Swapping out the stock launcher. - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've have a situation where an individual wants to replace the stock launcher. I've been successful in swapping out system launchers for third party ones before, but the S3 isn't liking it too much. The reason for this is the individual feels that his third party launcher suffers a lag that stock doesn't. This S3 is rooted stock, and the filing system is a little different from my other toys, the goal is to remove stock launcher completely and let Nova run all launcher tasks to see if the lag is from file location. On some devices, you can literally replace the launcher apk, reboot and its done, not the case here. Anyone ever permanently replace the stock launcher?
Sent from My Beast™
GTP7310

StarkCity said:
I've have a situation where an individual wants to replace the stock launcher. I've been successful in swapping out system launchers for third party ones before, but the S3 isn't liking it too much. The reason for this is the individual feels that his third party launcher suffers a lag that stock doesn't. This S3 is rooted stock, and the filing system is a little different from my other toys, the goal is to remove stock launcher completely and let Nova run all launcher tasks to see if the lag is from file location. On some devices, you can literally replace the launcher apk, reboot and its done, not the case here. Anyone ever permanently replace the stock launcher?
Sent from My Beast™
GTP7310
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I am confused as to what you want here. Why not just install nova/apex and set it as default launcher? If you are too keen on removing TW launcher just delete Seclauncher2.apk and odex from system/app.

watsa said:
I am confused as to what you want here. Why not just install nova/apex and set it as default launcher? If you are too keen on removing TW launcher just delete Seclauncher2.apk and odex from system/app.
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Click to collapse
The individual wants to completely wipe out stock launcher and replace permanently with Nova, he has moved the apk, but is getting force closed, I can't confirm if he's deleted or froze stock launcher, and I'm sure he didn't delete odex, which is what I needed to know. Like I mentioned, this file system is a tad different than what I had in front of me, so I was unable to tell him to remove odex. He had mentioned that for him, Nova had a file folder, he asked me if he was supposed to move just the apk or the whole thing, I've only swapped apks, not file folders. But you've been informative. Thank you......
Edit: Still getting force closures after the move. :/
Sent from My Beast™
GTP7310

StarkCity said:
The individual wants to completely wipe out stock launcher and replace permanently with Nova, he has moved the apk, but is getting force closed, I can't confirm if he's deleted or froze stock launcher, and I'm sure he didn't delete odex, which is what I needed to know. Like I mentioned, this file system is a tad different than what I had in front of me, so I was unable to tell him to remove odex. He had mentioned that for him, Nova had a file folder, he asked me if he was supposed to move just the apk or the whole thing, I've only swapped apks, not file folders. But you've been informative. Thank you......
Edit: Still getting force closures after the move. :/
Sent from My Beast™
GTP7310
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Click to collapse
I installed Nova, set it as default, and deleted the TW Launcher without any issues with this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1667140&highlight=bloatware+remover
I'd guess in his/her case, edit the batch file to only remove the TW Launcher (provided he has installed a custom recovery).
I did it that way and not getting any FCs

forsakened said:
I installed Nova, set it as default, and deleted the TW Launcher without any issues with this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1667140&highlight=bloatware+remover
I'd guess in his/her case, edit the batch file to only remove the TW Launcher (provided he has installed a custom recovery).
I did it that way and not getting any FCs
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Click to collapse
Thanks, problem is moving Nova to system permanently. Deleting stuff is fine, its just Nova doesn't like being in system.app for some reason.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Related

