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After two days with an Nvidia Shield Android TV , there are many pluses and minuses, but over all, it has BY FAR the best hardware of any android based box on the market... no question at all about that, and here are what I think are the biggest pluses and minuses.
PLUSES
- amazing smoothness in interface - no jerky, delays etc at all
- superb playback of all media, smoother than any box I have seen
- 192khz 24 bit audio output (kodi and mxplayer but I am not sure if they are able to output at that HD rate)
- very well built, sexy touch activated standby button
- very easy to get up and running with controller etc
- shield game streaming service is flawless, fast, smooth, HD
- gaming controller is high quality, has a microphone for voice input and a headphone socket, which work well.
- Voice search within Play Music for artist or track works very well, extremely fast.
- playing Flash-based websites like TennisTV.com etc on Dolphin in Desktop mode is way better than any other box I have tried (and I have tried MANY)
MINUSES
- have to sideload many apps you may want, like TED, BBC iPlayer, IMDB, Spotify, Movie Mate etc.. even Chrome Browser - but relatively easy to work around using APK Extractor to get APK's from your phone, and Chainfire's sideload launcher.
- no up front display of non-Android TV specific apps
- no recent apps
- no way to get to "now playing" with some apps like Spotify if you had returned home, unless its a leanback app
- no notifications
- no mouse on desktop, backpace key on keyboard not working as backspace but as left mouse click
- Keyboard is USA only, so UK users have to know, for example, that " and @ have swopped places
- voice search from the home screen does not find music artists on google play music or spotify, but only youtube... so "play van morrison" will play a track from youtube, and not from the 25 van morrison albums I have already uploaded to Play Music.
- my tv keeps on cropping a lot off the screen, there is no way to adjust the screen crop size, to reduce size so it fits better on my screen... I can adjust my screen but that is a hassle.
- very little customisation, settings limited too.
There is at least one NON-Android TV ROM for this device, so you can fix almost all of those Minuses, and you can run it using Squarehome or NovaLauncher or whatever you like, but I am not sure I actually NEED to customise the box. Personally I use it for Kodi, Spotify, Play Music, TuneIn Radio, Youtube, Movie Mate, all of which works fine... so for the moment, I am not rooting the box, and am adjusting my expectations and enjoying what works fantastically well, pretty much everything.
This is FAR and away the best box I have ever had, goodbye Tronsmart Drako, Minix Neo X8H+ etc, this is WAY beyond. At some point I may change to plain android, but so far I am fine with a couple of extra steps to be able to enjoy the voice input and superb power and playback capabilities.
Mark.
Hi. I'm located in Ireland and looking for android TV box for my FHD projector. I'm considering MINIX Neo X8H+ or Nvidia Shield TV box (not yet available). What advantages of one over the other would you point? Thanks!
The Answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything is: CLEAN FLASH.
Natakranta said:
Hi. I'm located in Ireland and looking for android TV box for my FHD projector. I'm considering MINIX Neo X8H+ or Nvidia Shield TV box (not yet available). What advantages of one over the other would you point? Thanks!
The Answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything is: CLEAN FLASH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Minix Neo offers access to almost all the play store apps without needing to sideload, with the Shield you need to sideload some apps, which isnt hard. The Shield has far better hardware, so you will get smoother HD playback, no question. If playing video is your main think, then the Shield's faster graphics, faster processor is the way to go. They are both good boxes, but my Minix Neo x8hplus is currently UNPLUGGED!
fredphoesh said:
Minix Neo offers access to almost all the play store apps without needing to sideload, with the Shield you need to sideload some apps, which isnt hard. The Shield has far better hardware, so you will get smoother HD playback, no question. If playing video is your main think, then the Shield's faster graphics, faster processor is the way to go. They are both good boxes, but my Minix Neo x8hplus is currently UNPLUGGED!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to connect external 2GB HDD USB 3 to the box. Make it media storage to play on the connected to the box projector and available for all devices in home through my local WiFi.
How could I remotely control the box to manage utorrent on it from my phone, at home thorough local WiFi or externally when I'm away. Possible?
The Answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything is: CLEAN FLASH.
