Substratum on Verizon (non-rootable) Pixel 2XL !? (how to) - Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers

hey guys i have a verzion pixel 2 xl bought it second hand, i can live with stock but rly need theming.
i understand that there is andromeda plugin that goes with substratum, but is it working ?
id like to know that before buying from playstore.
also i am on the latest version (pie).
i hope it works..

leondestiny said:
hey guys i have a verzion pixel 2 xl bought it second hand, i can live with stock but rly need theming.
i understand that there is andromeda plugin that goes with substratum, but is it working ?
id like to know that before buying from playstore.
also i am on the latest version (pie).
i hope it works..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, no. You need to be rooted to use substratum to theme 9.0. Why it was changed from 8.1 by google is hard to say. Guess they just like blinding white UI's

Badger50 said:
Unfortunately, no. You need to be rooted to use substratum to theme 9.0. Why it was changed from 8.1 by google is hard to say. Guess they just like blinding white UI's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant the substratum/andromeda devs do something about it .. ?
seriously not even the dark theme within the settings makes the ui dark, it only themes the qs section.
scre* google..

leondestiny said:
cant the substratum/andromeda devs do something about it .. ?
seriously not even the dark theme within the settings makes the ui dark, it only themes the qs section.
scre* google..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand your frustration my friend. Don't take my word for it. Here's what one of the best theme makers has to say on the matter.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ap...p-clients-release-notes-t3668682/post77704639

Related

Substratum support for Android 8.0 Oreo, in the form of the newly released Andromeda

Anybody try this yet? http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...um-theming-unrooted-android-8-0-oreo-devices/ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=projekt.andromeda&hl=en
mademan420 said:
Anybody try this yet? http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...store/apps/details?id=projekt.andromeda&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but Andromeda is an add-on to make substratum work. I have to stay plugged into my comp for it to work though. Once I set theme I'm good to go though.
toknitup420 said:
Yeah but Andromeda is an add-on to make substratum work. I have to stay plugged into my comp for it to work though. Once I set theme I'm good to go though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I guess having to plug in to set the theme isnt so bad...
I ran into this problem yesterday and all I did was just ran the Andromeda script two times in a row and waited about 10 seconds and it was fine. Both Substratum and Andromeda have been updated since then so it may have just been a bug. The substratum app works great although there are some themes that apparently still require root to use (status bar changes like moving the clock to center). Over all im very happy with the results. Using Sai's Oreo black/teal theme and love it. Big thanks to those who made this possible
Yeah, it's still on the XDA Portal front page.
Is this just for unrooted? Substratum works fine rooted
c7j8d9 said:
Is this just for unrooted? Substratum works fine rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, this is for unrooted devices.
Yeah been using it since release, works like a dream for me. Don't have to stay plugged in myself either, only a reboot requires a re-run of the andromeda desktop client.
I started using it today but having the same issue with it only working while plugged to the PC. I tried it at least 5-6 times and ran it back to back, still goes to not authorized once I unplugged. But I like the theme so far and everything seems ok for now after I rebooted.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
I've been trying it out.
Which black theme hasn't the fewest unintended UI issues? Black themes are nice, but it bugs me when I get white on white text, or my Keep note colors are messed up. I haven't yet tried Swift Black as everyone seems to love it, but I want one that just works. I don't have a ton of time for experimentation.
I'm also not interested in changing the look too much outside of coloring, like Substratum DAN does with all it's fonts and ugly (imo) color themes.
Swift black is the best black theme I found so far. Pitch black seems to be actively worked on but Google now home had black on black issue. Only issue with Swift black was inbox shows a white background once opening an email but it might not be the app's fault.
IIIIkoolaidIIII said:
Yeah been using it since release, works like a dream for me. Don't have to stay plugged in myself either, only a reboot requires a re-run of the andromeda desktop client.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey how did you achieve this theme where the notifications shade are even blacked out. Please help . Been searching on how to achieve this
luch4galaxy said:
Hey how did you achieve this theme where the notifications shade are even blacked out. Please help . Been searching on how to achieve this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's themed using Compound theme in the Play Store from Daniel Schott.
Do they have it working for Chromebooks? Where I can plug my Pixel XL to my Chromebook?
rockingondrums said:
I've been trying it out.
Which black theme hasn't the fewest unintended UI issues? Black themes are nice, but it bugs me when I get white on white text, or my Keep note colors are messed up. I haven't yet tried Swift Black as everyone seems to love it, but I want one that just works. I don't have a ton of time for experimentation.
I'm also not interested in changing the look too much outside of coloring, like Substratum DAN does with all it's fonts and ugly (imo) color themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using Swift black ever since nugget now I'm using it on Oreo I really like it
Edit Swift dark I mean
mac796 said:
I've been using Swift black ever since nugget now I'm using it on Oreo I really like it
Edit Swift dark I mean
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went ahead and bit the bullet on Swift Black, and it's fantastic. Worth every penny. Really well thought out and few text coloration bugs
rockingondrums said:
I went ahead and bit the bullet on Swift Black, and it's fantastic. Worth every penny. Really well thought out and few text coloration bugs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's funny I just tried to buy it. damn Play Store force closes on me everytime I try to buy an app so I guess I got a reflash the factory image. Some bug I guess some of us have
Nice Write-up/review about it!
https://www.androidcentral.com/week-substratumandromeda-theming
mac796 said:
That's funny I just tried to buy it. damn Play Store force closes on me everytime I try to buy an app so I guess I got a reflash the factory image. Some bug I guess some of us have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just try wiping the data of the play store app, should solve those sort of issues with it.
IIIIkoolaidIIII said:
Just try wiping the data of the play store app, should solve those sort of issues with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that doesn't fix it. I guess others have the same problem. There's a lot of us

