Is it possible to disable the hardware/capacitive home/back/recents buttons on a stock 6.0.1 ROM?
qemu.hw.mainkeys=0 in build.prop doesn't work, on-screen buttons are not appearing.
The default sec_touchkey.kl file in ./system/usr/keylayout/ doesn't exist in the Samsung ROM, as it does in AOSP-based ones.
There isn't even an option in the settings to disable the annoyingly bright backlight of the back/recents buttons, as far as I looked. (Edit: Galaxy Button Lights 2 at least can do that)
I guess Samsung removed and/or broke that all in their customizations. While this tutorial works fine on Lineage 14.1, it doesn't on stock 6.0.1.
Is there anything I can do about that, or is it hopeless?
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Edit:
In the end, I installed All In One Gestures to disable the hardware buttons, and Pie Control to get a decent-ish navigation for the large screen.
It's an ugly solution, having to install two apps instead of a few simple text edits to the system - but I guess that's as good as it gets with a Samsung stock ROM...
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Edit 2:
Turns out, Pie Control triggers that extremely annoying "Screen overlay detected" bug/feature. Whenever you install a new app that requires some permissions, you have to disable screen overlay for Pie Control in the system settings, otherwise the app won't start.
So I uninstalled both All In One Gestures and Pie Control, and am trying Xposed Edge now. While its Pie features are very basic (almost no customization), at least it's an Xposed module, so it doesn't trigger the "Screen overlay detected" bug like a 'normal' app. And it can disable the hardware/capacitive buttons as well, without needing yet another app installed.
Another issue with disabling the capacitive buttons is, that none of the above methods disable the long-press on the back button, so you still kill the running app when inadvertently resting a finger on the back button. Luckily, by disabling the back button in the Generic.kl file, as Alta1r wrote, this issue is fixed.
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Edit 3:
Trying Unique Controls now, because... its Pie controls are prettier than Xposed Edge's. :^)
Scratch that, this one triggers the "Screen overlay detected" bug as well. Guess it just doesn't work without Xposed and/or root.
You should be able to disable the back and recent keys by editing the Generic.kl file (same directory you mention above). Put a # in front of key 158 and key 254. Save and reboot. To revert remove the # and reboot or restore a backup of the file. Obviously you need root to do this.
No idea how to enable the onscreen buttons through buidprop, but there's an app on the play store that can do this: gmd auto hide soft keys https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gmd.hidesoftkeys
I have the app and used it before, but I personally prefer the same developer's other app gmd gesturecontrol to go back, switch to recent apps or go to the home screen (and anything else you want).
Sent from my SM-T813 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Actually, Package Disabler Pro can disable the back and recent apps hardware nav buttons without *root*.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro
Alta1r said:
You should be able to disable the back and recent keys by editing the Generic.kl file (same directory you mention above). Put a # in front of key 158 and key 254. Save and reboot. To revert remove the # and reboot or restore a backup of the file. Obviously you need root to do this.
No idea how to enable the onscreen buttons through buidprop, but there's an app on the play store that can do this: gmd auto hide soft keys https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gmd.hidesoftkeys
I have the app and used it before, but I personally prefer the same developer's other app gmd gesturecontrol to go back, switch to recent apps or go to the home screen (and anything else you want).
Sent from my SM-T813 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the tip about the Generic.kl button mappings. This appears to be the only way to disable the long-press on the back button, so the running app doesn't get killed. Not even the Xposed Edge module can prevent that. (I added that to the OP above.)
I bought the full version of GMD Gesture Control back in the days, haven't used it in years. Might give it a try, and hope it doesn't trigger the awful "Screen overlay detected" bug, like Pie Control does.
Niii4 said:
Actually, Package Disabler Pro can disable the back and recent apps hardware nav buttons without *root*.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro
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Click to collapse
Thanks, I'm rooted, so that shouldn't be an issue.
dfkt_ said:
I bought the full version of GMD Gesture Control back in the days, haven't used it in years. Might give it a try, and hope it doesn't trigger the awful "Screen overlay detected" bug, like Pie Control does..
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Click to collapse
I'm using GMD Gesture Control and only 1 app is giving me that bug, but not even sure if it's due to GMD Gesture Control as I have to turn off all app screen overlay permissions before the app can get its permissions. So I guess you should be fine.
