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How to change LCD density on rooted HTC EVO 4G

Evo-lcd-density

Interest in seeing the Dell Stage launcher running on the HTC EVO was greater than I expected and since an LCD density change is required for Stage to display properly, I'd like to go over a few ways that let you do it.

Even if you have no interest in Stage, adjusting the LCD density on your rooted EVO can still be useful because it lets you fit more text and icons onto the screen (240 -> 160 shown above). The changes are reversible, too, so you're free to experiment with as many different DPIs as you want to find which value is most comfortable for your eyes.

Note: HTC Sense requires that the LCD density is set at 240 to display properly. If you're going to use any other value, then you should use a different home launcher.

Method 1

Evo-lcddensity The easiest and safest way to change the EVO's screen density is to use a free app in Android Market called LCDDensity for Root.

Lcddensity

It features a straightforward UI with clearly labeled buttons that let you change the DPI to a predetermined value with a quick tap. Just press which one you want (lower DPI means smaller text/icons) and hit "Apply." You'll think the app crashed and your EVO is restarting but it didn't and it isn't. Wait a few seconds and everything will reload with the new LCD density setting in effect.

If you don't like what you see and don't want to use the app to select the original LCD density from the list, just restart the EVO or pull out the battery to go back to the stock DPI as though nothing ever happened.

Method 2

Evo-lcddench Another app that can be used to change the DPI on your rooted EVO is called LCD Density Changer.

Lcd-density-changer
Also available in Android Market, this app costs €0.75 and offers more features. The most important one is the option to save the new DPI as the system setting or even just load it on demand. It also comes with two home screen widgets (1×1 and 2×1) for quick density switching and has a compatibility mode setting for apps that don't scale well. Another differentiating feature is that there are no preset density values; you can input whatever you want.

Saved changes made in LCD Density Changer will survive a reboot and/or battery pull, so you need to be careful when making changes in case certain values cause problems (use the "Preview/Temp Change" button in the app before saving values). You will also have to manually set it back to 240 to get everything back to normal.

Method 3

The most complicated and potentially dangerous way to change the LCD density is to manually edit the build.prop.

IMPORTANT: You are responsible for anything you do to your EVO. Proceed at your own risk. Don't try this if you don't know what you're doing. If you decide to do it anyway, make sure you have a current Nandroid backup to restore in case anything goes wrong.

The following tutorial was previously published on Streak Smart, my Dell Streak site.

1. Download and install Root Explorer (£2.50) from Android Market.

Chart
It's one of G&E's top picks for root apps, so you may already have it installed. You don't have to use it if you don't want to, but it's my personal preference and what this tutorial is based on.

2. Open Root Explorer on your EVO, scroll to the bottom, and tap the system folder.

3. Tap the Mount R/W button at the top of the screen to gain read-write access to the files.

4. Long press on the build.prop item in the list.

5. Select Open in Text Editor from the pop-up menu that will appear.

6. Scroll down a bit and locate the line that reads ro.sf.lcd_density = 240. Delete "240" and input another value in its place.

7. Tap the Menu button on the EVO.

8. Tap Save & Exit from the toolbar that will appear on the bottom of the screen. A backup of the original build.prop will be created automatically.

9. Tap the Mount R/O button at the top of the screen to return to the previous read-only state.

10. Exit Root Explorer and reboot the EVO to see the changes.

11. Repeat steps 2-10 as needed. Set the density to 240 to go back to the stock DPI.

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Jenn K. Lee

Jenn K. Lee is the founder of Pocketables. She loves gadgets the way most women love shoes and purses. The pieces in her tech wardrobe that go with everything are currently the Samsung Galaxy Note II, Sony Tablet P, and Nexus 7, but there are still a couple of vintage UMPCs/MIDs in the back of her closet.

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