does substratum work?

Can anyone confirm that Substratum themes work on this phone?
Substratum wont work on this phone until we have root. Android Pie only allows Substratum to work on rooted phones due to Google's deletion of the overlay management service.
Cool, thank you. It's working on other rooted devices running Pie right? So it's a pretty good shot it'll just work once we have root?
cantara256 said:
Cool, thank you. It's working on other rooted devices running Pie right? So it's a pretty good shot it'll just work once we have root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's working with Pie on the rooted Pixel 2XL...
Archangel said:
Substratum wont work on this phone until we have root. Android Pie only allows Substratum to work on rooted phones due to Google's deletion of the overlay management service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did they say why they deleted the overlay management system? That was a great addition to the Oreo version.
Oh yeah any other device running Pie that is rooted Substratum should work fine depending on the theme. Once we get root we should be good to go.
cantara256 said:
Cool, thank you. It's working on other rooted devices running Pie right? So it's a pretty good shot it'll just work once we have root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 01:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 PM ----------
They probably wont ever say but they dont like us tinkering around with their apps. There was a petition to keep OMS in Pie but they just ignored it and decided, as they usually do, to do what they want. Its the same thing with the Old style navbar,,,the code was there like OMS, just leave it in there for users to use it if they want. I have been with Android since it started and the "freedoms" we once enjoyed are being slowly eroded and choices taken away. Pretty soon we will be Apple and everything will be proprietary.
Annnnd yet another feature taken away from us! I mean really,,,I use this feature just about everyday and now its gone probably like this Pixel 3 will be when I send it back to Google!
https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/10/19/pixel-3-drops-support-voice-match-unlocking/
freebee269 said:
did they say why they deleted the overlay management system? That was a great addition to the Oreo version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Archangel said:
Substratum wont work on this phone until we have root. Android Pie only allows Substratum to work on rooted phones due to Google's deletion of the overlay management service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they just blocked 3rd party overlays, not dropped OMS completely. IF there was no OMS, then Substratum wouldn't work properly, right? A ROM would need the necessary commits from Subs team (frameworks, etc), like we had to do with Nougat. Yet, you can run it on stock AOSPie, as long as you're rooted.
I may have it wrong, lol, I know I'm just ready to get my P3XL
Root is hopefully right around the corner and then Substratum can work,,,cant wait!
NepoRood said:
I think they just blocked 3rd party overlays, not dropped OMS completely. IF there was no OMS, then Substratum wouldn't work properly, right? A ROM would need the necessary commits from Subs team (frameworks, etc), like we had to do with Nougat. Yet, you can run it on stock AOSPie, as long as you're rooted.
I may have it wrong, lol, I know I'm just ready to get my P3XL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Archangel said:
Root is hopefully right around the corner and then Substratum can work,,,cant wait!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw a few posts that indicated that subs not working after rooting
Oh no I rooted as easy as any other phone and my themes applied fine. Some people may not be applying the themes right on Pie. I was even able to get rid of that God awful gesture navbar and get the old one back so I can flash my navbar theme.
lollyjay said:
I saw a few posts that indicated that subs not working after rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Archangel said:
Oh no I rooted as easy as any other phone and my themes applied fine. Some people may not be applying the themes right on Pie. I was even able to get rid of that God awful gesture navbar and get the old one back so I can flash my navbar theme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know
