How to Make your Android Phone as Close to Stock as Possible without Rooting

If you’ve got a Samsung, HTC, LG, or any other Android phone that isn’t a Nexus, then you probably aren’t getting the true Android experience. And the true Android experience is way better than what you’re using, trust me on that. So here’s how to get your phone as close to stock Android, without having to root your phone, so you can get the best Android experience.

• Get Google Play Services. This is a key component allowing apps to use the latest services without having to wait for your manufacturer or carrier to update.
• Get the Google app. This includes all the good stuff like Google Now, voice search, etc.
• Get Google Now Launcher. This replaces the crappy home screen / launcher you are probably using and makes it like stock. Also, Google Now is just swipe to the right and you can say “Ok Google” from your home screen to tell your phone what to do (Google’s Siri for iPhoner’s)
• Get Google Keyboard. You are probably using a manufacturer’s version of a keyboard and, well, they just aren’t as good at writing software as Google. Trust me on this one, a good keyboard goes a long way and this will make your phone use the same stock keyboard. Or get SwiftKey. It’s not like stock Android, but it’s an awesome keyboard regardless.
• Get Google Chrome. It’s a browser, not much else to say.
• Get Google Camera. Same as stock and most likely a lot better than your manufacturer’s camera app.
• Get Google Calendar.
• Get Google+. If for nothing else than to automatically backup all your photos and videos, for that reason alone, this is a must have. It also comes with the Google Photos app which is a nice camera roll type app for viewing and sharing photos. And since all your photos will be backed up, you’ll see all your photos on all your devices.
• Get Hangouts. This replaces your SMS app and gives you all the Hangouts goodness like video conferencing, etc.
• Get Hangouts Dialer. This replaces your normal phone dialer and allows you to make wifi calls.

What’s Missing?

The two apps that you can’t get on non-Nexus phones are the Google Dialer and Google People (for your contacts), and I’m really not sure why. Every phone manufacturer has their own dialer and contacts applications and from what I’ve seen, the Google versions that you find on the Nexus devices are better. Oh well, hopefully one day we’ll be able to install them on any phone.

Enjoy your new phone experience!