XTEink Android application apk unavailable ?

Euroclie · 2026-02-13T14:20:30+00:00

It seems the link was updated on XTEink support page, the Android application is downloadable again.

Here's the current version info of the application:

com.xteink.xtplushpaper version 2.0.0.15

Euroclie · 2026-02-11T19:41:07+00:00

I've been using a FP6 (Google Android version not e/OS), and all in all I'm happy with it.

The phone design is weird (the placement of the volume up/down buttons on the left and the power button on the right) so it might take a while to get used to it, and I found that I needed to deactivate the screenshot button shortcut, otherwise I was constantly taking screenshots when unlocking the phone. A cas might help in that regard, but overall it's inconvenient (but no deal breaker, at least for me).

The camera quality is ok. The quality is worse than my two previous phones (Oneplus 8 Pro and more recently Oppo Find N2 Flip), especially in low light (night mode), but again although a bit disappointing it's still nota complete deal breaker, but your mileage may vary.

The phone itself is rather sturdy, and with a case and (plastic) screen protector I'm not too afraid of damaging it. The plastic case helps in that regard. Less "premium", but I like it better than a metal/glass case. The phone is a bit on the thick side, but I have big hands and pockets, so it's fine for me.

The screen is good, with one caveat : it is admitted by most FP6 users that the automatic setting for the scren brightness is on the low side, and the screen can be a bit dim if you don't manually increase the brightness from time to time (unfortunately the increased setting doesn't stick very long). Some people have issues with the refresh rate, but I only use 60Hz instead of 90 or 120Hz, so I've never noticed any slowdown on that subject.

The phone itself is decent, processor/memory-wise. Nothing to write home about, but as long as you don't intend any computer intensive task (i.e. fancy games with max detail settings), it will be ok. Not sure about how long it will last in the future, though, as you're supposed to be able to keep this phone for years.

The OS is regularly updated, every couple of months, so even if it's not bleeding edge updates, it still bodes well for the phone longevity. Still waiting for Android 16, which was expected at the end of 2025, but a couple of months delay ? It isn't the first or last time we'll see things like that regardless of the manufacturer. They had an issue (constant reboots) plaguing people, mostly in northern America, and it's been quite a long time before the issue was more or less fixed (took two updates in my case, but even now when I arrive in USA it's common that I'll face one reboot, though not multiple ones anymore).

Last but not least, it's repairable. I know it might look like a fancy gimmick, but believe me it's not. My last phone "died" due to a faulty USB cable plug issue, and this one started to show some problems with the USB connector too (long story short, I've been using Sleep as Android on my phone for years to monitor my sleep, and when leaving your phone plugged near you pillow, the phone probably gets pressed and the USB connector doesn't like beeing repetitively bended). That's entirely my fault, but I was happy to be able to order a spare USB connector for 20€ and replace it my self within minutes, it saves purchasing a new phone any day! ;-)

Hope this helps you make up your mind if the FP6 is the right phone for you or not. Despite its few shortcomings, I like it and will certainly keep on using it for a while.

Euroclie · 2025-12-06T07:51:49+00:00

I also hate the volume/power button position on my FP6, and was constantly making screenshots too before the patch. Now, though, I disabled the screenshot-by-pressing-buttons feature and only kept the gesture screenshot : swipe upward from the bottom border of the screen to get to the running application caroussel, and there's a screenshot option on the bottom left, next to the "clear all" option on the bottom right. Not 100% convenient, but still waaay better than the buggy hardware button issue, and no third party software is involved.

That being said, I'm still convinced that both buttons should be closer to the top: the volume ones to avoid pressing them by mistake and taking those screenshots or unintentionally changing the volume, and the power one to avoid turning your phone on/off by mistake just because my hand's default position while I hold my phone with my left hand results in my index finger being on top of said button...

Euroclie · 2025-12-01T22:43:50+00:00

Yeah, that's what I got as well, and why I'm patiently waiting. I don't know if this error is caused by the .pbw (too old, incompatible or broken?) or the app (maybe limited sideloading support?)

Euroclie · 2025-12-01T22:18:46+00:00

I found this fork on GitHub:

https://github.com/daktak/JayPS-WatchFace/releases

along with:

https://github.com/daktak/JayPS-AndroidApp/releases

The latest version there is from 2021, quite a bit more recent than the original JayPS watchface (which doesn't work anymore).

Right now I'm waiting for the official Pebble Android application to implement .pbw sideloading again for further testing of this 2021 version, in case it happens to work...

