[Q] How to access core Android functions like app switching - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Is there any way to access core Android functions like app switching (holding down the Home button for a few seconds), to be used in other contexts? Similar to how you can access Activities from the apps installed and use them as Shortcuts.
What I'd like to do is this:
press Home -> bring up app switching interface
long-press Home -> go to Home screen
Basically I want to reverse the two functions that short and long pressing the Home button does.
If not that, I'm also interested in being able to access the "app switching interface" via a Shortcut (like a Shortcut you place on your Home screen), or via an app.
For example, you can long-press on the Home screen and add a Shortcut (different than adding a shortcut to an App) which basically includes various context functions of some of the apps you have installed. I want to be able to do this - add a Shortcut - in which the Shortcut I add launches the "app switching interface" that you normally get by long-pressing the Home button. That way I can put that Shortcut in Wavelauncher or wherever else I want to be able to app switch without the annoyance of having to long-press something.
Maybe this kind of thing requires root and hacking, but that's why I'm here! I'd be grateful for any advice and help; thank you!

As far as I know you'll need a custom rom like cyanogenmod or aokp to do things like that.Being able to do that in a stock rom would compose of alot of work within the framework-res.apk, systemUI.APK, and button maps. To flash a custom rom require root and clockworkmod. I want to help you but first what type of device do you have?

eugeneeaster18 said:
As far as I know you'll need a custom rom like cyanogenmod or aokp to do things like that.Being able to do that in a stock rom would compose of alot of work within the framework-res.apk, systemUI.APK, and button maps. To flash a custom rom require root and clockworkmod. I want to help you but first what type of device do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be getting my new LG Optimus G Pro in a few days. I was hoping, if I can't reverse the functionality on the Home button, that I could maybe assign the "app switching interface" to the programmable button on the side. Thanks for helping out by the way.

Is your device rooted? Also thank me with the button

eugeneeaster18 said:
Is your device rooted? Also thank me with the button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have it yet, but I would be willing to root it. I'm using my good ol' GS2 Skyrocket for the next few days until it arrives.

Well I have my Optimus G Pro and I've been using it for a few days. I saw an app by the makers of Tasker that allows you to build your own app. Could I possibly use that to accomplish what I want (build an app whose function is to show the "app switching interface" )? Or would I really need to root it (and if so, what then?)?

