it's enough to make me look at other compromises (no qi, and added usb-c expense) involved before pulling the trigger on a 5x. It's aggravating that with all the talk about how great "stock" android is, this one little piece of customization only exists on rooted phones or in the LG skin.

 

[Equinsu ocha]

I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill but it's your money to spend how you want. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[findmyphone]

Not sure how/why wanting a phone that has the buttons in the places I want them and doesn't require me to spend extra $$ on new cables qualifies as a mountain, but thanks.

 

[qw3rty3]

Root the phone, install Xposed, then GravityBox.
Project fi works fine. OTA updates won't install, but you can stay up to date by downloading factory images and flashing them from a computer.
I believe project fi works on most (all?) custom roms.

I've only used stock AOSP since I discovered GravityBox, I'd recommend that no matter what phone you get.

 

[findmyphone]

How long would you say it takes to do root, install Xposed, and Gravity Box? I might be tempted to do this on my 2013 Moto X.

 

[SactoKingsFan]

How long would you say it takes to do root, install Xposed, and Gravity Box? I might be tempted to do this on my 2013 Moto X.

Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.