yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[About XDA developers] moriel5:
My thoughts about the new XDA app:

As a noGAPPS user, I was disappointed to hear that it isn't (at least currently) being distributed outside of the Play Store, and when I heard the complaints about the size, I became concerned about the quality of the app.

As I use Aurora Store to download apps from Google's servers, I checked there, where I saw that the description was updated, but not the APK itself. I could not find an APK anywhere, so I downloaded it via an APK downloader website.

It was, indeed, utterly heavy, way heavier than is logical for it (and I am not accepting Google's apps as examples as why it is perfectly okay, they are good examples for how not to build apps, and their performance is absolutely horrid, and starts being so in line with when they become heavy), so I took a look within the APK.

For anyone worrying that the trackers are what makes the new app so heavy, fret not, since those are quite tame.

The heaviest things are the code libraries, and the Kotlin components.

After installing, I had issues logging in, however those issues were not server related, but merely due to a combination of me using 2FA, the authentication app being installed on my phone and locked behind two passwords, and the sluggishness of the app (I am using a Nexus 4, currently running Android 7.1.2 (for now, I just didn't have time to update it), and with a copper heatsink and thermal paste, and underclocked and undervolted, to keep it from overheating).

The results, I came away extremely unimpressed. I get that this is not a finalized version yet, however I am deeply surprised at the app's low quality, it is pretty much a curated web browser with a few goodies (aside from the main menus, everything that loaded, once it loaded, was loaded via what appeared to be WebView). And I know that the devs are more than competent, as the old XDA Labs/XDA One apps showed, so my disappoint only deepens.

I currently see next to no reason to use the new XDA app over the browser, since the website loads the same exact content (literally) much more quickly, and without taking up nearly as many resources as the new XDA app.

I certainly hope to be proven wrong in the next updates, and I am certainly holding my breath for that, however I recognize that the current structure of the app has to go for that to happen.

Update: Since there a appears to be a fake app, the codename for the official app is "com.xda.labs.play".
[About XDA developers] galaxy mini:
Have done, sadly still the same for me. Realy dont understand where the problem is...
[About XDA developers] notstpaul:
Thanks for all this detail. Could I add that I don't think it's necessary to have a thread preview and then thread view on watched threads? It just adds an extra step before trying to find the last unread post.
[About XDA developers] eriol1:
Thread preview is optional.

Like practically any feature, some people like it (when it's working...), some don't.

Turn it off if you don't like it ;)
[About XDA developers] svendsvin:
Same happens here.
[About XDA developers] MrBlubke:
happened here too but seems to be fixed now....
[About XDA developers] svendsvin:
Not fixed here.
[About XDA developers] MrBlubke:
Ah... right.... come to think of it, I may have fixed it, by deleting data.for the app,. and logging Back in.... after which it seemed to behave... so might have been an update isssue
[About XDA developers] svendsvin:
Right. That did the trick.
[About XDA developers] joeldf:
Why is the app telling it needs notifications to be turned on? I click okay, but it pops up on subsequent pages.

I don't want notifications for this app to be on.
[About XDA developers] Thebear j koss:
Allow notifications in system settings apps and then customize or turn off whatever you like in xda app settings.
[About XDA developers] lukval:
It would be great if in Alert section or Home/Watching section new posts will have more different font color or if would be possible to change the color there.
[About XDA developers] emandt:
Unfortunately the new App is very very far (about usability) from the old "XDA Labs".

Many times the App remains in a white splashscreen forever without loading nothing neither after 5 minutes.

Clicking on the upper-right "hamburger" button and then choose "Devices" doesn't opens anything....

When "Devices" main menu was opened I remember that searching by a Model (like "Note 20" let me see it listed but I'm unable to subscribe to it or just to "pin" it (aka "set as preferite"). So I always have to do the Search to reach it again.

When I touch/open a Picture the normal action I do is press the BACK button to return back, but this action puts me out of the whole Thread!!!

Clicking on a Thread opens an annoying "preview" in a pop-up. Then I have to press "View" and then Thread opens at the first page.... I was usual to reach "first not seen post" on previous App version. Now I have to press three times to reach latest mesaages: first Thread touch to Open its Preview, another touch to press "View" and then press latest page number.

