General Vivo X Fold: tips and tricks

[Logan3824]

That’s not how root is achieved on the device. You’ll need to bootloader unlock the device through custom fastboot (essentially initiate a race condition by running two fastboot flash statements at the same time).

For root follow these instructions

https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/xda-vivo-x-fold-thread-tips-and-tricks.4441939/post-87057061

Which boot .img am I using? The one in those instructions is causing a bootloop, also, the recovery is in chinese? Does anyone have an english translation of the buttons?

 

[domineus]

Which boot .img am I using? The one in those instructions is causing a bootloop, also, the recovery is in chinese? Does anyone have an english translation of the buttons?

You pull your own boot.img. First download the app dsu loader and load a copy of lineage os. Lineage os will boot loop on the device but you can run adb commands.

Execute the adb commands from the post provided. Afterward you should be able to fastboot flash the patched boot.img from your device.

Alternatively someone found the ota.zip through wire shark. You may want to use a vpn download that and I believe there’s a boot.img there too. Download that boot.img to patch

 

[timalpipo]

My method:
1. unlock bootloader.
In my case, I use a Chinese toolbox, some Chinese user said that only version before 13.7 can be unlocked, if you are in 14.8 or more, than maybe you can't unlock bl.
2. get the boot.img from the version you want to flash.
I use Wireshark to get the full OTA file, and extract the boot.img.
3. patch boot.img in magisk.
4. flash boot.img to your phone.
That's it, not difficult but because there are still no many information on internet, so I felt very scared when I do all the things.

In my opinion, the main reason I root is because I need gltools, it's a app which can unlock almost every Unity game's FPS, many games I played just lock the FPS to 30 or 60, but I get used to play in 120 FPS, so I really need root.
The cons for root I think is bank app, I don't know other country, but in my country, many bank app will detact root, and ban your permission, but use Satetynet fix and Shamiko can deal with most of them.

Sorry for poor English, becauese my native speak is Chinese.

Thanks so much for your detailed feedback and experience report.

 

[Logan3824]

You pull your own boot.img. First download the app dsu loader and load a copy of lineage os. Lineage os will boot loop on the device but you can run adb commands.

Execute the adb commands from the post provided. Afterward you should be able to fastboot flash the patched boot.img from your device.

Alternatively someone found the ota.zip through wire shark. You may want to use a vpn download that and I believe there’s a boot.img there too. Download that boot.img to patch

Lol most of that is foreign language to me. Appreciate the help, but I'll have to wait for a video tutorial .

 

[Pervokur]

When I change it on the internal screen it also changes the external one and vice versa.

try to use adb to change dpi

adb shell
wm density xxx -d 0
wm density yyy -d 1

density [reset|DENSITY] [-d DISPLAY_ID]

 

[djleez82]

Does anyone have a list of the apps and apk's you can safely uninstall or disable without affecting the functions of the phone too bad?

 

[LKMR.PREZ]

Hey all. Love my new x fold! Does anyone know of a way to force the settings app into split screen mode? I selected the option in the developer section to force allow resizable windows but it just keeps giving me an error when I try to split screen on the settings app.

Another thing, when I enable a launcher other than stock, my ability to swipe right and left to switch between open apps goes away? Anyone have a solution for this?

Lastly, any news on a global rom version or official development section for us? Thanks everyone!

 

[Pervokur]

but it just keeps giving me an error when I try to split screen on the settings app.

you should select another app first -> split screen -> then select Settings as 2nd app

 

[LKMR.PREZ]

Can you confirm this works for you on the x fold? Settings isn't an option for me when I split screen from another app.

 

[Timoxa]

The current issues list:

1. Incoming calls via MS Teams do not show up at all (can hear the ringtone, and see a notification)
   1. All permissions set, including show on top. (the notification prohibiting apps removed eg Pem)
2. Snapchat's notifications do not show at all, can hear the audible notification though...
   1. Seems like this is the only app, I know Snapchat has issues with 3rd party notification handler, eg: floating and edge notifications
      1. I think I got chat notifications to work with dark mode disabled (will confirm this)
         1. Confirmed, apps like Snapchat / Telegram will not display notifications while dark mode is on - if there is a notification pending, switching back to light mode will show the notification with a dark outline (as if its stuck in dark mode...)
3. Factory launcher runs in the background, even when replaced, this sometimes shows up when using the back button instead of home - this is annoying.
4. Vivo asking for a password to change accessibility settings, I have also noticed some of the setting return to off post a reboot.
5. LastPass autofill does not work at all, assuming that Google password manager would be the same?
6. Vivo security warnings about launcher and developer mode..
7. Adding additional apps to the multitasking sidebar, seems even apps that support floating mode aren't shown
   1. I've tried the developer option trick that works on Sammy phones
8. Outer screen sensitivity, I've noticed this is far too sensitive, you can hover your finger over certain areas, and it will register as a touch. - Big issue!
9. Music players seek or media controls aren't shown (reliably) on lock screen (shown in notification shade, but this is forced by the app, not the OS... coming from Samsung and OnePlus this makes no sense)
10. Wear OS just hangs
11. Samsung Smartthings will not allow any device to be clicked on.

