Enhancing the AOSP Android 11 Settings App: Conflict Resolution and Feature Improvements

thestreak969 - 4 days ago

Introduction to Android Open Source Project (AOSP)

The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is the foundation of Google's Android operating system. It allows developers and manufacturers to create custom Android experiences tailored to specific devices. This project focuses on refining the Settings app for a device running Android 11, resolving upstream conflicts, enhancing features, and ensuring compatibility and performance.

Key Objectives

Resolve Conflicts:

Address inconsistencies and merge issues from upstream AOSP for compatibility with Android 11.

Fix UI/UX Bugs:

Improve functionality and design across dark and light modes.

Enhance Features:

Introduce support for Fingerprint on Display (FOD), color modes, and customizable themes.

Testing and Validation:

Conduct thorough testing to maintain stability and improve user experience.

Key Contributions and Fixes

1. Resolving Upstream Conflicts

Screen-Off FOD Fix:
Adjusted the default behavior of the Fingerprint on Display (FOD) gesture during screen-off to function seamlessly without requiring manual toggling. A patch ensures consistent performance even after resetting or reinstalling.
Commit Link: https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/01136b3a4bf448ee4b5c8b3ae11791e0d855f792

2. UI/UX Enhancements

Dynamic Theme Support: Replaced hardcoded black text in the storage summary with theme-based colors, ensuring better readability across light and dark modes.
Commit Link: https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/e7884a55963efc481271b52d8406503fa56a5ff7
SwitchBar Improvements:
Fixed issues with dark mode where enabled and disabled states were visually indistinguishable by utilizing framework-defined text colors.
Commit Link: https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/ad7da69416ce86fc29349b944861d081123b9c53

3. Device-Specific Customization

Vendor Color Modes:
Allowed devices to define custom color modes for better display tuning and user preferences.
Commit Link: https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/01136b3a4bf448ee4b5c8b3ae11791e0d855f792
Emergency Alert Renaming: Updated the UK Emergency Alerts app name for better localization and clarity.
Commit Link: https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/4e018545a70a5fac946245eb45d488fa1318a6e2

4. Code Cleanup and Performance Optimization

Removed redundant hardcoding and modernized layout XML files for better performance.
Streamlined color and theme logic for dynamic responsiveness and alignment with Android 11 APIs.
Challenges and Solutions

1. Conflict Management

Merging upstream AOSP updates introduced compatibility challenges with device-specific code. For instance, the Screen-Off FOD switch required careful adjustments to ensure compatibility without user intervention.

2. Testing and Debugging

Thorough testing was performed across multiple devices to identify and resolve edge cases, including handling mismatched color modes and ensuring stable integration of new features.

3. Maintaining Compatibility

Adapting to API changes in Android 11 required continuous updates to ensure compatibility with newer frameworks and device configurations.

Repository and Commit Highlights

Explore the repository for detailed changes:

GitHub Repository Link:

https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings

Key Commits:

Disable Screen-Off FOD:

https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/01136b3a4bf448ee4b5c8b3ae11791e0d855f792

Fix Hardcoded Storage Text:

https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/e7884a55963efc481271b52d8406503fa56a5ff7

Dark Mode Fix for SwitchBar:

https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/ad7da69416ce86fc29349b944861d081123b9c53

UK Emergency Alert Rename:

https://github.com/TheStreak969/packages_apps_settings/commit/4e018545a70a5fac946245eb45d488fa1318a6e2

Conclusion

This project demonstrates the flexibility and power of AOSP in creating custom Android experiences. By addressing conflicts, enhancing UI/UX, and integrating device-specific features, I ensured a smoother, more reliable experience for Android 11 users.