Aardflex Beta Program

What is Aardflex?

Aardflex is an Android app for creating and managing custom live wallpapers and home screen widgets with full theming support. Unlike static wallpaper apps, Aardflex wallpapers are live — they can display real-time weather, astronomy data, clocks, and custom data feeds using a straightforward XML-based expression language (no coding required for common use cases).

The design philosophy of the app is to rely on the existing, standard, Compose framework. This allows you to reuse familiar components and patterns, making it easier to create and customize your own widgets (soon) and wallpapers.

Target user: Android enthusiasts who want deep, code-driven, customization — existing customisation app users, theming community members, and anyone who has ever wished their home screen showed more than just a pretty picture.

What We Need From Testers

We are looking for 10-20 active testers for a 2-4 week closed beta period before public launch.

Commitment:

Install the app and complete the onboarding flow
Try the core flows (create wallpaper, set it live, edit it)
Work through the Beta Testing Checklist
Submit at least 2 feedback items using the in-app feedback form

Time investment: ~1-2 hours across the beta period, plus occasional re-testing after updates.

Who We Are Looking For

Experience level:

Power users: Familiar with customization apps — you understand code-based or XML-like configs
Enthusiasts: Active in r/androidthemes, XDA theming section, or similar communities
Developers: Android devs or technical users comfortable with beta/pre-release software
Everyday users: Anyone who wants a nicer home screen and is willing to give detailed feedback

We want a mix of experience levels. You do not need to know XML or programming.

How to Join

Fill in the opt-in form: Google Form — Aardflex Beta Sign-Up
Join the beta group: You will receive a link to join aardflex-beta@ googlegroups.com
Accept the Play Store invite: You will receive an email with a link to opt in to the closed beta track on Google Play
Install and start testing: Download the app and follow the Beta Testing Checklist

Opt-In Form Fields

The sign-up form will ask for:

Name (first name or handle is fine)
Email address (derived from your account)
Device make and model (e.g. Pixel 8, Samsung Galaxy S24)
Launcher (stock, Nova, Lawnchair, Niagra, Microsoft)
Android version (e.g. Android 14, 15, 16...)
Customisation experience level (None / Some / Wallpaper or widget designer app user / Developer)
Anything else you want us to know

Note, the only mandatory fields are the email address and Android version. This is needed to give you access to the closed beta track on Google Play, and to make sure we target the right API levels with the app.

What You Get

Early access to Aardflex before public launch
Direct line to the developers — your feedback shapes the app
A free premium unlock code when the app launches publicly (for testers who run the app for more than 4 weeks and submit 2+ feedback items)

Reporting Bugs & Feedback

In-app: Settings → Send Feedback (preferred — attaches device info automatically)
Email: aardflex-beta@googlegroups.com
Crash reports: Sent automatically via Firebase Crashlytics; please tap Send if prompted

Please allowlist Aardflex in any tracking or blocking software for Firebase Crashlytics to work properly.

Bug severity guide:

Critical: App crashes or data is lost
High: A core flow is broken or unusable
Medium: Something works but feels wrong or is confusing
Low: Cosmetic issue, typo, or minor annoyance

All severity levels are welcome. We cannot fix what we do not know about.

Contact

Questions about the beta program: aardflex-beta@googlegroups.com