Not way back, I acquired the itch to improve my outdated cellphone to Android 16. LineageOS was the one technique to do it, so I went with it. It did not take lengthy to remorse that call — primarily as a result of I misplaced all of the enjoyable quirks of the unique cellphone (Nothing Cellphone 1), and the default digital camera app was embarrassingly fundamental.
The plan was to revert again to NothingOS, however that turned out to be a process by itself. My authentic account of putting in LineageOS attracted loads of feedback too. Not all of them had been form, however the message was constant: you do not set up LineageOS and depart it as-is. No person makes use of it straight out of the field.
The message was acquired. Seeing that customizing LineageOS could be far simpler than reverting the cellphone to NothingOS — and that I’d truly come out forward — I took the plunge. I am joyful to say you had been proper. LineageOS is a very totally different beast when you customise it.
Digital camera
GCam for the win
The digital camera was my greatest grievance with LineageOS. NothingOS had a genuinely good digital camera app — stable pictures for the cellphone’s worth level, with a refined interface to match. LineageOS stripped all of that away and changed it with one thing barebones. I attempted sideloading the Nothing Digital camera APK instantly, but it surely refused to put in.
Then I discovered GCam. You have most likely heard the identify earlier than. GCam — quick for Google Digital camera — is the digital camera app Google bundles with its Pixel telephones. You may’t simply seize it from the Play Retailer or set up a uncooked APK and count on it to work. What you want is a ported model constructed particularly on your machine: first in order that it truly runs, and second in order that it is correctly matched to your cellphone’s {hardware}.
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Inventory digital camera
GCam
iPhone 17 Professional
Putting in GCam inevitably entails sideloading, however at this level, that needs to be a well-known train. You already sideloaded a complete customized Android OS onto your cellphone. You understand the dangers.
GCam additionally helps importing configs — XML information that outline the computational images parameters baked into the app. Affected person, technically-minded folks dig into these parameters, tune them till they are a good match for a particular machine, after which export the XML and share it publicly. It is a beneficiant nook of the group, and it saves everybody else loads of trial and error. You will discover ports and configs on your machine on XDA Boards, although should you’re operating one thing much less mainstream — like I’m — count on to do a bit extra digging.
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Inventory digital camera
GCam
GCam portrait
As soon as I had GCam up and operating with the suitable config, the distinction was instantly noticeable. I will not say it is “higher” as it is a matter of style, but it surely does look to have greater high quality. That is not at all times a very good factor for selfies if you do not have completely clean pores and skin. These GCam selfies reveal each unevenness in my pores and skin. Oh properly.
Higher pictures, extra management over the digital camera than I would ever had earlier than, and bonus modes I did not even have on inventory — together with Astrophotography mode, which I have been ready to correctly check out on a transparent night time.
Bear in mind to disable the built-in digital camera app so your shortcuts and gestures mechanically take you to GCam.
Customized launcher
Non-negotiable
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
Amir Bohlooli / MUO
LineageOS ships with Trebuchet as its default launcher. It is competent and covers the fundamentals, but when customization is what you are after, you are going to want one thing else. There is no scarcity of launcher choices on Android, and after some consideration, I landed on Lawnchair.
Lawnchair is open-source, which issues an incredible deal for one thing as foundational as a launcher. You do not need your launcher filled with adverts or holding helpful options hostage behind a paywall. Lawnchair is free, permits for deep customization, and even brings Pixel-exclusive options like At a Look and Smartspace alongside for the experience.
Past that, a key purpose to make use of a customized launcher is icon pack assist. You may’t apply icon packs system-wide except your launcher helps them — and that discovery despatched me down a rabbit gap I did not count on to get pleasure from as a lot as I did.
Icon packs
Outline the entire look
Icon packs are apps you obtain from the app retailer, however you may’t use them instantly. Consider them as libraries: they solely do one thing when one other app — your launcher — calls on them. They arrive in all varieties: paid, free, and open-source. Because you’re basically paying for a curated set of photographs, most paid choices are smart one-time purchases slightly than subscriptions.
After making an attempt just a few, I settled on The whole lot Adaptive Icons. I additionally disabled the tint to make it totally monochrome, which gave the entire interface a clear, unified look.
Whereas I used to be at it, I additionally modified the font. NothingOS makes use of the NDot font household, which is open-source and obtainable on GitHub. Lawnchair allows you to set up fonts instantly from their OTF information, so swapping it in was painless. It is a small contact, however seeing that acquainted typeface carried over made the cellphone really feel much more like residence.
You must decide to get probably the most out of LineageOS
I take again what I stated about LineageOS. But in addition, not solely. What I concluded earlier than nonetheless holds: LineageOS would not provide the identical polished out-of-the-box expertise as a producer’s customized Android, and if that producer put real effort into their pores and skin, you’ll really feel the loss. That is nonetheless true.
However should you commit — should you’re truly prepared to go searching, tinker, and put within the time — the outcomes are completely there. LineageOS is not making an attempt handy you the right Android expertise ready-made. What it does offer you is the platform to construct your personal. No bloat you did not ask for, no options locked away, no ready on a producer to push an replace. Simply clear Android, formed precisely the best way you need it.
I am conserving LineageOS on this cellphone.