XDA Mods, please make the X fold forum already!

Well, based on this, I have requested a return, this phone feels more like a prototype that requires a lot of software fixes (some we can't even do), notifications are still hit-and-miss, a lot of global apps simply do not work, and the touchscreen sensitivity issue is a problem.

Real shame, the cameras are great, and the inside screen is phenomenal.

Would happily buy this phone again if someone figures out how to get rid of Origin! (Stock Android 12L <3)

 

[Logan3824]

Well, based on this, I have requested a return, this phone feels more like a prototype that requires a lot of software fixes (some we can't even do), notifications are still hit-and-miss, a lot of global apps simply do not work, and the touchscreen sensitivity issue is a problem.

Real shame, the cameras are great, and the inside screen is phenomenal.

Would happily buy this phone again if someone figures out how to get rid of Origin! (Stock Android 12L <3)

Teams calls works for me. No idea why it doesnt for you. I don't use lastpass, but 1password autofill also works for me. I don't use snapchat, and I have seen other people get wearOS to work, so a lot of your problems seem to be local unfortunately.

 

[Timoxa]

Teams calls works for me. No idea why it doesnt for you. I don't use lastpass, but 1password autofill also works for me. I don't use snapchat, and I have seen other people get wearOS to work, so a lot of your problems seem to be local unfortunately.

Team calls work, but do not show up as a full screen call, I can just hear the ringtone in the background and see the status bar notification of the incoming call, the ui should take up the entire screen (like a cellular call)

I figured out the LastPass issue, you cannot use the autofill feature on this phone, I don't think the Google password autofill works either, in LastPass you can select Legacy autofill which uses accessibility settings to fill the password. (is this how 1password does it?)

The entire notification system is broken when selecting dark mode, you can see this with Snapchat and telegram (I haven't tested other apps)
I have not seen a fix for this anywhere, including on other vivo phones (This has been a bug for a long while, and the vivo devs have not fixed it) (1 point of ref here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/notification-not-working-properly.4413391/page-2)

The dealbreaker for me is the touchscreen sensitivity issues, it registers touches when hovering your finger 0.5 mm over the screen (with SwiftKey it sometimes thinks I'm using the swipe gesture to type) there also seems to be recognition issues on the inner screen, like in WhatsApp the voice record button doesn't always register the touch. - I assume this is controlled by the kernel.

I have sorted Wear, will update my post.

 

[DanZan6]

I decided from day one, that I would ignore the Vivo stuff and treat this like a Google phone.

My previous phone was a Huawei xs. I was one of the early adapters. I started out by side loading Google apps from APK files. Later, Huawei lightning and pwa apps became available, and finally G-space.

The XS was my only device and this Vivo fold is my only device.

I just moved all my Vivo stuff to the last screen, and never see it. One day I'll figure out how to get rid of that bloatware.

My notifications appear on the top bar, to the left, right beside the time of day. I get a unique audible for each notification, and a numeral on the top bar representing the number of notifications I have. A quick down swipe shows every notification with a summary, and whether it's in Gmail, messages, sheets, XDA, etc. A slow down swipe brings up the control panel. Other than that, the notification method, I've got all of the Play store apps working normally.

The last thing I have to do is to figure out how to use Sim 2 for on phone storage. All my backup is in the Google cloud.

I know enough to know what I don't know, and there's no way I would risk bricking my phone to try to change the OS or even the launcher. It took me about 3 months to get everything working and wipe my XS, which I can still get about a K$ for on Ebay.

 

[chris92500]

Team calls work, but do not show up as a full screen call, I can just hear the ringtone in the background and see the status bar notification of the incoming call, the ui should take up the entire screen (like a cellular call)

I figured out the LastPass issue, you cannot use the autofill feature on this phone, I don't think the Google password autofill works either, in LastPass you can select Legacy autofill which uses accessibility settings to fill the password. (is this how 1password does it?)

The entire notification system is broken when selecting dark mode, you can see this with Snapchat and telegram (I haven't tested other apps)
I have not seen a fix for this anywhere, including on other vivo phones (This has been a bug for a long while, and the vivo devs have not fixed it) (1 point of ref here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/notification-not-working-properly.4413391/page-2)

The dealbreaker for me is the touchscreen sensitivity issues, it registers touches when hovering your finger 0.5 mm over the screen (with SwiftKey it sometimes thinks I'm using the swipe gesture to type) there also seems to be recognition issues on the inner screen, like in WhatsApp the voice record button doesn't always register the touch. - I assume this is controlled by the kernel.

I have sorted Wear, will update my post.