Natakranta said:
I'd like to connect external 2GB HDD USB 3 to the box. Make it media storage to play on the connected to the box projector and available for all devices in home through my local WiFi.
How could I remotely control the box to manage utorrent on it from my phone, at home thorough local WiFi or externally when I'm away. Possible?
The Answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything is: CLEAN FLASH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, sorry, no idea, I use it for streaming...
Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
fredphoesh said:
MINUSES
- no up front display of non-Android TV specific apps
- no recent apps
- no way to get to "now playing" with some apps like Spotify if you had returned home, unless its a leanback app
- very little customisation, settings limited too.
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mark! For your minuses mentioned above, you might want to consider HALauncher found in the Play Store. I'm using this on my Nvidia Shield Console/TV and it looks and works better than the default Android TV "Home" launcher. This apps allows you to create your own Home screen with rows of your customized apps. For example, I have a row for my Emulators, Racing Games, Space Shooters, Sports Games, TV apps, etc. You can arrange these rows and apps anyway you want. You can also use your own background image. You can also rename the apps to your liking and edit the icons for higher quality 320x180 images. Everything looks great now. This is what Android TV home launcher should be like. The only thing that is missing now is a button for rebooting the system, and another one for shutting it down!
Check out the images below to see what HALauncher can do:
http://postimg.org/image/kuncrk5tf/
http://postimg.org/image/57w3e6s1f/
http://postimg.org/image/fkie09lkj
http://postimg.org/image/mjwfzmlir/
-- Manny
funtasticguy said:
Hi Mark! For your minuses mentioned above, you might want to consider HALauncher found in the Play Store. I'm using this on my Nvidia Shield Console/TV and it looks and works better than the default Android TV "Home" launcher. This apps allows you to create your own Home screen with rows of your customized apps. For example, I have a row for my Emulators, Racing Games, Space Shooters, Sports Games, TV apps, etc. You can arrange these rows and apps anyway you want. You can also use your own background image. You can also rename the apps to your liking and edit the icons for higher quality 320x180 images. Everything looks great now. This is what Android TV home launcher should be like. The only thing that is missing now is a button for rebooting the system, and another one for shutting it down!
Check out the images below to see what HALauncher can do:
http://postimg.org/image/kuncrk5tf/
http://postimg.org/image/57w3e6s1f/
http://postimg.org/image/fkie09lkj
http://postimg.org/image/mjwfzmlir/
-- Manny
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Manny,
Yep, I've been using it for a few days and like it a lot.
My gripes are that the voice search doesn't work properly and always shows empty results, and there is no "now playing" function... and the lack of a power button. For some reason ALT-Tab doesn't show recent apps. Oh, there is no ALL APPS function either, so new apps are invisible till you edit the home screen. But yeah, the best home screen for the SATV for sure.
Cheers,
Mark
Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
I agree with pretty much everything you said, I've had mine for two weeks and I love it. I have Kodi running to play local media, plex to stream stuff from friends servers, Netflix (which really upped their game since the last time I subscribed a year or two ago), along with tons of games. This will only get better over time, its still a relatively new product. I'm still debating on whether or not to root it, I think I'm going to but will be keeping the stock launcher because I like it, despite the lack of "recent apps" which I still don't understand why they didn't include it. The only reason I want to root it is so that I can install the Xinstaller module from Xposed so all my apps will install to my sdcard and not the internal memory.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I have had mine a few weeks and it is definitely a really nice device and it is crazy fast!
Really the only gripe I have is 4K support but that isn't Nvidia's fault. Basically because I am running through a processor (more or less an AVR without an amp) and HDMI 2.0 standard is not used on them, Netflix won't show 4K content on the device unless I am directly connected to the TV.
