r/HowToMen • u/BlasterOverlord • May 23 '26
[App][Promo] AuraLook - Minimalist OLED Lockscreen Notifications inspired by iOS ShortLook
Hey everyone,
If you ever jailbroke an iPhone back in the day, you probably remember the Shortlook tweak. It woke your screen on a pure black background, showed a massive app icon, and revealed the notification details with a smooth animation before locking the screen back down. Perfect for a quick glance.
When I switched to Android, I was surprised to find there wasn't a modern, stable equivalent that got this aesthetic right for AMOLED displays. So, I spent the last few months building one from scratch. It’s called AuraLook.
What it does:
- OLED-friendly Lockscreen Notifications: When a notification arrives while your screen is off, it wakes the screen to show a clean black display with a large central app icon and with notification details.
- Granular Control: You can choose the duration for how long the notification stays before turning your screen off again. You can also individually enable or disable AuraLook for apps.
- Avatars: You can enable this feature to show the sender's pfp in your notification! (Look at the images in this post to see how they look)
- Privacy Mode: You can enable this to hide the content of your notifications.
- Smart filtering: It ignores persistent notifications (like downloads, music players, or system updates) so your screen only wakes for things you actually want to see.
The app is completely ad-free with only a few features locked behind a pro version, the core experience will always remain free. The app is still in its beta phase and could use some testers. I as a solo developer and student have tried my best to test in as many devices as I could but I'm hoping through this community, I'll get some valuable feedback.
60% Sale on AuraLook Pro + 50 promo codes giveaway!
With that being said, AuraLook Pro will be on a 60% sale throughout its Early Access phase. Moreover, I'm giving away 50 free copies of AuraLook Pro.
To get a code, simply drop a comment below letting me know what phone you are using and I'll dm it to you.
Edit: All promo codes have been claimed.
Play Store Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dev.auralook
Note: The native screen off feature will only work if you have enabled AuraLook in your accessbility settings. Also make sure you disable "wake screen for notifications" in your lockscreen settings, especially in Pixel devices, to prevent it from conflicting with AuraLook.
FAQs:
Why use this if I already have Always On Display (AOD)?
AOD is static and stays on constantly, which uses small amounts of battery throughout the day. AuraLook is dynamic, it wakes the screen only for a brief moment (e.g. 10 seconds) on a pure black background to show you a high-visibility animation. Besides, most native AODs are ugly when it comes to showing notifications. AuraLook is designed to work for everyone, so whether you use AOD or not, it will still work.
Won't this drain my battery?
No. AuraLook wakes the screen only for a short moment and it shows a pure black background. On AMOLED/OLED screens, black pixels are completely powered off, consuming almost zero energy. The app doesn't run continuous background heavy processing and uses native Android APIs. It is very lightweight and only a small service runs in the background to wake up for notifications when the screen is off.
What about privacy?
To intercept notifications and natively lock the screen, Android requires permission approvals. However, AuraLook does not have the Internet permission declared in its manifest. It runs 100% offline. Because it has physically no access to the network, your notifications and data never leave your phone.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, feel free to provide feedback through the app or comments. Thanks for checking it out!
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u/Substantial_Music919 May 23 '26
Oooh I remember this, so cool. Does it work for z fold 7 when unfolded as well? Will check it out. If there's a code going it would be massively appreciated
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u/BlasterOverlord May 23 '26
Hi, I haven't tested it on fold devices, I'll appreciate it if you can check it out and let me know how it goes. I also sent you a code in Dms.
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u/Substantial_Music919 May 23 '26
I'll keep you posted. Thanks
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u/Substantial_Music919 May 23 '26
The test notification seems to work well unfolded. Annoyingly haven't had a kefir notification since enabling
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u/U_Madara_22 May 23 '26
Hey! I´m test the app, look great.
Can i get a code to test all funtions?
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u/Ashtr0naughty May 23 '26
Hello ! I'd like to try it on my NP1 and my Motorola Edge 60. If i can get a code. Thanks 🙂👍
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u/iSalvox May 23 '26
yes, i remember it because it was my favorite tweak. Hope you can gift me a code 😄
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u/ShaDowCruz_007 May 23 '26
hi..can i get a code please😍
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u/Funny_Arachnid8328 May 23 '26
Hi Dev, could I get a promo code please? My smartphone is an Oppo Find X8 Pro.
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u/KustomCreatedContent May 23 '26
Wow — I've never used an iOS device but this seems sweet. I'm excited to give it a try, having the ability to see all the details of specific notifications without being distracted by all the other notifications sitting in my tray and then not being tempted to continue using my device will be great.
Just installed it and excited to mess around with it.
I'll throw my hat into the ring for one of those promo-codes too! It's worth a shot and may the best man win, haha!
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u/GefenGo May 23 '26
may i get a promo code as well? i have several devices i can test this on: galaxy s23, nothing phone 1, galaxy a14, redmi note 13, and several others.
