Themes / Apps / Mods Assistant button remapper module (magisk/xposed) - Sony Xperia 1 III

I've created a very simple Magisk module to allow Xposed Edge to properly remap the Google Assistant button. You'll need Magisk and a Magisk-based Xposed implementation (I use LSPosed) for this to work.
Xposed Edge is the only remapping tool I've found so far that can properly detect the assistant button being pressed. The problem is, while you can assign it to an action using Xposed Edge, it will ALSO launch the assistant. What I've done is built a Magisk module that alters the gpio-keys.kl file in /vendor/usr/keylayout to change the keycode the system receives when the assistant button is pressed. Currently I've used PROG_BLUE, which is a keycode used in Android-powered smart TVs with programmable remote buttons.
To use, just download and use the "install from storage" option on the modules screen in Magisk. Once the module's installed and activated, reboot.
Once rebooted, you can open Xposed Edge, and under "Keys", tap "Add...". It will tell you to click the button you want to add, and if all goes well, you can press the assistant button and it will detect a press of PROG_BLUE. Then you'll be able to assign any Xposed Edge action or shortcut to it, and the assistant won't show up.
Usual disclaimers, works for me but not responsible if your phone blows up, etc.
Right now the module tested with the Xperia 1 III. If you own another device with a hardware assistant key and want to let me know what GPIO key number is associated with it (probably under /vendor/usr/keylayout, look for the number on the line with ASSIST), I might be able to expand it to other devices.
It's possible it may work in its current state for other Xperia devices, but there's a risk the changes to gpio-keys may mess up your other hardware buttons including power - so if you try it on, eg, an Xperia 5 III make sure you have another way to reboot if it breaks your power button and you need to uninstall the module!

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Thank you for sharing! I recently bought this phone and i really like it!

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Update: I figured out how to make it installable through Magisk Manager, new zip in first post.

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you need root for this?

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tardis_42 said:
Update: I figured out how to make it installable through Magisk Manager, new zip in first post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the fine works, I was able to remap the GA key successfully here!!!
Model: XQ-BC72
Build: 61.0.A.11.23
Just listing out things needed to be installed for your module to work.
Magisk module:
Riru
Riru - LSPosed
XperiaGAButtonRemap (install from storage .zip provided on this thread)
Google Play
Xposed edge
As all above modules/apps in place
finally in the Xposed edge adding key, app was able to recognize GA button as "PROG_BLUE", there user should be able to program it however they like (attach is my configuration, and all working smoothly)
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tukes said:
you need root for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Magisk root and systemless Xposed. See @SonySteve's post above for the full list of modules.
There's an app that works for remapping the assistant button on last year's Xperia models without root, and might soon be updated for the 1 iii, but as I understand it it works basically the same way as Bixby non-root remappers, using accessibility services to track when the assistant is opened via a button press and then immediately close it and do something else.
The root approach lets you skip that process and directly reassign the button, which makes it faster and less susceptible to errors.

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if i root, i can't use my banking app anymore :-(
hopefully Sony will fix this in the next update...

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tukes said:
if i root, i can't use my banking app anymore :-(
hopefully Sony will fix this in the next update...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What bank is that? I'm with Bank of Scotland and their app fights me a bit on the root thing, but Magisk Hide plus the Universal Safetynet Fix module gets it working.

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i'm in Belgium, all banking apps stop working if you root your phone here :-(
few years ago this wasn't so....

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tardis_42 said:
Update: I figured out how to make it installable through Magisk Manager, new zip in first post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tukes said:
i'm in Belgium, all banking apps stop working if you root your phone here :-(
few years ago this wasn't so....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was flashing / locking / unlocking to test on DRM / finance app protection etc.
The good news is after re-locking my device, I was able to return back to Widevine L1 status, for streaming platform that requires it. (certainly stay L3 in unlock / rooted state). Banking apps wise no gurantee even after I relock the phone somehow (for my Taiwan based fiance/bank related apps).
I already have MagiskHide Props / SafetyNet passed etc., all in place and some banking apps still would detect device been compromised / unable to launch.
But, since I'm more accustomed to rooted device, I'm ultimately currently stay rooted.
I was able to get the finance app to run via install this Shelter app from Google PS, able to launch and log in all right for me.
Hope my above experience help there.

