The software features on Pixel smartphones are one of the best reasons to buy them. However, depending on what you want, there’s a good chance you can get a suite of Pixel-exclusive features running on the Android device you already own.
6Google Camera Functionality
The crown jewel of Pixel devices is the Google Camera app. While Pixel camera hardware has improved over the years, Google’s expertise lies in the software magic of its camera app. Features like Night Sight, HDR+, and Portrait Mode can work wonders regardless of the physical cameras.
Porting this feature to any other Android device is surprisingly simple. First, you need to check if your device supports the Camera2 API used by the Google Camera app. Do this by downloading and running theManual Camera Compatibilityapp from the Play Store. If your phone is compatible, you can then download a modified Google Camera app APK file for your device, and you’re all set.
There’s no universal third-party Google Camera app that’ll work on all phones. Based on your phone’s SoC, Android version, and Camera2 API support, you have to experiment with different APK files to find the one that works best. One of the best collections of GCam APKs isCelso Azevedo’s repository, but there are othersites for safe APK downloadsas well.
Sideloading: Why Installing Unofficial Apps May Put You at Risk
Can’t find the app you’re looking for on official app stores? You might be tempted to sideload content. Here’s why you shouldn’t.
Be extremely cautious when installing third-party APKs, though. We’ve coveredhow to sideload APKs on Androidin the past, but depending on your Android version, you may have to enable a few more permissions.
5Now Playing
Now Playing is another highlight Pixel feature; it identifies music playing around you on your lock screen. This is an extremely handy tool since you don’t have to open an app, and it even works offline.
Similar to GCam, you can get this feature on any Android smartphone by sideloading theAmbient Music Modon your phone. This is an open-source port of Google’s Now Playing feature, based on the newest version from Pixel devices and the latest music databases. It also offers features likePlaying History,Favorites, andSummary Report; you can even control how often the recognition runs.
The installation process, however, is different from simply sideloading an APK file. First, follow these initial setup steps:
Next, inside the Shizuku app:
Now, open the Ambient Music Mod app:
There are a lot more configuration settings in the Ambient Music Mod app that let you fine-tune battery usage and find a balance that works for you. You can also install new updates to the app from within it. Every time you restart your phone, you’ll need to restart the Shizuku service by repeating the steps under it above.
It’s not the easiest setup process, and having to restart the service every time you reboot your phone is a hassle. Otherwise, the app works great and shares the same music library as a Pixel (updated weekly). That means if a Pixel can detect a piece of music, so can your phone.
4Magic Eraser
Magic Eraser is a far more handy tool than I first imagined. Since I started using a Pixel, I’ve used it to wipe objects, distractions, and even entire crowds from my photos. And thankfully, porting it to any Android device is simple.
While initially exclusive to Pixel owners, this feature has since become a part of the Google One subscription. Google One members get access to Magic Eraser, an HDR video effect, and exclusive collage styles on both Android and iOS.
If you want the feature without adding yet another subscription, you need a modifiedGoogle Photos APK file. First, download theSplit APKs Installer (SAI)from the Play Store. Then, followthe Android app uninstall processto uninstall updates from the Google Photos app (since it’s a system app, you can uninstall updates but not the entire app). Following that, install the modified APK using SAI.
The only catch is that updating Google Photos can result in losing this feature, so you’ll likely have to stick with an older version of the app. You candisable automatic app updatesfor Google Photos to get around this, but subscribing to Google One remains the best way of getting Magic Eraser on any device.
3Call Screen
Call Screen is a lifesaver that lets you spot and reduce spam calls, or at least get some context before you decide to answer a call from an unknown number. The feature lets Google Assistant answer calls on your behalf and provides transcripts of what callers are saying before you take over.
Unfortunately, there’s no reliable way of porting the exact Pixel version of the feature to any Android, as it requires deep system integration to work properly. You can, however, get similar functionality using the KontxtScreen Calls & Block Spam app, available on the Play Store.
2Google Recorder
Google Recorder is one of the best voice recording apps you can use, in my opinion. It provides real-time transcriptions and a powerful search feature. If you frequently record voice notes or analyze conversations, this app can save you a lot of time and effort.
Porting it over to any Android phone that isn’t a Pixel is a simple matter of installing a modified version of the Google Recorder app. That said, finding an APK of the app that works can be tricky. You can try your luck with the latest versions fromAPKMirror, but you’ll have to do some trial and error to find a version that works for you.
Keep in mind some requirements for the app to run properly. First, you need to be running Android 9 or higher. Second, if your phone manufacturer has made modifications to the TextView component in Android, chances are the app’s transcription features won’t work. There’s no way to tell if the app will work on your device without testing it, so I recommend you give it a shot.
1Pixel Launcher
Pixel Launcher might look simple at first glance, and that’s its biggest selling point. It offers a clean, minimalist interface coupled with features like At a Glance widgets and integration with Google services. This is as pure as an Android launcher can get, making it perfect if you’re after a vanilla Android experience.
Thankfully, there are plenty of apps that offer rootless ports of the Pixel Launcher and work on most Android devices. you’re able to use theLawnchair Launcher, which offers additional customization options while retaining authentic Pixel Launcher features and look.
Alternatively, you’re able to downloadAmirZ’s Rootless Pixel Launcherfrom the official GitHub repository. I’ve used AmirZ’s Rootless Pixel Launcher in the past to get the Pixel Launcher on my old Motorola phones, but it hasn’t been updated since 2019. You thus might miss out on some of the newer Pixel Launcher features.
Pixel-exclusive features are one of the reasons so many people get these devices. However, with some software wizardry, you can enjoy the best of these features on your current phone. While not always an exact copy, these workarounds keep you free from Google’s hardware ecosystem.
