Some of Android N’s improved emoji. Photo: Google

Android N Preview 2, which was rolled out to testers last week, brings a whole bunch of new and improved emoji characters. Most of us will have to wait months to get them (if we’re lucky enough to own a Nexus), but those with rooted devices don’t have to wait.

Here’s how to get them now.

Android Pay is here. Photo: Google

Google will want to give Android Pay the best possible chance of competing against Apple Pay, but that doesn’t mean it will support rooted smartphones and unofficial ROMs.

Screen off memo on the Galaxy Note 5. Photo: Samsung

The Galaxy Note 5’s new “screen off memo” feature, which lets you jot down notes while the device is asleep, has been ported to the Galaxy Note 4, the Galaxy Note 3, and the Galaxy Note Edge. So long as you have a rooted device, installation is easy.

LED Music Effect in action. Screenshot: Cult of Android

You probably only ever notice your smartphone’s LED notification light when you have new alerts, but it can do so much more. If your handset is rooted, a new app called LED Music Effect can turn it into an awesomely colorful visualizer for your favorite tunes.

The Nexus 6 is hiding a great feature that’s easy to enable. Photo: Google

Early versions of the Nexus 6, including those issued to select reviews, had an awesome double-tap to wake function much like the HTC One M8, which was inexplicably removed by Google before the handset made its public debut. It’s unclear why it was pulled, but if you’ve already rooted your device, you can get it back with this simple app.