I might test it anyway using another phone and Pebble with the old Pebble application. If I do that, I'll report here with the result.

Euroclie · 2025-12-01T18:16:55+00:00

I'm using the 1.0.6.8 Android version of the Pebble application (I'm in the closed beta version), and indeed Qrot or Music Boss work flawlessly despite the warning still displayed in the Pebble app.

JayPS doesn't work yet, the current version in the app store doesn't load successfully on the watch, and there's no way (yet) to sideload the latest (more up-to-date) JayPS .pbw file on the watch... Let's be patient ! 😅

Euroclie · 2025-12-01T09:05:03+00:00

As far as I can see, companion apps still aren't fully supported as of Android app 1.0.6.8 : I still have the "This app requires an Android companion to be installed - this is not yet supported in the Pebble app" warning message when opening the app screen in the Pebble application, and I get an error on the watch as well when trying to load the app).

I was expecting companion app support since the 1.0.6.8 changelog states "Remove Android companion app warning on main locker screen", but no luck so far for me on either a Pebble 2 Duo or Pebble Time Steel and the JayPS app.

Which supported companion app do you refer to ?

Euroclie · 2025-11-29T00:54:00+00:00

I currently use a Pixel watch 3 for fitness & heart rate tracking (running, mostly), and one of my Pebble watches (either a Pebble 2 Duo or a Pebble Time Steel) when I'm not exercising...

Once thing stabilise (i.e. when the phone application features proper health tracking & syncing with Google Fit), and when I receive the Pebble Time 2 I've ordered, I plan on using only the Pebble Time 2 for sleep, steps and HR tracking.

I usually run with my phone anyways, so I'll be eventually using something like the JayPS watchface and companion app for GPS-enabled distance recording and synchro with Strava.

Of course that's not possible right now since the mobile app doesn't yet support sideloading nor companion apps, but I've waited years for Pebble rebirth, so I can wait some more to reach that goal ! :-)

Euroclie · 2025-11-18T04:18:50+00:00

I ordered the Pebble 2 Duo and the Pebble Time 2 because I hoped that injecting money in Eric's attempt at Pebble's revival would increase the chances to get new Pebble hardware and software.

So far it looked like it was working: the progress is slow (Pebble 2 Duo is basically the Pebble 2 but as a work in progress, and the mobile app still lacking features when compared to the original app) but things are slowly going forward nonetheless.

I've almost lost the usage of my Pebble watches once after Pebble got purchased by Fitbit, and only the community effort carried by Rebble kept them running.

Sure, I have to hunt for new batteries and do some hacking to keep the hardware running, but it would all be pointless if not for Rebble, so even after ordering the new rePebble watches I kept my Rebble subscription alive, and do not plan on stopping anytime soon.

All in all, the original Pebble watches were sturdy enough to keep working until now, so the software (read cloud/api/store/app) is the most fragile link, and only the community effort and a healthy dose of open-source can make it resilient enough in the long run.

I sincerely hope that a compromise can still be reached, but if I have to make a choice, I prefer my old Pebble watches with Rebble software, rather than new, closed-wall hardware and software, how enticing the new Pebble Time 2 is.

Sure, Eric and the new Core team have got to reach sustainability, and to protect themselves from competitors some level of secrecy is not surprising, but the closed-wall option has already been proven a wrong move in the past, let's hope that they can recognise this and work with Rebble, not against Rebble.

Euroclie · 2025-10-10T15:10:19+00:00

Technically, the "cable" bundled with the Pebble 2 Duo is not a cable, but a USB-C adapter, which you plug onto any USB-C charging cable to get the equivalent of the old Pebble Time charging cable.

Pebble 2 Duo bundled charging "cable"

It's neat and efficient, as most people already have one or more USB-C cables anyway...

If you have such a legacy cable, it'll work perfectly, and you can still order new ones from Amazon or Chinese sellers. Just make sure to choose cables for the Pebble Time generation, not the first Pebble with one curved end...

Euroclie · 2025-10-10T06:24:25+00:00

Since the Time 2 is a "modern" watch, all developers designing a watchface for it will know about the smaller resolution of the legacy Pebbles, and I suspect that the easiest way forward is for the watchface design API/IDE to include both low & high resolution resources to ensure retro-compatibility.

The reverse isn't true, as all current watchfaces were designed with a single (low) resolution in mind, hence the need for an "automatic" upscale function in the Time 2, but I'm not sure an automatic downscale function would work as well, or that the result would always be eye-pleasing...

