[Q] Hide App From launcher, and still have the option to start it. - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

ok, im trying to hide this app, from the app drawer by editing the manifest.xml file, and i did it, to be specific i just remove this line from manifest.xml "<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />" but i want to hide it, and still have the option to open it...
i tried to start the application using titanium backup, but it doesnt give the option to open app...
im trying to do it by editing manifest.xml. i know there apps to hide anothers app..
if you have any idea of how to, ill appreciate it...
(im not an expert on this, and i dont even know if im asking in the right forum)

Hey, did you come across a solution? I'm facing exactly the same problem right now: The App's gone from the drawer but no longer executable by no means.
Sorry for bumping this old thread, but I endured reading about 10 pages of search results without success.
Thanks in advance!

You can use my app "App Quarantine" to do the job. You can disable the app in question (so it's no longer in the application drawer) and re-enable it as you want. Therefore you could use the home screen widget for quickly launching the app.

ramdroid77 said:
You can use my app "App Quarantine" to do the job. You can disable the app in question (so it's no longer in the application drawer) and re-enable it as you want. Therefore you could use the home screen widget for quickly launching the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately I'm searching for a solution to get along without any 3rd party app.
Which means, I want the app to be "set invisible" before even installing it on the phone. I'd really like to know, which file of the apk has to be edited in which way to achieve this.
It'd be totally fine if it simply didn''t appear on the drawer.
Any other ideas?

I have an idea.
I have replaced the icons with a completely transparent .png image and recompiled the apk.
Remember you should not change the file name of the original icon, just replace the content.
I have used apk editor pro for this work.
The app will be in the launcher or app drawer but it will remain invisible.
You should also replace the app name with 3 to 5 spacebars.You can remember the position of the app in the app drawer.
Everyone will see you tapped on a empty space and a app started

I have tested this.
So you can be sure.
One more thing
If you see any folder like mipmap_anydpi_xxx in /res you should delete it

4RCH1 H4CK3R said:
I have an idea.
I have replaced the icons with a completely transparent .png image and recompiled the apk.
Remember you should not change the file name of the original icon, just replace the content.
I have used apk editor pro for this work.
The app will be in the launcher or app drawer but it will remain invisible.
You should also replace the app name with 3 to 5 spacebars.You can remember the position of the app in the app drawer.
Everyone will see you tapped on a empty space and a app started
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4RCH1 H4CK3R said:
I have tested this.
So you can be sure.
One more thing
If you see any folder like mipmap_anydpi_xxx in /res you should delete it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thread has been moved to the proper location, even though it is a 9-year-old thread...

I can't understand.
Clark Joseph Kent said:
Thread has been moved to the proper location, even though it is a 9-year-old thread...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So where should I post the reply?

Related

[Android] Hiding apps in the Drawer

Okay so I rooted my phone and have been having some fun with the pm disable <package name> command. I am wondering whether there is anyway to hide applications from the drawer but not completely disable them.
I have access to these apps on the home screen and don't need them taking up space on the drawer. Obviously this isn't that important, but I can appreciate good design and maybe this is possible (without a home replacement app!)?
Any help is appreciated
On some Roms you can hide these icons by opening the app drawer, long pressing on the icon you want to hide, dragging it onto the desktop (but dont remove your finger) and then when the app drawer closes, drag the icon to the trash.
Not all ROMs allow this but some do.
QMAN101 said:
On some Roms you can hide these icons by opening the app drawer, long pressing on the icon you want to hide, dragging it onto the desktop (but dont remove your finger) and then when the app drawer closes, drag the icon to the trash.
Not all ROMs allow this but some do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you're referring to is the advanced launcher here is the link to it http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=540880
I think what the poster wanted was a stand alone way to do this without having to rely on one particular ROM or having to use any particular launcher/home replacement.
shaneaus said:
I think what the poster wanted was a stand alone way to do this without having to rely on one particular ROM or having to use any particular launcher/home replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Advanced launcher is just an advanced version of the current home though. You would be able to use it and not even know that it's not the default launcher, it works exactly the same, looks exactly the same and behaves the same bar a few added features like folders in the drawer, hiding applications and setting the number of homescreens.
This thread is pretty old, but I can't find an answer to this question anywhere else. Is there any way to hide apps in the drawer? I have a rooted evo with sense. There must be a way someone has found by now!
Only way I know of is an alternate launcher. I use Launcher Pro and that allows hiding icons.
---------
Sent from my Sprint SuperHero.
I want to do this too
it can be done from root explorer renaming app.apk to app.bak
but some will not work
Well there is this app and it seems to work as described with a ton of bonus features... Just make sure to restart you phone after hiding the apps to make it work.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smartanuj.hideitpro
menissalt said:
Well there is this app and it seems to work as described with a ton of bonus features... Just make sure to restart you phone after hiding the apps to make it work.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smartanuj.hideitpro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Er. No it doesn't - it just hides files
Actually it does remove files and i just used it. After long pressing the "audio manager" logo it comes to menu with one icon being "hide apps". Click and select what to hide.
Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums
Moving to Q&A