Archangel said:
Oh no I rooted as easy as any other phone and my themes applied fine. Some people may not be applying the themes right on Pie. I was even able to get rid of that God awful gesture navbar and get the old one back so I can flash my navbar theme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why I didn't try it. I just assumed it wouldn't work. Not only does it work, everything is themed.
Thanks for saying something. That white ui was painful.
Swift Black on the 3 XL is a God send
Now in all the System and Google apps, you can't even tell there's a notch. Everything has a beautiful silky black look, and you just see the time in upper left and network info in upper right, and no idea there's even a notch in the middle as everything is black which totally hides the notch completely, but it's nice to see that info in the upper corners, makes the screen look like it goes all the way to the edge.
Archangel said:
Oh no I rooted as easy as any other phone and my themes applied fine. Some people may not be applying the themes right on Pie. I was even able to get rid of that God awful gesture navbar and get the old one back so I can flash my navbar theme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please share the right way to apply themes on Pie?
gettingerr said:
Can you please share the right way to apply themes on Pie?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless the procedure is different on the P3XL as compared to my P2XL on Pie, the procedure is as follows.
Install the latest substratum from the play store, and grant it root and storage permissions.
Download a quality theme, and there are several.
Open substratum and tick the theme you want to apply.
Select "build and update" to create the overlays you want. Once done, reboot the phone, then go to substratum again, open the manager, then check your overlays, and select enable.
That should do it :good:
I think someone already answered but most forget to go back into Substratum and click enable on all the overlays that you built previously then rebooted. Its not like Oreo where all you had to do was just build and enable. Now, you have to build and enable then reboot and go back into manager and enable the built overlays again.
gettingerr said:
Can you please share the right way to apply themes on Pie?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am themed on the Swift series, but I did not know about this rebooting and enabling again. I was wondering why it wasn't working at first I would reboot go back into it and then an able again just out of frustration that knowing that was the right way to do it but seems weird to have to do that extra stuff now
Archangel said:
Oh no I rooted as easy as any other phone and my themes applied fine. Some people may not be applying the themes right on Pie. I was even able to get rid of that God awful gesture navbar and get the old one back so I can flash my navbar theme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can confirm themes work just have to reboot after applying them and re enable them after reboot.
If I may ask how did you change the navbar ? And put those icons ?
I made a Google doc and posted the link below for my themes to help people that may run into problems,,,if you scroll down the last page there is a guide to enable the old style navbar. The icons are part of my Substratum theme Amazed Navbars.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LqNd7pltj3G0rPopgW11PybpcCQCNufMblvl6lUb2Tk/edit?usp=sharing
iixAndroidx said:
Can confirm themes work just have to reboot after applying them and re enable them after reboot.
If I may ask how did you change the navbar ? And put those icons ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Archangel said:
Oh no I rooted as easy as any other phone and my themes applied fine. Some people may not be applying the themes right on Pie. I was even able to get rid of that God awful gesture navbar and get the old one back so I can flash my navbar theme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get the Nav Bar back? I hate the way it is now and would prefer doing something similar to what you did - ? if you can share that would be awesome - thanks
Never mind - I found the guide for changing back to the old Navigaiton menu - https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/heres-how-to-revert-to-the-old-three-button-navigation-system-on-google-pixel-3-5418351.html Thanks

