Today most of devices have a 5.5-inch display. One handed use has really suffered. Many manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, LG have tackled the problem with different implementations of the one-handed mode. But devices like the Google Pixel 2 XL and many others still don’t have any such thing. That is why the folks over at XDA have been working on an app they simply call One-Handed Mode. The app adds a floating button on the edge of your device’s display. You can tap this button anytime to pull the display downwards. This makes it easier to reach things like the status bar, the app toolbar at the top of your notification tray. The implementation is pretty much like Apple’s except the way One-Handed Mode gets triggered. The said bubble can be moved around anywhere on the screen by long pressing and dragging. It can also be dismissed anytime should you decide you no longer want it on the screen. One-Handed Mode does not require Xposed Framework or even root access. XDA claims this is the only app on the Play Store currently that allows you to do this. Using
Install One-Handed Mode
XDA says that the app will cost you $0.99 for the first week. After which the price will be raised to $1.99. If you’d really like to use One-Handed mode on your device, it is best to buy the app right away while it costs half the price. You can install the app for free though in order to test it first.
As a general rule of thumb, most of the times when an app attempts to do something that other apps can’t do without root, you’re going to have to do some typing. Before you can start using One-Handed Mode, the app requires the permission to WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS. Granting the permission requires you to have a rooted device. Alternatively, you can use ADB to grant the said permission too. Here’s how you can do it.
Requirements
- Before you proceed, make sure you have enabled USB Debugging on your device. If not, you can check out how to do it here.
- you will need ADB installed on your computer. Windows / Mac and linux
- Download and install your device’s USB Drivers.
Grant WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS permission
- Connect your phone to the computer.
- Pull down the notification shade on your phone and tap on the USB charging this device notification then elect Transfer files.
- Launch the ADB interface. On Windows, you can simply launch the Minimal ADB and Fastboot program. On a Mac or Linux machine, just launch the terminal.
- Enter the following command in ADB
adb devices - This should return your device’s serial number, which would mean adb is able to detect your device. Otherwise, you might want to check if your device’s drivers are installed properly.
- You should see a prompt on your phone asking to Allow USB Debugging from the computer, tap OK.
- Now, enter this command:
adb shell pm grant com.xda.onehandedmode android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
Enjoy One-Handed Mode
Once that is done, you can disconnect your phone from the PC and launch the app. Swipe through the introductory pages and you’ll be able to access the app’s main screen. It is a pretty simple app with a handful of settings which is good considering it only has one job to do.
Most of the settings are quite self-explanatory and those that do not have their explanations write under them. That’s what happens when all things are considered while designing an app. Yet, if you’re in doubt about any of the settings, you can check out the source link below. When you toggle on the Enable OHM Service option on the main page, you’ll be asked to pay for the app. You can choose to simply hit the back button and not pay.
Over to the app settings and different customization options that it offers. Tap on the cog (gear) icon on the top-right of the app window, and this is where all the app settings reside. Below, we have tried to explain each setting for your reference.
Toggle Settings (These are enabled-by-default)
- Start Service on Boot: This will initiate OHM service at boot.
- Auto-Anchor Toggle: Automatically adjust the toggle position. You can disable it further to manually adjust the position.
- Auto-Hide Toggle: Automatically pushes the toggle more inwards to provide a clutter-free experience.
Size
- Adjust DP: Automatically adjust the DPI of the one-handed screen to better fit the content in the window.
- Resize Window: This option is required to change the size of the app window.
- Change Size: Once you have enabled ‘Resize Window’, you can easily change the size and position of the one-handed window.
The app is only free to test which is why you won’t be able to access some of the settings. The floating bubble on the edge of the screen also won’t work. You can only test that the app works by tapping the OFF/ON button at the bottom.
