How to get Android 7.0 Nougat features on your phone right now

There are several ways in which you can get some of Android N’s features on your phone right now. There’s an Xposed module designed to bring Android features to rooted devices, but we have some useful alternatives for those of you who haven’t rooted or don’t want to root your device.

Get Android 7.0 Nougat features on a rooted device

Multiple Window

Android N’s multiple window support was actually in Marshmallow, but it wasn’t turned on. You can activate this feature quite easily by editing the build.prop file. You’ll find that’s much easier if you’ve installed the BuildProp Editor application.

BuildProp Editor

In build.prop, look for the line that says ro.build.type and change its user to userdebug. Save, restart and go into Settings > Developer Options. You should now see a new option to enable or disable Multi-Window Mode; all you need to to is tap it to switch it on.

Get Android 7.0 Nougat features with Xposed module AndroidN-ify

This Xposed module offers a good set of Android N features, including quick access to the most recent application by double-tapping the multitasking button; night mode; notification, shortcuts and information on the lock screen; and Doze with the screen off.

You’ll need a device running Android 5.0 or better; in this XDA thread you’ll find information on how to install Xposed on Marshmallow or Lollipop.

To download the AndroidN-ify module, use the Xposed Installer and search for it by name; once you’ve installed it, activate it in the Xposed Installer and restart your device. Once your device restarts it’ll have lots of nifty new N features for you to play with.

How to get Android 7.0 Nougat functions without root access

This section is relevant not just to people without rooted devices, but to anybody: we’re going to discover the apps in the Google Play store that deliver the same functions that Android N will deliver in the near future.

${app-com.jrummy.apps.build.prop.editor}

Multi-window

There are several apps that deliver a similar (but not identical) multi-window effect to Android N, with applications floating in boxes like a cross between widgets and desktop apps. The two most interesting apps are Floating Apps Free - Multitask and C Floating.

${app-com.lwi.android.flapps}${app-com.ccs.floating_info}

Notifications

With Floatify you can make notifications behave much as they do in Android N. Notifications appear on the lock screen and you can reply or access shortcuts with a quick swipe.

${app-com.jamworks.floatify}

Night Mode

What looks great in the daytime can be a bit too bright in the dark, so Android N’s night mode changes the screen tones to make everything a little warmer when the sun goes down. There’s some evidence that warmer screen temperatures - essentially making whites move from bluish to yellowish tints - don’t mess with our sleep as much as colder, more blue displays. Here are some of the best apps to make your Android easier on your eyes at night.

${app-com.urbandroid.lux}${app-com.justgetflux.flux}

Bring up the last-used app

In Android N, double-tapping on the multitasking button launches the most recently used application. With Easy App Switcher a floating button does the same job. Alternatively you could install LAS: Last App Switcher.

Wallpaper

Last but not least, what’s better than the official Android N wallpaper to make your device look like it’s been sent FROM THE FUTURE? Exactly. Here it is:

Are there any other new Android 7.0 Nougat features you’re desperate to get? Do you have apps that you prefer to the ones listed above? Let us know in the comments.