Related

Quick hacked up app to create soft menu/back keys - SoftKeys v3.06

SoftKeys provides on screen keys for menu/home/back/search for devices that don't have those keys in hardware.
SoftKeys is also available in the Android Market
If you want to make themes for SoftKeys you will need the tools to build apks (eclipse/android sdk/etc) and the template from the git repository.
http://git.hoopajoo.net
Changelog:
2011/01/11 - 3.06 - Fix notification keys, boot straight to launcher on system startup
2011/01/11 - 3.05 - Fix notification softkeys <b>broken release</b>
2011/01/10 - 3.04 - Adds dpad and up to 6 custom keys, ability to put device
to sleep, improved performance for key injection, built in documentation, bugfixes
2010/12/23 - 3.00 - Most of the layout code has been rewritten to allow for theming, couple of bug fixes, SoftKeys is now gpl3
-----
Old Changelog (I'm too lazy to reorder this newest to oldest):
2010/12/04 - 1.01 - added launcher selector and remembers last launcher
2010/12/04 - 1.02 - added themes layouts from nemith, looks more like his screenshots but the spinner text is still black so the launcher chooser is hard to read, hopefully I'll have some time to fiddle with that soon
2010/12/04 - 1.03 - My fingers are too fat, I made everything in to image buttons and moved the launcher config to a prefs screen, if anyone has nicer icons let me know these are repurposed from generic android icons
2010/12/05 - 1.04 - Added alternate long-press soft home key for secondary launcher like if you want to use the built-in nook home, added configurable options for what to do if you tap or double tap the nook button while in the softkeys screen, long press on menu/back sends an extra back to the app before sending the requested button for apps that bring up pause screens or something when you move them to the background (angry birds, etc)
2010/12/05 - 1.05 - Integrated the dark theme from nemith, you can choose it in prefs now. Added options to disable the "exit" and "configure" buttons. If you disable "configure" you can still get to the preferences using the "menu" button in the notification bar (e.g. the normal menu button)
2010/12/05 - 1.06 - fix broken key handling, menu and back didn't work, don't use 1.05
2010/12/06 - 1.07 - add recent applications to top of the screen since we don't have a long-press-home recent apps dialog, looking in to re-ordering the buttons next
2010/12/07 - 1.08 - This release adds options to re-order the softkeys, insert soft keys in to the notification area, disable the recent apps list, long press the background to configure if you lost the configure button, and some options for changing the background to dim/blurred/none (note: the notification soft keys show up in the notification area, not in the main status bar like the nook menu/back, I can't put things there as an application you would need to modify system jars to get this effect)
2010/12/07 - v1.09 - Default to non-blurred background and added note about slowness, added option to return to softkeys after pressing back button
2010/12/08 - v1.10 - Selecting "SoftKeys" for your single-press home action will make it so if you launch softkeys, it will go to the launcher unless you hit home again, e.g. single-press home to go to launcher anywhere, double-press home to go to softkeys
2010/12/13 - v2.00 - This adds a new service overlay that is displayed above all apps allowing softkeys to be sent without having to mess with the home button. Default home key behavior has changed to be single click home from anywhere goes to your default launcher, double click home to get to the old softkeys interface. I'm still fiddling with service panel layouts and ideas so things will probably change, I just wanted to get some testing with something simple.
2010/12/17 - v2.01 - The service panel can now be dragged around the screen, you can change it from horizontal to vertial by long pressing it, you can adjust the transparency of the panel and the icon size, and also control if it closes after sending key events. If you don't want the dialog background on the panel you can disable it to just have floating buttons. NOTE: the signing certificate has changed to a release cert, you will need to uninstall the old softkeys before installing this one
2010/12/17 - v2.02 - Now you can move the button that brings up softkeys service, slightly better handling for switching horizontal/vertical layout by long press
veeerrry nice man!
Thanks! I agree with you - I didn't want to permanently re-assign the volume buttons, as I use them in some apps.
One request, if possible ) - Is there any way to make it go to launcher pro (or whatever you want as default) when pressing "Home" in the app? Right now, it asks me to "Pick Home" every time.
ddenson said:
Thanks! I agree with you - I didn't want to permanently re-assign the volume buttons, as I use them in some apps.
One request, if possible ) - Is there any way to make it go to launcher pro (or whatever you want as default) when pressing "Home" in the app? Right now, it asks me to "Pick Home" every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never personally use the "home" button, I use the quick drawer thing in the notification bar, so I don't really use a launcher. I could probably quickly add a button just for an alternate home or use last home I guess/choose new home I guess. I'll see what I can do. I've also though about adding arrow soft keys, for using in like connectbot, is there any interest in that?
There are also other minor irritating things, like apps that exit when they are not in focus will not work with this hack. For example, monkey kick (a game my son loves to play) will exit if it's not in focus so it never receives the soft keys. I suppose it doesn't matter though since it doesn't use the screen completely anyway, so he just gets to play on my old g1
bpk said:
I never personally use the "home" button, I use the quick drawer thing in the notification bar, so I don't really use a launcher. I could probably quickly add a button just for an alternate home or use last home I guess/choose new home I guess. I'll see what I can do. I've also though about adding arrow soft keys, for using in like connectbot, is there any interest in that?
There are also other minor irritating things, like apps that exit when they are not in focus will not work with this hack. For example, monkey kick (a game my son loves to play) will exit if it's not in focus so it never receives the soft keys. I suppose it doesn't matter though since it doesn't use the screen completely anyway, so he just gets to play on my old g1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again. Using the last home would be great, if that's possible. I don't personally have any use for additional buttons, but maybe someone else can comment? Rgds.
