Latest news with #MishaalRahman
Android Authority
20 hours ago
- Android Authority
Don't get your hopes up for One UI 9 leaks as Samsung fixes this major loophole
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung has patched a loophole that enabled many recent One UI leaks. The exploit allowed users to access internal OTA builds via a custom tool and decrypt metadata. You almost certainly won't be treated to as many One UI 9 leaks going forward. The Samsung fans among you enjoy delving into One UI leaks, and we enjoy bringing them to you when they surface. The bad news for all of us is that it looks like the party might be over. According to a report from SammyGuru, Samsung has patched a vulnerability in its OTA (over-the-air) update system that was most recently powering a wave of One UI 8 leaks. The loophole gave users access to internal firmware builds, revealing features before Samsung was ready to roll them out. The trick relied on a community-made C# tool that let users interact with Samsung's FOTA servers and decrypt metadata using apps like CheckFirm. It essentially gave outsiders a peek at development builds, leading to early reveals of things like Secure Folder upgrades and redesigned stock apps. Alas, the leaks were getting too popular. Creators were racking up views, and the system was attracting more attention. According to SammyGuru, a user named Farlune reported the issue directly to Samsung — likely as part of a bug bounty program. The report outlined how internal URLs, decryption logic, and possibly app signatures or tokens were being used to bypass access controls, exposing unpatched software and violating confidentiality. We can't blame Samsung for wanting to shut down this leaky pipeline, but we'll miss it, and you're unlikely to get as many One UI previews in the coming weeks. The update pipeline just got a whole lot drier, but you can bet we'll still be watching closely for any scraps of info that surface.
Android Authority
20 hours ago
- Android Authority
You can finally run Doom and other graphical apps in Android's Linux Terminal
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Android's Linux Terminal app can now run graphical Linux apps in the latest Canary build, a major step forward for the feature. A new 'Display' button launches a graphical environment, letting users run full desktop apps that aren't available on Android. Hardware acceleration can also be enabled for better performance, paving the way for running even more powerful Linux software and games. The Linux Terminal app that Google introduced earlier this year is one of the most exciting new features in Android, not for what it currently does but for what it can potentially do. The Terminal app lets you boot up an instance of Debian in a virtual machine, allowing you to run full-fledged Linux apps that aren't available on Android. Unfortunately, the current version of the Terminal app is limited to running command line programs, but that's set to change in the near future. In the new Android Canary build that Google released today, the Terminal app now lets you run graphical Linux apps. Earlier this year, we ran a Linux port of Doom in Android's Terminal app to showcase the app's upcoming graphical capabilities. For months, Google has been working to add hardware acceleration support and a full graphical environment to the Linux Terminal, but the company never pushed these features to any public builds, requiring us to compile Android from source to try them out. After installing the July 2025 Android Canary build, however, we noticed that the Terminal app has been updated with graphical app support. When you open up the Terminal app in this build, you'll see a new button in the top right corner. This button launches the 'Display' activity of the Terminal app, which forwards graphical output from the Linux VM to the Android host. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Once on this screen, you can type the 'weston' command to open up a graphical environment. Weston is a reference implementation of a Wayland compositor, a modern display server protocol, and it comes preinstalled with Android's Linux Terminal. In the graphical environment, we were able to launch apps like Gedit, a basic text editor. We didn't try running Doom again, but you can see what that looks like in the video we recorded earlier this year. By default, hardware acceleration isn't enabled in the Linux Terminal. To enable it, you need to create an empty file named ' virglrenderer ' and place it in the ' /sdcard/linux ' directory. If you see a toast message that reads 'VirGL enabled' when you open the Linux Terminal, then you've done things correctly. The addition of graphical app support in the Linux Terminal is a big deal, as it opens the door to running many useful Linux programs that aren't available on Android. It also opens the door to running PC games in the future, though more work will need to be done to make them compatible, especially since most Android devices have ARM CPUs. Regardless, this is a big step forward in Google's plans to combine Chrome OS and Android into a single platform, so we're excited to see how things proceed. Although this feature is enabled in the latest Android Canary build, we don't know when it'll land in the Beta or Stable channels. We're hoping that Google will roll it out in the second quarterly release of Android 16, which is scheduled to roll out in December. However, there's no guarantee the company will do so.