Fortunately Ultraflix works at 4K and everything else does as well.
brando56894 said:
I agree with pretty much everything you said, I've had mine for two weeks and I love it. I have Kodi running to play local media, plex to stream stuff from friends servers, Netflix (which really upped their game since the last time I subscribed a year or two ago), along with tons of games. This will only get better over time, its still a relatively new product. I'm still debating on whether or not to root it, I think I'm going to but will be keeping the stock launcher because I like it, despite the lack of "recent apps" which I still don't understand why they didn't include it. The only reason I want to root it is so that I can install the Xinstaller module from Xposed so all my apps will install to my sdcard and not the internal memory.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try HALauncher, it is good enough for me to not install a custom rom and root... So far! Also once you root you'll have to manually install rom updates and reinstall apps etc... Also you can move most apps to sd card. DON'T set to Automatically Move apps to SD card, that doesn't work. Install to system then move them to SD card in app settings after player no the game once.
Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
Had mine for about a week and like it an awful lot.
As someone who bought an Ouya, I must say focusing on the media services first THEN worrying about gaming made this a MUCH BETTER product.
I am a bit disappointed I can't have my HBO Go on it, there's currently no Amazon Video and the Netflix app needs better voice options, but I'm really digging the Gamestream from my PC upstairs to the downstairs TV, It works most of the time without a hitch. The only time it doesn't is when I'm playing my Steam games and the Ubisoft games try to go through Uplay and Uplay crashes or its a game I've never ran before and Steam itself crashes because it doesn't seem to like running a game in Big Picture mode if it has never been opened and ran at least once on my PC in normal Steam mode first, and those are client problems, not Nvidia issues so can't fault them there.
Yes, having to install some of my apps from the PC through the Play Store is a bit of a pain, but it also keeps the kids from loading it up with a bunch of useless crap, so I'd say its a fair trade.
tobalaz said:
Had mine for about a week and like it an awful lot.
As someone who bought an Ouya, I must say focusing on the media services first THEN worrying about gaming made this a MUCH BETTER product.
I am a bit disappointed I can't have my HBO Go on it, there's currently no Amazon Video and the Netflix app needs better voice options, but I'm really digging the Gamestream from my PC upstairs to the downstairs TV, It works most of the time without a hitch. The only time it doesn't is when I'm playing my Steam games and the Ubisoft games try to go through Uplay and Uplay crashes or its a game I've never ran before and Steam itself crashes because it doesn't seem to like running a game in Big Picture mode if it has never been opened and ran at least once on my PC in normal Steam mode first, and those are client problems, not Nvidia issues so can't fault them there.
Yes, having to install some of my apps from the PC through the Play Store is a bit of a pain, but it also keeps the kids from loading it up with a bunch of useless crap, so I'd say its a fair trade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes, speaking of Gamestream, what does everyone think of the quality?
I tried it both before and after the update that was supposed to improve the quality and have not been that impressed. The bitrate seems somewhat low and I get random stutter and both the PC and Shield are wired gigabit.
Well as far as Gamestream goes for me, I've got my win7 gaming rig w/ an i5, 12gb ram and gtx 750ti hardwired to my Buffalo AC1750 and the Shield on 5g to a 42" 1080p TV and I've no problems with it, everything runs smoothly, well, smoothly when Uplay isn't f*cking everything up...
I had issues initially so I had to go into my router and change the settings for my 5ghz channel.
OK interesting, maybe it is is an issue with SLI since I am running 3 Titan Xs, i7, 32GB RAM, etc through an Asus RT-AC3200. I will try disabling SLI and see if that helps.
mutelight said:
OK interesting, maybe it is is an issue with SLI since I am running 3 Titan Xs, i7, 32GB RAM, etc through an Asus RT-AC3200. I will try disabling SLI and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've really peaked my interest here, was the SLI making it not work correctly? Like maybe the video encoding being slit amongst the cards wasn't working too well?
I'm about to upgrade my 750ti so it'd be nice to know if it was SLI or just isn't playing nice with your Titan.
tobalaz said:
You've really peaked my interest here, was the SLI making it not work correctly? Like maybe the video encoding being slit amongst the cards wasn't working too well?
I'm about to upgrade my 750ti so it'd be nice to know if it was SLI or just isn't playing nice with your Titan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is honestly hard to say, I still need to try disabling SLI to see if it helps. Also I should mention I have been running Windows 10 for a couple months now there have been a few driver updates for it since I tried it last.
Video calling only available for the Shield ATV
One unique feature on the Shield ATV is the camera support.
