Disabling physical home button - TouchPad Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi I was just wondering if it were possible to disable the physical home button. Any toddler apps my niece plays with are short played because she just clicks home all the time. I know there are kids apps that act as a home replacement button I was looking for something more elegant, namely pie mode or expanded desktop.
I did try editing the kl files in system/usr/keylayout
I changed HOME to BACK just to test but it didn't work.
I'm using the latest schizoid rom 4.2.2

Expanded desktop is pie in that ROM not sure if it disables the physical home button though

4catalyst2cI said:
Expanded desktop is pie in that ROM not sure if it disables the physical home button though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pie doesn't disable physical home button. Pie is far less distracting for her, without the soft keys though.

Solution
I found the solution. Ill just keep this here if someone else in Googleland needs to disable the home button.
Download Jota+ and Root Explorer (maybe there is a free alternative?) from Google Play.
Open Root Explorer, navigate to /system/user/keylayout, then hold down gpio-keys.kl and select copy. Navigate to the sdcard and paste the file (use the "copy here" button on the top). Make another copy for backup if you don't like livin' on the edge. Now hold down gpio-keys.kl, select open with, General tab, Open as Text. Select Jota+. Find the line that says key 232 HOME WAKE. Remove the word HOME or replace it with another key if you really want to. Hit Save, the back button, copy gpio-key.kl. If it gives an error, try again because it's requesting root privileges. Reboot.
Use pie to hide the soft keys. In the pie settings there is a option to disable pie from appearing. I can't figure out how to enable "Expanded Desktop" in this build.

gosmo86 said:
Hi I was just wondering if it were possible to disable the physical home button. Any toddler apps my niece plays with are short played because she just clicks home all the time. I know there are kids apps that act as a home replacement button I was looking for something more elegant, namely pie mode or expanded desktop.
I did try editing the kl files in system/usr/keylayout
I changed HOME to BACK just to test but it didn't work.
I'm using the latest schizoid rom 4.2.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the launchers you can set the Home button to do nothing, like Nova. Not sure if that would give you the desired result your looking for.

Related

Broken Keyboard Settings, Please Help!!

Well after trying to install slide it on my Nook the settings button in Nook settings for keyboard no longer works. It just flashes me to home page. Looking for ways to restore the settings if possible. Also i cannot place anything on desktop when long pressing and going into short cuts. Same deal just flashes back to default home screen. Please Help!!
1.) Download & install NookColor Tools, available in these forums. There are enhanced keyboard settings. If that doesn't work, then try "Keyboard Manager", also available in threads here. If neither of those work, restore your LatinIME.apk file (if you backed it up), or download the original LatinIME.apk from threads here, place it in /system/app w/correct permissions, and reboot.
2.) The way to get apps on the desktop is longpress on the app FROM THE APP DRAWER and after a few seconds, you automatically are brought back to the desktop, with the app icon in context to move wherever you want on the desktop. using the method you tried doesn't work.
Thanks so much not only did i get the settings fixed but i now have slide it installed too. It's nice to be able to side load apps now too
easier way
i also had the same problem until i accidentally figguered it out:
when you have the keyboard on the screen, simply hold on the special characters switcher button (the very down left) and a pop up will show up with the shortcut to working settings.

[launcher] AppDrawer (MIUI App Drawer)