So I prefer to use XDA via Mobile Browser that is a little bit more usable.

Unfortunately the new App version is very ugly, confusing (too much unuseful/not-wanted gestures) and with many lacks than the previous.
[About XDA developers] Sobek5150:
Preview for the thread that pops up unfortunately is broken. Should allow you to show oldest or newest. It picks arbitrary time to show. Best thing to do is turn it off in the settings. Then tapping on the thread will take you to page 1.

There is much work that needs done on this app to get it back to a solid state like the old xda labs app. However it's fast and realistically, for me, navigating to my Watched threads is about all I do. Works quite well for the basics.
[About XDA developers] scoobyjenkins:
With the latest update, automatically jumping to last read seems to work for me now.
[About XDA developers] TonikJDK:
Opening to first unread is working for me. Most excellent. Is the articles page new also? That is great.

Only remaining annoyance for me is I can't mark forums read. I can slide it and hit the button and I get the haptic feedback but it does not change the read status.
[About XDA developers] guitardoc64:
The latest update is probably the best thing to happen to this app since release. It's still not as good as Labs was, but it's much improved.
[About XDA developers] dctrbnsttr:
New update for me now gets me to the last entry in a thread not the last unread post.....
[About XDA developers] TonikJDK:
After reading a thread, such as this one, and hitting refresh the bold does not go away. It still looks unread. Even after a pull down refresh. Fully exiting the app and killing it from memory and going back in does change the bolding.
[About XDA developers] Wolfcity:
Good update guys.

Jumping to the end of a thread is working now.

Back button functionality seems to be improved a bit too? Still throws you out of a thread instead one page back but not completely...have to check that in a quit moment.

If we get the really important "in thread search" the app will be really usable.

Btw, no problem here to change threadnames to unbold after reading or using "mark read" button (swipe right).
[About XDA developers] BeeJ1109:
How do you remove old threads

Click on unwatch does nothing, still appears again

Nothing in settings.

So Bloody Slow to respond to any response.

Why is there no response to "How to Questions" like

"XDA app how to use."

Simple Question I thought.

All you get is some crap about some device, or better still NOTHING.

THE OLD APP WORKED - THIS NEW VERSION IS ABSOLUTE CRAP.

It may have been an old platform, but it work, yes it could not handle the volume of posts, but is lots better than what is available at this moment.

You get a message that someone has responded to your post. Click on it. Wait minutes to be taken to that thread. Get Page 1 of maybe 220. Not at least the post mentioned. Then have to click multiple times to read it. Totally useless.

WHY WOULD YOU BOTHER, ONLY THAT THE USERS ARE GIVING GOOD ADVICE. So you persist with this CRAP. Hoping it will be fixed one day this year or so.

Settings allow last page or first page. Select either only get first page.

So you have a lot of work to fix these issues. But I am not holding my breath.
[About XDA developers] BeeJ1109:
We're is the link to so called app update, so we can try it.

Update Play store already updated

Some changes 3 horizontal dots. Gets you to last post eventually. After multiple times going to splash screen to a dozen of condensed posts from page 1. That all happens maybe. Or app may crash and restored you back to home screen. Start again. Maybe you get what you want.

But still too bloody Slow.

Still needs lots of work
[About XDA developers] dctrbnsttr:
It is in the google play store. It is also on apk mirror.
[About XDA developers] sd_shadow:
XDA - Apps on Google Play

The best way to access the XDA Android Forums on mobile!

play.google.com

Spoiler content hidden.
[About XDA developers] Thebear j koss:
The latest update definitely made the app much better, there are still some things missing but I won't gripe about them as I feel they are probably incoming future features. However someone please get it together and release a premium version with no ads, or a version for us old timers who are pushing 10 years here on XDA with no ads as a thanks for all the years of contributions. I don't wanna see who is coming on the **** live streaming peacock network. And that is not dirty, that is an actual ad for the peacock NBC streaming network...
[About XDA developers] IronTechmonkey:
Feb 11 update may have resolved the issue of a persistent dark theme. Coincidentally there have been a flurry of Google app updates which might have had an effect but either way the light theme now persists when it should.
[About XDA developers] mrrocketdog:
hey , kudos and big thanks to whoever has been working on the xda apk. just DL it and its soooo much better.