Just plug a camera and it works! I've been checking out other Android SmartTV's and set-top-boxes, but yet couldn't find any other device having this support.
And, there is already a video calling android tv app on google play called "Tellybean - Easy video calling". It works perfectly on the Shield ATV.
furkna said:
One unique feature on the Shield ATV is the camera support.
Just plug a camera and it works! I've been checking out other Android SmartTV's and set-top-boxes, but yet couldn't find any other device having this support.
And, there is already a video calling android tv app on google play called "Tellybean - Easy video calling". It works perfectly on the Shield ATV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, but surely Hangouts works just fine, and even Skype?
fredphoesh said:
Nice, but surely Hangouts works just fine, and even Skype?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right. Since shield has camera support basically any video calling app might work. But I don't believe they work as smooth as Tellybean. Skype and hangout does not have Android TV apps (not gonna have one any time soon). They don't exist on google play for Android TV. You need to sideload their default android app.
Also, their UX is fine for a mobile app but not so much for a TV app. They don't really fit into the leanback UI. Not so usable if you are sitting on the couch and just want to have a video call. I use hangouts and skype on my smartphone and laptop but Tellybean on my TV
Tellybean is an Android TV app, shows up on Leanback launcher and it works smoothly on the shield ATV.
tobalaz said:
Well as far as Gamestream goes for me, I've got my win7 gaming rig w/ an i5, 12gb ram and gtx 750ti hardwired to my Buffalo AC1750 and the Shield on 5g to a 42" 1080p TV and I've no problems with it, everything runs smoothly, well, smoothly when Uplay isn't f*cking everything up...
I had issues initially so I had to go into my router and change the settings for my 5ghz channel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello! From Italy here! 10 days I have a 16Gb unit I struggle with Ethernet AND wifi 5Gb connection! Wifi N working about fine. Netgear R7000 and Fastweb FTTS connection 85MBps! I only get 10 MBps at most, and this is the only device that gets this low! Need to solve this or ask for replacement the soonest! Any help much appreciated.
Regards
Alessandro
Hello!
It's been a while since I've posted anything on xda, but I had a question. I recently upgraded to the s8+. I was wondering if there has been and work towards using 3rd party vr headsets. I'm not concerned with sensor controls like moving head to rotate camera, but just using the vr for a screen to play games in full screen. Another example, if i were to play Minecraft pe, using the vr as a full screen, not necessarily with 3d or motion controls, just a tv on my face. I've looked for apps to split my screen, but all point to using their content not my own. Any ideas?
-Sham
They're supposedly working on Daydream support, so hopefully soon you can use Google's VR headset.
Well,
There goes that... http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/07/25/verizon-galaxy-s8-s8-updated-new-navigation-bar-features-daydream-support-not-really/
xShamBoneYx said:
Well,
There goes that... http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/07/25/verizon-galaxy-s8-s8-updated-new-navigation-bar-features-daydream-support-not-really/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And just like that: I was right.
http://www.droid-life.com/2017/07/31/galaxy-s8-daydream-vr-download/
Awww ****!
Mr. Orange 645 said:
They're supposedly working on Daydream support, so hopefully soon you can use Google's VR headset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mr. Orange 645 said:
And just like that: I was right.
http://www.droid-life.com/2017/07/31/galaxy-s8-daydream-vr-download/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last night, all the DayDream apps showed up in the Google Play Store for my S8+, and it successfully downloaded and installed VR updates, but I kept getting the Incompatible Device error.
This morning I tried it again and it fired right up and works perfectly! It seems the available VR apps aren't as many as with the Pixel XL for some reason, but I'm sure that's just a matter of developers updating their apps.
This may now be the perfect phone.
So I've seen a list of apps that currently support PIP I'm 8.0 and so far I haven't been able to get any of them to work. I tried Play Movies and then YouTube TV. Both didn't work. I know you need Red for YouTube, but as a subscriber to YouTube TV I would assume that's enough for that app to work.
Anyone else have this feature working for any of the supported apps?
elementsevenx said:
So I've seen a list of apps that currently support PIP I'm 8.0 and so far I haven't been able to get any of them to work. I tried Play Movies and then YouTube TV. Both didn't work. I know you need Red for YouTube, but as a subscriber to YouTube TV I would assume that's enough for that app to work.