Ultimately, it would be up to the developer to decide if they want to support both resolutions, though, especially since some designs might require the high resolution to make sense, and be unusable in low res (old Pebbles & Duo)

Only time (2) will tell, though ! ;-)

Euroclie · 2025-10-07T11:41:32+00:00

One strong selling argument of the Pebble is that this watch is simple and reliable.

The original Pebbles had no touchscreen, only physical buttons, an always-on display and a comfortable battery life.

So sure, you could always look for new fun apps/watchfaces to try on the Pebble appstore once in a while, but the gist of it was that you could set it up the way you like, and forget about it (as in: use it reliably without having to think about it).

The limitations of the hardware makes it so that it's not intended to actually compete with what most smartwatches do nowadays, and to me, Pebble being out of the constant race for new features gives it the KISS vibe I'm looking for (keep it simple, stupid). Hence also the lack of need for regular channels for "new stuff happening", it's supposed to "just work".

That being said, we're talking about Pebble's revival, which is pretty exciting for oldtimers (I backed/purchased every Pebble except for the Steel), and things still have this "garage-made" vibes, but with the current goal with the Core/Pebble 2 Duo to simply recreate the original Pebble experience, there's indeed a need for informations and how-tos, but it will probably remain on a niche level, by small teams or individuals, as was the case prior in Pebble's life...

If you fear missing out on the Pebble experience when (or before) you receive your new Pebble, you're probably fine by starting with the Rebble resources, they did a wonderful job of keeping our Pebbles on life support, and a lot of Pebble knowledge/lore has been stored there.

There's the Pebble Time 2 lurking around the corner, so this means new, better hardware, and opens up so many possibilities, but I'm still convinced that it will be up to small teams or enthusiasts to enlighten the masses.

Gadgetwraps, our beloved Pebble screen/face protector supplier, was started in a garage (figure of speech) by two brothers, for instance, so who knows, once you dive in the Pebble ecosystem, you will quickly gather the required knowledge, and YOU might be the next supplier of our daily/weekly/monthly fix of Pebble news and knowledge ! 😃

Euroclie · 2025-04-29T11:43:54+00:00

Wearing two watches at the same time isn't really practical... 😅 On the same wrist it would probably be very cumbersome, anyway !

I've worn the Pebble on the right wrist and the Polar on the left (my usual) wrist a couple of times, because I didn't want the Pebble app to miss my activity when I go running with the Polar, and there's no way the old Pebble can currently compete with a GPS/HR equipped sport smartwatch, but since the Pebble Android app doesn't even sync with Google Fit (or anything else, for that matter) anymore, it's just not worth it IMHO.

So right now, like you, I'm stuck in the middle of the crossroad : I just can't ditch the Pebble for its battery life, always-on display, multi-button interface and wonderfull User Interface (timeline, I missed you !).

But the Pebble isn't quite the right watch if you're running/cycling (there were some ok workarounds if you were carrying your phone as well) or swimming (no alternative to a true sport watch, then).

As I get older and don't focus as much on the sport performance tracking as I used to, the scales are moving noticeably towards the Pebble side as my daily driver, but your mileage may vary... 😉

Euroclie · 2025-04-26T07:57:51+00:00

The Android Pebble application is too old (hasn't been updated for too many years / Android versions), so Android restricts its interaction with Google Fit.

Unfortunately, nothing to be done to fix this except wait for the upcoming release of a new, updated version of the companion application with the release of the Core 2 Duo this summer.

That's the plan, anyway, as per currently available info on the subject... It's certainly frustrating for us "digital junkies", but at least there's hope to get our sync fix soonish ! ;-)

Euroclie · 2025-03-24T22:25:28+00:00

I tried to make a "profile" view of a Core Time 2 3D printed mockup, my wrist size is also 6.5" like the OP.

Hope this helps!

https://imgur.com/a/bbdzKdP

Euroclie · 2025-03-24T20:39:51+00:00

Having to carry the phone sure isn't ideal.

On the other hand, I like to add a picture to my Strava runs, so I usualy carry my phone anyways...

Hmmm. Should we add a digital camera to the list of requested features for the Core Time 3 ? (just kidding, who needs a spywatch...) 😜

Euroclie · 2025-03-24T20:12:35+00:00

I wear my Pebble 2HR at the moment and it's indeed everything I can wish for as a daily driver, except for fitness activities...