Hi,
I had the fold 3 and switch to X fold following screen issues...
I cannot make comment on ''teams'' as I'm not using this app but for Google password autofill I can confirm that it is working. I'm using Gboard as well so maybe this is why.
Regarding notification I have to say that I had really hard time to set everything up, but now I have all my notifications working including snapchat, telegram, outlook, ect (even in dark mode.... using vivo installed message app by the way).
Same for my galaxy watch 4 which gave me headache trying to make it works as I want... but working now.
I still did not find out how to force some app in landscape mode but I'm working on it.
Origin OS let you customize (or manually change) lot of setting that was not accessible with fold Z3.
So for now I'm happy with the change.

Wanted to share my thoughts...
Have a good day

 

[Timoxa]

Hi,
I had the fold 3 and switch to X fold following screen issues...
I cannot make comment on ''teams'' as I'm not using this app but for Google password autofill I can confirm that it is working. I'm using Gboard as well so maybe this is why.
Regarding notification I have to say that I had really hard time to set everything up, but now I have all my notifications working including snapchat, telegram, outlook, ect (even in dark mode.... using vivo installed message app by the way).
Same for my galaxy watch 4 which gave me headache trying to make it works as I want... but working now.
I still did not find out how to force some app in landscape mode but I'm working on it.
Origin OS let you customize (or manually change) lot of setting that was not accessible with fold Z3.
So for now I'm happy with the change.

Wanted to share my thoughts...
Have a good day

Chris,

If you have fixed notifications in dark mode, it would be useful to post what you have done with screenshot evidence, there are multiple posts about Vivo phones and dark mode issues.

For me, I have uninstalled all the bloat apps that cause notification issues, so my notifications work fine with all apps until I set the phone to dark mode (status bar switch)
I then no longer see Snapchat notifications in the notification tray (or lock screen) you can hear the audible ringtone though, so it has clear issues displaying certain notifications when in dark mode.

 

[danscorp]

try to use adb to change dpi

adb shell
wm density xxx -d 0
wm density yyy -d 1

density [reset|DENSITY] [-d DISPLAY_ID]

Thanks, it works with some limitations.
After changing the value every time I open/fold the phone it reloads system launcher.

 

[danscorp]

Does anyone have a list of the apps and apk's you can safely uninstall or disable without affecting the functions of the phone too bad?

Here is the link I used

Remove Bloatware from Vivo Phones without Root

What You’ll Need A PC or Laptop (Windows, macOS or Linux) Samsung, Oppo or Vivo Smartphone A compatible USB cable USB Drivers, ADB, and USB Debugging 1] Install USB drivers on your PC. You can either install universal drivers by Google 2]...

forum.xda-developers.com

 

[chris92500]

Chris,

If you have fixed notifications in dark mode, it would be useful to post what you have done with screenshot evidence, there are multiple posts about Vivo phones and dark mode issues.

For me, I have uninstalled all the bloat apps that cause notification issues, so my notifications work fine with all apps until I set the phone to dark mode (status bar switch)
I then no longer see Snapchat notifications in the notification tray (or lock screen) you can hear the audible ringtone though, so it has clear issues displaying certain notifications when in dark mode.

Hi Timoxa,

Well, I don't know which screenshot evidence I could provide....
I setup my X fold twice. The first time I followed all instructions posted above but the battery was not good at all (with all the app running into background with high power comsuption..).
Now only specific apps are running into background and few of them are only ''Start'' and not ''auto start'' in autorisation management app.
Regarding dark mode it seems that only issue reported are for people not using vivo message app.

 

[Timoxa]

Hi Timoxa,

Well, I don't know which screenshot evidence I could provide....
I setup my X fold twice. The first time I followed all instructions posted above but the battery was not good at all (with all the app running into background with high power comsuption..).
Now only specific apps are running into background and few of them are only ''Start'' and not ''auto start'' in autorisation management app.
Regarding dark mode it seems that only issue reported are for people not using vivo message app.

Chris,

Not sure what the Vivo messaging app (I assume you mean the default sms handler?) has to do with dark mode?
On all the other posts I can see in relation to Dark Mode notification issues, nobody mentions anything to do with the messaging app? - There does not seem to be a fix for it, so if you are receiving Snapchat messages with dark mode enabled, please post a screenshot and explain the procedure to get this working, you would be helping a lot of people. - As I said, for me, I hear the notification tone, but the notification is not listed on the lock screen or in the notification shade (It is also listed on my android wear watch) so it is clearly a theme engine issue.

BTW, please excuse me asking for a screenshot, I am sceptical about what some people post on these forums (not sure if trolling is making a comeback ) the galaxy fold 2 forums were a nightmare for misinformation

Thanks

 

[domineus]

I think there is a dark mode notification issue and I wonder if anyone has tried to use exposed theming apps to see if that doesn't correct vivo's dark mode issues.

I haven't tested it yet to be honest and it could be app per app. I'm really not sure