Replacing launcher with Zeam

So I have fallen in love with the simplicity of Zeam as a launcher replacement. But what I would like to know is if it's possible to completely replace the stock launcher with zeam? If so what files would I need to delete from the /system/app folder or would they be in the framework?
zakth said:
So I have fallen in love with the simplicity of Zeam as a launcher replacement. But what I would like to know is if it's possible to completely replace the stock launcher with zeam? If so what files would I need to delete from the /system/app folder or would they be in the framework?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Would Imagine You Need To Put The Launchers APK In /system/app
Just An Educated Guess.
Not a good idea. I did something simlar to this with my original Droid. Here's the thing. If your replacement launcher gets screwed up, or if you uninstall it, you have no way to do anything; such as get into a file manager to reinstall the stock launcher. It's not hurting anything sitting in the background.
What would be the difference from what you are experiencing now to deleting the stock launcher. Just a sense of cleanliness, know it's not there?
myriad46 said:
Not a good idea. I did something simlar to this with my original Droid. Here's the thing. If your replacement launcher gets screwed up, or if you uninstall it, you have no way to do anything; such as get into a file manager to reinstall the stock launcher. It's not hurting anything sitting in the background.
What would be the difference from what you are experiencing now to deleting the stock launcher. Just a sense of cleanliness, know it's not there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're Absolutely Right, Deleting The Stock Launcher Is A Bad Idea. I Was Just Giving You The Way To Put It On The "System" So To Speak.

[Q] Custom launchers, cannot kill default "Home"

Hello!
Stock=the launcher Motorola shipped the Atrix with.
When I install custom launchers (in this case Zeam), my phone restarts every 24-36 hours.
I tried to do some research of this, and ended up installing an app called "Home Manager", and the results was kind of interesting. It didn't matter which launcher I set as default, I couldn't get the stock launcher to stop running.
When I had cleared the defaults for launchers, I pressed the home button, I noticed that stock wasn't even an alternative default. After a little more research I found an app that made it possible to choose stock as default for launchers (Moto Home Fix).
Again I went into Home Manager and had a peek. And guess what, Moto Home Fix was running aswell as Stock.
Anyone has any ideas of what is causing this? Any way to fix it?
Running on 2.2, rooted not unlocked.
The stock launcher will always run, its part of the phone. Launcher pro, zeam, they kinda like a "mask" over the stock launcher. Someone correct me if im wrong, but that's what I always thought before. Like having sense, with zeam over it. Can't get rid of sense.
Sent from my Atrix
lovfors said:
Running on 2.2, rooted not unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're rooted and really don't even want to use the stock launcher, just adb into your systems/app directory and rename BlurHome.apk to BlurHome.apk.bak, that should stop it from running... and you can always rename it later if you ever wanted to go back to it..
I pulled ADW from CM7 and use that as my launcher and renamed my BlurHome.apk to what I mentioned aboved... now, if you like to switch alot between different launchers(including stock) on the fly using home switcher or what ever, then I guess you don't want to do that... unless you never want to switch back to BlurHome again..
Once i have a launcher replacement set up (currently GoLauncher) I just go into titanium backup and freeze all but the current launcher.
If you want to rename you don't need to adb to change it. You can do the same in root explorer. find folder system/apps find BlurHome.apk and rename it to BlurHome.bak or something.
andrew.cambridge said:
The stock launcher will always run, its part of the phone. Launcher pro, zeam, they kinda like a "mask" over the stock launcher. Someone correct me if im wrong, but that's what I always thought before. Like having sense, with zeam over it. Can't get rid of sense.
Sent from my Atrix
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Click to collapse
When I tried this on my girlfriends HTC Desire, I was able to kill the stock, so I'm going to guess custom lanchers work as stand alone lanchers, not masks?
Also, if I use titanium backup to freeze the stock launcher, and then do something stupid like uninstalling my new launcher, would a factory reset restore wipe it clean?