Android Authority
21 hours ago
- Android Authority
Android's new 'Expanded' dark mode darkens apps without a dark theme — but there's a catch
Megan Ellis / Android Authority TL;DR For accessibility, Android will soon let you enable a dark theme in apps that don't have one. A new 'Expanded' dark mode option forces apps to go dark, but it may cause visual issues. This feature is live in the second Android Canary build, but its stable release date is unknown. If you tell people that you use light mode on your phone, some people will look at you like you're crazy. That's because many people prefer dark mode UIs because they're generally seen as easier on the eyes. Most apps have a built-in dark theme by this point, but there are still plenty that don't. For accessibility reasons, Android will soon let you enable dark mode in apps that don't natively support it. Earlier today, Google released the second Android Canary build, and while exploring it, we discovered a new option under Settings > Display & touch > Dark theme. Previously, this page only had options to schedule the dark theme, but it now offers two different dark theme 'modes.' There's the 'Standard' mode, which applies the dark theme across your device and supported apps, and a new 'Expanded' mode which automatically applies dark theme to more apps. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Android's new 'Expanded' dark mode is different from the existing color inversion option as it doesn't invert all colors on screen, which can mess with images. It's more like the 'override force-dark' toggle in Developer Options, but it seems to work in more apps. BLE Scanner app in light mode BLE Scanner app in expanded dark mode Google says the 'Expanded' dark mode is intended to improve accessibility, but you may experience appearance issues when using it as some apps won't play nicely with it. If that happens, then it's recommended you enable the 'Standard' dark mode instead, as it won't force a dark theme on apps that don't support it. We've been waiting for Google to launch this feature since we first spotted evidence of it over a year ago. It seems the company needed some time to figure out how to present the feature to users, as they were previously testing it under the name, 'make more apps dark.' By pitching it as an accessibility feature, Google will ensure that users are aware of its limitations and that it isn't intended as a foolproof way to enable a dark theme in all apps. Although this feature is now live in the second Android Canary build, we don't know when it'll roll out for users in the Beta or Stable channels. We're hoping this feature will roll out in the second quarterly release of Android 16, ie. Android 16 QPR2, which is scheduled for release this December.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Android Authority
Samsung killed its classic DeX mode in One UI 8, but there's a good reason
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung killed its 'classic' DeX in One UI 8, replacing it with a new version built on top of Google's native Desktop Mode in Android. This move aligns DeX with Google's broader effort to improve Android's desktop capabilities, which should benefit DeX in the long run. However, the new DeX is currently a downgrade for users, as it lacks many quality-of-life features that were present in the classic version. Samsung DeX is one of the best features of One UI, letting you transform your powerful Galaxy phone or tablet into a portable PC. You simply hook up your Galaxy device to an external display, fire up DeX mode, and connect some accessories, and you have a full desktop experience. DeX has evolved over the years, but the latest One UI 8 release brings its most significant changes yet. Samsung has killed off the 'classic' DeX experience, replacing it with a new version that's arguably a downgrade for now. However, this change is poised to pay off handsomely in the future. Here's why. Samsung introduced DeX with the Galaxy S8 series in 2017, over two years before Google added even a rudimentary desktop mode to Android. Because Android natively lacked much of the functionality DeX required, Samsung had to make significant under-the-hood changes to the operating system. For example, Samsung modified core Android components to add its own desktop windowing system, a dedicated desktop launcher, and an improved connected display experience. This required a massive effort that didn't stop at the initial launch, as Samsung had to carry these custom changes forward through multiple Android releases. Samsung is in the business of selling Android phones and Windows PCs (…and a ton of other things), though, so they have little incentive to invest heavily into transforming Android into a full-fledged desktop OS. As a result, DeX has long been just 'good enough' for casual users wanting to watch media or do light work on the go, but it has never been robust enough to fully replace a traditional PC for professionals. Google, however, is a different story. The company has spent years trying to break into the PC market with ChromeOS, which has seen major success in the education sector. But developing two operating systems simultaneously is inefficient, so Google is pooling its resources to merge the two platforms. This effort involves bringing many Chrome OS features to Android, such as a desktop version of