Android 12

[1OfAnotherKind]

Does anyone know if there is any way to change the display of the notifications at the top of the screen and also the volume slider which has come from the Android 12 system upgrade? Each upgrade seems to get worse in my opinion! 

[Corruptedminds]

Unfortunately I don't think there is. I had a look after I did the update and coult not find any ways to change it as it looks terrible. Hopefully they will release an update that makes things feel more premium and tidy as for now it looks like a toddler attempt to art for me

[1OfAnotherKind]

I agree with all the above! I hope more than anything (atm) they do something about this. I only received the upgrade this morning but I have come across too many changes all ready.... 

[Corruptedminds]

Oh I have emailed Sony about this and have provided them a list of features I believe they should improve.

I just cannot understand how the notifications area has been changed in such a way and overall it's menu's look dull. Dull is something that..consumers who pay that price tag should never have. However they may improve it at some point. What are your thoughts?

[1OfAnotherKind]

That's good to hear that you have emailed Sony. I phoned them this morning immediately after upgrading to Android 12 and seeing these changes, after being on the phone for quite a while talking to the agent about this issue and her consulting her manager I was told that there is currently no way around it as this is down to Android making the changes. 

[Alan_Rose]

I googled this and all I could find was an overlay app that seems to work - 

Power Shade: Notification Bar
ZipoApps

From what I can tell, you can use it free to do what you want (change the pull down notification shade and sliders back to Android 11 style or you can upgrade to a subscription of £10 a year to do everything the app offers.

Hope this helps, now I am off to find out why my phone has now started displaying the app draw in 4x4 grid. As far as I know, Android have 'nerfed' their software to make it easier for toddlers, disabled (visually impaired etc.) and idiots to use- sorry if this offends those that genuinely like the sliders and drop down but I am entitled to my opinion. It would be nice if Android offered the option of display styles kept as old or downgraded to new- could be a simple toggle switch in the settings/display menus as both scripts are already written and have no bearing on security or how the OS works as a whole.

[1OfAnotherKind]

Firstly, your comment does not offend me at all because you are right especially when saying that everyone has a right to their own opinion. Secondly you're not the only one who thinks that it's been basically dumbed down, which there is no need for as Apple is available for people who want simplicity with their phone. Android should offer the option to have it kept as it was in 11. Thanks for the information about the overlay app which I'm going to have a look at now 🤞

[Corruptedminds]

By the way, ignore my comment because the whole UI features both you and me are complaining about are a part of stock Android 12 and not Sony. HAve a look for 'Android 12 stock' and then compare to other manufacturers UI (e.g. Samsung's One UI, Oppo's color OS, etc). Because Sony doesn't provide a modified UI then you get what Stock Android and AOSP ROM's get.

I was silly to start complaining of that but at the same time this is causing some inconveniences.

For example now it takes 3 steps to put my phone on silent, whereas before you could simply tap on the sound toggle (Android 12 doesn't have) so now you have to press 1) volume key on your phone 2) tap the sound button 3) tap on silent. I'm not sure how this is better...(or you have to install a third party widget if there is any).

The brightness slider in my opinion is just unnecessarily huge and could have been placed in a more accesible area, directly on your first swipe when you pull your notification area..but instead Android 12 gives you HUGE toggles that take more space on the screen therefore removing space for other features.

On your question, I was testing earlier today the IOS 15 'control center' app from the play store which gives you a lot of useful stuff but it wasn't quite there for me. Just a bit frustrating