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SonySteve said:
I was flashing / locking / unlocking to test on DRM / finance app protection etc.
The good news is after re-locking my device, I was able to return back to Widevine L1 status, for streaming platform that requires it. (certainly stay L3 in unlock / rooted state). Banking apps wise no gurantee even after I relock the phone somehow (for my Taiwan based fiance/bank related apps).
I already have MagiskHide Props / SafetyNet passed etc., all in place and some banking apps still would detect device been compromised / unable to launch.
But, since I'm more accustomed to rooted device, I'm ultimately currently stay rooted.
I was able to get the finance app to run via install this Shelter app from Google PS, able to launch and log in all right for me.
Hope my above experience help there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gonna try this later this week! Thx

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Great job man. Most useful phone I've ever had got even more useful!

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tukes said:
gonna try this later this week! Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get to try it? I'm interested as well if it works. I recieved my 1 III today and I'm on the fence about sending it back because of the root issues.

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I've also removed GA from my xperia 1III, with out installing and modifying my phone, my GA button is also disabled, also removed all these app which is labelled in black and white, some of this app when installed are hidden.

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I was able to remap my assistant button. I do not know if my previous uninstall of Google as well as the Google assistant App(s) had any bearing on the results...but I did use ADB to uninstall those things and it did disable the button, because when the phone was unlocked pressing the button did nothing at all. However, I did notice that when the phone was locked if I pressed the assistant button it would call up the login screen, so evidently it was still doing something!
At any rate this is how I did it:
Release 0.6.0 · ivaniskandar/shouko
This is an old release, get the latest release here. Add Assistant Button Override support for Xperia 1 III and 10 III (Thanks to @malibcia, @TheNetAdmin and @andreidobrica for testing) Fix Assist...
github.com
I want to thank each and every person who provided all this information as well as for the technical know-how to make this work!!!
I just wanted to add that when I press the assistant button the app I chose (for now the settings app) opens immediately with no hesitation at all.

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svenM said:
Did you get to try it? I'm interested as well if it works. I recieved my 1 III today and I'm on the fence about sending it back because of the root issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haven't tried it yet...

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AMAZING

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tardis_42 said:
I've created a very simple Magisk module to allow Xposed Edge to properly remap the Google Assistant button. You'll need Magisk and a Magisk-based Xposed implementation (I use LSPosed) for this to work.
Xposed Edge is the only remapping tool I've found so far that can properly detect the assistant button being pressed. The problem is, while you can assign it to an action using Xposed Edge, it will ALSO launch the assistant. What I've done is built a Magisk module that alters the gpio-keys.kl file in /vendor/usr/keylayout to change the keycode the system receives when the assistant button is pressed. Currently I've used PROG_BLUE, which is a keycode used in Android-powered smart TVs with programmable remote buttons.
To use, just download and use the "install from storage" option on the modules screen in Magisk. Once the module's installed and activated, reboot.
Once rebooted, you can open Xposed Edge, and under "Keys", tap "Add...". It will tell you to click the button you want to add, and if all goes well, you can press the assistant button and it will detect a press of PROG_BLUE. Then you'll be able to assign any Xposed Edge action or shortcut to it, and the assistant won't show up.
Usual disclaimers, works for me but not responsible if your phone blows up, etc.
Right now the module tested with the Xperia 1 III. If you own another device with a hardware assistant key and want to let me know what GPIO key number is associated with it (probably under /vendor/usr/keylayout, look for the number on the line with ASSIST), I might be able to expand it to other devices.
It's possible it may work in its current state for other Xperia devices, but there's a risk the changes to gpio-keys may mess up your other hardware buttons including power - so if you try it on, eg, an Xperia 5 III make sure you have another way to reboot if it breaks your power button and you need to uninstall the module!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks

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SonySteve said:
Just listing out things needed to be installed for your module to work.
Magisk module:
Riru
Riru - LSPosed
XperiaGAButtonRemap (install from storage .zip provided on this thread)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't need all of those, you can also just use buttons remaper. I don't have riru or any xposed substitue, or even the APK from the package here, just the magisk module from this thread installed via magisk. On it's own, it remaps the assistant button to PROG_BLUE, which Buttons Remapper (and presumably xposed edge) can then read (it's unable to read the assistant button without this, which is why I went searching for another solution).