Ready for a change on your Android lock screen? Now you can check out how the Ubuntu for Android version looks, while still getting notifications from your apps.
Android devices are great for those who love personalization. For instance, if you want to change the theme of your home screen and menus, an app can easily do that for you. And if you ever get bored of the current lock screen, it can be changed to look like a different Android version or even a different mobile OS.
Such is the case with the Ubuntu Lockscreen app by Rotary Heart, which allows you to copy the look of the Ubuntu for Android lock screen. Ready to try it out? Here's how:
Step 1: Install a copy of
Ubuntu Lockscreen on your Android device. According to the developer, this app will work on both smartphones and tablets.
Step 2: Press the Home button and a pop-up will appear asking you which launcher to use; choose Ubuntu Lockscreen and then press Always. If you skip this by accident, you can easily correct it in the next step.
Step 3: Open the Ubuntu Lockscreen app from the app drawer. If you do not have it set as your default launcher, you'll be prompted to do so now. From there, you can customize the details and appearance of the lock screen itself a bit more.
Step 4: Ubuntu Lockscreen needs to be enabled in your Accessibility settings in order to deliver notifications from all apps. The app itself will prompt you to do this when you tap on Enable/Disable Notifications. Once you go to the Accessibility area, press on Ubuntu Lockscreen and then toggle it on.
Step 5: You will also need to disable your current lock screen so your phone doesn't show two every time you wake it up. Depending on phone model and version of Android, your lock screen settings area will vary. For most Samsung devices, this is done by pressing Menu > Settings > Lockscreen and then choosing None at the bottom. For most HTC devices, open the Settings menu from notification shade or the icon in the app drawer. Head to Personalize > Lockscreen style and there will be an option for No Lockscreen.
(Optional)
Step 6: You can disable the llockour screen option that appeared in the notification shade after installing the app. Just head to the Ubuntu Lockscreen app and toggle the Start in foreground option. Unfortunately, this also means that you will be disabling the app's ability to avoid being killed by battery preservation apps or options.
To check out the lock screen, press the power button and then wake the device up. You'll see the Ubuntu-themed lock screen appear, along with any current notifications. To unlock it, press anywhere on the right-hand side of the screen and slide to the left.
What do you think? Do you enjoy Ubuntu's lock screen better than your original one? Or will you revert back? Share your thoughts in the comments.