Anyone else have this feature working for any of the supported apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try maps and something else
Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk
elementsevenx said:
So I've seen a list of apps that currently support PIP I'm 8.0 and so far I haven't been able to get any of them to work. I tried Play Movies and then YouTube TV. Both didn't work. I know you need Red for YouTube, but as a subscriber to YouTube TV I would assume that's enough for that app to work.
Anyone else have this feature working for any of the supported apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, was able to do it on my original Pixel and now also on my XL 2... You have to be subscribed to YouTube red and have the feature enabled to do picture in picture, with the XL 2 you can also zoom in/expand cropped YouTube videos to full screen. Make sure you have the latest version of the apps too.
You're pressing home correct? Backing out of YouTube has it play in the background.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
manners400 said:
Yes, was able to do it on my original Pixel and now also on my XL 2... You have to be subscribed to YouTube red and have the feature enabled to do picture in picture, with the XL 2 you can also zoom in/expand cropped YouTube videos to full screen. Make sure you have the latest version of the apps too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need red to have PiP?
Sent from my SM-N920W8 using Tapatalk
EeZeEpEe said:
You're pressing home correct? Backing out of YouTube has it play in the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am pressing home. I've gotten it to work for Brave browser playing streaming video. But not YouTube TV. I don't have a subscription to YT Red but I am a subscriber to YT TV, so that app should work right? Or do I need to be a subscriber of both?
elementsevenx said:
I am pressing home. I've gotten it to work for Brave browser playing streaming video. But not YouTube TV. I don't have a subscription to YT Red but I am a subscriber to YT TV, so that app should work right? Or do I need to be a subscriber of both?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if YouTube TV does it but is picture-in-picture allowed in the settings app?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Hey all
I have a problem with Netflix on my S9. Around 3 weeks now, when I watch a movie or series on Netflix, when there is a dark/black background the screen becomes grainy, therefore losing lots of detail from the movie. It also "destroys" some of the detail even on faces where there are dark scenes, and makes it really uncomfortable. Sadly I cannot provide any screenshot to show it since Netflix app doesnt allow it. I believe that happened because of a software update (I am using stock software), because before the update it was working perfectly. Has anyone experience anything similar on S9/s9+?
iliasblast said:
Hey all
I have a problem with Netflix on my S9. Around 3 weeks now, when I watch a movie or series on Netflix, when there is a dark/black background the screen becomes grainy, therefore losing lots of detail from the movie. It also "destroys" some of the detail even on faces where there are dark scenes, and makes it really uncomfortable. Sadly I cannot provide any screenshot to show it since Netflix app doesnt allow it. I believe that happened because of a software update (I am using stock software), because before the update it was working perfectly. Has anyone experience anything similar on S9/s9+?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you looked at the "video enhancer" setting under Advanced Features? If it's off, try turning it on or off if it's already on.
Did that, no result
I was able to view content again that was not too dark to watch by uninstalling latest Netflix app and then installing v4.12.2 from apkmirror. I’m on S9 Pie.
Netflix 4.12.2 from ApkMirror
Hey everyone, so I know many people have been disappointed(and angry), including myself, that Google has discontinued daydream. However, after a week of tinkering with stuff, I finally was able to get it working on my rooted Pixel 6 Pro! Albeit, it's buggy, and most apps don't even work anymore. But overall, it runs good considering it's not even suppose to be running on Android 12, let alone the Pixel 6. Below I will outline steps in order to get it to work on your rooted Pixel 6 pro(and I assume on the Pixel 6 as well). And I'll list a few apps I found that still work properly.
--------------------------------------------------------
Daydream Pixel 6 workaround-
Install this Magisk module and activate.
Install the Daydream and Daydream keyboard apks.
Install this modified VR services apk.
Go to the Daydream app, and go through the setup process 1.
Uninstall the Daydream app, and install this older Daydream apk 2
Everything should be setup at this point. It might not load the first couple times you try it, but if you exit out, and restart it, it should work.
