Always on Display is a feature that is available on the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 series. Also, it is touted as being one of the best features that Android devices has ever got. This is due to the fact that it keeps the display awake all the time so that no important notifications or messages are missed. However, it doesn’t drain the battery much as well. Because Always on Display is only available for AMOLED panels for a reason. The reason is that AMOLED panels can be switched off at a pixel level so Always on Display triggers only the pixels which are needed to be kept on and others are turned off. This way, reducing the battery drain significantly as the whole panel is not always on.
Now, we have found out a way with which you can enable the Always-on Display on the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. Yes, the Google Pixel series also features an AMOLED panel but Google didn’t include Always-on Display on these devices. One of the possible reasons is that the feature was not available at that time. However, you can very easily enable Always on Display on your device right now.
This method involves installing a Magisk module on your device. Naturally, you also require installing Magisk on your device. Apart from that, this method currently works on Google Pixel and Pixel XL running Android 9.0 Pie and above only. Now, this Magisk module is available to us thanks to XDA Senior Member shagbag913 who has developed this MOD. You also need to have Magisk v17.0 or higher installed on your device for this module to work properly.
How does Always On Display Enabler – Magisk Module work?
Now, some of you might be interested in knowing how this module actually enables Always on Display on your device. If yes then we have got you covered in this regards. This Magisk Module is based on an Android feature called Runtime Resource overlay or RRO. Basically, RRO is also used to theme the Android devices with the help of a famous theme engine known as Substratum. Therefore, the same technique is applied here and it creates an RRO overlay. This Always on Display RRO overlay sets the value of Always on Display to true.
This means that the system will read that the Always-on Display has been enabled on the device. This RRO overlay is then bundled into an apk file and the apk is installed on the device. On installing the application, the overlay gets transferred to /system/product/overlay/. This way, the overlay now becomes a part of the system. Now, this method only works for Android Pie running devices so it is only available for Android 9.0+ devices only.
Now, let’s get to the process of installing this Magisk module on your device. After which, Always on Display will be enabled on your Google Pixel and Pixel XL. Therefore, read and follow the steps properly in the installation section mentioned below properly and you are bound to have a successful installation
Prerequisites
- Make sure to install the latest version of Magisk on your Google Pixel. To install Magisk on your Android device, make sure to follow our tutorial.
- This Magisk Module currently only works on devices running Android 9.0 Pie and above. Therefore, your Google Pixel and Pixel XL must be running the latest version of Android.
- Your device’s battery should be above 50% so that there are no hiccups in the installation process.
Downloads
Enable Always-on Display on Google Pixel and Pixel XL
- Once you have followed all the steps mentioned in the Prerequisites section, this process becomes extremely case.
- Now that you have Magisk installed on your device, you need to download the Always-on Display Enabler – Magisk Module linked above in the Downloads section
- After that, install this module on your device.
- Now, reboot your Google Pixel or Pixel XL and the Always-on Display will be automatically enabled on your device. Also, you will find the Always-on Display toggle in the Display Settings of your device itself
- These are basically all the steps that you need to take in order to enable Always on Display on your first-generation Google Pixel.
A word of caution for all the Google Pixel (not Google Pixel XL) users out there. Since the Google Pixel has an LCD panel and the Google Pixel XL has an AMOLED panel, the battery usage on both the devices after enabling Always-on Display will differ. This is because of the reasons we have already explained above. Therefore, the Google Pixel having an LCD panel will have significant battery usage with Always on Display. Note that this is an issue which cannot be fixed due to display limitations and it is expected.
On the other hand, if you have any trouble following this process than make sure to leave a comment below with your issues and we will make sure to revert back as soon as possible.
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