pixel 6 pro bloat/issues

[CHILLYWILL_95831]

I've just come from a Samsung S20 plus, I know the pixel is cheaper but I thought I'd be getting a stock experience.

Firstly I can't remove Google glance and I can't remove the Google search bar at the bottom.

I can't re-order or organise apps in folders in the app tray.

Battery saver mode turns off notifications when I just want to turn off 5G and other background performance.

Camera has limited options no pro mode or options to change mega pixels even though the phone is called pixel lol.

Auto brightness is not very accurate.

Doesn't allow many customisations like changing the power key to switch phone off or open Google pay its stuck on assistant and camera.

Can't customise always on diaplay.

Finger print sensor is slow!

You have to keep pressing the enter key when inputting the pin.

Hopefully Google add these features in a update, it's very sad to see the phone so limited.

Lolol, a stock experience means you CAN'T REMOVE some things because it's stock. If you could have a choice, to remove stock stuff, then it would not be stock. In fact, it would be bloated!

 

[ahmed hanif1]

I'm a die-hard Pixel user, but I never use the stock Pixel Launcher and always install Nova because I enjoy the latter's much more extensive customizability -- I'd do this on any phone I use, whether it's a Pixel, a Galaxy, or what have you. Stock launchers almost never give the user as much versatility.

I'm not a big fan of battery saver modes because most of the time, you can't control what's turned off. If you want to turn off 5G easily, you could consider an app like IFTTT or Macrodroid; otherwise, just go to the system settings and turn it off there.

Google's whole philosophy with the Pixel camera since the original Pixel has been AI (i.e., take the picture and let the software do its processing to give you the best picture possible); therefore, it has never had lots of manual settings. There are a number of 3rd party camera apps you can install that do have more manual control.

I agree that auto-brightness can sometimes fluctuate (I notice it when I'm walking around areas in relatively dim light), but I've seen that in non Pixel phones as well. Are you seeing that in normal light?

The fingerprint sensor has always been a flashpoint of debate for this phone. It's clearly nowhere near as good as the very best ultrasonic scanners, but I have always found it totally fine. Keep in mind that ultrasonic scanners are significantly more expensive than optical scanners, so if Google had decided to use the former, it's difficult to say how much more they would have had to charge for the phone.

Having to press Enter after typing your PIN seems like a pretty minor quibble, but I'll give you that one.

Anyway of changing the 5G setting to 4G or 3G, I do not have the "preferred network" option for some reason does anyone else have it?

 

[oks10]

Anyway of changing the 5G setting to 4G or 3G, I do not have the "preferred network" option for some reason does anyone else have it?

It's in your internet settings. Your WiFi and mobile data settings are in the same menu now. If you go to internet settings, it should show your data network and wifi networks. There's a settings button next to the mobile network and it should have a preferred network setting in there.

I'm curious though, why do you want to change that from 5G? Is your 5G signal poor and you just want to stop it from hopping in and out?

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

I like the stock pixel launcher except no icon packs and the search bar. So I am using Hyperion Supreme and I have it set up just the way I like it.

 

[B. Diddy]

It's in your internet settings. Your WiFi and mobile data settings are in the same menu now. If you go to internet settings, it should show your data network and wifi networks. There's a settings button next to the mobile network and it should have a preferred network setting in there.

I'm curious though, why do you want to change that from 5G? Is your 5G signal poor and you just want to stop it from hopping in and out?

5G tends to use more battery, even with good signal, so I always keep mine off. T-Mobile's 5G network in my area isn't good enough yet for me to accept that trade-off.

 

[ahmed hanif1]

It's in your internet settings. Your WiFi and mobile data settings are in the same menu now. If you go to internet settings, it should show your data network and wifi networks. There's a settings button next to the mobile network and it should have a preferred network setting in there.

I'm curious though, why do you want to change that from 5G? Is your 5G signal poor and you just want to stop it from hopping in and out?

I work on the railway so on the trains all day and signal moves up and down alot which kills battery, 4G is a bit more stable.

I've had a look in the internet/WiFi section but can't find preferred networks maybe it's locked from EE in the UK which is weird as I've always been able to do it in the past.

 

[oks10]

I work on the railway so on the trains all day and signal moves up and down alot which kills battery, 4G is a bit more stable.

I've had a look in the internet/WiFi section but can't find preferred networks maybe it's locked from EE in the UK which is weird as I've always been able to do it in the past.

Oh. Huh. Must be a carrier/country thing

 

[B. Diddy]

I doubt this is the case, but try activating Developer Options and see if there's anything there.

 

[oks10]

I doubt this is the case, but try activating Developer Options and see if there's anything there.