1 Sometimes when you try to connect your controller, it won't connect the first time(might be due to it being a Bluetooth low energy device. So if it doesn't, connect it to the charger, and hold the two bottom buttons for about 5 seconds. Hit "Try again" on the screen, push the daydream button, and it should successfully connect.)
2 For some reason, you must install the most recent version of the Daydream app first to set it up. If you try to install an older version first, the app will try to connect to Google, and it will give an error message. The most recent version of Daydream actually does work though, but the screen will be distorted, and that's why I installed a previous version, with will give you a correct aspect ratio.
--------------------------------------------------------
Now for apps. First, the google play store will not work through the daydream headset. You will have to download apps by either browsing through the daydream app, or searching on the google play store. As I stated above, you unfortunately won't find many apps that work, and many developers have pulled their VR versions of their apps off the store(so you may have to download apks if you want to test to see if an app works). With that being said, here are a few apps I found that still successfully work.
Firefox Reality Browser-
The only browser I could find that still works. And it works pretty damn well. Plus the user interface is awesome. You can watch some streaming services too! From the ones I tested, you can watch HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get Netflix or Disney Plus running, but you might find others that work. You can download the apk here(this is the only version that works)
Netflix VR-
Surprisingly this is still listed on the google play store. And that's the one you can download; no need to install an older version. And it works perfectly!
VRTV Video Player-
This has been my go-to video player since I first bought my daydream. And it still works. You're able to play mostly any VR videos that you have stored on your device, or stream mostly any VR videos by pasting the streaming link in the app. You can download in the google play store.
Youtube VR-
Surprised Google hasn't delisted this app yet from the google play store. Again, no need to download an older version. This version works perfectly!
Rez Infinite-
Haven't tested many games yet, but this one still works. And it's still listed in the google play store. It's playable, but it may crash occasionally while you're playing it.
--------------------------------------------------------
Some apps I tested that didn't work-
PlexVR
Google Chrome
DeoVR
SkyboxVR
Google Street Maps VR
Expeditions
Fulldive VR
--------------------------------------------------------
Feel free to comment below on any apps you have found to still work. And feel free to test different versions of non-working apps I listed above, to see if any do work(I didn't have the time/patient to go through every one). If you have any questions, feel free to message, and I'll try to answer to the best of my technical ability. Have fun!
Awesome, how is the playback on this phone my pixel 4xl has frame syncing issues, making it uncomfortable to use?
danw_oz said:
Awesome, how is the playback on this phone my pixel 4xl has frame syncing issues, making it uncomfortable to use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it works pretty damn well. I haven't run across any frame syncing issues during video playback.. Also, I had daydream on my pixel 4xl as well, and really didn't run into issues on there either.
crisco654 said:
Hey everyone, so I know many people have been disappointed(and angry), including myself, that Google has discontinued daydream. However, after a week of tinkering with stuff, I finally was able to get it working on my rooted Pixel 6 Pro! Albeit, it's buggy, and most apps don't even work anymore. But overall, it runs good considering it's not even suppose to be running on Android 12, let alone the Pixel 6. Below I will outline steps in order to get it to work on your rooted Pixel 6 pro(and I assume on the Pixel 6 as well). And I'll list a few apps I found that still work properly.
--------------------------------------------------------
Daydream Pixel 6 workaround-
Install this Magisk module and activate.
Install the Daydream and Daydream keyboard apks.
Install this modified VR services apk.
Go to the Daydream app, and go through the setup process 1.
Uninstall the Daydream app, and install this older Daydream apk 2
Everything should be setup at this point. It might not load the first couple times you try it, but if you exit out, and restart it, it should work.
1 Sometimes when you try to connect your controller, it won't connect the first time(might be due to it being a Bluetooth low energy device. So if it doesn't, connect it to the charger, and hold the two bottom buttons for about 5 seconds. Hit "Try again" on the screen, push the daydream button, and it should successfully connect.)
2 For some reason, you must install the most recent version of the Daydream app first to set it up. If you try to install an older version first, the app will try to connect to Google, and it will give an error message. The most recent version of Daydream actually does work though, but the screen will be distorted, and that's why I installed a previous version, with will give you a correct aspect ratio.
