Alternative for the swipe-down tiles (like in OneUI)

GoSh

Hi all.
Upfront: sorry, probably discussed already, but as I don't know the right term even after 20 (?) years on Android, I can't search it: What's the term for those "tiles" or "quick buttons" you get when swiping down to e.g. turn the torch on? Okay, that's my topic then.

Coming from Samsung (S4 => S10) now on a Pixel7pro for the sake of GOS. Loving it. Great stuff guys, many many thanks.

One thing though: Used to always flip mobile data, wifi, hotspot, bluetooth on/off with a "single swipe-down=>tap" gesture, like literally 2 clicks. Dozens of times a day. Why? Battery saving, not being "visible" where not needed, making sure no data of buggy apps flows in the background...

Now with GOS, it's swipe-down, Tap "Internet", tap "mobile" or "wifi" switch, tap "done" => like 5 gestures/taps.

And there's only 4 tiles on the first swipe, with Samsung's OneUI I had like 6 round symbols in one row which was sufficient for the 6 most common things I need. With GOS, for 2 of them I even have to side-scroll making it 6 gestures where I needed 2 before.

Is there a way to change this in GOS? Or only with a different Launcher (if that provides this functionality?)? Which would be similar to OneUI in this respect?

Thanks for thoughts.

manugraph

GoSh And there's only 4 tiles on the first swipe, with Samsung's OneUI I had like 6 round symbols in one row which was sufficient for the 6 most common things I need. With GOS, for 2 of them I even have to side-scroll making it 6 gestures where I needed 2 before.

It's no big help I guess, but you can reach more quick tiles if you swipe down from the notification bar with two fingers instead of one. This way it will skip the notification part of the swiped down content and will come to the settings part immediately.

GrouchyGrape

@GoSh I too came from Samsung OneUI and there have definitely been some growing pains (some I still feel on a daily basis). But I've gotten over it and have just modified how I use the phone. Quick Settings Tiles are definitely much more convenient to use in OneUI but putting Settings shortcut widgets on my launcher (Lawnchair) have definitely helped.

There might be better solutions but I try to keep my device as close to stock as possible.

GoSh

@GrouchyGrape thanks for the response. Having a look at lawnchair right now. How do you add shortcuts (?) to access the quick settings? In lawnchair's settings it says I should make it the default launcher to use more features and shortcuts. But having done so, I don't see any additional settings, and the swipe-down quick settings are also GOS's standard still. Or did I misunderstand you and lawnchair doesn't help with my core question?

GrouchyGrape

GoSh you're right, I wasn't super clear. Changing the default launcher doesn't change your quick settings tiles as these are coming from AOSP (they behave the exact same on stock OS, it's not unique to Graphene OS).

My workaround is to add a settings widget to the "desktop". Long press a blank space on your home screen/desktop. Select widgets and add the Settings widget. You'll then be asked which Settings shortcut you want you add.

It's definitely not the prettiest solution but I've kinda stopped caring too much about that these days. If the appearance bothers you, you could always use a different launcher to customize the icon. I know there are more sofisticated solutions out there but I haven't looked much into them. I know automation apps (like Tasker and maybe Macrodroid) could probably achieve this as well.

GoSh

Ah, thanks, I see. But does indeed not make it any better as (a) the Internet shortcut doesn't toggle on/off but opens a list of Wi-Fi networks instead where I can then flip a switch. And (b) doesn't include mobile data at all.

Alright, unless someone comes up with e.g. a separate widget that provides toggles I understand I have to live with it :( ... there's bigger concerns ahead of us I'm afraid.

AlphaElwedritsch

However, no matter which custom ROM you switch from to GOS. You always have to change your habits and throw away what you have grown fond of.

GOS is based on AOSP and that is by definition the lowest common denominator of all Android custom ROMs.

Which also offers advantages once you get used to it. There is no longer a lot of unnecessary ballast and complexity. Only the really essential things.

KISS, I love it

job_shredder69

I agree with you regarding the convenient UX of OneUI, especially the double tap to sleep and routines. There are rumors that the quick tile settings will once again become one-click toggle per Android Authority.

https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-features-3484159.

tw-hx

What you want is Better Internet Tiles I mentioned here previously (or the other app Wifi QS which only toggles wifi):
https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/1113-re-enable-provider-model-option-for-wificell-qs-toggles

It requires Shizuku which slightly increases your device attack surface and must be enabled every boot, and by default includes telemetry which reports tile usage back to the author. However it supports one-tap toggles for cell data, wifi and bluetooth. Hope this helps!

manugraph

Let's look forward to Angular 16 :D

https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-quick-settings-gesture-3498522/