Awesome.
Code would be cool it would be nice to have them popup at the bottom of the screen like when you press the menu button in an app.
Also to take a screen shot you hold the 'n' button and tap the Vol - button. If you have as much trouble as I did with this method, you can also install drocap2 (root required) which does nice job.
awesome app. its perfect! great replacement until someone does the sidebar buttons like the ones available for the archos
nice work... now if you can make this pop up on the bottom of the screen with a black background like the archos tablets it would be awesome...
thank you, this is a great work around
I put the source up at
http: // git.hoopajoo.net
(take out the spaces I can't post links apparently)
That page has a list of my public git urls available, the last one is SoftKeys
if anyone wants to check it out, I'm currently looking at remembering the last launcher picked and defaulting to that for people that use launchers.
-- the rest of this is just for people looking in to the source, to provide some background to why I did it this way and alternate ideas I had --
If any devs look at it I thought I'd post some of my reasons for doing it this way:
1) I looked at creating a custom init service bound to a keycode at first, this would have made it so you didn't need superuser but would have required modifying your ramdisk. Even just making a daemon and communicating through some kind of pipe would require modifying the ramdisk to get it in init. In the end I abandoned the idea because it seemed easier for most normal people to just install an apk.
2) I looked at binding this to the camera button and remapping it in the keylayout, that would preserve the default home screen selections, but would require modifying a file in your /system/ so people would need to adb their stuff. Again I thought an apk would be easier and adding in shell commands would just complicate things for people and I'm not very good at support
3) I spent a LOT of time looking through git repos from aosp to find out if there was some way to bind to the long-press home and take over the recent apps list, since it doesn't even work. This would preserve your home settings and not even remove an existing function. After several hours grepping through the core.git stuff I decided this was just easier to do. If figured good enough is usually good enough. Though if someone can figure this out it would be sweet.
4) I really was hoping that we could just pull whatever archos is doing since that seems ideal, completely soft buttons. However after downloading the aos firmware I found it was encrypted and apparently currently can only be decrypted by the devices using the public key stored on them somewhere and I'm not aware of anyone having dumped their system images yet.
Also I've been looking through the superuser source to see how they handle the popups, they do a good job of not killing the running app and being all around unobtrusive, doing it their way for the popup buttons would be really sweet since it never seems to break the currently running app.
Great except one thing!
I have LauncherPro so when I click the home button, it always gives me a choice between LauncherPro and the original home. Can you make it so I can set a default? I want to just go straight to launcher pro then I select home.
Pinesal said:
Great except one thing!
I have LauncherPro so when I click the home button, it always gives me a choice between LauncherPro and the original home. Can you make it so I can set a default? I want to just go straight to launcher pro then I select home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thread is one page long and your question was already discussed.
One page was too much reading?
How about double click home button for menu and hold the button for back? Just my 2 cents.
I have taken the source code and modified it to a be a row across the bottom of the screen, I think this looks a little bit better
Note the bar at the bottom of both. Ignore that ghosting on the second image.
If anyone is good at graphics I can use some images to create a fancier looking bottom bar.
kabi said:
How about double click home button for menu and hold the button for back? Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am going to play to play with doing stuff like this. For example. Press Home for the menu. Press Home again to make the meny disappear. Double tap home for menu. Long Press for back.
I think next on my plate is setting a default launcher application to use when you hit the soft Home button.
Here is the github respository for anyone interested: https://github.com/bennetb01/SoftKeys
I can't get this to install. The first one instaled fine but when I kick this off it says it will replace the first version then "application not installed" should I remove the first one manually?
Great work BTW. Thanks
lovelacer said:
I can't get this to install. The first one instaled fine but when I kick this off it says it will replace the first version then "application not installed" should I remove the first one manually?
Great work BTW. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can uninstall the first one via the following:
Code:
adb uninstall net.hoopajoo.android.SoftKeys
Install the second one normally via:
Code:
adb install SoftKeys.apk
Interestingly enough the adb uninstall command resulted in a failure as well. I just uninstalled via long press at my app screen and was able to install via root explorer on the nook.
Thanks for the help though.
I do like those buttons, I'm not much for making things look nice, typically I just do back end stuff. If you want to rebase against head and post your git repo I'll merge those changes in to main.
I started using launcher pro and realized it does suck way too much to have to select your launcher every time. It's just 1 button press but I'm too lazy.
And for people re-installing, from adb you have to do:
adb install -r <APK>
Also to remove packages I use appremover, or you can use astro file manager with the package manager under the menu.
nemith said:
I have taken the source code and modified it to a be a row across the bottom of the screen, I think this looks a little bit better
Note the bar at the bottom of both. Ignore that ghosting on the second image.
If anyone is good at graphics I can use some images to create a fancier looking bottom bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for this, sir.
About those images: what size do ya need? i can do them right now.
-K
I didn't want to start a new thread for this piece of information, so this looks like a good place to discuss it. My wife noticed that you can always access the back button by swiping from right to left across the notification toolbar. This worked on her non-root NC as well as my rooted one. Pretty cool!

