First Steps VollaOS VollaLauncher VollaSpringboard

The operating system Volla OS and its special user interface are continuously being developed. You can find an overview of the development status on the GitHub platform, where we publish the source code of the operating system:

GitHub Volla

In the repository volla-os-beta-test, in addition to this guide, you can also report bugs and track their resolution:

GitHub Issues

When you unlock a Volla Phone running Volla OS, you arrive at the Volla Launcher, which allows you to perform the basic functions of the device, including opening apps.

You can also reach the Volla Launcher via the Home button at the bottom of the display or by using the corresponding swipe gesture from the bottom edge of the display inward.

To fully hide the Android navigation bar for the Volla Launcher, go to its settings in the “Display and Menus” group and tap “Full-screen view”. You access the Volla Launcher settings by swiping twice to the right, causing the settings to appear from the left side.

The Volla user interface comprises two core concepts:

• Springboard with:
  • Text field
  • Shortcuts
• Collections for:
  • Contacts
  • Conversations
  • Messages
  • Notes

Quick Guide

To the Springboard -> Input Line

Prerequisite for using the input line: Contacts must be stored in the "DEVICE" storage and their contact details properly labeled. To do this, open the respective contact in the Contacts app and ensure that the mobile number is labeled "Mobile", all phone numbers are entered in valid international format (e.g., for Germany +491...), and an email address is provided to fully utilize all Springboard functions.

Quick Guide to Importing Contacts

If the .vcf file to be imported contains contacts with customized ringtones or logos, an error message will appear during the import attempt, and the import will not proceed. Solution: Open the .vcf file on a PC in an editor and search for the strings SOUND;X-IRMC-N:;;;; or LOGO in the contacts, then delete them everywhere. Save the file again and import it on the Volla Phone according to the instructions.

There are several ways to do this. Here are three variants:

Using an Address Book File

1. Export the address book from your previous smartphone or another computer into a file in vCard format with the extension .vcf. 2. Copy the address book file to your Volla Phone or an SD card that you then insert into the Volla Phone. If necessary, use your PC or Mac as an intermediate step. 3. Open the Contacts app and select the menu via the three dots in the top-right corner, then “Import contacts from .vcf file”. 4. Select your address book file in the File Manager and confirm the import. 5. Important: Select “DEVICE” as the target contact source. In the import window, tap “Import contacts” -> “Target contact source” -> “Device storage” and select “DEVICE” from the selection menu, then confirm with OK. Do not select the entry “Device storage (not visible to other apps)”.

Online Address Book

1. Open the Sync app and tap the plus sign in the bottom-right corner. If you are starting the app for the first time, it will show an introduction. 2. Choose one of three methods to connect your online address book. The prerequisite is that your online address book supports the CardDAV standard. In most cases, use “Log in with URL and username”. 3. After successful login and connection to the online address book, check the box for the address book of the account you want to synchronize. 4. Tap the synchronization button in the bottom-right corner of the view for your address book. Use the gear icon in the top-right corner to set the synchronization frequency.

SIM Card

1. Save your most important contacts from your old mobile phone to your SIM card, which can hold up to 250 contacts. 2. Insert your SIM card into the Volla Phone, and your contacts will appear in the Contacts app and on the Springboard.

Input Step 1

@

Input Step 2

Name

With each letter entered, a matching contact list appears, from which you can select the desired contact by touch. Only properly created contacts are displayed.

Context Menu 1

• Call mobile
• Call private
• Call work
• Call alternative number

Depending on the number and labels of the phone numbers stored for the contact, the context menu shows the corresponding entries, which can be used by touch. A connection is established via the Phone app.

Input Step 3

@"Name" is already in the input line, and after a space, you now enter free text.

At least one word/letter followed by a space is required. If you use a line break after the words, the system uses the first line as the subject of an email.

Context Menu 2

As soon as text entry begins, the following menu should appear and can be used at any time to send the text in the desired message format.

• Send text message
• Send private email
• Send work email
• Send other email

Depending on the number and labels of the email addresses stored for the contact, the context menu shows the corresponding entries, which can be used by touch and open the default email app, allowing you to add attachments or formatting if needed. "Send text message" activates the SMS service.

The cross symbol at the end of the input line clears the entry and restores the initial state.

Explanations for the Quick Guide

Springboard

Whenever you launch the Volla Launcher, it displays the Springboard. The idea is that you type something, and the system recognizes what you want. It provides suggestions to complete your input or suitable functions for your entry.

springboard.jpeg Springboard Screenshot

The Springboard supports the following use cases:

Contact Selection

If you start the input with the @ symbol, the system recognizes that you want to enter a name and suggests people from the address book, initially sorted by name. Tap a name in the list to insert it into the text field. The prerequisite for this function is that your address book contains entries.