Probably not the case bc your post made me realize I hadn't enabled developer options in my 6 Pro yet.

 

[B. Diddy]

Probably not the case bc your post made me realize I hadn't enabled developer options in my 6 Pro yet.

Not sure if I was clear enough, but what I meant was maybe there's a Developer Option to turn off 5G in those phones where the carrier takes away the typical option in the system settings?

 

[sundry]

I've just come from a Samsung S20 plus, I know the pixel is cheaper but I thought I'd be getting a stock experience.

Firstly I can't remove Google glance and I can't remove the Google search bar at the bottom.

I can't re-order or organise apps in folders in the app tray.

Battery saver mode turns off notifications when I just want to turn off 5G and other background performance.

Camera has limited options no pro mode or options to change mega pixels even though the phone is called pixel lol.

Auto brightness is not very accurate.

Doesn't allow many customisations like changing the power key to switch phone off or open Google pay its stuck on assistant and camera.

Can't customise always on diaplay.

Finger print sensor is slow!

You have to keep pressing the enter key when inputting the pin.

Hopefully Google add these features in a update, it's very sad to see the phone so limited.

I don't know why you can't re-order, or customize apps in the apps tray. It's pretty easy to do. You can also rename folders if you have multiple apps.
The search bar and the apps tray are persistent so as you swipe laterally from your home screen they're always within reach. I guess Google figures is convenient for accessing search, mic and Google lens along with you're most used apps above, on the apps tray.
When you're not on your home screen, and your in an app, the power button long press allows easy access to Google assistant. Makes sense to me, because I power down my phone rarely, but I do use the Google assistant a fair amount.

 

[oks10]

I don't know why you can't re-order, or customize apps in the apps tray. It's pretty easy to do. You can also rename folders if you have multiple apps.
The search bar and the apps tray are persistent so as you swipe laterally from your home screen they're always within reach. I guess Google figures is convenient for accessing search, mic and Google lens along with you're most used apps above, on the apps tray.
When you're not on your home screen, and your in an app, the power button long press allows easy access to Google assistant. Makes sense to me, because I power down my phone rarely, but I do use the Google assistant a fair amount.

I think he's talking about the app drawer, not the dock at the bottom of the screen. With the stock launcher there's no customization tools for the app drawer. This is one big reason I use Nova Launcher.

 

[sundry]

Ah. When he said app tray it through me off. Lol
Thanks

 

[B. Diddy]

I think he's talking about the app drawer, not the dock at the bottom of the screen. With the stock launcher there's no customization tools for the app drawer. This is one big reason I use Nova Launcher.

Yeah, the way I always look at it, I want the App Drawer to be simple and alphabetical. The homescreen is where I do all of my customization.

 

[oks10]

Yeah, the way I always look at it, I want the App Drawer to be simple and alphabetical. The homescreen is where I do all of my customization.

I can get that. I just prefer my home screen to be as minimal as possible. I have the same preference on my computers and disable the desktop icons. On my 2XL I used the stock launcher and kept some folders on my 2nd screen so the home screen stayed clean but with my 6 Pro for now at least I'm using Nova and have the folders in the app drawer.

 

[B. Diddy]

I can get that. I just prefer my home screen to be as minimal as possible. I have the same preference on my computers and disable the desktop icons. On my 2XL I used the stock launcher and kept some folders on my 2nd screen so the home screen stayed clean but with my 6 Pro for now at least I'm using Nova and have the folders in the app drawer.

Ah, I get you. Have you ever played around with Niagara Launcher? JR Raphael has written a lot of good things about it.

 

[oks10]

Ah, I get you. Have you ever played around with Niagara Launcher? JR Raphael has written a lot of good things about it.

Haha, no but just based on the Play Store page images that might be a little TOO minimal even for me.

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

I work on the railway so on the trains all day and signal moves up and down alot which kills battery, 4G is a bit more stable.

I've had a look in the internet/WiFi section but can't find preferred networks maybe it's locked from EE in the UK which is weird as I've always been able to do it in the past.

You checked under SIM option? Where it resides for me on 3 network. Maybe will pop an EE sim in and see if I have the same issue as you. Would be tomorrow when I pop to Asda, can grab a sim for £1

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

Ah, I get you. Have you ever played around with Niagara Launcher? JR Raphael has written a lot of good things about it.

Niagara is awesome. I have used since it’s inception and am on insider builds. So fluid.

 

[Morty2264]

I too am a fan of Samsung customization -- but I also love the Pixel experience. Stock Android is not for everyone -- perhaps switch back to Samsung if it works for you!