Develop Bugs

Turning off Sense in Favor of Vanilla Android No Longer Possible?

Hi there!
I've written a FAQ with Android tips & tricks and tweaks that I try to keep updated, and when I made an attempt to turn off HTC Sense on my Desire the other day in order to get the default Android homescreen, the old method didn't work.
Clearing the defaults for HTC Sense had no effect, and Home wasn't even listed in the application manager.
Is there another way? Perhaps Sense on Android 2.1 devices goes so deep that there isn't even a vanilla Android below it anymore?
Thanks

When you say "no longer possible" are you saying you were able to do this before? From what I know Launcher2, the default 2.1 app launcher, is not installed so you have to find the apk somewhere and install that first.

When the reviewers were first getting hold of Desire's I think there was a video of someone turning off Sense and running stock Android. It was a really simple process too, from what I remember.
When the phone was officially released people noticed you couldn't do this any more.
I think that's what the OP is referring to.

HTC removed the standard Home before they shipped the Desire, so it's never been possible on post-release handsets. It was an option on pre-release phones, though, so people got videos out showing how to do it, and then no dice...
You can install HelixLauncher 2 or 1, which will give you similar homes. I'm not sure if the regular Launcher2.apk will install - I seem to remember trying it and failing. Don't recall for sure, though.

not again lol....well this has been discussed before again and again, the retail version's sense ui cannot be turned off...

Well, it can if you install a different home replacement and clear Sense's defaults.

You can install Launcher2.apk you should be able to find it in some other threads
(use the search?). I had no problems installing it.
Then do the 'clear defaults' setting on the Sense UI application, press 'home' and it will ask you which home screen you want to use.

Better still, install the Helix Launcher 2 from the Market. I prefer it because of the ability to insert 4 static shortcuts alongside the menu button where the space was just previously wasted.

[Q] Newbie Question about unlocking and rooting

I've been using my samsung GN for a month now and loving it. This is my first transition into the Android platform so please excuse my ignorance if my questions seem trivial.
I haven't unlocked or rooted my phone yet, but I'm itching to do so. I just had a few questions before I try it.
1. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe out my entire phone. I'm assuming this means it will similar to opening up a new phone. Since I've used this phone for a month now, I've put all my phone contacts in, including getting all the profile photos for my friends and contacts. Since I started a GMail account, can all this be recovered once gmail syncs back to the phone. I'm assuming this is for the calendar as well. Also is there a way to backup and restore anything else... ie txt messages, apps, settings, etc. I read somewhere something about titanium backup (can this be done the first time I unlock the bootloader?)
2. One of the main reasons why I want to unlock/root is to be able to put in some custom themes and icons. Am I correct to say this is only possible after I root the phone? Or can this be done on the stock unlocked form?
3. The other reason I want to do this is to see if there are any custom roms or kernels that can help with the UI interface to make it a bit more smooth and not as stuttery. (I know this is a debated discussion), however I came from the iphone and it is noticable and irritating to me (YMMV) Does anyone know of a custom kernel or ROM that will be able to improve on this?
Thank you for your help... I'm still somewhat hesitant to do the process. I'd just like to find out as much as I can before I try it.

You can change icons and launcher themes by using a custom launcher such as ADW or Go Launcher (the two with the most themes) but this will only change the icons of your apps. If you want to get into custom colors and buttons and such, you will need to root.
Gmail will sync all of your contacts back, but the pictures will be low resolution (unless they are your friends on G+) to fix this, you can redo the pictures by hand or download an app called Haxsync for facebook sync which I've found works fairly well.
You can download "SMS backup and restore" to back up and restore your texts.
Market will have your paid apps saved, but write a list of your free apps as market will not save those.
Also your settings such as wifi networks will be remembered.
And yes, custom kernels and roms will help with smoothness, promise

Josh, thanks a lot for the advice, I'll look into the apps before I start to unlock this puppy!!!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Anytime feel free to PM me if you need any help!

pit falls of being a flashaholic, what yours?

the bad about being a flashahilic.
Just when you got your favorite ROM all customized the way you want the DEV team for your rom will releases a new ROM
1) Not being able to restore apps that require you to start it up first,ex: tasker or Widget HD.
2) Also realizing the first time you use Navigation system on a new rom you realize the GPS is searching the entire trip.
The sticky has ans awesome GPS fix
3) loosing alarms sounds and ringtones because they are not in the new rom.
Any one app specifically designed for flashahiolics, an app that just restores just want you in about 3 clicks?
Titanium back up is awesome but it for applications only. it backs up to many things that system backup are hard to figure out. I keep restoring system stuff until I get what I want . Takes very long. have to say Android 4.+ has been a blessing to a flashahiloc.
Guess Im just venting a little. but a solution is needed for a flash aholic like me.
Cheers

Lol...I learned enough lessons restoring system apps, and dirty flashing. I've settled down, pick one that is fine and when the new one comes out watch the threads and let the flashaholics tell you if there's problems. Keeps you safe and less time restoring everything.
No known method other than problematic methods of getting things up quick.
On aokp one design was incremental updates that I thought didn't require full data wipes. However, if system framework changes happen you don't want to be jacked in a boot loop because you didn't follow instructions.
What you feel is the same as many others and no quick solution. If the ROM doesn't have certain settings that can be backed up and restored there's not a lot you can do.
Good luck though..
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

How to update to 4.3?

