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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by MargotRobbie@lemmy.world to c/android@lemmy.world

To celebrate a particular movie's nominations for the Golden Globes next Sunday, Jan 7, we are hosting our very own Golden Lemmy award for Best Android Device on !android@lemmy.world.

Rules are simple, tell us about your favorite Android phone from 2023 in the top level comment, and the device with the most up votes wins the esteemed and coveted Golden Lemmy Award, along with 1 Lemmy Silver.

Our regular discussion will resume in 2 weeks.

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submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by MargotRobbie@lemmy.world to c/android@lemmy.world

Previously: Submission Statement Edition

Haven't done these in a while, so let's get started.

  1. Since we haven't really heard any feedback one way or the other, rule 8 is now official. To be fair, we've had a lot less microblog posts than I expected (only one Twitter/X post in the last month even after I waited longer than the initial 1-2 weeks expected, and that was a crosspost.)
  • Again, the rules are always a work in progress, feel free to give your two cents here whenever you like.
  1. As you guys know, PipedLinkBot went completely insane 2 days ago and looks like it's temporarily shut down. So, I'd like to use this opportunity to explain why I banned the bot pretty much immediately after our community reopened. (And gloat a bit, of course)
  • Even though I do agree with the principle of using open source, privacy focused frontend instead of using Youtube directly, I have a real problem with using a bot to respond every time somebody posts a Youtube link. It feels like spam, and it doesn't feel like it serves any utility besides pushing an agenda (even though many people here would agree with it). Most people have seen it around here enough to use pipedvideo if they wanted it to use it already.

  • I think it's always been a rage inducing part of the reddit experience that you see you received a response to your comment, but only have it been a bot smugly correcting your grammar or tell you all your letters are in order or something useless like that. So, for this place, I would like to make sure that everyone you talk to here is a real person as much as possible, because people inspire people to be greater, but bots don't.

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submitted 1 week ago by ryujin470@fedia.io to c/android@lemmy.world

This page contains info about customization of color themes with ADB. No third party apps needed.

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/27231255

Android announced a new set of cross-device services last year, and both have been made available for the company’s Pixel...

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The Google app on Android features a bookmarking system that is getting a new coat of paint as part of the “Activity” tab.

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Earlier this month, some Google Maps users found that their Timeline location history was missing, but the company has now fixed the issue.

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12

Following Verizon, Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile are adding satellite messaging on Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 devices.

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The Gemini app is getting the ability to generate Audio Overview podcasts, with Android and iOS users beginning to see this capability.

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6

I literally just need to access a link to reset my discord password but for whatever reason discords reset link always does this to me on mobile and I'm nowhere near my desktop.

Any way to bypass this on android? I've tried chrome and Firefox both

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Google Photos is more widely rolling out a simplified bottom bar that removes the “Memories” tab on Android...

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Following last month’s announcement, Google is now rolling out a redesign of Android's Family Link app for parents.

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Google is introducing “smarter search” to Gmail for Android, iOS, and the web that leverages “AI to show you the most relevant results...

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3

Verizon adds satellite texting on Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25, with support for messaging any other phone number.

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10

After testing got underway in January, Gboard is now widely rolling out Undo and Redo buttons/shortcuts on Android...

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Google is testing a tweak to Gemini's placement in Gmail for Android that restores the account switcher to its original placement.

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After previewing last October, Google Wallet will soon let supervised kids access NFC tap-to-pay on Android phones...

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submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by char_stats@lemm.ee to c/android@lemmy.world

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58870060

I've been using Samsung Internet for a very long time, knowing it isn't the best one for privacy. However, the user experience with it is, for me, unmatched by any other browser, including Vivaldi, Brave, and any Firefox forks.

So here's what I'm looking for in a browser:

  • preferably FOSS

  • some control on privacy setting, less trackers/fingerprinting, etc. Doesn't have to be the most hardened.

  • decent dark mode for web pages (Dark Reader is OK)

  • bottom search bar

  • bottom tabs bar rather than tab switcher

  • a quit button I don't have to tap and scroll 2 times to find. Ideally it'd be placed on the main bottom bar

  • the quit button must clear cache and close all tabs, so I think it should be native and not an extension, but maybe I'm wrong?

Is there any browser that can give me that?

I'd love using Fennec as my main - and God knows I've tried multiple times to - but missing some of those feature made it hard for me to leave Samsung Internet behind. ATM I'm using both browsers BTW.

Any suggestion is appreciated!

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Less than a week after the main release, Google is rolling out Android 16 Beta 3.1 to Pixel devices with a handful of fixes...

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Some Android users today have been getting a “Update Google Play services” notification today. Google Play services is...

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submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by char_stats@lemm.ee to c/android@lemmy.world

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58686627

If you want to save this list, I suggest doing so with the original post, as I'll keep it updated with new entries.

Latest entries - March 15th, 2025:

Latest entries Netflix - March 15th, 2025:

Other recent entries:

 

Introduction

(scroll down for the actual list)

This is a list of all games, sorted by category, that I've purchased and finished during the years and I'd like to recommend as they're all excellent and without predatory monetization or gacha system.

