Get Stock Android Pie Overview Screen on OnePlus 6 with Lawnchair [Root]

Do you want to get Android Pie Overview Screen on OnePlus 6? It’s possible with Lawnchair, but to be able to use it, your OnePlus 6 must be rooted.

If you’ve been following us, you must have heard the name Lawnchair a few times now. For those who don’t though, Lawnchair is a third-party Android launcher based on the Pixel Launcher. The only difference is that Lawnchair is pretty customizable in comparison. It’s no Nova Launcher, but it does hold its own.

So, if you love the simplicity of the Pixel Launcher but wish it allowed some level of customization as well, Lawnchair is one of the best options. Among the list of features, Lawnchair is also looking to add the stock Android Pie Overview screen, which is curiously absent from Oxygen OS 9.0 on the OnePlus 6.

On Android Pie, swiping up from the bottom brings up the overview screen which contains a horizontally scrolling list of your recent apps. At the bottom is the dock with a Google search bar and predicted apps that you may want to use. Another swipe up takes you to the app drawer.

On Oxygen OS 9.0, there is no dock or search bar or the ability to access the app drawer. These features aren’t built-in to the System UI though and are baked into the launcher. OnePlus didn’t seem to have put the effort to build it into their OnePlus Launcher. Google did open up the Android Pie overview customization for third-party devs. But much like the Google feed was in the beginning, this is only possible to implement on launchers which are installed as a system app.

Lawnchair Android Pie Overview screen integration

The developers of the Lawnchair launcher have been hard at work for a while now trying to bring this feature onto there launcher. And now, finally, they have, although due to the way it works, you’ll need a device rooted with Magisk.

Lawnchair bypasses the need to be installed as a system app using a Magisk module called Lawnstep. Moreover, the Android Pie overview integration is still in early development and the version of the launcher required for this is still an alpha version. I have been using it for a day and apart from some minor hiccups here and there, the launcher works fine. Nothing a soft reboot or force restarting the app won’t fix.

Finally releasing a HUGE update after testing 136 builds, we are back with our own version of Quickstep, and we call it Lawnstep. Lawnchair with Pie's sources merged has made each and every element better than ever before.
Download now! https://t.co/6Pb44nePKa 🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/owAq3GzUL0

— lawnchair. (@lawnchairapp) October 1, 2018

Requirements

1. Although this guide is for the OnePlus 6, all you need is a device running Android 9.0 Pie. Seeing as there are no devices yet running Android Pie that lack the stock Android Pie overview screen, other than the OnePlus 6, we’re focusing on the OnePlus 6 right now.
2. Your device must be rooted with Magisk 17.2 only and no other version of Magisk will work. Magisk 17.2 is still in beta. You can download the zip here.

To root your OnePlus 6, read this: Install TWRP & Root OnePlus 6 on Oxygen OS 9.0

How to get stock Android Pie Overview screen on OnePlus 6 with Lawnchair [Root]

1. Download the Lawnchair-alpha_564.apk and install it on your device. If you use Telegram, you may also want to join this Telegram channel for updates and newer versions. The Lawnchair developers post newer test versions here rather than use the Play Store beta program.
2. When you have the latest APK, install it and also set Lawnchair as the default launcher.
3. Download Lawnstep-v1.0.2.zip (Magisk module) and install it using Magisk Manager. Keep in mind you’ll need Magisk 17.2 for this. Installing the mod on Magisk 17.1 or other versions might result in a boot loop.
   • Open Magisk Manager and head over to the modules section using the side menu drawer.
   • Here, tap on the floating + button at the bottom.
   • Navigate to the downloaded zip file and select it to install it.
4. Reboot the device for the changes to take effect.

Once your device comes back on, you can swipe up and see the overview screen that should’ve been. Not only can you enjoy the stock Android Pie overview screen, but staying true to tradition, Lawnchair even lets you customize it a bit. As you can see in the screenshots, I’ve added a bit of roundness to the recent apps since everything else on Android P is rounded. This makes for a more uniform look.