PSA: Swift Installer works on the S9

Hey there. For those who want a system wide dark theme with a LOT of apps themed, Swift Installer actually works on Oreo Samsung Experience.
It's on the Google Play Store. It's paid but it's really good. Basically every popular app is themed.
iiyn said:
Hey there. For those who want a system wide dark theme with a LOT of apps themed, Swift Installer actually works on Oreo Samsung Experience.
Yeah, it has been out for over seven months and of course is works in Oreo, it was made FOR Oreo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello ?
LyLu said:
Hey there. For those who want a system wide dark theme with a LOT of apps themed, Swift Installer actually works on Oreo Samsung Experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iiyn said:
Yeah, it has been out for over seven months and of course is works in Oreo, it was med FOR Oreo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I will say more ?, there are Swift Black and Swift Minimal Substratum themes, which can be mixed with other themes like Yoru…
One word Substratum is more Adjustable
D_Vovan_238 said:
And I will say more ?, there are Swift Black and Swift Minimal Substratum themes, which can be mixed with other themes like Yoru…
One word Substratum is more Adjustable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im running Swift Installer together with Substratum.
I combine with Yoru, Samsung System Mods and Victory, never had any problems.
I just do the Swift Installer first installing everything I want/have to use, then I choose some tweaks and theming from the other Substratum modules.
I know there is a warning in Swift Installer about this, but I have never had any problems.
Sometimes I also combine with Swift Black, if let's say there is an update for Insta or Snap i Play Store, I use whatever overlay witch is updated first.
Never had problems... :laugh:
Does it also work with Android Pie on Samsung Galaxy Note 9?
andropest said:
Does it also work with Android Pie on Samsung Galaxy Note 9?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not yet

Question Substratum for Pixel Devices need root?

Is root required for Subs on Pixel devices these days? I know non-root use to be a thing but if memory serves it went away around the time Pie was released.
Root is needed. Substratum used to work rootless with Andromeda but no longer on the latest Android versions any more (AFAIK).
Indeed... As I thought... Andromeda works only on Android Orio... So root will be needed. With root the Substratum overlays become mapped as /system apps.
And even with root, it might just NOT work on Android 12.
Substratum Lite works on Android 12. Using Liv Dark on it now.
Lughnasadh said:
Substratum Lite works on Android 12. Using Liv Dark on it now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that is 1 of the themes that is making me consider root so I can use it lol. There was another one I can't remember the name right now but looked pretty awesome. I love custom themes and being able to switch them up after a while so I may end up rooting. Not saying the material you background theming isn't a vastly better option than most phones have but I like things a little more customized.
znel52 said:
Yeah that is 1 of the themes that is making me consider root so I can use it lol. There was another one I can't remember the name right now but looked pretty awesome. I love custom themes and being able to switch them up after a while so I may end up rooting. Not saying the material you background theming isn't a vastly better option than most phones have but I like things a little more customized.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Liv Dark is an awesome theme. Along with the LIv Dark Poweramp theme.
Lughnasadh said:
Yeah, Liv Dark is an awesome theme. Along with the LIv Dark Poweramp theme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The other theme I was looking at was called 'Iris'. Looks pretty sweet. I am running the Poweramp theme as well it is great.
Lughnasadh said:
Substratum Lite works on Android 12. Using Liv Dark on it now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know themes were already updated to work on Android 12?!

Question Substratum on Android 12.1 / 13?

