Glyph System Feels Limited – Am I Missing Something?

BD9

Hello everyone,

I recently bought the new Nothing Phone (4a) Pro—this is my first Nothing phone, so I’m not very familiar with how the software works yet.

First of all, I really like the design and the whole idea behind the phone. But honestly, I feel like the glyph system is still far behind its potential—or maybe I just don’t know how to use it properly yet. That’s why I’m hoping you can help me.

There are two main things I’m missing:

1. Glyphs for ringtones / contacts

It bothers me that I can’t assign specific glyph patterns to individual contacts. I can set different ringtones, but the glyph animation is always the same.

It would be amazing if, for example, a pulsing heart glyph appeared when my girlfriend calls.

Also, for notifications in general: why can we only use static glyph patterns? Why not animated?

2. Glyph Toys / automation

I think Glyph Toys are a great idea, but I can’t really customize them properly.

For example, I can enable the clock, but it should only show when the phone is lying face down on the table. When I’m holding the phone, I don’t need the glyph clock at all.

Another issue is combining multiple Glyph Toys. With third-party apps I can kind of make it work, but it’s not reliable.

For example:

a spinning record animation when music is playing

a specific glyph reaction when I shake the phone

Why can’t I configure multiple conditions directly in the system?

Something like:

when shaking → Glyph 1

when lying on the table → Glyph 2

when holding the phone → Glyph 3

Is there a way to do this, or is it simply not possible right now?

Derren

BD9

Hey 👋

Going to try my best to answer at least a few of these.

It bothers me that I can’t assign specific glyph patterns to individual contacts. I can set different ringtones, but the glyph animation is always the same.

Here are some options - Essential Notifications, where you can create rules for individual apps, individual contacts and even down to the specific mention of a word or phrase. Essential notifications will be a static image that remains until the notification is acknowledged. Otherwise you can select ringtones as you have done or select ‘Generative’ notifications which dynamically generate notification sounds for individual apps. EDIT - It seems you can actually do this. Head to the contacts app, select a contact and go to contact settings, you can change the contact ringtone and accompanying glyph pattern as opposed to the (follow system settings) rule.

Also, for notifications in general: why can we only use static glyph patterns? Why not animated?

This is possible, you can set animations for general notifications too, apologies if i’ve misunderstood. Its Essential Notifications that are static only.

I think Glyph Toys are a great idea, but I can’t really customize them properly.

For example, I can enable the clock, but it should only show when the phone is lying face down on the table. When I’m holding the phone, I don’t need the glyph clock at all.

I think the intended behaviour is supposed to be that it shows only while the phone is face down, especially since the setting for always on glyph tool is within flip to glyph settings. I have encountered this myself and it may be a bug? could be worth logging feedback on that one. Unless theres a setting i’ve missed too.

As for some of the other features you’ve requested, some of these just aren’t supported. You’re best leaving feedback for the team, or relying on third party solutions.