Android phones have a factory-set resolution and pixel density, but this is easy to change for a better user experience and more screen space.
Looking at screenshots posted online, Android users may notice that someone with their phone has more real estate on their screen.
They probably adjusted the pixel density/LCD density in the build.prop file. It is possible to change the font size in the Android 4 settings, but this does not provide more screen space.
This is the file that pretty much defines what your handset is. Apps query this file to get your phone’s specs. This allows an app to present itself properly on your phone. There are dozens of settings in this file, but the ones that change the most are the LCD density, model number and build number. Many people edit build.prop to trick the market into allowing you to download an app or game that appears to be incompatible. Most apps/games will run fine on your phone, but the LCD density or device name is not compatible with Google Play Store and they appear as incompatible.
I’m using the build.prop file to change the LCD Density to give myself more real estate but I’ve modified it to allow me to download apps as well. I’ll share some ways to edit this file after I show you why I changed the LCD density.
Note: You must have root access to the device to do this.
The screenshots on the left are from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus running at an LCD density of 320 (default), and the ones on the right are shown on the same phone at an LCD density of 280.
So you can see that there is a difference between 320 (right) and 280 (left). It doesn’t shake the world, but it is enough for me to see much more on 1 screen in some applications and views. We can get it down to 240 and even more. What I did was set mine to 280 and increase the font size. With Galaxy Nexus, some apps, including Gmail, have some bad effects when you go down to 240.
Another bad effect of changing the LCD intensity from a standard value is adding additional Google Play incompatibility. There are a lot of apps that I can’t download at 280. I occasionally have to go back to 320 to download an app I’ve used on Gnex in the past. Just today, I tried to download 2 apps that gave me this indicator. (under)
I’ve installed these in the past so I know they work well. Now to trick the store.
I changed the build.prop file and set the LCD density back to 320.
I went into Galaxy Nexus Android settings and selected apps. I then found Google Play Store and cleared both cache and data. I exited this screen and immediately went back to make sure these values now show 0.00B. This tells me that all data and cache is definitely cleared.
Now I reboot the phone. When the phone restarts, the new LCD density becomes active.
Now, go to the Google Play Store and you will be asked to accept the terms and so on, just like when you first run it.
I headed to the 2 apps in question and presto… I can download it now.
I downloaded the apps, set the LCD density back to 280, rebooted and now I can run the apps.
First, you must have a rooted Android handset. Accessing this file requires root access as far as I know.
There are many different ways to modify this file. You can edit it directly by going to the folder it’s in (/system/build.prop on Galaxy Nexus) and editing it there. You will need a root file explorer to see the file. You can make this even easier and download one of them. dozens of apps this will do it for you.
i use Rum ToolboxAdded to the ROM I’m using on my Galaxy Nexus. You can do download Even if you don’t have this ROM, install it from Google Play.
Rom Toolbox allows you to use scrollbars to adjust values in build.prop tweaks mode or manually edit each line of the file in editor mode.
Warning: messing with this file can cause some serious headaches if you change the wrong options. Be careful inside!
If you have any questions, let me know. i will try to help
As I mentioned earlier, I only use this editor to change the LCD density and give myself a little more real estate. I used the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, but you can apply the same to other Android models. Note that the LCD density, which is the default 320 for Galaxy Nexus, will not be the same for other devices with different screen size and pixel density.