[Q] shortcuts

Code:
How do I install a shortcut on the homescreen? When I long press and tap "shortcut" nothing happens. There are websites I visit frequently that don't have an app.
in your browser favorites if you long hold it will give you the option to paste shortcut on homescreen. i think it is long hold that does this
It worked for some, but said the others already existed (even though they didn't). Anyhoo, considering my ineptness, this is a success. Thanks much!
Yeah I figured more people would have said something about not being able to put application shortcuts on the desktop.. or make folders for that matter. I mean the menu comes up to add folder or shortcut but it just sits there after that.
Also how do you switch from one application to another? With my phone you can hold the home screen button down and a box will appear with all the running/recently used apps appears. With this I have to keep going back to the launcher and restart the app every time I just want to switch to it. Is there an app I have to add for simple task switching?
I have solved the switching issue with 2 free applications, 'PreHome' and 'Notification Toggle'. PreHome gives you a popup with open and recent applications. Use Notification Toggle to put PreHome in your notification tray and you have quick switching.
Thanks.. nifty workaround.. now just click on the notification icon.. then to the task switcher.. Now just need to figure out why the shortcuts / folders don't add to the desktop.
I am not able to add folders to my homescreen on my rooted nook tablet either. Does anyone know of a fix for this?
I will have to try out the task switcher as well. I was looking for that functionality.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
drake495 said:
I am not able to add folders to my homescreen on my rooted nook tablet either. Does anyone know of a fix for this?
I will have to try out the task switcher as well. I was looking for that functionality.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using Go Launcher EX, I create the folders in my app drawer by dragging apps on top of each other, and then dragging the folders to my home screen.
I believe other launchers have the same feature. Outside of that, I don't believe there is a way to create folder right on the home screen since B&N did not include it in their build.
I am using ADW launcher. I will mess around with it some more today and see what I can come up with.
edit: No luck creating folders on the home screen with ADW launcher, no matter what I try.
I've had the same issues trying to create shortcuts and folders on rooted NT. I'm using ADW launcher as well. My workaround was to create "catalogs" for the folders I wanted on the home screen and organize my apps this way.
To do this:
Open the app drawer, click the menu button, then pick "choose catalog" to create a new catalog. This creates a new screen that you can then choose "setup catalog" and check off what you want. Then go to the home screen, long press, and pick "launcher actions". There should be options to "show catalog ____". You can then change the icon to the folder by long pressing and choosing "edit" and picking the icon and loading a new pic, etc.
This will get you a folder with whatever games or apps you want.
I created a "Games" folder this way.
Regarding the shorcuts issue, try the program "AnyCut" to try to create shorcuts. It's not the perfect solution as I was unable to figure out how to create a "directions & navigations" shorcut from it, but it has a ton of options. Worth a look.
drake495 said:
I am using ADW launcher. I will mess around with it some more today and see what I can come up with.
edit: No luck creating folders on the home screen with ADW launcher, no matter what I try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made folders by bringing the apps i wanted to the homescreen, then dragging the apps together. The first two apps that are combined will create a folder, then drag more apps to it to add them. Long press the folder to rename it. This is all with ADW Ex.
Looks like com.android.settings is supposed to contain .ActivityPicker which handles the android.intent.action.PICK_ACTIVITY intent.
I wonder if I could just take the settings apk from my phone and throw it on my Nook. I have no idea which apk it actually is though.
EDIT: Derp, it's /system/app/Settings.apk.
adb shell
pm list packages -f
will give a list
EDIT2: Looks like all the code is there for the ActivityPicker, it's just not registered in the manifest. I'm almost positive I can just recompile it with the info added and shortcuts will work. I just have to figure out how to compile without compression or confirm the Nook can handle compressed apks.
For folder shortcuts im using an app called Folder Organizer. Once you get your apps sorted into whatever sort of folders/lables you like you can add them as a widget to the desktop. They function just like a folder and i just discovered that Titanium Backup will automatically usr them as a sorting lable fpr app filters if you need that.
Sent from my BNTV250 using xda premium
HMG10 said:
I made folders by bringing the apps i wanted to the homescreen, then dragging the apps together. The first two apps that are combined will create a folder, then drag more apps to it to add them. Long press the folder to rename it. This is all with ADW Ex.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I try this, I get a message saying it's incompatible with my theme (BigDX ADW Serenity) and it goes back to the default theme. But even then, I can't create folders. Keeps giving me the same message.
I'm also using ADW EX.
Does go launcher or the other one work on none rooted NTs? I dont rewlly want to root right now because i have the warranty. And what is the "app" or program that has a home key on the side of the nook screen so that you can go between sideloaded apps and the actual nook? (Or is that just on rooted NTs? Thanks!
I've kind of gave up on shortcuts and folders. I spent a bunch of time (twice) setting a bunch of this stuff up to find it missing after a reboot No more.
pelzgb said:
It's not the perfect solution as I was unable to figure out how to create a "directions & navigations" shorcut from it, but it has a ton of options. Worth a look.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd, I have no problem creating a shortcut using Activities/ and scrolling down to Directions & Navigation.
Also:
1. ES File Explorer can create file system shortcuts on the desktop. They open of course in ES File Exlorer.
2. BetterCut is more in depth and a much better interface than Anycut. Dev is defunct, but the .apk can be found with a search.
3. As others have said, creating folders is very simple with Go Launcher.
4. Button Savior (which I wouldn't want to use the NT without) long pressing the home button brings up a task switcher with the last 6 apps used.
---------- Post added at 12:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------
elizabethsparks2002 said:
Does go launcher or the other one work on none rooted NTs? I dont rewlly want to root right now because i have the warranty. And what is the "app" or program that has a home key on the side of the nook screen so that you can go between sideloaded apps and the actual nook? (Or is that just on rooted NTs? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GoLauncher definitely works without being rooted.
I'm guessing the app you mean is Button Savior? If so, the home button does work without root, but most of the features (like the task switcher) require root.
Otherwise you can use HomeCatcher to set up the N button for whichever launcher you want. It's been a long time since my NT wasn't rooted, but if I remember correctly this didn't require root.
What I like to do is use AnyCut to create a shortcut (Activities/Home) back to the stock NT interface. Then you can switch back and forth between homes interfaces. (Stock and goLauncher).
If you uninstall GoLauncher or other alternative launcher then home will default back to the stock interface.