Niii4 said:
Actually, Package Disabler Pro can disable the back and recent apps hardware nav buttons without *root*.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Digging this up from the dead, but I'm using a Note 5 now. What do you disable?
Related
If you ever wanted to run apps full screen on your N7, I've got good news for you. The program GMD hide bar let's you hide the navbar on the N7 and is fully compatible with the stock ROM(although requires root). Since it may be a while till we start to see roms implementing this feature, I thought I'd share this temporary solution for those of you that like me are bothered by the 3 dots and lack of FS when viewing pics or videos.
Once you disable the navbar you will be needing a way to access the back function. You can use an app like button savior for that purpose or a hardware map. I personally decided to map my vol up to back as I've grown accustomed to that map on my former NC. The kl file to edit will be in system/Use/key layout . Its named Gpio-keys.kl. You can use root explorer to access/edit the file and do so by deleting the string volume_up and replacing it with back.
You can still easily change volume, even with the vol up key function gone, as pressing vol down will popup a volume box that can you control via touch.
I hope this helps someone out there
Update:
If you can afford it, I'd highly recommend the paid version of GMD gesture control. It allows you the hide the navbar through the use of gestures so you can pretty much hide/unhide the bar whenever. It can be found on the market.
GMD hidebar
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1769761
Out of nowhere my three dots in Google Play have disappeared and I'm unable to pull up the menu/settings. All I have in the top corner is the search funtion. How do I retrieve this? I use LMT instead of the stock bars for navigation. I even tried freezing 'Soft Key Bar' in apps. Rebooted, and no change. Any help would be kindly appreciated.
Braves1995 said:
Out of nowhere my three dots in Google Play have disappeared and I'm unable to pull up the menu/settings. All I have in the top corner is the search funtion. How do I retrieve this? I use LMT instead of the stock bars for navigation. I even tried freezing 'Soft Key Bar' in apps. Rebooted, and no change. Any help would be kindly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on how you set up LMT. Did you assign a menu option to your pie? The three dots on the pie was mine and I used that to access menu options inside of apps
Thanks for the quick response. I've setup my pie with the home, back, menu (which I thought would access all menus within all apps) and OpenNotificationBar. Is there another menu command within LMT that I'm missing?
Lower your dpi in the build.prop
Open build.prop file and edit this line only.
ro.sf.lcd_density=240 <--------Set this value to 180. Back out of build.prop, save when asked. Reboot. Check.
Krsmqn said:
Lower your dpi in the build.prop
Open build.prop file and edit this line only.
ro.sf.lcd_density=240 <--------Set this value to 180. Back out of build.prop, save when asked. Reboot. Check.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little hesitant about editing the build.prop. Is there another way? What about re-installing the Play Store?
If you are hesitant about it that's ok. I don't know any other way. But the edit is harmless, I promise. You just have to be careful that you don't accidentally edit anything else.
You will notice that the lock screen is different.... but that's OK. You can download 2 apps to have a custom lock screen like widget locker or magic locker. I'll post links if you so desire.
If you want to skip my advice all together... well that's your prerogative. But you may be waiting a while for another fix.
Here's 2 pictures showing the difference. The top is with dpi of 240. The bottom is dpi 180. With mainkeys =1
****UPDATE****
This is with
A) softbar.apk removed from /system/app,
B) qemu.hw.mainkeys=0
C) dpi set at 180.
Perfect.
I should mention that I have go keyboard installed and xSettings installed with stock locker option disabled. With widget locker installed. And LMT soft keys installed.
Krsmqn said:
If you are hesitant about it that's ok. I don't know any other way. But the edit is harmless, I promise. You just have to be careful that you don't accidentally edit anything else.
You will notice that the lock screen is different.... but that's OK. You can download 2 apps to have a custom lock screen like widget locker or magic locker. I'll post links if you so desire.
If you want to skip my advice all together... well that's your prerogative. But you may be waiting a while for another fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried both, widget locker and magic locker, neither seemed to work for me after changing my DPI. Any suggestions?
