Developer Mode

[cmg-ops]

I see with the new update version v568 that under the dashboard there is now the option to enable developer mode. So naturally I clicked it, and I see the new option in the settings. But outside of that I have yet to see what it has allowed me to do. Anyone have more info?

[dupontgu]

At a high level, that settings menu is going to let you configure which tools you want to be able to run on your device. The options right now are essentially:

• Only run tools baked into LightOS / released by Light
• Only run tools that are both cryptographically signed by Light AND were explicitly added to our community tool library (this is the default option that we don't think most users will change)
• Only tools that were signed by Light (including those NOT in the community library). This will be handy for folks who want to share tools outside of Light's distrobution channels. These tools should be built with our SDK and will play nicely with LightOS, but Light makes no promises about the content.
• Any tool (really, any APK installed on the device. Do as you please but you're on your own!)

We're also thinking through ways to allow specific tools built locally (not signed by us) without needing to chose that last option.

[diegxyz]

I’d like to know how APK sideloading will be handled; is there anything planned to make it easier? And when will it be available? Many users aren't familiar with ADB and would prefer to avoid complex procedures. Thank you

[dupontgu]

Yeah nothing yet, and we definitely want to make it easier than setting up ADB. I talk about it a bit here: https://github.com/orgs/lightphone/discussions/70

as for "when?", we're going to need it ASAP. Looking like late summer/early fall latest.

[cmg-ops]

Yeah nothing yet, and we definitely want to make it easier than setting up ADB. I talk about it a bit here: https://github.com/orgs/lightphone/discussions/70

I reread this discussion and do see in there is mention on the ADB which is great info. I also saw the comment about the developer mode

"For example, we've heard from many parents that it wold be helpful to be able to gate developer access from the dashboard - we think that's fair. More on this to come (or not)."

and that is where my question comes from. Is the Developer mode on the dashboard the same as the developer mode on the android layer? or is it more just a place holder currently? I am asking because every way of accessing the android layer that I have found has been removed. So currently I have no way to ADB side load until I can get that Developer mode setup. Unless I am mistaken and missed something, which if that is the case, please someone direct me to the right info.

[dupontgu]

and that is where my question comes from. Is the Developer mode on the dashboard the same as the developer mode on the android > layer? or is it more just a place holder currently?

It is not the same, it is a placeholder.

Unless I am mistaken and missed something, which if that is the case, please someone direct me to the right info.

To be completely honest, I don't even know all the ways that people are/were using to get there and when they were closed. And unfortunately, as I mention in that post, I don't want to go on record here pointing you towards anything that we're likely to get rid of if/when we do open an official channel. I was under the impression that there are still ways to do it, though. Are you in the Discord? I am not, but I hear there is an active modding channel in there. Might be a good place to check out if you are not. Sorry - I know we're in a weird in-between spot at the moment.

[cmg-ops]

Thanks for the reply thats exactly what I needed. I was thinking maybe it was me not doing something right.

I am fully committed to this platform. Im okay with being in a weird place. Good things are worth the wait. Just excited to see things move into a direction that is truly going a different way than most of the other platforms.

Thanks for the reply.

[cmg-ops]

So I wanted to give an update on this as a whole.

I have found the info needed through Reddit to get to the android layer and enable developer mode and usb debugging. From that point I was able to do the side loading. I was able to get to the app through the android layer and test apps Ive been working on.

This is what I found was interesting. based on the guide for side loading, you needed a launcher to sort the apps for android and key map a button to open the launcher to access the apps. It seems like due to the new update when you open the app and click the home button again the app sets itself on the Light OS list like its supposed to be there (I dont know if its because I also clicked developer mode on the dashboard, and clicked "all tools" in the External Tools menu). Very Simple no luncher needed or key mapping. I am very happy with it. it looks awesome. The only thing that isnt working is reorganizing them, they dont show up on the Edit Toolbox list. So the stay at them bottom of the list.

Also now I can do some real life testing on my phone, which is awesome.

[evandk]

Can you explain which process you used to sideload, as USB keyboard does not seem to be working for me.

[dupontgu]

It seems like due to the new update when you open the app and click the home button again the app sets itself on the Light OS list like its supposed to be there (I dont know if its because I also clicked developer mode on the dashboard, and clicked "all tools" in the External Tools menu).

Yup, being able to easily include arbitrary APKs in the toolbox here is a very happy byproduct of our decision to move to external APKs for new tools. We're going with the grain a little more.