Installing a third party launcher...
To optimize your XREAL Beam experience, integrating a third-party launcher is crucial. While ATV Launcher is a popular choice, I prefer Projectivy Launcher for its superior layout customization, sleek user interface, and additional noteworthy features. Projectivy Launcher stands out not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its stability. However, ATV Launcher did have one distinctive feature that stood out in comparison and that's the ability to add widgets to the home screen.
Note: If you prefer a launcher different from the one I've suggested, you can still follow the guide with a slight modification. Instead of Projectivy Launcher, substitute it with the name of your preferred launcher.
Download Link:
- Projectivy Launcher
Make sure the app is set to Air Casting mode. This setting is found by the default Beam launcher called EvaLauncher.
How to set Air Casting mode:
- Make sure you are on default Beam UI (EvaLauncher.)
- Settings>Application Management>Projectivy Launcher (or ATV Launcher if you have that instead)>Display Mode = Air Casting.
You'll also need a bluetooth mouse. You can use your phone as a bluetooth mouse with an app called Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse. Download this one only on your phone. This is so that we can interact with Android settings which I'll mention in a few steps below.
If you prefer to use an actual bluetooth mouse...I have one to recommend. Elecom Handheld Trackball is a nice bluetooth mouse that makes it easy to navigate with a cursor with one hand and also has some nice media functions. It's a bit expensive at around $50+ but it was one of the better trackballs out there that didn't require a separate adapter, looked better (compared to other handheld trackballs), and has nice media functions with connection being pretty reliable as well. You can change the media functions to behave differently with an app called Remapper: Remap Buttons. You'll need to enable accessibility setting for the app (thru Android settings.) The setting does get disabled again after device boot. We can automate this setup (so it auto enables accessibility for app) through an app called MacroDroid.
Also, you'll have to set the default launcher to Projectivy Launcher (you can go back to EvaLauncher as the app will show up somewhere around on Projectivy Launcher.)
How to set default launcher:
You'll see Android Settings alongside Projectivy Launcher settings just under the last App category..
- Go to Android Settings, search at the top "Projectivy Launcher" of Android settings and hit the one that mentions "App Info." Then click on Advanced and click on Home and set default launcher to "Projectivy Launcher."
Don't click on "Override Current Launcher" setting thru Projectivy setting. If it's enabled, disable the feature by unchecking the box next to "Override Current Launcher." This makes it impossible to go to EvaLauncher from Projectivy Launcher. Sometimes it would be able to launch EvaLauncher thru app...but made it impossible over time.
You'll also need to use "Override Current Launcher." This is to prevent the back button going back to EvaLauncher. This is done through Projectivy Launcher (not Android) settings.
How to enable EvaLauncher at boot:
- Make sure you are on Projectivy Launcher.
- Go to Projectivy Launcher settings>Power>Autostart on Boot>EvaLauncher.
Activating 3D SBS mode:
- Press and hold Brightness+ on glasses for 3 seconds until you only hear first beep. You'll see split image. You are in 3D SBS mode.
XREAL glasses do not support native 3D functionality. To experience 3D content, you'll need to download or stream 3D SBS (Side-By-Side) videos. It's recommended to choose full SBS videos with a resolution of 3840p x 1080p for optimal quality. Additionally, make sure that the videos are configured with the correct aspect ratio to ensure the accurate and proper display of 3D SBS content on the XREAL glasses.
At times, the glasses may not respond when attempting to activate 3D mode—indicated by the absence of the expected beep. In such cases, a simple solution is to unplug the glasses, followed by plugging them back in. After this, pressing and holding the brightness+ button for 3 seconds should successfully initiate the 3D SBS mode.