Sent from my KF-HD7
Oddly enough, I have an app called Fullscreen Toggle that I installed to take away the soft key bar, which has been working just fine. In this app, I decided to try re-enabling the stock soft keys to see if it would bring back the menu button in Google Play (not sure why I thought it would, just effing around with it). Well, when I re-enabled the soft key bar in Fullscreen Toggle it didn't bring the soft keys back up, but I DID get my menu button in Google Play back along with other menu buttons in other apps! Weirdness..
Braves1995 said:
Oddly enough, I have an app called Fullscreen Toggle that I installed to take away the soft key bar, which has been working just fine. In this app, I decided to try re-enabling the stock soft keys to see if it would bring back the menu button in Google Play (not sure why I thought it would, just effing around with it). Well, when I re-enabled the soft key bar in Fullscreen Toggle it didn't bring the soft keys back up, but I DID get my menu button in Google Play back along with other menu buttons in other apps! Weirdness..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you rebooted?
Krsmqn said:
Have you rebooted?
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Click to collapse
Yes, several times. I'd forgotten that I also froze the system app 'Soft Key Bar'. I'm assuming that's why it didn't come back up. Not sure why enabling that in Fullscreen Toggle brought back the app menus though. Either way, it's doing what I want it to do now.
Thank god for this forum or I wouldn't be attempting any of this crap, lol.
Is your drop down status bar short?
Krsmqn said:
Is your drop down status bar short?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A tad, yes. Is there any way to fix that and still keep my Google Play menu? Here you go:
Check out the new Rom in the kfhd7" development thread.
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
Had this problem but found a setting
I had this problem in a rom I was using and tried all kinds of dpi settings without any luck getting the menu drop-down for the playstore settings. Then while I was in the interface settings of the rom control, there was a setting called "Statusbar Behavior" and that was turned off, and when turned on, the three dots that allow menu settings was available. This is late for this case, but I wanted to share so if others down the road had a similar problem and came across this thread as I did trying to resolve this kind of issue it would give another option to check. Hope this helps.
Our phone has back button on the bottom right side of the phone, thus making the phone use with right hand only very unpleasant, mostly in news reading apps where back button is used often when going back to the front page.
Is there any software button simulation app where I could position the back button somewhere in the bottom middle?
jazzh said:
Our phone has back button on…………
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
by adding some line (i forgot what it was ) to build.prop, u can enable on screen keys.
something like-
<something >. hardwarekeys=0
then, in settings (settings/system i think)
u can rearrange them...
Sent from my GT-I9070 using xda app-developers app
It sounds good, I'll take a look into it. But I don't want to disable hardwarekeys, I want all hw keys and just 1 sw key (back)...
To enable and use Onscreen buttons...
@jazzh,
Yep, you can you can use on-screen buttons BUT it will take/reserve some part of your screen's display.. that's why I don't use it BUT you can give it a try..
Just download the app build.prop editor and add this line at the end of your build.prop:
Code:
qemu.hw.mainkeys=0
(make sure to keep an empty line at the end of your build.prop, otherwise you will get a bootloop)
To disable it, simply remove the line above or set the value to "1"
3 MORE THINGS:
- This is what it will look like...
- You can resize the on-screen buttons BUT that will require you to modify your framework-res.apk
- I just found out about this app.. this will allow you to enable or disable on-screen buttons easily but its made for Xperia devices, so I am not sure whether it will work or not...
jazzh said:
It sounds good, I'll take a look into it. But I don't want to disable hardwarekeys, I want all hw keys and just 1 sw key (back)...
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Click to collapse
i don't think it disables the hw keys. it just enables the onscreen keys.
Even better: u can use pie controls if u add that line to build.prop
Sent from my GT-I9070 using xda app-developers app
Thank you all guys!
I added the line at the bottom and rebooted and... voila, soft keys are up and running.
Now, I didin't see anywhere not in the settings>system where these buttons can be adjusted. It would be nice if there is autohide option or something. Remember, I need only back soft key to be in the bottom middle or bottom left?
Then I installed pie control app, this works too but it doesn't have the option of autohiding softkeys at the bottom.
Is there something else I could try, I just need back software button elsewhere then bottom right corner and not all the time. Can it be achieved?
Thx again for helping...
jazzh said:
Thank you all guys!
I added the line at the bottom and rebooted and... voila, soft keys are up and running.