thanks to all who gave time & knowledge.

dave
[About XDA developers] JimmyBondi:
how can I disable the vibration feedback?
[About XDA developers] malerocks:
I can't log in to disqus when I view an article on the app.
[About XDA developers] It_ler:
Working fine here 🤷‍♂️

Same for me. Better jumping to last post than to first post, but last unread post would be even better ;)
[About XDA developers] mrm1:
Same for me. Have to read the thread in reverse to make sure nothing missed
[About XDA developers] tiho5:
Again the same here. And again back to the website use. This is a deal braleaker. Also the mark read doesn't work. There's however a progress. Thanks for it.
[About XDA developers] samhhmobil:
Same here. And... yes, waiting for “first unread” (or “last read”).

samhhmobil
[About XDA developers] sronweb:
Check out what you think: I think that would be better to allow forum access via Tapatalk or perhaps another multi forum aggregator. I don't see reason to install each forum I use to read a separate app. Thanks
[About XDA developers] notstpaul:
😂 At times my brilliance is astounding. Thanks for that.
[About XDA developers] Thebear j koss:
Tell your other forums to switch to xenforo which is what xda uses now. If they don't switch, then that won't work. Xenforo doesn't work ithe tapatalk.
[About XDA developers] TonikJDK:
There is a plug in for Xenfro. I believe the issue is the performance impact. For me it is a privacy concerns, Tapatalk is not what it used to be.
[About XDA developers] Techvir:
Where do I find the settings to turn it off. I cannot locate it anywhere.
[About XDA developers] shinobisoft:
Bottom navigation bar -> Your profile pic -> Settings -> Thread preview
[About XDA developers] IronTechmonkey:
Your avatar (in bottom bar) > Settings > Thread preview > toggle

[EDIT] LOL Even when I manage to type fast and concisely I'm too slow. Wow, you are fast, @shinobisoft. :)
[About XDA developers] Techvir:
Ofcourse I am a moron
[About XDA developers] gaww:
I am tired of after reading a post, when hitting return, it doesn't go back to where you previously were - but to a totally different place.

Totally unexcusable - just about all other forums work that way.
[About XDA developers] dahawthorne:
Maybe I've missed the exact point of this comment, but I'll use it as an intro to ask...

The Feb 11 update notes include "fixed white load screen". I have dark theme enabled both in my ROM (crDroid 7.2) and in the XDA app. When I start the app, I get white (OK, it's setting up), then dark brown (good), then a spectacularly blinding white again (terrible!) , before finally reverting to the desired dark theme. To my eyes (literally) this is a bug, no?
[About XDA developers] IronTechmonkey:
In my case something within that mechanism was preventing light app theme from persisting with OS set to dark theme. At the time others did report that flash you are talking about but in my case as I am using the light theme it is not an intrusion.
[About XDA developers] IamTheBRAVE:
Everytime i open the app and switch to home tab, i get a tutorial on how to unwatch, bookmark, and more...

Edit: Couldn't upload mp4
[About XDA developers] dahawthorne:
Your avatar icon (third on bottom), Settings, "Swipe tutorial on open" toggle?
[About XDA developers] MrBlubke:
I think the app has come a long way already, kinda start liking it... now if they implemented swipe to previous/next page in the thread view, that'd be golden... 🤞
[About XDA developers] MrBlubke:
ow, and please make the threadpreview NOT default behaviour... I don't think it's that liked, but can stay for those few that do like it... as an option to ENABLE not to disable for all those that don't... it's just not practical imho...
[About XDA developers] BeeJ1109:
I agree and Too slow on any response.

Too many apps popping up whilst you trying read a post.