[Q] TouchWiz Dock Icon Customization (not apps)

I wondering if there is a way to change the icons, not programs, in the TouchWiz dock. Example - I hate the green phone icon and want to substitute in the ICS phone icon. I can use desktop visualizer to create a shortcut icon...however, TouchWiz only lets you add apps from the drawer to the dock, and desktop visualizer shortcuts do not show in the app drawer (only on the desktop).
I'm not rooted...yet. I don't want to use a launcher other than TWiz because every single one of them is laggy on the Note.
n00b thought - is there a way, with or without root, that I can use root explorer, find the icon .png being used for the phone, and just replace it with a different .png of my choosing?
Thanks!
You can do it, but it'll take a little bit of work.
Use APK Manager to decompile the apk, find the icon, change it, compile, sign, and replace the original apk with your modified one.
Thanks for the info...led me on a fun journey last night through apk multi-tool. Learned a ton. Ultimately, I couldn't push the apk back to the phone after recompiling because it was a system app...need to root. Fun stuff tho!
jgivesit said:
Thanks for the info...led me on a fun journey last night through apk multi-tool. Learned a ton. Ultimately, I couldn't push the apk back to the phone after recompiling because it was a system app...need to root. Fun stuff tho!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting is easy and only takes like 2 minutes. Look at the various methods on the development threads.
Here is a good one!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T40_b0M34OA
If you end up wanting to that is.
probably a really stoopid question......
but if I wanted to swap the application (not the icon) in the touchwiz shortcut area how do I do that under ICS. On Gingerbread I just selected edit and could drag and drop a replacement app onto the drawer, but following ICS update I can't. Am I being a total dufus?
Jon.
Just go to the app drawer, hit menu then edit, drag the icons out and drag the ones you want in. No root, no app required.
Edit dock from app drawer!!!
DeerChaser said:
Just go to the app drawer, hit menu then edit, drag the icons out and drag the ones you want in. No root, no app required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, thanks!! I've been trying to do this for two days now, your post really helped a guy out!! I've now replaced the stupid email app with K9 Mail in my dock!!
Ken