How to remove TouchUI

is there anyway to remove this samsung touchui and just have basic android launcher?
Member for 3 years and over 500 posts and you need this kind of question answered?
Install a different launcher, press the home button and set the new one as default. If you want to completely remove TouchWiz, freeze/uninstall the related system APKs afterwards.
A search for "AOSP launcher" on the market returned a theme for ADW launcher.
maybe i should have wrote a little more as to what i was fishing for.
I basically wanted to know if anyone had a list of all the apks that samsung touchui used that could safely be removed rather than just disable or install a seperate launcher.
thanks for the reply i will continue my search.
A|ex said:
is there anyway to remove this samsung touchui and just have basic android launcher?
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Click to collapse
Create a custom rom based on the Stock GS2 Rom and remove the std TochWizUI.
http://romkitchen.org/sgs2/
Else ger ADW or Go Launcher Ex and set it as default .......
A|ex said:
I basically wanted to know if anyone had a list of all the apks that samsung touchui used that could safely be removed rather than just disable or install a seperate launcher.
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Click to collapse
Removing APKs won't magically give you a replacement launcher. TouchWiz isn't sitting on top of another one. If you remove it, you'll need a replacement regardless.
It sounds to me like you'd be better with an AOSP ROM rather than Samsung ROM if you're looking for a "pure" experience. But if you do want to stay stock, see Applications Safe To Remove, which has a spreadsheet showing what most of the APKs are and which are okay to remove. Remember though, if you remove the Samsung custom elements, you're going to need replacements.
Excellent, this is what i was looking for. Cheers

[Q] Custom launchers can't stay in memory

I don't know if this is normal to Ace nowadays but I just have this problem recently
When I use some custom launchers (Xperia, GO Launcher, ADW, etc.) and opened up some system apps (phone, contacts, and the likes) then try using the Stock task manager.. those launchers are being killed.. leaving the system app / stock launcher intact after I press the back button.
It's just pretty annoying that I still need to press the Home button just to show/revert back to those launchers...
Is this is really a problem and are there any fixes for it?
thanks
jim7777 said:
I don't know if this is normal to Ace nowadays but I just have this problem recently
When I use some custom launchers (Xperia, GO Launcher, ADW, etc.) and opened up some system apps (phone, contacts, and the likes) then try using the Stock task manager.. those launchers are being killed.. leaving the system app / stock launcher intact after I press the back button.
It's just pretty annoying that I still need to press the Home button just to show/revert back to those launchers...
Is this is really a problem and are there any fixes for it?
thanks
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Click to collapse
Y don't you select the use as default option?
From the Galaxy to your phone
shaaan said:
Y don't you select the use as default option?
From the Galaxy to your phone
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Click to collapse
Even this seems to kill the launchers.
You may need to select "Keep in memory" or similar in your launcher options.
If you are rooted and have a root file explorer you can make a backup of the system launcher by copying the apk (and dex file if included) to your SD card, then move the app from your preferred launcher to system/app with Rw,R, R permissions and delete the stock launcher from the system/app folder. Then reboot.
Also many launchers have the system persistent option, try enabling it.
Sent from the other side... of the screen
Is because the stock task manager is made by Samsung, it doesn't like third party apps.
you could use a different task manager from play store.
I don't use task manager's, android will kill processes when it needs to.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using my hands
Well mate anyway you try, 3rd party launchers will always be killed by task manager. You can't keep them fully in memory. However if you don't like TW launcher, just delete apk and dex from system/app using root explorer and install any other launcher before doing so. It'll never appear again
hmm should I rename the new launcher to the deleted apk?
like GoLauncherAPK.apk to TouchWiz30Launcher.apk?
or just directly move it to the app folder
jim7777 said:
hmm should I rename the new launcher to the deleted apk?
like GoLauncherAPK.apk to TouchWiz30Launcher.apk?
or just directly move it to the app folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Go launcher will work. Just install it normally.
Sent from my Galaxy S IV
not really Go Launcher.. just a sample name lol
Well anyway you don't need to rename.
Sent from my Galaxy S IV
hmm tried moving the launcher to system/app but still being killed by task manager.... tried renaming it still same problem.. o.o
jim7777 said:
hmm tried moving the launcher to system/app but still being killed by task manager.... tried renaming it still same problem.. o.o
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro i already told you that third party launchers will be killed by task manager. Moving them to system, renaming them, nothing would help. They can't be locked in memory unless any developer tries to do so.