I recently rooted my NST with NookManager, and was looking to run a "stealth" root under stock. I used the Nook Touch Mod Manager to change the LONG PRESS on the 'n' button to launch THIS. After some fiddling with the options, it pops up a single 5 x 8 grid of apps on a white background with black text. You can long press on an app to hide it. Simple and fast.
I'll be happy to post a screenshot if I can figure out how to take one! :cyclops:
This is the best app for a rooted NSTG No need to fiddle with different launchers, it just works as an extension to the B&N homescreen. Thanks for the tip!
johnseeking said:
I recently rooted my NST with NookManager, and was looking to run a "stealth" root under stock. I used the Nook Touch Mod Manager to change the LONG PRESS on the 'n' button to launch THIS. After some fiddling with the options, it pops up a single 5 x 8 grid of apps on a white background with black text. You can long press on an app to hide it. Simple and fast.
I'll be happy to post a screenshot if I can figure out how to take one! :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
johnseeking said:
I recently rooted my NST with NookManager, and was looking to run a "stealth" root under stock. I used the Nook Touch Mod Manager to change the LONG PRESS on the 'n' button to launch THIS. After some fiddling with the options, it pops up a single 5 x 8 grid of apps on a white background with black text. You can long press on an app to hide it. Simple and fast.
I'll be happy to post a screenshot if I can figure out how to take one! :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon my ignorance, but how exactly do you 'fiddle with the options'? The app opens in fullscreen mode, and i can't find the way to get the status bar to show up, tried everything...
my nook simple touch rooted with nook manager, so relaunch is the shell(or whatever it's called) from which i run app drawer...
Thanks!
nnbveh said:
Pardon my ignorance, but how exactly do you 'fiddle with the options'? The app opens in fullscreen mode, and i can't find the way to get the status bar to show up, tried everything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this issue with another app and here is what I did:
Temporarily assign the "Menu" function to one of the hardware keys using NookTouchModManager (unless you have it set up that way already for other purposes--I keep a long-press on one button this way just in case).
When you launch your app you will now have a way to access menu functions even though it is running full-screen. In my case I was able to change the settings on my app so it would *not* run full-screen by default, but that is probably not what you want in this instance. After you have made your adjustments, you can change the hardware key back to its default, although I think keeping both a "Back" and "Menu" option around is not a bad idea.
VERY late reply...
I use an app called Button Savior which lets you add a set of software buttons which expand or collapse when you touch an assigned target point on your screen. (I have mine set to a long press in the lower left corner, and since I bought the pro version I can customize my target to be invisible.) That way I can always get to a menu button if I need one.
Don't have my NST with me, so I can't tall you what version I'm running, but I'm pretty sure it's the current version on Google Play.
I came across this old post and thought I'd look up the app to see what it was like. I've attached a copy below.
This is not actually a "launcher" despite what the thread title says. It is plain-and-simple an App Drawer. But as the OP said, it can provide almost a "stealth" modification of the NST. To me it seems ideal for the person who says "I only want to root so I can run app x--I don't want a lot of stuff on it."
There are a few hurdles to get to that point, so here is a brief outline of steps to get it working:
1. Root with NookManager (update it first if you're rooting FW 1.2.2)
2. Install the app along with a good file manager like ES File Explorer which will give you root access when you need it (ReLaunch can't).
3. Use Nook Touch Mod Manager to assign a button press (maybe a long-press?) to the MIUI app. You can use one of the hardware buttons or (less "stealth") one of the QuickNav buttons you don't use like Social, or Shop or Search.
4. Temporarily assign one of the hardware buttons to "Menu". This is needed because the MIUI app opens in full screen by default and you can't get at the settings without the Menu button.
5. Run the MIUI app and configure as you want (there is an option not to hide the status bar). Once you have the appearance you are after note that you can long-press on an app to (among other things) hide it from the drawer or even uninstall it. I suggest you uninstall ReLaunch.
6. Go back to Nook Touch Mod Manager and remove the temporary "Menu" button assignment.
And you're good! Your NST still looks and works like its old self but you're one button-press away from accessing any apps you may want to install. And you have a decent file manager

[Q] Home button long press issues *FIXED*

So I am on a custom ROM (FireNote) and it changed my home button longpress to open up "Device options". I want to change it back to open my task manager/recent apps, just like it does on stock. I have installed several apps and I still cant get it to go back :/ I guess another thing to mention is that I am running NOVA launcher.
FIXED! In Wanam exposed under system you change long press home behavior to something else and then change it back to recent apps or whatever you want and reboot.
ZOOPidy said:
So I am on a custom ROM (FireNote) and it changed my home button longpress to open up "Device options". I want to change it back to open my task manager/recent apps, just like it does on stock. I have installed several apps and I still cant get it to go back :/ I guess another thing to mention is that I am running NOVA launcher.
FIXED! In Wanam exposed under system you change long press home behavior to something else and then change it back to recent apps or whatever you want and reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to change/add more button functionality, you could try gravity box.
It has a navigation button section where you can change all the buttons.
I for example made the display turn off when long pressing menu button, which is pretty handy on a large device like the note 3

[Q] Tapping instead of pressing Home button

Coming from S2, I know it is long overdue lol, and got used to touch-style Home button, I would love to get back to home by just tapping instead of pressing Home button. Is it even possible?
Thanks.
re: home key
doanthaitu said:
Coming from S2, I know it is long overdue lol, and got used to touch-style Home button, I would love to get back to home by just tapping instead of pressing Home button. Is it even possible?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two ways that it can be done.
Once we have a proper custom recovery like twrp you can use the softkey mod
which has the option of adding three softkeys menu/home/back buttons on the
bottom of your screen, they look exactly like real softkeys and are transparent.
The other way to do it would take a bit of getting used to is
the mod which can re-assign the back and menu keys to be
the home key or basically any anything else and can be
configured for long press, double tap or single tap.
Some of the high end launchers already have this feature of
re-assigning keys built-in like the "Next launcher 3D shell".
The Next launcher even has option to replace the home key
by simply swiping up or down to replicate the home button's
default/normal single tap.
With the Next Launcher, we do not even need root or custom recovery.
Good luck!
I've used Go launcher free version forever and got used to swipe down anywhere to bring down notification, I wonder if TouchWiz has this function? With the phone of this size, this function is a must.
And I miss AOSP dialer, swipe left or right to go to next tab. Touchwiz's dialer has the tabs on the top, makes it impossible to use it 1 hand.

How to remap the "Task" key to "Menu" function?

Hello Community! My Turbo is rooted and everything. So, is there a way to remap the hardware Task key? I dont need this useless recent apps stuff, i want my good old menu key back but not even Gravity box worked for me. And i cant find the according key in generic.kl file (system/usr/keylayout)
MfG Einheit-101
Using apex launcher you can map the buttons to opening apps or being shortcuts for different activities
But unfortunately this won't remap the key to open my menu
I got it. Just edit the "atmel_mxt_ts.kl" file, it controls home, task and back button. I changed TASK to MENU and it works like a charm

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