Recommendations and Suggestions

Recommendations and Suggestions

None of those are required, but in most cases, it will improve your experience with your PowKiddy Android device.

Recommendations:

1. Install magisk manager from the Magisk website.
2. (Requires magisk manager) Install link2sd and open. Look for FOTA in system applications in the link2sd application and uninstall it.
3. To completely remove FOTA/Adups, also do this: in shell, run adb shell then if the cmd says "X18:" or "X15:", su to get root, then finally pm uninstall com.adups.fota to remove final trace, but then it can't run without app uninstalled by link2sd.
4. In magisk manager, click the button with 3 lines, click magisk hide, and hide magisk from the google play store and services.
5. Install launcher better suited to this type of device, more akin to tv launchers. Play search for tv launchers. Ugoos TV Launcher seem to be well suited for this, and it works with physical controls. The DIG Frontend is gaming specific, includes screenshots and sorting by genre, and also works well via controller. Apex Launcher Also works ok with a controller, but is not made with a basic controller in mind.
6. Put the X18/X15 in a more tablet-like state. Apps seem to function better in the Powkiddy's orientation in this state. Follow Tablet Mode Guide
7. PPSSPP are of different build and have different permissions, it's highly recommanded for you to uninstall it and install version in Play Market. See Troubleshooting

Suggestions:

1. Mupens64Plus FZ: N64 emulator, runs very well for most games. Google Play
2. Dolphin - some games run well but gamecube and above is little overpowering for these devices. Google Play Does not use hardware controls by default, but you can remap to use them.
3. Google maps can be installed on this since it has working GPS. Google Play
4. RetroArch on Android works well on this device up to PSX games, and also serves as an acceptable gaming frontend. Google Play
5. Use one of options to remove soft controls for better view area. See below
6. PPSSPP, PSP emulator - but do not use build-in one, see above.

Immersive Mode: Permanently disable soft controls.

Note this is NOT recommended on the X15, as it does not have hard keys duplicating Home, Back, and App Switcher like the X18 does!

There are 4 options, starting with easiest to hardest:

1: Install Hide Nav Bar requires root. Very easy.

2: use Tasker app. Tasker, paid app

3: Install short cutter, then in adb shell first do su for root, then pm grant com.leedroid.shortcutter android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS to make shortcutter work. In Launcher group, Advanced - look for "Immersive mode". It hides top bar and soft buttons. Just swipe down to show it again briefly.

4: Remove them forever, details below. WARNING! This method can be risky ! You have your backups made right ? (Other options will be coming later if you don't want to do this method, you can also just search google till then) This assumes you have installed the Manufacture Clean-ish Rom. The X18 has hw navigation buttons, so we will edit the /system/build.prop file to permanently disable the soft controls.

1. Install Busybox from the play store and follow its setup to get vi on your x18.
2. Use adb shell and once at the X18 prompt, use su to gain root. You can also use the mtk-su for this if you don't have su available.
3. Remount the /system partition: mount -o rw,remount /system
4. Edit the /system/build.prop file with vi: vi /system/build.prop At the very end of this file, on a new line add (press i to enter insert mode): qemu.hw.mainkeys=1 After the edit, save and exit vi (esc to exit insert mode. :wq to write and save the file).
5. Reboot. You now have your full screen for use at all times.

Enjoy!