Edit: now I'm also including the most recommended titles by the community - which I haven't playtested yet or I'm not particularly interested in - marked with 💬.
If you want your entry to have a chance to be listed, these are the criteria:

  • paid Play Store games compatible with recent Android versions
  • no ads or microtransactions except ads-removal, full-game unlock, or proper DLCs
  • you love the game and think it's worth the price
  • include link and genre

I will still use my discretion and judgment to filter the entries, in an effort to try and keep the list's quality high.

[If you want to recommend free games, without ads or microtransactions, here is the list for you.]

Some of the games may be free with IAP's, but EXCLUSIVELY to unlock the full game, DLCs, or remove ads (no gacha or energy/gambling mechanics, "diamonds", pay-to-win, or any recurrent cash-grab bullshit of sort).

[Disclaimer: chances are some items in this list will inevitably be removed from Play Store as time goes by, or will not be compatible with future Android versions. I'll do my best to always keep it updated, but feel free to PM me if you come across any unavailable title and I'll make a correction]

I'm planning to keep the list updated for personal reference with the new games I'll play and like, or old games I've played that will come to mind later. So feel free to save it and check out new entries every so often.

My ultimate goal is to promote worthy content and honest/talented devs, hoping to see more quality games in the future, rather than the cancerous cash-grab machines the Play Store is regrettably riddled with. And, of course, to let everyone have a great time playing great titles ;)

 

THE LIST

 

Legend

🌟 - top favorite  

👑 - top favorite and a timeless masterpiece  

🎮 - better played with a controller  

🎮❗️ - better played with a controller, but you need a controller mapping app (recommended: Panda)  

⌛️- outdated  

💬 - recommended by the community, but I haven't played it or not my favorite  

~~[Game title]~~ - removed from Play Store, but you might still see it in the store if you've purchased it  

 

Action/Shooter

 

Hack and slash

  • Grimvalor 🌟 🎮 (2.5D hack and slash medieval fantasy platform/RPG)

  • Shadow Blade 🌟 🎮 (2D hack and slash action platform)

  • Ninja Arashi 🎮 (2D hack and slash action platform - free with IAPs to remove ads)

  • SAMURAI II: VENGEANCE (top down/isometric hack and slash)

  • Dead Cells 💬 🎮 (roguelite action platformer)

 

Platform

  • Dadish 🌟 (2D platformer, pixel graphics, easy)

  • Dadish 2 🌟 (2D platformer, pixel graphics, medium difficulty)

  • Dadish 3 (2D precision platformer, pixel graphics, hard difficulty)

  • Suzy Cube 🎮 (3D platformer, good rip-off of Super Mario 3D Land)

  • MouseBot 🌟 (3D platform-like)

  • Swordigo 🎮❗️ (2D RPG action-adventure platformer; requires controller mapping app if you want controller support - free with IAPs to remove ads)

  • Oddmar (2D action-adventure platformer)

  • Sonic Runners Adventures 🌟 (2.5D platformer)

  • Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty 🌟 (puzzle-platformer adventure)

  • Levelhead 💬

  • ~~Haipy (2D platformer, pixel graphics) (regional availability)~~

 

Metroidvania

 

Turn-based RPG

 

Action RPG

  • Trials of Mana 🌟 🎮❗️ (it's a port from console/PC but critically lacks controller support. You can use Panda Gamepad Pro - recommended - or Mantis to achieve that. If you will use the Panda app, check this out)

  • The Bard's Tale (3D action RPG adventure - this game has some optional IAPs: they can easily be ignored but they're there. Also, some users experienced an auto-save bug that corrupts ALL save files, so I recommend disabling auto-save altogether. I'm keeping the game listed here for now as I still consider it a true premium games and I haven't personally experienced any bug during my playthrough)

  • Evoland (action/adventure RPG with 2D and 3D graphics and a mix of genres)

  • Evoland 2 🌟 🎮 (action/adventure RPG with 2D and 3D graphics, mix of genres; controller recommended)

  • Pascal's Wager (soulslike) 💬

  • Star Wars: KOTOR 💬

  • Star Wars: KOTOR II 💬

  • ~~Ys Chronicles I 🎮 (2D action RPG - old-school action JRPG which doesn't really hold your hand, bump combat, level cap is 10, yet it's fun!)~~

  • ~~Ys Chronicles II 🌟 🎮 (2D action RPG - fantastic old-school action JRPG! Continues where Ys I left off and offer a longer, more flashed out experience. The pixel art is simply beautiful, with real-time lighting effects. Dungeons get very "labyrinthy" and challenging towards the end (I needed to follow a guide), but the effort was fully repaid)~~

 

CRPG

 

Roguelite tabletop

 

Adventure

 

Crafting/Survival

 

Survival horror

 

Point-and-click

  • Fran Bow 🌟 (point and click/puzzle - psychologic soft horror) Excellent story and gameplay. [Edit: the old one, divided into chapters, is here]

  • Lost Echo (point and click/puzzle adventure)

  • Tangle Tower 💬

  • ~~The Silent Age (point and click adventure) contains IAPs to unlock episodes~~

 

Puzzle-adventure

 

Strategy

 

Tower defense

 

Management

 

Idle

 

Racing

 

Golf/Billiard

 

Netflix games

(require an active Netflix subscription)

 

Extras and emulators

  • AppSales is an app that will make you save some money by notifying you when specific games (or apps) in the Play Store go on sale. Just add the games you wish to buy to the AppSales' watchlist and you'll get notified when the price gets cut.

