HACKER Q&A
📣 HansTheOne

How to optimally set up an Android Tablet?


I'm looking for advice on how to optimally set up/customize an Android Tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ in my case).

I mean it in all possible ways, Launchers, Apps, Wallpapers, Cases, Pens, Pen nibs, Screen protectors, Holders, etc ...

Tell me how you completely obsessed over certain things until you finally got it set up exactly how you wanted it. Tell me about the time you tried out 7 different screen protectors until you found the right one. (Also don't ask me how many icon packs I looked at until I found "Rondo")

I'd also appreciate any links to deep-dive articles or blog posts about this topic.


  👤 smoldesu Accepted Answer ✓
For my money, less is more. Minimalist ROMs like LineageOS are a must-have, and when it's not available I use Android Debloater[0]. Usually I bounce all the unnecessary Google/OEM services and install better alternatives like Newpipe for YouTube and Firefox instead of Chrome. Media apps will be a matter of opinion, but I'm perfectly content with VLC. I do syncing with Syncthing, which is perfect if you spend most of your time on the same network.

Besides that though, I don't do a whole lot. The Android 12 UI colors are nice to play with, but I don't think there are any game-changing tips that will blow your mind. Maybe set up Termux so you can do programming on the side?

[0] https://github.com/0x192/universal-android-debloater