Please How about some feedback from the Devs. So we as users know you are reading the comments.
[About XDA developers] malerocks:
Now that the app has articles, is it possible to have the app launch to the list of articles?
[About XDA developers] DeirdreRoberts:
I am not sure about posting apk here
[About XDA developers] gibbsnich:
I could search this thread for an answer, I'm sure, but .. is it possible that there is no way to search within a thread from within the new xda app? Or is it just me not finding the right button 🤔
[About XDA developers] dahawthorne:
In the thread, click on the Search window, click "Everwhere", and choose "This thread".

Ah, sorry, I read this on my laptop - apologies if you meant on the phone app. I too find it extraordinarily hard to navigate compared with the old version.
[About XDA developers] Sobek5150:
Things were working for me quite well on the newest version. Quick preview still is broken (shows posts from arbitrary times, not newest or oldest) and other minor things.

Just found two bigger issues though.

Editing posts doesn't work. It starts to edit but XDA app closes keyboard and freezes up. Only way out is to hit the back arrow in the top left.

"Report an Issue" option in settings is still broken (been broken for the last 3 versions.) When trying to submit gives a JSON error.
[About XDA developers] dctrbnsttr:
The latest .22 update now brings me to the last post in every thread whether there are new posts or not. It still does not bring up the first unread post if there are new posts. Still a big problem for me........
[About XDA developers] Sobek5150:
Better than before though.
[About XDA developers] Wolfcity:
As there is no "search in this thread" function within the app (eagerly needed!) it would be nice if the search function within browser/desktop you described would be able to save the last used "search in this thread" option instead of going back to "everywhere". Searching within the thread you're reading is probably the most used option.
[About XDA developers] It_ler:
New xda app version 2.15.22 available.

Let's check it out.
[About XDA developers] dahawthorne:
Well, the "fix for white screen on load" is mentioned again, but it still does the same as before - white, brown, blinding white, dark. Not a big deal unless you're looking at the screen in a dark room, in which case the blinding white is most unwelcome. I've cleared cache & rebooted. Just what exactly does this "fix" refer to?
[About XDA developers] MrBlubke:
getting stuck on the white screen is fixed... some users reported the app got stuck there, and I've experienced it myself...
[About XDA developers] voroxda:
Old man like me need a little more time to get familiar with the new UI. In my opinion the UI is not always self explainable. Btw the only thing which should urgently altered is the possibility to configure the kind of highlighting new posts from threads I am watching. On my device there is nearly no difference between classical highlighted and not highlighted. May be a customisable colour?
[About XDA developers] tiho5:
This is true and it is true also for the website. Read and unread difference is very subtle. One simply can't tell them apart!
[About XDA developers] BeeJ1109:
How do you get rid of these ****ING ADs popping up all the time. every second, stopping you entering text. Slows down access. Get keybounce, no response, so bloody SLOW. PLEASE FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY.
[About XDA developers] samhhmobil:
Root your phone, install "AdAway" (from f-droid), and that's it.

samhhmobil
[About XDA developers] BillGoss:
Our use DNS66 - no root required https://xdaforums.com/t/app-5-0-dns66-open-source-host-ad-blocker-without-root.3487497/
[About XDA developers] zelendel:
Install blockda. No root needed and takes care of most ads.
[About XDA developers] n0j0e:
Still never loading next page in a thread list dynamically with latest xda app version..
[About XDA developers] zelendel:
Yeah there seems to be huge issues across the app and the site. Get a login bootloop in browser and the app has loading issues. Been having to go other places to get development info.
[About XDA developers] gibbsnich:
Yeah it's just so sad .. Never will I understand why XDA had never enough trust in its userbase to believe an open sourced app model would work. They had a great, in-house developed app.. and just dropped it.. to get this?

Sorry, XDA, but I hope at least it paid to help them develop their forum software.

Deleting it now.

Edit: Just had to look this sad story up: In fact in 2015 XDA planned to open source its old app. But when asked about it .. https://xdaforums.com/t/official-xda-beta-mar-19-xda-labs-forum-app-app-installer-xposed-repo.3241866/post-70026644
[About XDA developers] GreySquare:
Can't even share bugs/suggestions through the in-app "Report an issue" form.