Life After Rooting (please contribute)

For those new to the world of rooting or just not sure what to do next, please add to this thread what you think are "must haves" or "must do" after rooting the nook tablet. I am sure there are awesome apps and tricks etc out there and nobody knows everything so please post what you feel is something one shouldbdo or get or install after rooting.
I think the Button Savior app is a nice one to have. It lets you set up transparent "buttons" on the side of your screen enabling you to go back, or to your chose home screen, without hitting the "n" home button. Having this app enables you to use said "n" home button to take you only back to the original, stock Nook home screen.
Just my two cents....
npw1138 said:
I think the Button Savior app is a nice one to have. It lets you set up transparent "buttons" on the side of your screen enabling you to go back, or to your chose home screen, without hitting the "n" home button. Having this app enables you to use said "n" home button to take you only back to the original, stock Nook home screen.
Just my two cents....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I agree that is a good one. Another is AnyCut. Anycut let's you place shortcuts to virtually anywhere including settings menus that are normally hidden or hard to find otherwise.
Titanium Backup and AdAway are a couple of my favorite root applications.
AdFree, TitaniumBackup, Root Explorer, ButtonSavior, Terminal Emulator.... Those a just a couple that I would consider necessities.
Great idea for a thread. This was my first time rooting. I agree with all of the above and there are a couple I want to check out as I hadn't heard of them. Other than that I would say MyBookDroid as it lets you not only keep track of what books you own, but have read, want to read, want to buy, or are in the middle of reading etc. I have gotten OverDrive for the first time for reading library books and am enjoying that. I would like to locate an 'office suite' for some of my take a long projects. Other wise I think that is all I'm aware of so far but will be watching this thread for more suggestions.
Use bettercut instead of any cut it will give you access to more options and shortcuts that even anycut cant get you
ianc125 said:
Use bettercut instead of any cut it will give you access to more options and shortcuts that even anycut cant get you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for bettercut! There are things in there I've never seen so if you recommend using it for anything specific, let me know.
Screen Filter. Great app, I love it. It will allow you to lower the screen brightness below the default-allowable levels.
Most have been mentioned.
Right after you Root:
Definitely: Root Explorer and ES File Explorer. I use one or the other just about every day. Button Savior is a must.
Screenshot (app from kastor soft). Helps greatly when seeking help with OS/app issues to include a screencap if possible.
Use Anycut (or Bettercut) to make yourself a bunch of oft-needed shortcuts, like 'Home' (for the stock launcher), Appmenu, Debug Mode, Accessibility, etc. Put the shortcuts in a folder in GoLauncher for less clutter and convenient access.
If you think that you later may do some more in depth mucking around, Get SQLite Editor.
Cloud yourself up: Get Dropbox, Sugarsync, Box.net. and 4Shared. Together it's something like 20GB of cloud storage you can share directly with your NT. Very convenient to send yourself .apk, document, and media files via the cloud vs. USB.
Once you're feeling fairly confident:
1. Replace your stock keyboard with an alternative like Swiftkey Tablet X, hacker keyboard or whatever else is compatible. Read this thread, follow all the tutorial steps. This is a very forgiving hack, and you likely can't boot-loop your device even if something goes 'wrong'. Still, know what you're doing.
2. If you're using GoLauncher and having problems with widgets not loading after a reboot, follow the instructions in this thread to fix it. As above, read up and know what you're doing first.
3. Unless a more current Root method includes these: replace some system apps with stock Gingerbread versions. IE: email, keyboard, gallery 3D. Read through and understand the methods/files needed in this thread first.
Once you *really* know WTF you're doing:
Edit your build.prop file to spoof another device to add extra things to the Market. Build.prop can be safely changed in place (many other system files can't and can boot-loop your NT if you mess with them).
I've taken to keeping several build.prop files on hand- the stock, one to emulate a Nexus S, and one to emulate a Droid 3. I rename/switch them out and reset the Market, depending on what I'm trying to install directly from the Market. (For example, many Gameloft games show up when spoofing the Nexus S.)
Read up and know what you're doing before attempting. It's not a hard 'hack' but understand that applied incorrectly this could boot-loop your NT. When editing your build.prop file, ever point, every space, every character counts, so tripple-check your mods before committing and rebooting your NT. Backup and keep .bak copies of your working 'spoofs' and switch them if/when needed.