Hey,
I tried to search here but didn't find anything.
Does the regular Substratum theme engine work on Android 12.1 on the Pixel 6 Pro? It seems like development for Substratum stopped a while ago but I hope we can still use it!
Thanks!
I know substratum lite works. I used to use livdark theme
I might move to the lite version then.
But I guess not many people care about Substratum anymore eh?
Ghisy said:
I might move to the lite version then.
But I guess not many people care about Substratum anymore eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried "Project Themer"?
Ghisy said:
I might move to the lite version then.
But I guess not many people care about Substratum anymore eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use repainter. But if swift installer got updated for a12 , I'd use that for sure.
jericho246 said:
Have you tried "Project Themer"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Project themer is a game changer.
Thanks for the replies! (sorry, kinda forgot about this thread)
Should I get Repainter or Project Themer on Android 13? It seems like they're doing the same thing?
Ghisy said:
Thanks for the replies! (sorry, kinda forgot about this thread)
Should I get Repainter or Project Themer on Android 13? It seems like they're doing the same thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a combination of Substratum and Repainter and it works out well.
Lughnasadh said:
I use a combination of Substratum and Repainter and it works out well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, thanks.
How much is Repainter though? Because on the Play Store, it says "In-app purchases - €3.94 - €9.85 per item". 9.85 seems quite expensive.
Ghisy said:
Alright, thanks.
How much is Repainter though? Because on the Play Store, it says "In-app purchases - €3.94 - €9.85 per item". 9.85 seems quite expensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's $3.99 a year or $9.99 for lifetime in USD. Other countries prices vary. It has a 3 day trial so you can test it out.
Oops, forgot to reply here!
Repainter is too expensive for me. I might go with Project Themer. Is it compatible with 13 though?
Ghisy said:
I might move to the lite version then.
But I guess not many people care about Substratum anymore eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found Substratum lite would no longer apply themes, so I used standard Substratum, with Swift Black. Also using Repainter and Project Themer, all for different things
Ghisy said:
Oops, forgot to reply here!
Repainter is too expensive for me. I might go with Project Themer. Is it compatible with 13 though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah Project Themer works on A13. Maybe not everything, but some/most things at least!
cd993 said:
Yeah Project Themer works on A13. Maybe not everything, but some/most things at least!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also use regular Substratum with Swift Black for apps. It seems to work fine.
But I'd like to theme the system UI / framework black and not dark grey as it is from Google. Can I do that with Project Themer? I don't think I can with Swift Black because it hasn't been updated for 13.
Ghisy said:
I also use regular Substratum with Swift Black for apps. It seems to work fine.
But I'd like to theme the system UI / framework black and not dark grey as it is from Google. Can I do that with Project Themer? I don't think I can with Swift Black because it hasn't been updated for 13.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes project themer does this nicely
cd993 said:
Yes project themer does this nicely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does exist some good program for to modify UI colors without root? Thanks a lot
Ghisy said:
I also use regular Substratum with Swift Black for apps. It seems to work fine.
But I'd like to theme the system UI / framework black and not dark grey as it is from Google. Can I do that with Project Themer? I don't think I can with Swift Black because it hasn't been updated for 13.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Repainter does this as well but ive been using swift black and swift dark with substratum lite on A13 without issues. It's not supported,. But it works
BlaaaaazedUp said:
Repainter does this as well but ive been using swift black and swift dark with substratum lite on A13 without issues. It's not supported,. But it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, a few overlays from Swift dark (whatsapp, instagram); they still work fine on A13.
Substratum theme that works on A13/A12 AOSP(tested myself)
Iris Series (Has Gradient accents)
Liv Series (Has Gradient accents)
Iconic Icons-- Status bar/Qs icon changer
Kodansha-- Best one so Far
Flux Series
snovharry said:
Project themer is a game changer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no its not, its just a stupid system themer, like Iris Monet. What we need is Swift Black for Android 12+ but until then we have to find COMPETENT alternatives, not glorified system ui themers

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