--------------------------------------------------------
Now for apps. First, the google play store will not work through the daydream headset. You will have to download apps by either browsing through the daydream app, or searching on the google play store. As I stated above, you unfortunately won't find many apps that work, and many developers have pulled their VR versions of their apps off the store(so you may have to download apks if you want to test to see if an app works). With that being said, here are a few apps I found that still successfully work.
Firefox Reality Browser-
The only browser I could find that still works. And it works pretty damn well. Plus the user interface is awesome. You can watch some streaming services too! From the ones I tested, you can watch HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get Netflix or Disney Plus running, but you might find others that work. You can download the apk here(this is the only version that works)
Netflix VR-
Surprisingly this is still listed on the google play store. And that's the one you can download; no need to install an older version. And it works perfectly!
VRTV Video Player-
This has been my go-to video player since I first bought my daydream. And it still works. You're able to play mostly any VR videos that you have stored on your device, or stream mostly any VR videos by pasting the streaming link in the app. You can download in the google play store.
Youtube VR-
Surprised Google hasn't delisted this app yet from the google play store. Again, no need to download an older version. This version works perfectly!
Rez Infinite-
Haven't tested many games yet, but this one still works. And it's still listed in the google play store. It's playable, but it may crash occasionally while you're playing it.
--------------------------------------------------------
Some apps I tested that didn't work-
PlexVR
Google Chrome
DeoVR
SkyboxVR
Google Street Maps VR
Expeditions
Fulldive VR
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Feel free to comment below on any apps you have found to still work. And feel free to test different versions of non-working apps I listed above, to see if any do work(I didn't have the time/patient to go through every one). If you have any questions, feel free to message, and I'll try to answer to the best of my technical ability. Have fun!
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I'm on OnePlus 9 Pro and my favorite game need for speed vr on playstore says, not compatible with your device. I hope I can figure a way to download. This is one of the best games on daydream in my opinion. Edit- I installed vendor magisk module which allowed me to install. I never got to test though unfortunately, and now am on Cheetah .
Samuel Holland said:
I'm on OnePlus 9 Pro and my favorite game need for speed vr on playstore says, not compatible with your device. I hope I can figure a way to download. This is one of the best games on daydream in my opinion.
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Yeah, I just downloaded it from an apk site and installed it successfully, but unfortunately it doesn't run. It came out back in 2016, and only had one update, so probably too old to even work now unfortunately.
Works with Android 13？
Works well with Android 13, except some apps.
1.Google photo doesn't appear in the Main interface of daydream.（maybe the app Remove it）
2.plex vr shows no vr interface.
3.Karts Sprint shows no vr interface.
4.skybox shows not the compatible device.
5.cinver shows the black screen.
-----All apps mentioned above works well with pixel 4 xl which is also modified daydream----
Anyway, thanks for bringing this to pixel 6 pro！
I have the app working on the Pixel 6 (Android 13)but the only version of the Daydream app that the aspect ratio seems correct to me is 1.13.180130063, the last ones are always too zoomed out and sideways. Any solution for the newer versions of the app?
Awesome guide, thanks! Worked great to get Daydream installed and running on my Xiaomi 13 Ultra. I'm having zero luck with the controller though ... when I pop the phone into the headset it says to 'put it in the headset' (you know what it does and what I'm talking about), and when I close it up and put it on it says to press and hold the button on my controller to connect it ... I do, and it connects, and everything seems happy - but then the 2D "put your phone in your headset" screen comes up again for a couple seconds, then it registers that it's in one, and brings the main Daydream landing area back up again, where I stay, but with zero controller :-( ... I tried the plugging it in and resetting it and reconnecting, nothing ... tried killing BT for a couple minutes then turning it back on and reconnecting, nothing ... tried unpairing, and then it just brings me through pairing again, and then does the same loop, insert in headset, connect controller, insert in headset, no controller to be found (but also not prompting about it oddly) ...