Chrome with extension support, a Linux environment, and more. As part of these efforts, Google is finally adding proper desktop windowing and a new connected display experience to Android. The Android 16 release introduces a Desktop Mode with many DeX-like features, such as a taskbar at the bottom and support for freeform app windows. This new mode is, in fact, built on the very foundation of Samsung DeX. Google and Samsung collaborated to improve desktop windowing on Android, culminating in the new experience we see today. With Google now developing a native desktop mode for Android, there's no longer a need for Samsung to maintain its own heavily modified version of DeX. Doing so would be counterproductive, requiring Samsung to constantly adapt its code to Google's changes and risk breaking compatibility with apps built for large screens. While phone makers often stick with their own software features even after Google introduces a stock equivalent, this situation is different. Desktop Mode is poised to become a core part of Google's future Android strategy, making its adoption essential. Samsung actually began this migration in One UI 6.0 with its 'new' DeX mode for tablets. While the company still offered its 'classic' DeX as an option then, it has removed it in One UI 8 to focus on building features on top of Google's native Desktop Mode. This change is ultimately a good thing, as it means Samsung DeX will inherit the new features and improvements Google introduces in the coming years. However, the initial transition might annoy some users. The current version of DeX in One UI 8 lacks many of the small quality-of-life features that Samsung added to its classic mode over the years. With help from Reddit user FragmentedChicken, we compiled the following list of differences between Samsung's 'classic' DeX and the new DeX in One UI 8: The toggle to Auto start when HDMI is connected has been removed from DeX settings. However, this has been effectively replaced by the Extended option under Settings > Connected devices > Samsung DeX > Connected display, as by default, DeX will now start when the phone's screen is extended to an external display. Samsung DeX settings in One UI 8 Connected display settings in One UI 8 The settings for Taskbar , Keyboard , Set default audio input , and App icon badges have been removed. Taskbar: Can no longer toggle auto hide taskbar, toggle the navigation buttons, toggle the finder (search button), toggle the keyboard language, toggle the keyboard (either on screen or on phone), toggle the volume, or toggle the screenshot button. Keyboard: Can't set the on screen keyboard location either on the connected display or the phone by default, can't toggle showing the on screen keyboard when a physical keyboard is being used. Set default audio input: This setting made sounds play through the connected TV or monitor when Samsung DeX started. App icon badges: Changed how notifications were shown on app icons, either as a small number or a dot. , , , and have been removed. Classic Samsung DeX settings in One UI 7 App icon badge settings under classic DeX in One UI 7 Taskbar settings for classic DeX in One UI 7 Keyboard settings for classic DeX in One UI 7 The Flow pointer to phone screen page has been removed. This setting let you choose if you wanted to enable mouse continuity between the phone and external display. It has functionally been replaced by the Android 16 display topology feature that allows you to rearrange where your phone and external display are located in virtual space. However, mouse continuity is enabled by default now and cannot be disabled. page has been removed. This setting let you choose if you wanted to enable mouse continuity between the phone and external display. It has functionally been replaced by the Android 16 display topology feature that allows you to rearrange where your phone and external display are located in virtual space. However, mouse continuity is enabled by default now and cannot be disabled. Lock DeX and exit DeX buttons were removed from the app drawer: The lock DeX button locked DeX, requiring you to enter your phone's screen lock or biometrics. The Exit DeX button allowed you to quit DeX. and buttons were removed from the app drawer: The lock DeX button locked DeX, requiring you to enter your phone's screen lock or biometrics. The Exit DeX button allowed you to quit DeX. The Pin app button has been removed from apps' header bars. This button allowed you to pin an app to keep it on top of other apps you open. Flow pointer to phone screen settings for classic DeX in One UI 8 Lock DeX and exit DeX buttons for classic DeX in One UI 7 Pin button in app header for classic DeX in One UI 7 MultiStar removed the ' I❤️Samsung DeX ' menu. The 'High resolutions for external display' option is still there in the main MultiStar menu, but the 'run many apps at same time' which allowed you to run more than 5 apps at a time, auto open last app which allowed you to reopen the last app you had open, and set taskbar and header bar display time option which allows you to change the delay for showing the header bar have been removed. ' menu. The 'High resolutions for external display' option is still there in the main MultiStar menu, but the 'run many apps at same time' which allowed you to run more than 5 apps at a time, auto open last app which allowed you to reopen