zaptoons said:
Screenshot (app from kastor soft). Helps greatly when seeking help with OS/app issues to include a screencap if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unnecessary; you can take screenshots by hitting N + Volume Down.
Edit: Sorry if that sounded dickish, it's kind of late and I was distracted by The League.
As I use my NT mainly for entertainment while at work, the FIRST thing I researched how to edit my build.prop to spoof a Nexus S. Opened up a whole WORLD of compatible games!
Also, I got Mx Player, as an alternative to the stock video player. Mx is compatible with all of your major video codecs, and for the most part they play flawlessly. Occasionally, I find a vid that doesn't work with it, but that is largely due to the way the video was compressed.
Next thing I'm researching---Vuze ;-)
Sent from my rooted Nook Tablet using Tapatalk 8)
I recommend Opera Mobile for internet. It has great copy and paste function.
Swype keyboard is a must for me.
Taptu is an awesome way to consume information on your favorite topics.
Smart Rotate allows you to choose which apps rotate and which ones don't.
Quick Pic for a super fast gallery replacement that doesn't mess up wallpaper settings. (select the floppy icon to set the wallpaper)
any.do for an awesome to do app that is a joy to use.
Tapatalk of course.
Also, long press on the home button in button savior to access six previous apps.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
SG Pillar said:
Unnecessary; you can take screenshots by hitting N + Volume Down.
Edit: Sorry if that sounded dickish, it's kind of late and I was distracted by The League.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely forgot about that! Not dickish at all, thanks.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
deralaand said:
Also, long press on the home button in button savior to access six previous apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Never knew this! Very informative thread.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
deralaand said:
...
Also, long press on the home button in button savior to access six previous apps.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, great eye! I will be using this quite a bit.
Sent from my rooted BNTV250 using Tapatalk
The ones I couldn't do without are:
1) Go Launcher EX
2) Homecatcher - now the nook button takes me to my GoLauncher home screen and bypasses the stock nook screen altogether. It also eliminated my need for button savior. Not bashing the app, just didn't need it anymore since I wasn't using it for anything except getting back to my GL home screen anyway. I use the right to left swipe or even one press of the nook button in most every program to go back if I need to.
3) MX Video Player - like people are saying, plays anything and does it better than stock video player
4) ComicRack - suggested by people here on the boards, and again, better than the stock program for reading comics (more file types supported, better resolution, better functionality)
If you have access to a rooted phone and the app 'root explorer', you can capture many apps that would be 'incompatible' on the market.
This is how I originally got the Facebook and Twitter app working.
If you attempt this, you must be very careful using root explorer. It could allow you destroy your device.
Here are the steps I used.
1. Make sure the app you want, is loaded on the rooted Android device. (other than Nook)
2. Use root explorer on that Android device.
3. Navigate to data/app and search for the apk of the app that you want.
4. Long press on that apk and choose send.
5. I have dropbox installed, so I send apps to that so I can easily retrieve them whenever I want. You should be able to use gmail to mail them to your self on the Nook.
6. On the Nook, download the apk using whatever method you chose.
7. Install the file. Make sure to choose 'Package Installer'.
8 Enjoy!
Groove Ip
Im trying to get mine to make free VOIP calls. I have tried several different programs. With Groove Ip from Google Ive gotten it where I can hear the call over my nt but cannot seem to get the app to recognize the mic.
Any ideas how I can do this?
npw1138 said:
I think the Button Savior app is a nice one to have. It lets you set up transparent "buttons" on the side of your screen enabling you to go back, or to your chose home screen, without hitting the "n" home button. Having this app enables you to use said "n" home button to take you only back to the original, stock Nook home screen.
Just my two cents....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the "recent apps" button (the four squares icon) work for anyone? If so, how did you configure to get it going? For me it does nothing.
Note, I have granted BS superuser permissions, so it's not that.
Edit: now I find "Also, long press on the home button in button savior to access six previous apps." Excellent; solves the problem, but what is the 4-squares icon if not that?