By entering additional letters, you can filter the contact list. The Springboard displays names that contain the entered sequence anywhere.

You can synchronize contacts, for example, using the installed app for address book and calendar synchronization via CardDAV and CalDAV protocols.

@Claudia_Sommer

Call

The system then suggests calling that person. Tapping the suggestion for this function starts a call via the Phone app. Function suggestions are distinguished from input completion suggestions by their red background color.

@Claudia_Sommer

Messages

If you enter additional words instead of initiating a call, the system suggests sending a text message or email to the entered contact. Tapping the suggestion currently opens the respective app with a pre-filled message that you only need to send.

@Claudia Sommer Are you joining us for lunch at the Italian restaurant?

If you use a line break after the words, the system uses the first line as the email subject. The prerequisite is that you have set up at least one email account.

@Claudia_Sommer Lunch break Do you feel like joining us at the Italian restaurant during the lunch break? Greetings from Petra

Depending on the data stored for a contact, the Volla Launcher suggests sending a message via SMS, email, or the Signal Messenger service.

Web Search

If you start the input with a word instead of a contact, the system suggests searching the internet with that word. It opens the browser with the entered keyword. By default, the Volla Launcher uses the DuckDuckGo search engine. In the settings, under the “Search Engines” group, you can also select Startpage or Metager.

Volla

Note

If you enter multiple words, the system also suggests creating a note. You can then find it as an entry in the Notes collection via the red dot.

Volla Phone

You can also use line breaks.

Volla Phone New features: 1. Safe mode 2. Multi Boot

Web Address

If you enter a valid web address, the system suggests opening it in the browser.

volla.online

Phone Number

If you enter a phone number in the text field, the system suggests initiating a call. As with all inputs, a space at the end of a word or number sequence is required to trigger evaluation.

+491234567890

If you then enter one or more words, the system offers to send a text message, but not an email.

+491234567890 Hello Petra, how are you?

Email Address

If you enter an email address and text, the Volla Launcher suggests sending an email.

hello@volla.online Where can I buy a Volla Phone?

If you enter multiple lines, the first line is used as the email subject:

hello@volla.online Volla retailer Dear Volla team, Where can I buy a Volla Phone?

Calendar Event

The Volla Launcher recognizes various formats for describing a calendar event, consisting of date, optional time, title, and optional description.

12.08.2022 12 Uhr Lunch with Peter 12.08. 16:30 - 17:30 Training at the sports club 6 - 8 pm Dinner with Paula at Joe's Pizzeria

If no time is provided, the Volla Launcher schedules an all-day event. If the second time is missing, only the first time is entered. If no date is provided, the current day is used.

Instead of a date, you can also use weekdays or a short form:

Tomorrow 10 am Video conference with Paula Thursday 14 - 18 Uhr Wine seminar at the town hall cellar

With a line break, the Volla Launcher uses the text after the first line break as the event description.

Tapping the suggestion to add the appointment to the calendar opens the Calendar app, where you confirm the event to save it.

Further use cases are planned.

Shortcuts

On the Springboard, a red dot is visible. This allows you to access shortcuts with a single gesture. Touch the dot to open the menu, slide your finger or stylus over the desired menu item, and release:

Touch -> Slide -> Release

The default includes the following functions:

• Recent and favorite contacts
• Recent conversations
• Recent messages
• Notes
• Phone app
• Camera
• Gallery
• Calendar app

Unneeded functions can be disabled. Additional apps can be added to the shortcuts list.

You can manage shortcuts in the settings under the corresponding Volla Launcher group. Default functions can be disabled/enabled, while custom shortcuts can also be deleted.

Adding New Shortcuts

You can add new shortcuts in three ways:

1. Tap and hold an app in the overview until a context menu appears, then select “Add to shortcuts”. 2. From the Springboard, swipe twice to the right to bring up the settings from the left. Tap the “Shortcuts” group and then the plus sign to open a context menu for selecting an app. 3. For advanced users: After creating a backup of the hidden file .shortcut.json (in the "Documents" folder) in a location of your choice, open the hidden file .shortcut.json in an editor. This can be the Markor editor on the phone, or you can open, edit, and save the file directly from the USB-connected phone on a desktop editor and immediately check the result. Always ensure correct syntax!

