Updating default apps UI

QfLzVieXoMGCdGGo5TzYqkzG8C8Bd5

Hey guys,

First, thanks to the developers for your amazing work. I want to know if there is any plan sooner or later to give the default apps a little refresh? The UIs are quite old now, especially since Material You is out.

Right now, as a temporary replacement, I am using Google apps without network access (Clock, Calculator, Gallery), since they can't leak (I think?) any data. Do you think I can do the same for Contacts for example, or maybe Phone (I am less confident about this one)?

MetropleX

QfLzVieXoMGCdGGo5TzYqkzG8C8Bd5 the apps you refer to are AOSP apps and realistically are intended to be replaced.

I can recommend SimpleMobileTools AOSP app replacement suite which has theming available and they all have restrictive permissions based only on what the app actually needs:
https://github.com/SimpleMobileTools

Just be aware that if you use multiple user profiles and want them to have SMS access then you MUST use the stock messaging app as no other app works across profiles for SMS.

Hope this helps

omori

you can replace default apps with apps of your choice, including phone and sms apps, google phone and messages work fine, if you make them your default, you can disable the default phone and messaging apps

QfLzVieXoMGCdGGo5TzYqkzG8C8Bd5

Sorry I didn't explain that I want to degoogle as much as possible. I mean that I am okay to install Google apps only if no data are sent back to them.
Since I am running Google Play services, I use Play Store for security, but I don't want Google to get my contact list or phone calls. I know their apps can communicate between them, that's why I am asking what is the list of "safe" apps (like the one I already installed).

QfLzVieXoMGCdGGo5TzYqkzG8C8Bd5

Thank you for your answer. I was already aware of these Simple apps, but they doesn't suit my needs since they are not as elegant as the Material You one.

Does AOSP apps are going to get a redesign (in the future by AOSP community or maybe GrapheneOS team)?

Until this happen (or not), do you think I can replace Contacts with the Google one? (Network off, but is the app still able to communicate with others like Google Play and then leak my contacts?)

Sorry if I wasn't precise enough, I am not a native speaker.

Colvdv

Any good options for just customizing the UI of the stock apps myself?

I'd love to change the blue background in the clock app to black.

I am brand new to GrapheneOS, but am enjoying it thus far. I have some coding experience, but don't know where to begin with customizing UI myself. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Kryptos

Colvdv https://source.android.com/docs/setup/contribute

MetropleX

Colvdv the easiest method, would be to replace the stock apps to your liking with SimpleMobileTools all of which include theme customisation.

https://github.com/SimpleMobileTools

Colvdv

MetropleX I'd rather just keep the current clock app. Would I be able to edit it via my computer? I am willing to take the time, plus there are a few other things I'd love to be able to tweak in some other places.

MetropleX

Colvdv no it requires making the relevant edits to the clock app source and building GrapheneOS for yourself from source. https://android.googlesource.com/platform/packages/apps/DeskClock/

This is an AOSP issue and not a GrapheneOS one as to change the app and maintain it would require too much dev time to be diverted from the core aims of the project for little return on investment.