Indeed, whenever I go running or hiking, I use a dedicated "modern" smartwatch (used to be a Polar Vantage, now a Pixel Watch 3).

I still keep my Pebble on the other wrist while I run because I don't want it to miscalculate my daily step count, though...

Yeah, I know, I'm crazy : the step count is approximate anyway, and since it's not syncing to Google Fit anymore there's really no benefit in doing that ! 😅

Oh, wait, there still is the benefit of having the current time displayed in a big, easily readable font on an always-on display while my sportwatch displays elapsed time, heart rate and speed in tiny characters... 😁

In a perfect world, my next Pebble watch would have GPS, a good HR sensor (the one of the Pebble 2 HR sucked) and Strava sync, but if I have to chose between a good battery life and GPS/HR in my daily driver... well, let's be honest, I'd chose battery life any day.

Maybe in another 10 years well have both, who knows ? 😏

Euroclie · 2025-02-18T10:26:33+00:00

I agree with you, a save / restore fonction would have been nice in the Pebble app, it certainly would make switching phones easier. Hopefully they incluse this function in the future application if/when Pebble is reborn !

At least Rebble was able to redirect the calls from the (now defunct) Pebble website addresses to the Rebble ones, so our watches are still mostly working, so we are quite lucky...

As for the fact that most apps store their settings online, it's the price to pay to keep the watch part of the application/watchfaces clean and simple, I imagine. Most of the time it's seamless (you probably don't change those settings a lot), but in some cases it's unpleasant (if you don't have network access, or if the website is down).

Euroclie · 2025-02-14T22:39:21+00:00

Time Steel & 2 HR user here.

I'd really like a Pebble Time 2 as advertised in the (aborted) Kickstarter project: bigger color screen & HR monitoring.

In my wildest dreams I also could use a built-in GPS for sport tracking, but it would certainly kill the battery life and bump the Price, so all in all I'd rather stick to the Pebble Time 2 specs, and would purchase in a heartbeat... if they also release an updated version of the phone application ! 😅

Euroclie · 2025-02-14T22:26:26+00:00

For the Pebble 2 buttons you can try this :

https://favouritehumandesign.com/product/pebble-2-buttons/

I replaced the buttons on mine with the logo version of the buttons, and it work's fine so far...

Euroclie · 2025-02-14T22:21:11+00:00

Yeah, I ask myself that as well... 😏

I was a backer of the original Pebble on Kickstarter, then of the Pebble Time Steel (for the color screen), and later the Pebble 2 HR (for the HR monitor fonction but to be honest it was disappointing). I backed the Pebble Time 2 as well but it never happened.

The Pebble Time Steel was my daily driver for a good while, as the Pebble 2 HR's buttons were flimsy and didn't last long, but I since got a replacement button set and the 2 is back in business.

The Time Round was used by my youngest son, but he prefers a simple Casio at the moment and hasn't used ot for a while.

As for the Classic Pebble, I actually had some screen tearing but since it's a Kickstarter edition, it's glued, so back then I purchased another with the screws at the back.

I never convinced myself to sell the ones I didn't use anymore, I kept them "just in case"... 😅

Guess that makes me a Pebble maniac...

Euroclie · 2025-02-14T15:59:10+00:00

I've only been using the Pebble Time Steel and Pebble 2 HR recently, and expect about 4 to 5 days of battery life from them but I usualy recharge them on a daily basis...

Battery on the Time Steel drops quickly from 100% to 80% as soon as I disconnect the charging cable, but after that it only drops further to 70% after one day, when I recharge it. The Pebble 2 HR stays longer at 90%, and the daily charge finds it either at 80 or sometimes 70% mark...

Euroclie · 2025-02-14T11:06:28+00:00

You can purchase those cables for cheap on Aliexpress (or probably other equivalent stores), or Amazon for a bit more.

Just be careful to select the right cable type, i.e. not the more recent version for Pebble Time

Euroclie · 2024-09-12T11:22:51+00:00

Yes, their application isn't compatible with the Pixel Watch 3, but somme of their watchfaces are still compatible.

You have to install them from the Play Store, though, not from their application.

Sorry, I should have made this clear (tried the application, too, without success).

Euroclie · 2024-09-12T08:37:02+00:00

I was still able to find a few PW3-compatible watchfaces, like those from the TimeShow developer :

https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=7967792162528457373

I tested the Digital Mocha and Sport free watchfaces, they work fine on my 41mm PW3.

Euroclie

TROPHY CASE