Some Android 12 annoyances

[Jito463]

I finally got a new phone.  I've been using a Samsung S7 Active for years now, with Android 8 being the latest it would support.  The main reason I kept it so long is because of the physical navigation buttons at the bottom, but I finally decided it was high time to get something new.  I found this brick of a rugged phone called a Doogee S98 Pro, but that's not really what I'm posting about today.

 

My main issue is trying to regain some functionality that I've lost in the upgrade.  First off is the navigation buttons (and don't bother mentioning gestures, I'm not interested).  While most of the time they will stay at the bottom, when some apps go full screen, they'll auto hide.  I'm trying to find a way to keep the navigation buttons on screen at all times, but I haven't been able to find a way as of yet.

 

My second issue is with the swipe down menu.  I can access it fine when unlocked, but I used to be able to access it from the lock screen, which is no longer doable.  Am I missing something, or did they just take that functionality away completely?  And if they did remove it, is there a way to get it back?

 

I haven't rooted the phone as of yet, though I probably should given that I know nothing about the manufacturer.  I only bought it because it was cheap (around $400) and rugged, plus it's supposed to have thermal vision, though I still haven't figured out how to access that.

 

I've tried searching on Google and DDG, but so far no success.  I'm hoping someone here will have a recommendation for me, even if it involves using a third party app to fix it.

[Lurking]

Don't aim your anger at Android if your phone is to blame. My Pixel 6Pro has the option to use the back button (basically to work like a Samsung phone). But after some initial hesitation I ended up liking the gestures. Every time I use a different phone or tablet, i find myself trying to use gestures and realize how much they suck not using gestures. Especially since those tablets sometimes don't have a back button in all apps. 

 

So give gestures a try. And if your phone isn't able to provide the back button, it is your phone, not Android 12 in general. 

[Jito463]

2 hours ago, Lurking said:

Don't aim your anger at Android if your phone is to blame. My Pixel 6Pro has the option to use the back button (basically to work like a Samsung phone). But after some initial hesitation I ended up liking the gestures. Every time I use a different phone or tablet, i find myself trying to use gestures and realize how much they suck not using gestures. Especially since those tablets sometimes don't have a back button in all apps. 

 

So give gestures a try. And if your phone isn't able to provide the back button, it is your phone, not Android 12 in general. 

What are you talking about?  I never said I was angry, I said they were annoyances.  Those are two very different things.  Also, I already said I don't care about gestures, so why would you bother posting just to tell me I should use gestures?  Was the reason you posted just so you could feel better about your choice of UI?

 

I was simply hoping someone might have a recommendation to achieve my goals, I wasn't looking for advise on my UI choices.

[Lurking]

Just now, Jito463 said:

What are you talking about?  I never said I was angry, I said they were annoyances.  Those are two very different things.  Also, I already said I don't care about gestures, so why would you bother posting just to tell me I should use gestures?  Was the reason you posted just so you could feel better about your choice of UI?

 

I was simply hoping someone might have a recommendation to achieve my goals, I wasn't looking for advise on my UI choices.

Your threat title says your complaint is about Android 12. You are wrong, Android 12 lets you choose the back button that you want. 

 

If your phone doesn't let you select traditional control instead of the gestures, it is their OS, not an Android problem 

[Jito463]

10 hours ago, Lurking said:

Your threat title says your complaint is about Android 12. You are wrong, Android 12 lets you choose the back button that you want. 

 

If your phone doesn't let you select traditional control instead of the gestures, it is their OS, not an Android problem 

Maybe you should read more than the title before you post.  I have a back button already, that's not the issue.

20 hours ago, Jito463 said:

While most of the time they will stay at the bottom, when some apps go full screen, they'll auto hide.  I'm trying to find a way to keep the navigation buttons on screen at all times, but I haven't been able to find a way as of yet.