I've got a used Verizon Nexus, which I am using on Page Plus, after running through a lengthy process to program it to work with Page Plus. I didn't really understand everything I was doing, but I was able to follow the instructions, and it worked great. But it's incredibly slow.
It's running 4.2.2 and Paranoid Android 3.6. I've heard that 4.3 seems to eliminate a lot of the incredible slowness I'm experiencing, and I'd like to upgrade it. But I also spent about a week tweaking and configuring this exactly the way I want, with my launcher and screens and hubs, etc. I don't want to have to do all that again.
Anyone know what my options are? Is it possible to upgrade it to 4.3 without losing all of that? Please write in laymen's terms. I can follow complex instructions, but I don't always know what the terminology means.
Thanks in advance.

In my personal experience, and I have tried many ROMS, the ones with PIE, themes, halo, and other tweaks only make the phone slow. In the end I just went with rooted stock and haven't missed the old.
As per your issue, yes you can do it but it may lead to some issues.
The way you want to do it is through Titanium Backup. Selectively backup entire apps or just app data, which for the launcher itself would contain the arrangement of screens and settings. If you have Nova or Apex, you can export settings to your "sdcard". A bunch of system settings and sync with Google, you may already know this so you don't have to backup those. Once you flash a 4.3 ROM, you will want to re-install Titanium Backup and restore your apps or app data. The drawback to this, hence why I don't typically recommend this, is that you may get some sporadic app force closes. Ideally you'd want to install clean apps from the Play Store.
You don't always experience issues with TB, but just keep in mind the possibility is there.
Best of luck.

iLeopard said:
In my personal experience, and I have tried many ROMS, the ones with PIE, themes, halo, and other tweaks only make the phone slow. In the end I just went with rooted stock and haven't missed the old.
As per your issue, yes you can do it but it may lead to some issues.
The way you want to do it is through Titanium Backup. Selectively backup entire apps or just app data, which for the launcher itself would contain the arrangement of screens and settings. If you have Nova or Apex, you can export settings to your "sdcard". A bunch of system settings and sync with Google, you may already know this so you don't have to backup those. Once you flash a 4.3 ROM, you will want to re-install Titanium Backup and restore your apps or app data. The drawback to this, hence why I don't typically recommend this, is that you may get some sporadic app force closes. Ideally you'd want to install clean apps from the Play Store.
You don't always experience issues with TB, but just keep in mind the possibility is there.
Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. I don't like pie, halo, or themes at all. I prefer to set up my own methods of navigating around my phone. (I put shortcuts on my dock that go to the different screens in my launcher (each devoted to a different category of apps), and then include shortcuts on those screens that go to the apps appropriate to that screen's app category, if that makes any sense. It seems, to me, a very efficient way of finding everything I need very quickly). I am using PA 3.6, because it's what was provided with the process I followed, to get this to work on Page Plus.
Do you know if upgrading to 4.3 with a different ROM will affect the use of my phone on Page Plus? And if not, any suggestions on a good one that includes the most features? I would imagine rooted stock would be fine with me also, but again, I'd like to avoid re-configuring everything. Of course, I will if I have to, to eliminate the lag and get the best performance.

loribuono said:
Thanks for your reply. I don't like pie, halo, or themes at all. I prefer to set up my own methods of navigating around my phone. (I put shortcuts on my dock that go to the different screens in my launcher (each devoted to a different category of apps), and then include shortcuts on those screens that go to the apps appropriate to that screen's app category, if that makes any sense. It seems, to me, a very efficient way of finding everything I need very quickly). I am using PA 3.6, because it's what was provided with the process I followed, to get this to work on Page Plus.
Do you know if upgrading to 4.3 with a different ROM will affect the use of my phone on Page Plus? And if not, any suggestions on a good one that includes the most features? I would imagine rooted stock would be fine with me also, but again, I'd like to avoid re-configuring everything. Of course, I will if I have to, to eliminate the lag and get the best performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what you did to make it work for Page Plus and I cannot offer any advice on that note I'm sorry. I've never owned a CDMA device. With GSM, you stick in a new SIM and its ready to go. As far as ROM's go, again I'm afraid I'm the wrong guy. Maybe you can apply some of the same steps to making it work with a 4.3 ROM? The underlying OS is the exact same.

[Q] Can I get my old setup back after downloading Touchwiz by accident?

I am new to this forum, actually its the only forum I was ever on. I have been trying to research my issue for over an hour now and I need an answer that is put into the simplest terms. A lot of the questions and answers are to techy for me to understand, I am also coming from having an iphone for the 6 years to having a Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
If someone could answer my question and dumb it down for me I would really appreciate it.
I downloaded Touchwiz (I was just trying to download a new calendar) and my whole phone changed. I spent the weekend adding widgets to the different pages and putting my apps into specific folders, but once I downloaded Touchwiz everything disappeared. I want to get my phone back to the way it was when I first purchased it. I have had this phone for a few months so I don't want to do anything that would delete all of my pictures, videos or apps.
All I want is to get rid of this touchwiz and get the stock setting or whatever the original setup was called back the way I had it set up before I lost it.
I know some people are going to think I am stupid, and yes I will agree with them. I am very stupid when it comes to Android devices. If someone is feeling nice enough to explain this to me in the simplest terms (like you are talking to a 2nd grader) I would really appreciate it.
Thank you!!

From where did you download touchwiz? The Samsung official touchwiz isn't just something you download and intall. Do you mean you installed a launcher from the play store?
I can help you get back to original setup, but you have to explain exactly what you installed and how.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

In settings under applications you can clear defaults, hit default applications then hit home and select the touchwiz launcher. push your home button and you should be set.