Essential Tips & Tricks

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Now that we're discovering ways to improve the phone, let's collect a list of tips & tricks for everyone to reference.

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Touch sensitivity improvement

UPDATE: Touch input has been improved in the Oct 2017 OTA security update (NMJ20D). Please install this if you believe touch input is lacking on your device.

Otherwise, try the following:
Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings > Gestures > Tap detector sensitivity
Set to: High


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Carrier Services update

If you're having network issues, it might be worth downloading the latest Carrier Services snap-in. It seems to be a manual download and not automatic.

Get it on Play Store: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ails?id=com.google.android.ims&token=KXfFA59a

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Credit: @cstmstyle / https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=830512&p=5954035&viewfull=1#post5954035
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Full-screen Apps and/or Navigation Bar delete

This settings file mod via ADB allows currently unsupported apps to be displayed in full-screen. If you install the Layout app, it allows control over individual apps and gives the option to remove the bottom navigation bar.

Universal whitelist command in ADB:

• 
  [*=1]adb shell
  [*=1]settings put global ESSENTIAL_LAYOUT_WHITELIST "*"

"Navigation Bar Editor" app in Google Play:

• 
  [*=1]App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...id=in.tsdo.elw
  [*=1]Discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/essential/c...telist_editor/

Original discussion: https://forum.xda-developers.com/es...x-apps-filling-screen-nova-included-t3670404/

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Credit: XDA Forums and @aitt / https://forums.androidcentral.com/essential-phone/832297-making-use-full-screen-apps.html
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General speed/input/lag/issues with your device

Factory reset it and set it up as new, without doing a restore from your previous device or settings backup. This seems to have had good success with a few members here who previously had issues with speed, input, lag, etc.

Discussion started by @ptm88: https://forums.androidcentral.com/essential-phone/831011-set-phone-up-new-always.html

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Credit: @bhatech / https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=830512&p=5954089&viewfull=1#post5954089
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Sprint Users: Sideload OTA updates when Sprint is slow to release theirs

Discussion started by @swagglepuff: https://forums.androidcentral.com/essential-phone/844783-adb-sideload-ota-sprint-users-new-post.html

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Credit: XDA forums
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(More to come)

 

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(reserved)

 

[boidsonly]

Hey - figured it'd be worth sharing this tip here too - Home Screen Rotation
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ne-quick-tip-screen-rotation.html#post6048512

Thanks, had no idea that was there. lol

 

[Andre B]

Hi all,
I’m thinking of getting a phone. Could someone answer some questions:
To wake up the phone, is only power button used, or I can tap om the screen?
Can I inseall BlackBerry aps on it? BlackBerry hub, keyboard, password keeper etc.
Thanks

 

[M_at_S]

Hi all,
To wake up the phone, is only power button used, or I can tap om the screen?

Phone wakes when it is lifted. If you use your fingerprint to authenticate, you can also lift the phone and just place your registered finger over the sensor on the back of the phone.

 

[Saaaaaaaagar]

great!! Thanks!! :d

 

[Andre B]

Phone wakes when it is lifted. If you use your fingerprint to authenticate, you can also lift the phone and just place your registered finger over the sensor on the back of the phone.

Thank you, I just got one and very happy with it so far. The only thing I find inconvenient that when the phone is on the table and I want to use it without lifting, I have to use power button to wake it up. I would prefer something like double tap on the screen or swipe up gesture when the phone stays on the surface.

 

[Manjit Sarma]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[computerguy68]

Just got one on Wed, coming from a PRIV, it appears that you can install most of the Blackberry software, no DTEK however, most of the specific BBY programs show that they can be installed, (Calendar, Device Search, Hub, Hub+, Launcher, Password Keeper, Privacy Shade, Workspaces). Items that cannot be installed: Camera, Keyboard, Notable, Productivity Tab, Help and Virtual Expert, of course some of these are BBY specific. I have read somewhere around here that the keyboard can be installed via side loading. Still looking into that option, as I do like their KB.

 

[anon(10268214)]

Just got one on Wed, coming from a PRIV, it appears that you can install most of the Blackberry software, no DTEK however, most of the specific BBY programs show that they can be installed, (Calendar, Device Search, Hub, Hub+, Launcher, Password Keeper, Privacy Shade, Workspaces). Items that cannot be installed: Camera, Keyboard, Notable, Productivity Tab, Help and Virtual Expert, of course some of these are BBY specific. I have read somewhere around here that the keyboard can be installed via side loading. Still looking into that option, as I do like their KB.

I am running the BlackBerry Hub+ subscription on my Essential too, and it works great. Yes you can install the BlackBerry keyboard but it's an unofficial workaround. . You need to download an app called 'BlackBerry Manager' https://cobalt232.github.io/blackberrymanager/
It actually installs the full suite if you want, but I just use it for the keyboard. Just download the APK to your device and follow the instructions. Good luck!

 

[computerguy68]

I am running the BlackBerry Hub+ subscription on my Essential too, and it works great. Yes you can install the BlackBerry keyboard but it's an unofficial workaround. . You need to download an app called 'BlackBerry Manager' https://cobalt232.github.io/blackberrymanager/
It actually installs the full suite if you want, but I just use it for the keyboard. Just download the APK to your device and follow the instructions. Good luck!

That's it! thanks for the link, more playing around this weekend lol.

 

[Arie Kembario]

Thank