Your preferred launcher, widgets, apps, etc?

I'm curious what you guys would recommend for launchers, lockscreens, widgets, apps and such for the GN3. Paid or free, I'm open to all suggestions.
I like a simple, clean and intuitive setup.
My current stock setup is one home screen with apps categorized in 6 folders below the Pandora and weather widget.
Wallpaper is a static gallery image.
I would like more customization over the home screen/lock screen. Widgets on the lock screen would be nice as well.
Are any of the stock Samsung/Sprint apps more useful than 3rd party alternatives?
It would also be good to know which bloatware/stock apps are safe to remove from freeza's deodexed ROM and whether or not it is a good idea to install TWRP and start flashing away or wait for more testing. I almost jumped into it last night but decided stock and rooted is safest for now.
I just want to optimize battery life, productivity and customization options.
Sent from my SM-N900P using xda app-developers app
Next Launcher (Check the Next Launcher Facebook page as they release betas to the public that are fully functional)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gtp.nextlauncher&hl=en
Android Weather Widgets
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.devexpert.weather&hl=en
Kompster said:
I'm curious what you guys would recommend for launchers, lockscreens, widgets, apps and such for the GN3. Paid or free, I'm open to all suggestions.
I like a simple, clean and intuitive setup.
My current stock setup is one home screen with apps categorized in 6 folders below the Pandora and weather widget.
Wallpaper is a static gallery image.
I would like more customization over the home screen/lock screen. Widgets on the lock screen would be nice as well.
Are any of the stock Samsung/Sprint apps more useful than 3rd party alternatives?
It would also be good to know which bloatware/stock apps are safe to remove from freeza's deodexed ROM and whether or not it is a good idea to install TWRP and start flashing away or wait for more testing. I almost jumped into it last night but decided stock and rooted is safest for now.
I just want to optimize battery life, productivity and customization options.
Sent from my SM-N900P using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer NOVA launcher, highly customizable and very smooth. As for widgets the main ones I use as of now are Power Amp, TuneIn Radio, Pandora, APW Calendar, One-Weather.
I removed all Sprint apps including connection optimizer, and most Samsung apps except for the ones I may get some use from.
Some of my removed apps/APK:
ALL Knox related apk's
ALL Scloud APK's
ALL Sprint apps
Yahoo APK
Sfinder APK
STranslate [replaced with google translate]
Accuweather APK
Dual Clock APK
Samsung HUB
Samsung books
Samsung Apps
TW Launcher
Travel Service
Magazines
There's more I took off but I cannot remember, there's more I want to remove but not sure if they will affect other things. [For example: Bestface.apk]
I recommend Greenify, it is a great app that helps with apps running on their own.
tt281gt said:
I prefer NOVA launcher, highly customizable and very smooth. As for widgets the main ones I use as of now are Power Amp, TuneIn Radio, Pandora, APW Calendar, One-Weather.
I removed all Sprint apps including connection optimizer, and most Samsung apps except for the ones I may get some use from.
Some of my removed apps/APK:
ALL Knox related apk's
ALL Scloud APK's
ALL Sprint apps
Yahoo APK
Sfinder APK
STranslate [replaced with google translate]
Accuweather APK
Dual Clock APK
Samsung HUB
Samsung books
Samsung Apps
TW Launcher
Travel Service
Magazines
There's more I took off but I cannot remember, there's more I want to remove but not sure if they will affect other things. [For example: Bestface.apk]
I recommend Greenify, it is a great app that helps with apps running on their own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! Excellent suggestions, will definitely give them a try!
I'm a bit apprehensive about installing TWRP and flashing freeza's deodexed ROM but I might ask well take a chance, would be great to have all that bloat removed.
Might I suggest you start a community thread regarding APKs that are safe to remove. Perhaps it'll speed up the process towards the perfect ROM.
Kompster said:
Thank you! Excellent suggestions, will definitely give them a try!
I'm a bit apprehensive about installing TWRP and flashing freeza's deodexed ROM but I might ask well take a chance, would be great to have all that bloat removed.