  • Panda Gamepad Pro 🎮 is a tool that allows you to map your controller for touch inputs, practically adding controller support to those game that don't have it.

  • Retroarch 🎮 (emulator for almost all consoles) "jack of all trades" emulator, the only one that supports analog triggers for Xbox One S controller. It has a bit of a learning curve, and other individual emulators might offer better performance

  • Dolphin 🎮 best emulator for GameCube and Wii

  • DraStic DS Emulator 🎮

  • PPSSPP Gold - PSP Emulator 🎮

  • Delta Touch [9 x Doom engines] 💬 (engine for Doom games)

  • Quad Touch 💬 (engine for Quake games)

 

Happy gaming ;)

ps: please let me know if there's any wrong information about the games included in this list (especially regarding IAPs or availability) so that I'll fix the post if necessary.

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Google has released the first Android Auto 14.0 update through its beta program and while there are no major user-facing...

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Google released a new Android 16 beta earlier this week and, hiding beneath the scenes, there are more new features...

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A bug in the YouTube app is causing Shorts to immediately open and start playing, making for a slightly frustrating experience.

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We just learned that Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on Android. Google quietly announced that Assistant is losing 7 more features.

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submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by char_stats@lemm.ee to c/android@lemmy.world

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58557378

If you want to save this list, I suggest doing so with the original post, as I'll keep it updated with new entries.

Latest entries - February 15th, 2025:

February 2nd, 2025:

January 7th, 2025:

 

Introduction

(scroll down for the actual list)

I recently realized there are still, to this day, some actual "hidden gems" in the Play Store. Not the fake ones everyone talks about which, in a way or another, often have a catch or aren't very "hidden". I mean free games with no ads or IAPs of any kind that are fun to play.

So I was thinking maybe it's time to compile a list of them. Please suggest the ones you've found and enjoyed!

I won't try them all as I did with my premium games list [will update with link as soon as I post it], because this time you could simply download and try them for yourself without spending a dime. I'll simply list them.

‼️Also, please do checkout MiniReview - Game Reviews for more free games that match the following criteria (use the "Browse" tab and select the correct filters). The same app for iOS - App Store - is here.‼️

 

Entry Criteria

  • FREE
  • NO ADS
  • STRICTLY NO IAPs (except donation buttons, but I'll have to check before adding the game to the list, so no guarantees it'll be added quickly)
  • it has to be a legit game, of course. Full, not demo.
  • it has to be available on the Play Store and compatible with the latest, official Android version at the time of writing/updating (14)
  • possibly include a link to the game on the Play Store

I've saved this post so to keep it updated over time, for my own reference and for your benefit. So feel free to save it and check out new entries every so often.

 

THE LIST

 

Legend

☕️ - includes a fair donation button, with or without minimal cosmetics only

~~[Game title]~~ - removed from Play Store

 

Shooters

 

Stealth

 

Platform

 

Rhythm

 

Arcade

 

RPG

 

Roguelike dungeon crawlers

 

Deck builders

 

Adventure

 

Puzzle

 

Strategy

 

Racing

 

Simulation

 

Casual

 

Sport/Competition

 

Visual novel

 

Happy gaming ;)

ps: please let me know if there's any wrong information about the games included in this list (especially regarding the ones with free donations) so that I'll fix the post, if necessary.

view more: next ›

Android

29636 readers
15 users here now

DROID DOES

Welcome to the droidymcdroidface-iest, Lemmyest (Lemmiest), test, bestest, phoniest, pluckiest, snarkiest, and spiciest Android community on Lemmy (Do not respond)! Here you can participate in amazing discussions and events relating to all things Android.

The rules for posting and commenting, besides the rules defined here for lemmy.world, are as follows:

Rules


1. All posts must be relevant to Android devices/operating system.


2. Posts cannot be illegal or NSFW material.


3. No spam, self promotion, or upvote farming. Sources engaging in these behavior will be added to the Blacklist.


4. Non-whitelisted bots will be banned.


5. Engage respectfully: Harassment, flamebaiting, bad faith engagement, or agenda posting will result in your posts being removed. Excessive violations will result in temporary or permanent ban, depending on severity.


6. Memes are not allowed to be posts, but are allowed in the comments.


7. Posts from clickbait sources are heavily discouraged. Please de-clickbait titles if it needs to be submitted.


8. Submission statements of any length composed of your own thoughts inside the post text field are mandatory for any microblog posts, and are optional but recommended for article/image/video posts.


Community Resources:


We are Android girls*,

In our Lemmy.world.

The back is plastic,

It's fantastic.

*Well, not just girls: people of all gender identities are welcomed here.


Our Partner Communities:

!android@lemmy.ml


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