GoL Screensaver

GoL Screensaver is an open-source application for Android in the System Tools category. It provides a screensaver based on the Game of Life simulation, allowing the device display to show an evolving pattern when the wallpaper job runs. The app is intended for Android users who want to configure the appearance and starting state of this simulation, including users of color e-ink displays.

Users can choose separate foreground and background colors, with the available choices intended for color e-ink screens. A pattern picker provides common Game of Life starting states, and the selected colors and pattern determine how the simulation initially appears. The screensaver can update automatically when Android permits the wallpaper job to run. Updates occur no more than once every 15 minutes and only when the device has sufficient battery.

An optional read-only calendar overlay can display upcoming events on the screensaver. Users can select which synced calendars are included, define how far ahead events may appear, and set the overlay’s position and size. Calendar access is optional, event details are not cached, and calendar settings do not transfer to another device. Event titles may be visible on the lock screen, while private events are represented as “Busy,” and calendar content refreshes during the regular wallpaper job or while the app is open.

GoL Screensaver is available through F-Droid or by building the open-source project from source. MirrorNest mirrors the official Android build directly on its own storage and scans it for malware before publishing. After installation, the app should be launched, and freezing must be disabled at Settings > Apps & Notifications > Freeze Settings > GoL Wallpaper (OFF) for self-updating to work.