A single entry looks like this, for example:

{"id":"org.fossify.calendar","name":"Calendar & Appointments","activated":true}

• Under "id": Enter the system address of the desired app, e.g., org.fossify.calendar.
• Under "name": Enter the desired short command name to display on the Springboard, e.g., “Calendar & Appointments”.
• Under "activated": Use true or false to determine whether the command appears on the Springboard (also controlled via Volla Launcher -> swipe twice right -> Settings -> Shortcuts -> red dot next to the entry).

Red dot active: Command appears (true). Red dot inactive: Command does not appear (false).

Web addresses added as bookmarks in the app overview can also be added to shortcuts this way.

Collections

The Collections provide a quick overview of important information and related functions. When opening a collection, an animation slides it in from the right.

You can return to the Springboard with a swipe gesture, the Home button, or the Home gesture.

Each collection can be filtered via a text field below the heading.

Contacts

The system automatically compiles important contacts. In the beta version, it includes all contacts marked as favorites in the address book or with whom you recently communicated via phone call, SMS, or MMS.

The contact overview shows the contact's name, organization, latest unread message, or missed call.

Tap and hold an entry briefly to open a context menu offering functions depending on the address book entry:

• Open address book entry
• Open Signal profile
• Start a call
• Open Messenger app to write and send a text message
• Open Email app to write and send an email

Selection follows the same gesture as for shortcuts.

A short tap on an entry opens the conversation with the person, currently including calls, SMS, and MMS messages.

At the bottom of the view, a text field allows direct reply via SMS or MMS.

Integration of Signal messages is in preparation.

Conversations

Here, the system displays recent conversations with name or phone number and text, sorted by time and topic. The beta version includes SMS and MMS messages. Additional communication channels are planned.

A short tap on a conversation shows all exchanged messages.

You can reply directly via the text field at the bottom using SMS, MMS, and in the future via Signal Messenger.

Messages

Here, the system displays recent messages grouped by source and sorted by time. This ensures important messages from less frequent sources do not get lost in the stream.

Tapping the channel icon takes you to all recent posts from that news channel.

Tapping the displayed message opens the full message, optimized for readability.

By default, the Volla Launcher shows example RSS feeds from three news channels. You can subscribe to your own RSS or Atom feeds from news portals and blogs in two ways:

• In the browser, tap and hold a link to an RSS or Atom feed until a context menu appears, then share the link with the Volla Launcher.
• Enter or paste the link to an RSS or Atom feed into the Springboard text field. The Springboard will suggest subscribing to it.

In the Volla Launcher settings, you can disable, enable, or delete news feeds in the “News Channels” group by tapping the cross on the right.

Notes

This collection lists all notes created via the Springboard or in the list view of this collection.

Tap a list entry to read the full note. In the detail view, you can edit, delete, or pin a note to the top of the list. Pinned notes can be unpinned the same way.

The Volla Launcher automatically recognizes and formats links (with or without protocol prefix) and lists.

A list:

1. Numbered lists - Bulleted lists * Various bullet points

Apps

Swiping right from the Springboard takes you to the overview of installed apps, listed in alphabetical order by name.

By default, apps are divided into two groups: frequently used apps and other apps.

In the Volla Launcher settings, you can enable or disable app grouping options. If all grouping options are disabled, all apps are shown alphabetically in one overview.

Regardless of grouping, you can filter displayed apps via the text field.

A red dot indicates missed calls or unread text messages.

Settings

Swiping right from the app grid takes you to the app settings.

The first group offers theme selection:

• Dark mode
• Light mode
• Transparent mode

Transparent mode uses the background image set in system settings. Changing the theme also sets the lock screen background.

Default Apps

Volla OS ships without Google Apps and Play Services to protect user privacy. It includes curated, open-source alternatives. See the corresponding overview:

Curated Pre-Installed System Apps

The selection is not yet final.

Backup and Restoration of the Volla Launcher

In the user directory in the “Documents” folder, the following files are located (show hidden files if necessary):

• Feeds.json
• contacts.json
• shortcuts.json
• notes.json

These four files should be regularly copied to a secure location. In case of data loss, copy them back to the “Documents” folder (confirm overwriting existing files).

Restoring an Earlier Version of the Volla Launcher

1. Backup Volla Launcher data (as described above). 2. Reset Volla Launcher to factory settings: Settings -> Apps -> All Apps -> Volla Three-dot menu (top right) -> “Uninstall updates” 3. F-Droid Store: Settings (gear bottom right) -> Manage installed apps -> Volla Launcher -> Versions (list) Tap the desired version and install. 4. If necessary, copy the backups back to the Documents folder.

Disclaimer: This article was created using personal experiences, observations of the application, internet research, and with the assistance of the AI Grok (xAI). The content was further edited by the user and is continuously reviewed. No guarantee of accuracy or completeness, especially regarding version fidelity.