Might I suggest you start a community thread regarding APKs that are safe to remove. Perhaps it'll speed up the process towards the perfect ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running TWRP and Freeza's De-Odezed ROM, all is good! So feel free to go ahead and flash, just make sure to always follow thread instructions.
I rather not make a thread myself about what apps to remove in case someones phone gets messed up lol.
Here is a link to a thread [Galaxy S4 though] of what apps are "safe" to remove. Keep in mind some of those apps may be needed for certain features within other apps, and some of those apps may be useful to YOU but not others.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40911004
Always have a backup [although right now I don't think you can restore nandroids] and have the rom in the sd card to replace removed apk's if removing them caused problems. If you run into trouble and are not sure what apk started giving you problems just boot to recovery, wipe cache/dalvik, and "dirty flash" the rom again [it will keep your data but replace all the missing apk's and so on]:good:
tt281gt said:
Always have a backup [although right now I don't think you can restore nandroids] and have the rom in the sd card to replace removed apk's if removing them caused problems. If you run into trouble and are not sure what apk started giving you problems just boot to recovery, wipe cache/dalvik, and "dirty flash" the rom again [it will keep your data but replace all the missing apk's and so on]:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wonderful, should I use TWRP to create a nandroid backup and just wait till we have a restore solution, or is there another backup method? I always did a nandroid backup in the past whenever modifying, better safe than sorry.
Kompster said:
Wonderful, should I use TWRP to create a nandroid backup and just wait till we have a restore solution, or is there another backup method? I always did a nandroid backup in the past whenever modifying, better safe than sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like a good idea, setup your rom to your liking, backup [even if not possible to restore for now -- but when fixed you have a backup of your rom running great]. As far as I have read there is no way to restore backups [I have not looked into it since Sunday when I first rooted] but feel free to look in CWM and TWRP threads for up to date information.
tt281gt said:
I am running TWRP and Freeza's De-Odezed ROM, all is good! So feel free to go ahead and flash, just make sure to always follow thread instructions.
I rather not make a thread myself about what apps to remove in case someones phone gets messed up lol.
Here is a link to a thread [Galaxy S4 though] of what apps are "safe" to remove. Keep in mind some of those apps may be needed for certain features within other apps, and some of those apps may be useful to YOU but not others.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40911004
Always have a backup [although right now I don't think you can restore nandroids] and have the rom in the sd card to replace removed apk's if removing them caused problems. If you run into trouble and are not sure what apk started giving you problems just boot to recovery, wipe cache/dalvik, and "dirty flash" the rom again [it will keep your data but replace all the missing apk's and so on]:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version TWRP did you use? Did you get the MJ4 update beforehand? I did the update and goomanager won't find any recoveries... I tried using Odin to install the latest version 2.6.7.3 and it worked for root and I made a backup, but if I try to install anything I get a "Fail" Any suggetsions?
I'm a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned Apex Launcher yet... I tried Nova - didn't care for it... Tried GoLauncher - didn't like it... Apex is the one for me hands down.
mybikegoes200 said:
I'm a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned Apex Launcher yet... I tried Nova - didn't care for it... Tried GoLauncher - didn't like it... Apex is the one for me hands down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have three launchers - ADW, Nova, Apex - and each one seems to work best with specific devices. I have Nova on my GN 10.1 and didn't like ADW or Apex on it. On my Evo I preferred ADW, and on my GN3 I prefer Apex. Look, settings and their results, and so forth, always seem to vary just a bit different with each device. Maybe it's just me. :silly:
i prefer Nova .. since i have mines set to 320dpi (240dpi on Note 2). I like the extra space and smaller icons.

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