When the Samsung Galaxy S5 launched a few months ago, I was pretty envious of the new UI elements Samsung included on it, as I'm sure you were. The flatter interface provided for a more polished and less cartoony feel, bringing the device more in line with Google's design elements.
But don't go out and grab an S5 just yet—there's a little known built-in mod that can unlock the S5's interface right on your Galaxy Note 3. I'll show you how to unlock the new TouchWiz UI, along with some additional elements, to complete the Note 3 to S5 transformation.
What You'll Need
Step 1: Install the S5 SystemUI Theme for Note 3
Launch into the Xposed Installer, tap Download, and search for "S5 SystemUI Theme for Note 3" by developer xperiacle—tap on the module to select it. Swipe over to Versions and install the latest build. Alternatively, you can download the mod directly to your device with this link.
Be sure you activate the module in Xposed (check its box) and follow up with a reboot, which can also be done through the installer notification.
Step 2: Use the S5 SystemUI Theme for Note 3
Launch back into Xposed and tap on Modules -> S5 System UI Theme. You can pick from various settings, but here are my recommendations for what you should have checked:
- S5 Theme
- Power Menu Theme
- Tab Pro recent apps (useful if you like having the horizontal-style recents app found on the Galaxy Tab Pro)
- Pick SFinder Click App -> Google (useful if you prefer Google Now)
Always follow up with a reboot for the settings to stick, and you'll be presented with the S5 UI when your device is back up. Check out some of the new UI elements below.
Tab Pro's recent apps menu.
S5 recent apps menu.
Notification toggles.
Power menu.
Tab Pro's recent apps menu.
S5 recent apps menu.
Notification toggles.
Power menu.
Step 3: Get the S5 Wallpapers
To get the S5's wallpapers, here over to this link and install them from the Play Store for free.
Next, just launch the app, browser over to Stock, and download the wallpaper you want.
Step 4: Install the New S5 S Voice
One notable feature is the new S Voice on the S5 with its updated flatter UI. Neil has a great guide on installing the new S Voice on the Galaxy S4, and the procedure will be exactly the same for the Note 3.
Step 5: Download the Modded Settings for the S5 Look
We're almost done transforming our Note 3 to get the S5 look; all that's left is modding the Settings menu to have the S5's round, flatter icons. Download the modded Setting file here, but don't tap and install like you normally would. Head to the next step to see what you should do.
NOTE: This file will download as "SecSettings (1).apk", so you will need to rename it to "SecSettings.apk".
Step 6: Rename Your Current Settings App
We'll be replacing the default Settings app with this version, so fire up any root-enabled file browser, or download and install Root Browser for free from the Play Store.
Launch into Root Browser, grant permission when you're prompted by SuperSU, then browse to the /system/priv-app folder.
Tap on SecSettings.apk, select the option to rename it, and add .bak to the end of the filename. Doing this will ensure that you can revert back to the original settings if ever want to.
Finally, find SecSettings.odex and delete it with Root Browser.
But that's not all. Hit up the next step to see how to get the new one in there.
Step 7: Replace the Settings with Root Browser
Browse over to your Download folder and copy the SecSettings.apk file we downloaded earlier, then navigate back to the /system/priv-app folder.
Paste the file here, then tap on SecSettings.apk again and choose Permissions. Check all three boxes in the first row for Read, and only the first box in the middle row for Write (as shown below), then hit OK.
Reboot your device again and check out the new Settings app when you're back up (you'll see two options in your app drawer).
That's it! Your Note 3 to S5 transformation is complete! Fool your friends with this mod and be sure to tell us what you think in the comments below.
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