Turn off Quick Memo Shortcut

Does anyone know if theres any way to turn off the quickmemo shortcut or at least change the config for the button between the volume rocker. I have the tmo p769 running 10g obviously unrooted. So i need to know if theirs an option in the stock rom. Any help would help, thanks
I think there is no way to turn off the quickmemo shortcut, but you could try disabling it in Settings->Apps->QuickMemo.
rezpec7 said:
Does anyone know if theres any way to turn off the quickmemo shortcut or at least change the config for the button between the volume rocker. I have the tmo p769 running 10g obviously unrooted. So i need to know if theirs an option in the stock rom. Any help would help, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean quick memo shortcut in notification bar, I disabled it using edit button (rightmost button in notification bar, if you cannot see it, usually it hidden, just slide to show it)
Turn off the quick memo function.
rezpec7 said:
Does anyone know if theres any way to turn off the quickmemo shortcut or at least change the config for the button between the volume rocker. I have the tmo p769 running 10g obviously unrooted. So i need to know if theirs an option in the stock rom. Any help would help, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are rooted, please get a hold of the Rom Toolbox from Google Store, I think it is free. If you are not rooted you can find a root for the LGOP in the XDA forums for your phone and carrier. Once rooted you can install and open the Rom Toolbox app. Next find the app manager tab. Under this tab scroll down to find Quick Memo. Tap on it and a menu will come up asking if you want to perform different options, select freeze. This will keep the app, but allow you to stop it's functioning. If this causes any problems you can go back repeat the process and restore it to it's original state by selecting defrost. I did this and it is currently working as a fix for me and I have not had any problems yet.
BTW, I am not an expert, all solutions if they exist may be found online and many of the better ones in this forum.
Good Luck.
You can't disable the QuickMemo app, but you can change what app the QuickButton opens or have it do nothing.
Where to go: Settings > QuickButton > Shortcut
Walkthrough: Go to the phone settings and scroll all the way down to the System section and tap on QuickButton. Then tap on Shortcut and a list of apps will show up. Select an app that you want the button to open. Or if you want it to do nothing, select None at the top of the list. That's it! Simple, right?
My lock key is not funtioning poperly. Does any one knows any other means to lock and unlock my phone

