One of the best things about
being part of the Android
operating system is that it’s
capable of so many things. For users
who want that little bit more from
their device, then they have the option
to explore the hacking side of things.
By rooting a phone, users can really
tailor their device to their exact
preference without needing to
purchase a new device. But for those
users who are uncomfortable with the
hacking process, no worries, as you
can still hack your smartphone
without ever actually rooting your
device in the process.
The following masterclass will show
you five distinctive ways in which you
can improve current features on your
device, or discover new ones. In the
fi rst instance, we’ll show you how to
use the Developer options screen on
your device to speed up your phone in
different areas. We’ll also show you
some great customisation features to
make getting around your phone a
quicker and more enjoyable process
through the Switchr and Floating
Toucher apps.
There’s also a handy
tutorial covering the Atom Launcher
that enables users to create their own
personalised homescreens. And
fi nally, we’ll explore the Android Tuner app, which gives you
unprecedented access to all your
Android phone’s hidden and more
vital features.
Five hack-free improvements
1. One of the best ways to implement
new gestures on to your phone
without rooting is by using the Nova
Launcher app, which contains a whole
host of different gestures which can
be used in different areas of your
phone or tablet.
2. Your notifi cations are highly
customisable too and one of the best
ways to add a different look and style
to them is to implement colours into
them. There’s plenty of apps that
perform this function, but Light Flow
is the one all users should check out.
3. Ringtones are few and far between
on Android smartphones and the
stock selection is pretty poor to say
the least. With an app like Zedge you
can implement custom ringtones and
notifi cation sounds, again without
needing to root your device.
4. By building your own widget, users
can create something for their device
that existing widgets don’t offer. Although the UCCW app is fairly
complicated, it offers a step-by-step
guide to creating your own widget
from scratch and adding it directly to
your phone.
5. You don’t need to rely on the Google
Play store to provide you with all your
hack-without-root needs. Check out
sites like DeviantArt and My Colour
Screen, which both contain icon packs
and themes you can use.
Get the stock Android look on your phone without rooting
Replace your
launcher
Download the KK
Launcher app from the
Google Play store.
This will mimic the
exact look and design
of the KitKat launcher
and app drawer found
on Android 4.4
devices, without
compromising on the
speed of your device.
Download
the KitKat
LockScreen
The KitKat LockScreen
app provides all the
same features as any
4.4 device. Users can
implement passwords
on to it and even use
the quick shortcuts to
the camera app or to
perform a traditional
Google search.
Implement
KitKat icons
The Android 4.4 Light
Icons Theme gives
users a new suite of
KitKat-styled icons to
use as they see fi t.
You’ll notice many of
the existing icons on
your device will
change completely
once this app has
been installed.