How to set up folders?

Hello, I was wondering, how do I change the apps that are in the premade folders? I can't seem to figure out how. When I try dragging and icon into it, it just replaces it.
that is a feature they really really need to have
Me too on the same boat.... Mebbe these concerns are addressed once the app gets outta beta phase.
There are some themes with folders, but with a theme like GTA V there isn't.
xShockz said:
Hello, I was wondering, how do I change the apps that are in the premade folders? I can't seem to figure out how. When I try dragging and icon into it, it just replaces it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you open your app drawer, long press on the app you want, you should the be able to add that app to the screen.
If you drag these apps into the existing folders, they will be added to that folder. Similarly, you can remove existing apps on the screen or in the premade folders

[Solved] Screenshot Button Help

I have an Apex AP-GS918 (Nobis NB09) tablet with rooted stock Jellybean Rom. There is an annoying screenshot button on the bottom bar next to the volume button that I keep pressing accidentally because it is in a bad spot. I wish to disable it or remove it completely. I have searched the forums but all the answers seem to be for Samsung devices. They say to change the quick launch in the settings which I do not have. And they say to remove or disable the system app that controls it, they have different names for the app like screenshotcapture.apk and such, but there is no system app with that or similar name.
If anyone knows a way to be rid of this annoyance, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
UPDATE EDIT...
UltraWelfare said:
This feature is included in SystemUI.apk (I think - on some phones) and if you delete it you will have no UI.So don't do it.
Find an app on google play that disables it(I don't know how you will search it :silly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was unable to find an app to disable, and you were correct that it was part of SystemUI.apk. But I found out how to remove it from the bar. I am unable to post where I found the method because I am not allowed to post outside links yet, So I kind of wrote a tutorial (if you can call it that).
I decompiled my SystemUI.apk using Android Multitool on my PC. I edited \res\layout\system_bar.xml.
The info about the buttons are there. I found the line labeled
Code:
@id/screenshot
and changed the following code after it
Code:
android:layout_width="@dimen/navigation_menu_key_width"
to
Code:
android:layout_width="0.0dip"
which makes the screenshot button 0 pixels wide, meaning not there anymore.
Then I recompiled it, opened the new apk using 7zip and copied the edited xml from it to the original apk to prevent signature failure (after making another backup of it of course), used ADB to push it, permission it, and reboot it. After that I was free of that %$#@ button. I now have to use a third party screenshot app from the play store, but it doesn't have a constant button that leaves me with 50 accidental screenshots a day.
It also works to remove the volume buttons, which are pointless when you have the hardware buttons. Those lines are labeled
Code:
@id/sub
@id/add
(on my device anyway). It does NOT work for the 3 dot menu button, but that one isn't so bad to have there.
Take that you cheap Chinese tablet.
Bump
lovestospooge said:
Bump
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This feature is included in SystemUI.apk (I think - on some phones) and if you delete it you will have no UI.So don't do it.
Find an app on google play that disables it(I don't know how you will search it :silly
UltraWelfare said:
This feature is included in SystemUI.apk (I think - on some phones) and if you delete it you will have no UI.So don't do it.
Find an app on google play that disables it(I don't know how you will search it :silly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it to go away. The method is in the original post. Thanks for the info that got me going in the right direction.

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