[REQ] Swap Recents / Options key

Hello everyone! I just got a brand new Galaxy Note 4 (Exynos) coming from a Galaxy S4. The "new' left softkey now triggers the Recents app instead of being a Menu (Options) key and that makes me sad. I'm not much of a multi-tasker, I'm not going to use it often, but I do like using the Options key in Chrome, picture galleries and basically everywhere since it's easier for me to reach it. I know most apps now have the "three dots" menu, but it's usually very high on the screen (hard to reach on a Note 4) and it's also non-intuitive. One can just press the left soft key with eyes closed, while you need to precisely see where you click if using app's "three dots". So I discovered that if I "hold" the left soft key, it would actually bring the Options menu, but I would like to swap the behavior. One press = Options, Hold = Recent.
I'm on a stock Kitkat 4.4.4 now, running ART, fully rooted. Can someone post(make) a CWM/TWRP .zip to address this problem?
PS: I tried to search for such feature here on the Themes and Apps section, but couldn't find a solution.
Thanks!
Look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2646304 and here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2337229 I think that the logic is the same, look if there are similarities.
Yay, thanks! Indeed in "/system/usr/keylayout" there was a file called "Generic.kl" and inside of it #254 was called "APP_SWITCH". I changed that to "MENU", restarted and... the button now acts like a Menu key, just like on my old Galaxy S4. For some reason the "hold" function of this key changed to "S Finder" (a search app) and I would like to make it "APP_SWITCH" in order to fully accomplish my goal of swapping those two functions, but still I think now it's a little bit better since I really care more for the Option key, especially on this big screen where reaching the "three dots" menu in upper right corner is not that easy.
Remap buttons with "xposed additions"
Obviously, you need xposed installed.
ctrlaltdeln said:
Remap buttons with "xposed additions"
Obviously, you need xposed installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've heard somewhere about that, but I don't like Xposed to be honest. I don't live running lots of background processes and Xposed is a whole fremework.
ZeroCGTI said:
Yeah, I've heard somewhere about that, but I don't like Xposed to be honest. I don't live running lots of background processes and Xposed is a whole fremework.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not as bad as one would think.
Alot of them you could greenify(greenify can function as a xposed module or a stand-alone app), like Wanam.
Also, modules like greenify and boot manager would save you resources and would probably even-out with the resource demands of the framework.
IMO, Xposed is an absolute must-have for a device that's efficient, customized, and blazing fast.
Maybe. Still last time I checked it wasn't available for Samsung TouchWiz based ROMs on Lollipop. And I'm considering the opportunity to step up to the Lollipop upgrade finally and it won't be compatible anyway. I mean I surely can install it now, but I don't like the idea of getting used to it since I won't be able to use it once I upgrade to LP.
I think that you must change menu to app_switch