Anyone seen similar and know a solution? I tried with both Daydream versions above (which both have correct aspect ratio for me) but I have the controller problem with both :-(
Ok, well, as what is clearly the last surviving human trying to use Daydream, I took it upon myself to update the Magisk module to work with Android 13/Magisk 25 (not sure which part was the problem tbh) -
Release v0.1 · hyacin75/Magisk-Daydream
Initial release
github.com
I now get the required overlays in /system/etc (forgoing the need for a modified VR services as far as I can tell) and then when I pop my Xiaomi 13 Ultra into my Daydream 2017 it lets me download VR Services.
Taking it out and putting it back in after that, it brings me to the store page for Daydream, but it says it's not compatible - so I installed the versions from this thread, which enabled me to do the setup at least.
From there I had the previously described aspect ratio issue, so I uninstalled Daydream and installed the older version, also as described in this thread.
From there, I am able to launch Daydream, have a working controller, and am able to see the landing environment and (eventually) menu.
Trying to start SkyboxVR results in a 'This can only be run on Daydream compatible devices'.
Trying to launch something in VR from Chrome (we ALL know what I'm talking about), results in Daydream launching, but it just leaves me at the landing environment with the menu ... I never get the full screen VR browser that I do with my Pixel 2 XL when I launch the same VR site from Chrome.
Firefox Reality (also from this thread I believe) does work, but I can't launch the VR version of that same website from it. When I click the VR button it brings me to a page listing supported devices, and when I click the link anyway to go to vr.youknowwhatsiteI'mtalkingabout it loads the page but the "Launch VR" button is just a loading spiral forever.
SO... progress, but, nothing of use yet sadly.
I'm trying really hard to get this working as my P2XL is sluggish and just overheats within just a few minutes of starting VR... and I'm trying REALLY hard to resist the urge to purchase a newly discounted Quest 2 as I'd like to wait for a Quest 3 in the fall! So, I'll keep at it, and keep updating here in case anyone else ever finds themselves in the same boat trying to get Daydream working with a much newer device than it was intended for.
Hyacin said:
Ok, well, as what is clearly the last surviving human trying to use Daydream, I took it upon myself to update the Magisk module to work with Android 13/Magisk 25 (not sure which part was the problem tbh) -
Release v0.1 · hyacin75/Magisk-Daydream
Initial release
github.com
I now get the required overlays in /system/etc (forgoing the need for a modified VR services as far as I can tell) and then when I pop my Xiaomi 13 Ultra into my Daydream 2017 it lets me download VR Services.
Taking it out and putting it back in after that, it brings me to the store page for Daydream, but it says it's not compatible - so I installed the versions from this thread, which enabled me to do the setup at least.
From there I had the previously described aspect ratio issue, so I uninstalled Daydream and installed the older version, also as described in this thread.
From there, I am able to launch Daydream, have a working controller, and am able to see the landing environment and (eventually) menu.
Trying to start SkyboxVR results in a 'This can only be run on Daydream compatible devices'.
Trying to launch something in VR from Chrome (we ALL know what I'm talking about), results in Daydream launching, but it just leaves me at the landing environment with the menu ... I never get the full screen VR browser that I do with my Pixel 2 XL when I launch the same VR site from Chrome.
Firefox Reality (also from this thread I believe) does work, but I can't launch the VR version of that same website from it. When I click the VR button it brings me to a page listing supported devices, and when I click the link anyway to go to vr.youknowwhatsiteI'mtalkingabout it loads the page but the "Launch VR" button is just a loading spiral forever.
SO... progress, but, nothing of use yet sadly.
I'm trying really hard to get this working as my P2XL is sluggish and just overheats within just a few minutes of starting VR... and I'm trying REALLY hard to resist the urge to purchase a newly discounted Quest 2 as I'd like to wait for a Quest 3 in the fall! So, I'll keep at it, and keep updating here in case anyone else ever finds themselves in the same boat trying to get Daydream working with a much newer device than it was intended for.
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Click to collapse
I'm on Android 13 on my Pixel 6 with the updated magisk, and still using the modified magisk module I made, and daydream still works
I'm on Android 13 on my Pixel 6 with the updated magisk, and still using the modified magisk module I made, and daydream still works
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Click to collapse
I think there are two versions? And I think I had the old one ... I saw that there was a new one after just making my own