Now, I didin't see anywhere not in the settings>system where these buttons can be adjusted. It would be nice if there is autohide option or something. Remember, I need only back soft key to be in the bottom middle or bottom left?
Then I installed pie control app, this works too but it doesn't have the option of autohiding softkeys at the bottom.
Is there something else I could try, I just need back software button elsewhere then bottom right corner and not all the time. Can it be achieved?
Thx again for helping...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No mate you cannot directly edit the on-screen button's configurations and functions from Settings.. you need to decompile and modify certain files in your framework-res.apk.. I guess it will be too complicated for you to do all that - so it would be better for you to not try it now and end up getting a bootloop (no offence)
The only reason why I don't use on-screen buttons is because of this only.. It takes up screen's space and there is no auto-hide option...
And which Pie Control app did you install? Give this is a try if you still haven't tried it... As far as I know, Pie controls only appear when you tap and hold on a certain part of your screen...
If you don't want to use your on-screen buttons then just remove the line from your build.prop or set its value to 1... And if you don't want your phone's capacitive buttons to light up then you can turn that off from Settings > Display > Touch key light duration and set it to "always off".. It won't disable them BUT it will not light them up..
I tried exactly the same pie control app you've posted, found it by searching.
But I also uninstalled it afterwards, pie is working fine but I can't auto hide soft keys at the bottom, so when pie is active and visible, soft keys at the bottom are also visible. Which is not what I wanted at the 1st place.
So at the end I commented the line in build.prop and reverted to the way it was before, cause A) space is more important to me, and B) soft back key is again on bottom right.
In the meantime, if someone runs into solution for simulating only back key with adjustable position... kindly let me know...
I use the N6 as a righty so having to reach for the back button in one handed use is tough. Has anyone seen an easy way to swap the back and recents soft keys?
You'd have to root to swap. Try Pie controls from the app stote. Make sure to enable the back button in the settings.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150
I always install this one on every Android device. Started with the note 2 [emoji2]
Only have home, back, and recent on the pie
LMT Launcher is on all my phones. It's not really a Launcher either, just the name.
Not yet available, will have to wait for custom ROMs with this feature or manually do the changes via code.
I am using PIE controls. The hardware button is really annoying as it keeps getting accidentally pressed when activating PIE. Is there anyway to disable it completely? I am rooted but none of the button remapper apps seem to work.
sacredsoul said:
I am using PIE controls. The hardware button is really annoying as it keeps getting accidentally pressed when activating PIE. Is there anyway to disable it completely? I am rooted but none of the button remapper apps seem to work.
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Click to collapse
In stock rom, I can deactivate it through System > System Navigation > Chose any other then Off-Screen navigation
Herman76 said:
In stock rom, I can deactivate it through System > System Navigation > Chose any other then Off-Screen navigation
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Click to collapse
I've tried all the options there. I am on stock rom as well. Its currently on Virtual Navigation Bar. But a single table on the home button still brings me back to Home.
sacredsoul said:
I've tried all the options there. I am on stock rom as well. Its currently on Virtual Navigation Bar. But a single table on the home button still brings me back to Home.
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Click to collapse
Yeah i just tested it myself now and i get same thing. using virtual navigations. The home button is still acting as home button, you can touch it and it will still take you back to home screen.
I need to disable touch on FP scanner without denying unlock via FP scanner. I too would like to use pie controls if this can be achieved. @sacredsouls what PIE are you using? Rooted or stock?
subhani said:
I need to disable touch on FP scanner without denying unlock via FP scanner. I too would like to use pie controls if this can be achieved. @sacredsouls what PIE are you using? Rooted or stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am rooted. Just an app called 'Pie Controls'.
Has anyone found a way to disable this button?
I'm in the verge of throwing my phone at an oncoming train in aggravation because of how frequently I hit that button in error
viper98 said:
Has anyone found a way to disable this button?
I'm in the verge of throwing my phone at an oncoming train in aggravation because of how frequently I hit that button in error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I gave up using PIE and I am just using the onscreen nav now.
I am using only the home button. Full screen real estate. So satisfying. I have no issues now that I've gotten used to it. Went back to my Pixel and the navbar method felt backward.
It's just muscle memory. Use the FPS and in just a few days, you'll be set. So long as you don't use other devices in between.