Remap App Switch To Menu

So ive been search around for a while now on how to fix this. And to anyone that chimes in and says why do you need the menu button obviously you don't use older apps, the new touch button on the screen is a huge annoyance especially since i've used my phones this way since my first S1. Regardless this is how i want it and so do many other people.
Currently this is only for a rooted phone
I have figured out how to remap the left soft key from the App Switcher/Multi window over to the old style menu key. Instructions for that can be found here
But now i don't have any way of switching to my currently open apps, after remapping the left key, the longpress now takes you to search. and long pressing on the home button also takes you to another variation of the search (both i dont use nor want). I want to be able to remap my left softkey on longpress to open up currently open apps (APP_SWITCH) and it would be nice if long pressing on Home could open the Task Manager as it did on my S3.
As far as i can tell editing of the longpress function is done via a Policy edit. Read about that HERE
Keep in mind that post is from 2014 so i have no idea if the internal code is still being handled the same way, i couldn't even find that file on my S6, but i did find a file called SEPOLICY in my root folder using ROOT EXPLORER. Do any of you know more about this and how I can go about changing this? im sure its a code level adjustment. Thanks
Long-press home button can be controlled without root easily.
Check out this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spada.nowgesturetweaksfree
I use the long-press home to get to my last used app.
I wonder if I can remap my buttons to launch any other apps.. Will have to tinker around a bit.
Ewww.
@rbiter said:
Ewww.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you have nothing useful to bring to this discussion then please get out
j1635 said:
if you have nothing useful to bring to this discussion then please get out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very useful. menu for navigation is long long outdate. software nave or 3 dots is the customary way to go. adding a secondary menu button is redudant and unnecessary. my little ewww comment brought a lot to the table. you tryingt to call me out on it is less useful.
@rbiter said:
very useful. menu for navigation is long long outdate. software nave or 3 dots is the customary way to go. adding a secondary menu button is redudant and unnecessary. my little ewww comment brought a lot to the table. you tryingt to call me out on it is less useful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol f off
If you guys use Dropbox, how do you get to the menu with SORT, etc.. without a menu key. This is making me crazy. I'm using nova launcher and there is no floating menu key. ????
The problem is if not every developer uses it, it's inconsistent.
It often helps if the options etc. In apps are on the top, so you don't have to fidget with your phone to reach the top or use two hands.
The menu button on every app is positioned somewhere else, so I find the op wanting it justified.
All in one gestures let's you remap every key, for some odd reason on my s4 I can remap the menu key, but on the S6 for some odd reason the option of the menu key has vanished in the same app:what:
Sent from my SM-G925F using XDA Free mobile app
Hi pal. Hope it helps. Make 254 button remap, then install nova launcher, in tab gestures select long press menu and then recent app. Profit! Now once tapped you have menu button, long pressed - recent apps.
So, i made it, i use it. It works.
j1635 said:
So ive been search around for a while now on how to fix this. And to anyone that chimes in and says why do you need the menu button obviously you don't use older apps, the new touch button on the screen is a huge annoyance especially since i've used my phones this way since my first S1. Regardless this is how i want it and so do many other people.
Currently this is only for a rooted phone
I have figured out how to remap the left soft key from the App Switcher/Multi window over to the old style menu key. Instructions for that can be found here
But now i don't have any way of switching to my currently open apps, after remapping the left key, the longpress now takes you to search. and long pressing on the home button also takes you to another variation of the search (both i dont use nor want). I want to be able to remap my left softkey on longpress to open up currently open apps (APP_SWITCH) and it would be nice if long pressing on Home could open the Task Manager as it did on my S3.
As far as i can tell editing of the longpress function is done via a Policy edit. Read about that HERE
Keep in mind that post is from 2014 so i have no idea if the internal code is still being handled the same way, i couldn't even find that file on my S6, but i did find a file called SEPOLICY in my root folder using ROOT EXPLORER. Do any of you know more about this and how I can go about changing this? im sure its a code level adjustment. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but if i want to change the long press from split screen to menu? how do i find that? will it work the same?
Delphinus3 said:
but if i want to change the long press from split screen to menu? how do i find that? will it work the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look at my Rom.. it needs changes in framework to get that working..and it is working
Alex-V said:
look at my Rom.. it needs changes in framework to get that working..and it is working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i saw your page.. there are 2 roms i seem to like, yours and EMPORIA but idk who is best. lol i haven't even bought the phone yet but yea the menu button will be missed for me. what i want in a rom? if its based on stock i like it as close to stock as possible (no bloatware), call recording, if there's an option for increasing camera performance thats awesome, better battery life than stock original. that's it basically. and if i only want to root, how can i change menu longpress? i hered theres like a toolbox root app for galaxy devices...
Delphinus3 said:
i saw your page.. there are 2 roms i seem to like, yours and EMPORIA but idk who is best. lol i haven't even bought the phone yet but yea the menu button will be missed for me. what i want in a rom? if its based on stock i like it as close to stock as possible (no bloatware), call recording, if there's an option for increasing camera performance thats awesome, better battery life than stock original. that's it basically. and if i only want to root, how can i change menu longpress? i hered theres like a toolbox root app for galaxy devices...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's only my personal rom..means it's not made for making any profit or let's say thousands of users..
i think you must try it yourself for one or two days and compare..my is very clean

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