How to Convert your Nexus into a Pixel phone

Google’s newest flagship devices, Pixel and Pixel XL might have put an end to the Nexus era. But under the hood, Pixel phones are still very much Nexuses. The only major difference is that Pixel phones have the exclusivity of latest and greatest features from Google, which were once available for all Android users in the times of Nexuses.

But thanks to the huge community of Android users, most of Pixel’s exclusive features like Google Assistant, Pixel launcher, new Camera app and a few other apps have been ported over to Nexuses and other supported Android devices.

Getting Google Assistant to work on Nexus phones and other Android devices is a little trickier and requires root access, but Pixel launcher, Camera and other apps are available as a normal APK file installs. Let’s get started..

How to Get Google Assistant on Nexus phones

Getting Google Assistant on your Nexus phone is different between Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow releases. If you’re on Nougat, a build.prop edit is required to get Google Assistant working. On the contrary, for Marshmallow running devices, an Xposed Module called Android N-ify is required to get Google Assistant.

[icon name=”hand-o-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Get Google Assistant on Android 7.0 Nougat

  1. Make sure your Android device has either TWRP recovery installed OR has Root access enabled.
  2. Edit build.prop file: Add the ro.opa.eligible_device=true line to end of build.prop file on your Android device. And change the value of ro.product.model entry to Pixel such that it looks like this: ro.product.model=Pixel. Use the links below for help editing build.prop file with and without root access.
  3. Reboot device after saving changes to build.prop file.
  4. Install the latest version of Google app (beta) from either Play Store or APK Mirror.
  5. Clear Google App data:.
    1. Go to Settings » Apps » Google app.
    2. Clear app’s data. On Android 6.0 and above, select Storage » Manage space » and tap CLEAR ALL DATA.
  6. Long press on the Home button to bring up Google Assistant.
    └ If it doesn’t work, give it some time and it’ll eventually work.

[icon name=”hand-o-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Get Google Assistant on Android 6.0/6.0.1 Marshmallow

  1. Install Xposed Framework on your Nexus phone. If you need help, follow our detailed guides on installing Xposed framework systemless-ly using the links below:
  2. Once you’ve Xposed framework installed, download the modified Android N-ify module apk and install/activate the module on your device.
  3. Open Android N-ify module settings and enable Google Assistant from there.

How to Install Pixel Launcher on Nexus phones

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download Pixel Launcher (.apk)

Installing Pixel launcher is the easiest thing. Just grab the Pixel launcher apk from the download link above and install on your phone like you’d install any other apk file.

Tip: If you’d like the Google Now pan integration on Pixel launcher, then install/push the launcher’s apk as a system app on the device.

How to Install Pixel Camera, Phone app, Keyboard on Nexus phone

Installing other apps from Pixel like Camera (v4.2), the new Phone app (v5.1) and Keyboard (v5.2, with two new themes) is also easy. Just grab the apk files from download links below and install normally like other apk files.

That’s all that we have to share. If you know of any other Pixel exclusive features that can be ported/installed over to Nexus phones as well, let us know in the comments below.

Happy Androiding! 

Image source: Android Central

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Shivam Malani

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime. Email: [email protected]