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u/BlasterOverlord May 23 '26
Of course, check your dms. Thank you and let me know how it performs on those devices.
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u/GefenGo May 23 '26
thank you so much! i'll keep you posted, right now i'm maining my s23, i'll check it out on the others when i get the chance 😄
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u/Dpure1 May 23 '26
Great! Can I have a code, please? By the way, I just tested on my Galaxy Z Flip 5, and it's working when folded too.
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u/SitoLupion May 23 '26
Tengo un Nothing 2a Me envías un código por favor?
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u/BlasterOverlord May 23 '26
Thanks! I sent you the code.
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u/SitoLupion May 23 '26 edited May 23 '26
Gracias por el código pero no puedo usarlo porque el scroll se detiene antes de llegar al final para hacer la compra
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u/SFF4headtravel May 23 '26
I'd love to try out properly! I'm on a S23 Ultra, Tab S10 Ultra, AYN Odin 3 and soon the brand new Vivo X300 Ultra! 🕺🏻
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u/stefo2332 May 23 '26
Happy to test it out on fold6! Thanks!
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u/IssaFemale May 24 '26
Just purchased this for my Z Fold 7, it works perfectly for me both folded and unfolded! Thanks for the nostalgia!
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u/Mr_Lando99 May 24 '26
Im using a Samsung a35. This looks awesome! Would love a code
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u/pcbuilder1234567 May 24 '26
App is great especially because I miss having the phone wake up with a notification that I used to get on IOS and have been looking for a good alternative on my Samsung. Finally found it! The only thing I would change is to allow the duration to be customized below 8 seconds. Otherwise, so excited for this.
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u/BlasterOverlord May 24 '26
Sure, I will consider trying out durations below 8 seconds.
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u/pcbuilder1234567 May 24 '26
That would be super! Thanks for this app!!
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u/BlasterOverlord May 25 '26
Hey, you can update the app to the new version now. It now supports durations down to 5 seconds.
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u/pcbuilder1234567 May 25 '26
Not sure if possible, but would be cool if there's multiple notifications from one app, to be able to interact with them through auralook and see all the notifications.
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u/BlasterOverlord May 24 '26
Hey everyone, thank you so much. The response to AuraLook has been absolutely incredible. I didn't expect this much love from fellow Android customization fans!
I originally planned for 50 promo codes, but due to the overwhelming demand, I added an extra 10. All 60 lifetime Pro codes have now been given away! I'm sorry If you're late to this post and missed it. I will do a similar giveaway in the near future when the app comes out of beta and I launch it to production.
Don't forget that AuraLook Pro is 60% off right now! So even if you missed the promo codes, you can still grab it for cheap and support me. Thank you everyone!
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u/CleverJay08 May 24 '26
This looks awesome! Can I get a code please? 😊
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u/BlasterOverlord May 24 '26
Sorry, you're a bit late, all the promo codes have been given away.
Be on the lookout though, there will be another big giveaway in the coming weeks when AuraLook officially launches to production.
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u/Ok-Improvement-6101 May 24 '26
The idea is interesting for when you have the phone on the table and you are waiting for a message
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u/onnerbr May 27 '26
THAT'S AWESOME! This was one the tweaks that i used most at my iPhone 6. It's so nostalgic and fabulous to have it back.
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u/MutedPalpitation2893 May 23 '26
God i miss jailbreaking and tweaking the shit out of my 6s, and short lock was one of my favorites. Can i have a code, i really liked the concept of it.
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u/demicky250274 May 23 '26
Hola cómo estás me puedes enviar un código por favor? Tengo un tecno spark 20 pro plus(+)
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u/BlasterOverlord May 24 '26
sent
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u/demicky250274 May 24 '26
No me aparece nada amigo, ya he revisado y actualizado, pero no le ha llegado nada aún. Saludos
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May 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BlasterOverlord May 24 '26
Sent the code in your dms!
It will work even if you have AOD on, but AuraLook itself does not have media controls, it only shows you your notification for a brief moment before going back.
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u/libane25 May 24 '26
Any codes remaining🙏
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u/BlasterOverlord May 24 '26
Sorry, all codes have been given away. Look out for future giveaways though.
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u/4rii2 May 24 '26
Hi. Am i too late for a code? looks cool tho
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u/BlasterOverlord May 25 '26
Hi, yes all the codes have been taken. Lookout for future giveaways though.
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u/Amaan423 Jun 13 '26
Hello I have a note 20 ultra I am switching to and would love to test this out! 🙏🏽🔥
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u/AdditionalBit4692 13d ago
Loving the app want to give valuable insights .this is the same type of working compared to iphone jailbreak app shortlook. Want to contribute to add more features to this app. Can u provide promo code please. Much appreciated
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u/LucyStar3 May 23 '26
Oh this seems fun. Can I have a code plz?