the last app you had open, and set taskbar and header bar display time option which allows you to change the delay for showing the header bar have been removed. Miscellaneous behavior changes You can't snap windows to the top anymore, but you can still double click app headers to maximize them. You can't right click the taskbar to access taskbar settings You can't right click the desktop to change how apps are sorted, clean up the desktop, or access screen zoom settings Finally, the app header bar and taskbar remain on screen even if you're trying to watch a video in full screen. Watching a full screen video in classic DeX on One UI 7 Watching a full screen video in the new DeX in One UI 8 As far as we can tell, the only proprietary DeX components that remain are its touchpad, wallpaper settings, S Pen integration, and wireless display connectivity. Fortunately, the new version of DeX retains most of the basic functionality of the classic experience, so most people should be satisfied with it. Samsung DeX home screen in One UI 8 New header bar dropdown options in One UI 8 DeX Redesigned app drawer in One UI 8's DeX Redesigned notifications tray in One UI 8's DeX Redesigned Quick Settings tray in One UI 8's DeX Redesigned recents menu in One UI 8's DeX While Samsung might add some classic features back in future updates, there's no guarantee. One thing is certain, however: Samsung won't be returning to its old DeX implementation. However, assuming Google commits to its desktop Android plans, the future for the new version of DeX looks bright. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Android Authority
Microsoft is testing new features to make your Android phone work better with Windows PCs
Andy Walker / Android Authority TL;DR Microsoft will soon let you remotely lock your PC and access its clipboard directly from your Android phone. The new clipboard feature allows your phone to access text and images copied on your PC, which is especially useful for Android phones without Phone Link's native cross-device sync. An updated Link to Windows app on the phone will show a history of items copied to the PC's clipboard and also include a new button to remotely lock your computer. There are many tools to control your Android phone from a Windows PC or vice versa, but the most popular is Microsoft's Phone Link. Phone Link displays your phone's notifications, texts, photos, and more on your Windows PC, but with a bit of extra setup, it can do even more. Soon, Phone Link will also let you remotely lock your PC and access its clipboard directly from your Android phone. When you first connect your Android phone to your Windows PC via Phone Link, not every feature is enabled out of the box. For instance, you can use your Android phone as your PC's webcam or access its files directly from Windows File Explorer, but only if you turn these features on first. To turn them on, you have to open the Windows Settings app, navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices > Manage devices, and toggle on 'Use as a connected camera' and 'Show mobile device in File Explorer.' Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority In that same menu, you'll find other toggles, such as 'Get new photo notifications' and 'Show device name in Windows Share.' Remotely locking and accessing your PC's clipboard from your Android phone These options are what's available on my PC running the stable version of Windows 11. Users on recent Insider Preview Builds are seeing additional options in this menu, however. For example, Telegram user Lance Adams on the latest Dev channel has a new 'access PC's clipboard' toggle. As its name suggests, this feature lets your connected Android phone access text and images you copy on your PC. This new feature is currently one-way, syncing your PC's clipboard to your phone but not the other way around. Full two-way sync typically requires using SwiftKey's 'sync across devices' feature or Phone Link's 'cross-device copy and paste' option. That latter option, however, is only available on phones that come with Phone Link preinstalled, which excludes Google's Pixel phones. This makes the new PC-to-phone sync especially handy for Pixel users, who have lacked the native clipboard integration found on many Samsung, OnePlus, HONOR, and Xiaomi devices. What's more, the experience is improving on the phone side. Telegram user Legofan, who is on the latest Canary build, reports that an updated Link to Windows app now shows a history of items copied to the PC's clipboard, not just the most recent one. Legofan Legofan also tells me they see a new 'lock PC' button in the app, which lets you remotely lock your Windows PC from your phone. This option is only available if you enable the corresponding 'Remote PC controls' toggle in Windows' mobile devices menu, as shown below. Legofan As a long-time Windows and Android user, it's great to see Microsoft continue to build tighter integrations between the two platforms. Google has less incentive to make its OS work better with Windows, as the company is focused on its own competing Chrome OS ecosystem. Given the news that Google is working to merge Android and Chrome OS into a single platform, that focus is unlikely to change. What do you think of these new Phone Link features? Let us know in the comments below! Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
