Tablet UI on Nexus 7 [How to / Video / Build.prop Modification]

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So tablet ui is possible by a simple editing of the dpi of you Nexus 7.
Here's how you can do it yourself with an file explorer of your personal preference of file explorer.

For those wanting a explanation of what dpi does for your device read below

Originally Posted by SilentMobius

You are lowering the _value_ that Android _reports_ as it's DPI, you are not changing the screen at all. In effect you are lying about the physical size of the screen

The default is 213dpi with a resolution of 1280×800 hence it's claiming that the display is 6in x 3.75in (7 inch diagonal)
If you alter the DPI to 160 you are lying to the system (and apps) and claiming that the 1280x800 display is actually 7.5in x 4.7in (8.8 inch diagonal)

When the apps think the screen is bigger they make the icons smaller and enable extra features (like multi-pane UIs)

Requirements

1. Rooted Nexus 7
2. Have a nandroid backup and a backup of your original build.prop(just in case)
3. Any file explorer that has root access to your system files
4. A bag of jelly beans for a few snack moments :P


Note: i'm not responsible if your Nexus 7 explodes into a bunch of jelly beans.

Tip: once you have tablet ui change you font size by going into display settings to your preferred size.

Video Guide i made, late at night from a busy day...so if i talk funny blame the lack of nutrition and sleep :P

Method 1(Recommended)

1. Get Rom Toolbox Lite or Pro if you want to support awesome app
2. Swipe to performance and press build.prop editor
3. Now scroll down to ro.sf.lcd_density
4. Press on it and change the dpi to 160 dpi
5. After doing that press ok and back out
6. Reboot your Nexus 7 and enjoy some tablet ui goodness.


Method 2

Note: I'll be using ES File Explorer as my file explorer in this method
1. Get a file explorer such as MIUI File Explorer, File Expert, ES File Explorer
Note: For ES File Explorer go to settings allow mount rewritable and root access
2.Then go to system
Note: ES File Explorer just go to the star button on the top left hand side and click on the phone button and you will see the system folder
3.You will find a build.prop file make sure to make a copy of it and save it somewhere just in case for a backup.
4.Then click on the build.prop and open it with a text editor. (ES file manager has its own text editor called ES Text Editor...go figure :P)
5. Now scroll down to "ro.sf.lcd_density"
6. Now the original lcd density is 213 so the best result for tablet mode is 160 dpi
7. Save the file by press the menu button.
8. Reboot your N7 and then you got Tablet UI.

Method 3

1. Get Buildprop Editor
2. Navigate to system and find the build.prop
3. Then find the line with "ro.sf.lcd_density"
4. Now the original lcd density is 213 so the best result for tablet mode is 160 dppi
5. Now save the file and reboot your device. Enjoy



Update 07/05/2012 In my personal experience with LCD Density Modder, changing dpi works and will cause you issues(lost root, bootloop, softbrick). Will update if the app gets updated for support.

Update 07/18/2012 Working on a way to get tablet ui without touching the build.prop. Its going to take some time with my tight schedule but i'll do my best. For those that experienced no boot, or lost root

To gain root access / obtain clockworkmod / unlock bootloader with toolkit

To return to stock / unbrick you device

Now all thats left is to edit the systemui to get a more clean result. That will come soon.

If there's others ways to do this without causing harm to our tablets shoot me a pm and ill post it in the first post. Hope you guys find this helpful.

Enjoy some screenshot of tablet ui.

Awesome. I know many of us will be wanting this when the 7 ships. Is the text still large enough to be easily read?

sent from my evo 3d

Try 160? That is the default, maybe it will look better.

How it should have been in the first place, probably one of the first things I will do when I get my 7 through the post.

Originally Posted by SladeNoctis

Just change the density to 170- in the build.prop and you got yourself Tablet UI. May need a bit of a System UI modification do to the previews in certain things dont look right. [/IMG]

May I ask how you go about changing the dpi?


Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

Originally Posted by iwantanandroid

May I ask how you go about changing the dpi?


Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

It's in /system/build.prop


ro.sf.lcd_density=


I bought an app called LCD Density Switcher because it cracks the market to still show all the apps that disappear when you mod the density.

How do u have the nexus 7 already

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app

Awesome.

I would suggest ROM Toolbox over LCD density due to it having more options in controlling aspects of your phone

Originally Posted by brokentoaster24

Awesome. I know many of us will be wanting this when the 7 ships. Is the text still large enough to be easily read?

Its pretty good but in some cases..due to some apps not ready for tablets you make have to look a bit closer. Changing the font size will fix most thing just haven't had the chance to dig deeper yet.

sent from my evo 3d

Originally Posted by CiDhed

Try 160? That is the default, maybe it will look better.


Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

Tried it, both are pretty much the same with 160 being a bit smaller in text.

Originally Posted by iwantanandroid

May I ask how you go about changing the dpi?

1. Get a file explorer such as root explorer or es file manager(go to settings allow mount rewritable and root access)
2.Then go to system(es file manager just go to the star button on the top left hand side and click on the phone button and you will see the system folder)
3.You will find a build.prop file make sure to make a copy of it and save it somewhere just in case for a backup.
4.Then click on the build.prop and open it with a text editor. (ES file manager has its own)
5. Now scroll down to "ro.sf.lcd_density", or something with lcd density(sorry im at work so i dont have my n7 with me)
6. Now the original lcd density is 213 so the best result for tablet mode is going 170 and below.
7. Save the file by press the menu button.
8. Reboot your N7 and then you got Tablet UI.