[Collection][Guide][Adaptation] *Pixel-like Nexus 6* [stock][7.0+]

Bat-Maniac

Bat-Maniac

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2014
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Germany
Nov 7, 2016 at 9:29 PM
Pixel Nexus 6
I know there are a lot of different threads with all the things I will explain and share in here, but I've decided to open up only one thread to collect the whole stuff for having an almost complete Pixel experience on the Nexus 6 running stock Android 7.0 and above.

***DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF SOMETHING WILL BRICK YOUR DEVICE - YOU DO THIS ON YOUR OWN RISK***
​

STEP 1: Launcher

I recommend using Nova Launcher (Prime, latest beta) wich is shown in the atteched sreenshots, because it is in my opinion the most customizable Launcher to adapt the original Pixel Launcher so far.
Settings in Nova Launcher to look like Pixel Launcher:
  1. go to Nova settings and turn off permanent searchbar
  2. in >Searchbar Appearance< choose the pill and the colored "G" in it, scroll down to choose the weather content, if you want
  3. go to widgets and drag the the quicksearchbar to the top of your homescreen
  4. back in Nova settings you have first to go to >Apps & Widgets< and turn on "Swipe to open", then go to >Homesreens< and enable "Swipe to drawer indicator", at last in >Dock >Background< choose color = white, transparency = 76 and enable "Draw Navigationbar"
  5. Under >Gestures< you can set your Homebutton to trigger "Google Now" (enable "Only on default page", too)

I also suggest to install Pixel Launcher & Wallpapers cause it is used for other things.
Pixel Launcher is already available in the Play Store for many devices.

STEP 2: Icons

The new circular Pixel Icons (included in the zip-file above) are only available for a few Google-Apps, so I recommend to use an icon pack in Nova Launcher (>Appearance >Icon theme<).
There are many Pixel (circular) icon packs in the Play Store, but for my flavor these three are the best and completed ones out now:


STEP 3: Wallpapers & Live Wallpapers

You can download Google's new Wallpaper App (already included in the flashable.zip) in the Play Store for free :
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.wallpaper

For Pixel Live Wallpapers you have just to install these two apks:

For Live Data Wallpapers, especially to get "Aurora" working right (changing color by the time of the day), there is a version for rooted devices:
This one is not installable. You have to create a new folder called "WallpapersUsTwo" with the permission 755 in >System/App<, copy the downloaded apk to this Folder (don't forget to set the permissions of the apk to 644) and reboot your device.



STEP 4: Camera & Dialer

Just download and install:

STEP 5: Google Assistant ***only for rooted devices***

There are many tutorials, flashable.zips and ways to get the new Google Assistant working on other devices, but for me this method is the most recommendable one to get it working right so far:
  1. become a beta tester for the Google App https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
  2. download/update to latest beta of the Google App
  3. go to your build.prop in system partition
    *for editing build.prop I suggest fx-File-Explorer with root-addon: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.fx
    - rename product model to Pixel XL "ro.product.model= Pixel XL"
    - add the line "ro.opa.eligible_device=true"
    - save build.prop
  4. clear the app data of the Google App
    - go to settings > apps > google app > manage storage > clear all data
  5. reboot your device (wait a few minutes after booting up)
    - press and hold the home button - Google Assistant should come up
    *train voice screen comes up continuously*
  6. go to build.prop again
    - change product model back to what it was before (your device)
    - delete the added line "ro.opa.eligible_device=true"
    - save and reboot
  7. when it reboots you shuld have google now again
    - go to settings of the Google App
    - got to "Okay Google detection"
    - tap always on
    - retrain your voice model
  8. go to build.prop once more
    - rename product model to Pixel XL
    - add "ro.opa.eligible_device=true"
    - save and reboot
  9. once it reboots, wait for abaout 5 minutes so build.prop changes can be recognized
Done! It shuld now comes up Google Assistant when you say "Okay Google" on every screen.

STEP 6: Theme ***root is required***

One thing also exclusive on the Pixel Phone is the darker System UI with the blue accent color.
The only possibility to use themes (overlays) on stock is to use "Substratum Theme Engine". It is very simple to use, but you need root access on your device.

There are a lot themes for "Substratum" in the Play Store with many adjustment possibilitys. "Pixel UI" is the simplest way to get the Pixel Theme on your device.
How to use:
  1. when you have downloaded and installed "Substratum" and "Pixel UI", open Substratum and select >Pixel UI<
  2. in "Pixel UI", enable all overlays
    - for the "Settings App" you can choose between two font styles - Custom (capitol letters) & Normal
    - for the Navigationbar, you can choose between Pixel Style & Stock
  3. press the FAB and choose >install<
  4. when promted reboot your device
READY! Now you have the Pixel colors (and Navbar).

STEP 7: Pixel Bootanimation & Sounds

Pixel Bootanimation:
Just flash your choosen one in custom recovery (TWRP).

Pixel Sounds:
This is a flashable.zip ***if you flash this in custom recovery, it will erase all of your previous alarms, notifications, ringtones an UI sounds and replace it with new Pixel sounds***
To prevent erasing original audio you could also unzip the file and manually copy the .ogg files separately to >System/Media/audio/...< using a root explorer.

That's all for now to enjoy the Pixel experience on the Nexus 6.
I hope you like it !!!

SCREENSHOTS:








CREDITS & THANKS TO:
Kevin Barry - for Nova Launcher
Pranav Pandey - for porting Pixel Live Wallpapers [link]
Substratum Developers - for Substratum Theme Engine
Mike [xdnax] - for "Pixel UI" (Substratum Theme)
makers_mark - for white Pixel splash screen & bootanimation [link]
Emilius - for black Pixel bootanimation [link] - Pixel Launcher, Icons and Wallpaper Picker [link] - Pixel Audio [link]
Charles_l - for modified Google Camera 4.2 [link]
Ciao Studio - for Pixel IP (icon pack)


...and to all the others not stated here!!!
 
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crookdbill

crookdbill

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Apr 12, 2008
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Nov 17, 2016 at 7:20 PM
Thanks for the compilation. Nice to have it in one place. To let others know. Do not install Substratum Pixel UI from step six if you are on Nov patch for Nougat. It will boot loop. Wait for an update that states it works. It will cause a boot loop currently. Found out the hard way by not reading the comments.

Also do you know how to stop the weather on the search bar from displaying the ?. It will show the weather once in a while and then it will show "?"
 
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usafle

usafle

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Nov 20, 2016 at 5:31 PM
Thanks for this. Some of the configs I used. I passed on the Google Assistant step, it just seems like too much work and I really don't know if I "need" it. But the other things are great.

Is the Pixel camera app different from the stock camera app? Is this the one that supposedly gets rid of the shutter lag?
 
krishnexus

krishnexus

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2015
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Dec 17, 2016 at 4:32 AM
crookdbill said:
Thanks for the compilation. Nice to have it in one place. To let others know. Do not install Substratum Pixel UI from step six if you are on Nov patch for Nougat. It will boot loop. Wait for an update that states it works. It will cause a boot loop currently. Found out the hard way by not reading the comments.

Also do you know how to stop the weather on the search bar from displaying the ?. It will show the weather once in a while and then it will show "?"
Click to expand...
I didn't read the comments and ended up getting stuck in bootloop on my Nexus 6. I was on 7.0 Dec patch. Please let me know what can be done, because phone isn't loading even in recovery mode.
 
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