Was mentioned previously here.
[About XDA developers] GreySquare:
*Message was sent twice*
[About XDA developers] zelendel:
I have been around a while and part of many teams. The reply given is not to far off. We here are less then 1% of users. Even of the 1% not even a full percent of them can understand the code. Very few people contribute to open source apps or even look over the code as it is very time consuming. And to be honest, Unless you really have no other life, The time just isn't there for the average person. That's why if you ask around the majority of devs are teens as they have the time needed to work on it and delv in.
[About XDA developers] v00d007:
"Let us know what you think..."

So, as long as the 'in thread' search function isn't implemented I really feel somehow cut off. And because the 'in thread' search with my preferred Android browsers isn't working either (the search options icon is buggy) I'm really out. I really don't have the time/nerves to manually search tens/hundreds of pages...

The new app is bloated with functions I don't need and the performance isn't good. I wish the old but very useful and good app 'XDA labs' would get reactivated. That's my opinion - sorry.
[About XDA developers] dahawthorne:
I second this. Every time I look at any posts in my subscribed lists I can't tell if there are new posts; even the time isn't a reliable indicator, as it seems to take several refresh swipes to make the last post time update. Surely the typeface can't be *that* difficult to change...?
[About XDA developers] kamazeres:
Very good
[About XDA developers] bjevers:
I thought a recent update was supposed to go to the first unread message when opening a watched thread. Instead it just goes to the last message in the thread. Then I have to scroll back and try to find where I left off from before.
[About XDA developers] TonikJDK:
What you describe is what all of us are seeing, there was some confusion at first I think that made us think it was fixed.
[About XDA developers] temporarium:
You mean it's still not fixed?!

I'm glad I'm using the browser.
[About XDA developers] shinobisoft:
It's jumping to the first unread post for me... Are you, and others, still using the Thread Preview maybe? Just a guess on my part...
[About XDA developers] lukval:
For me too :)
[About XDA developers] bjevers:
Thread preview is disabled.
[About XDA developers] BeeJ1109:
Hi bjevers, lukval,

I had same issue. I compared XDA on 2 tablets.

Both set to most recent in Preferences and Notifications under your profile settings.

So I unticked, Thread Preview to now OFF. (Setting Tab 1).

When ticked, First page is displayed everytime, you select a new thread under your WATCHED List, when you first start the XDA app. (Setting Tab 2)

Having Thread Preview enabled, Slows down XDA's Functionality after selecting a thread, then waiting to view any latest posted updates of any thread's functionality.

So change Thread Preview to OFF, fixed my issues. Last post displayed & faster in response to loading selected thread.

Cheers BeeJ1109
[About XDA developers] trveller72:
You asked for our opinion, so there it is:

The app cannot be used.

Look at the reviews on Google Play.
[About XDA developers] shinobisoft:
Yes, the app has issues but it's not as useless as you're making it out to be. Granted, I'm not near as active here as most are or as I use to be, but I'm using the same version of the app as everyone else and with minimal issues... It's a work in progress!
[About XDA developers] Ksathral:
I'm not the most active person on xda but from time to time I check for new updates on roms, kernels etc. Unfortunately the app is very slow and often does not even load any threads. For me it works a lot better to just visit via the browser.

The app seems to be improved quite a lot, it has gotten a lot faster and I no longer am having issues with threads not loading.
[About XDA developers] dahawthorne:
At last a voice of reason. My impression of many/most of the comments is that they're not reporting to be helpful, but rather just whingeing ungratefully about a free app that people are putting their own time and effort into.

I admit that it's not as easy to use as the old version, but I can live with it as it improves. At the schedule of the developers, not according to my demands.
[About XDA developers] malerocks:
Agree in principle to what you have said, but people are not whining about some fancy features they want. It's about basic functionality that is not working. Having something free does not mean it should fail in its basic functions.
[About XDA developers] TonikJDK:
Seems like development on this app is progressing the way one would expect. They killed bad bugs first such as the log on issue and the stuck white screen. They will move on to functionality when they can. We don't know what resources they have for this.

In the meantime I will test each new version and provide feedback. The web version suits my needs well while I wait.