Any Way to Re-Map Buttons? - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S 4

I smaller hands and have continually found it difficult to reach the back button with my thumb all the way across the phone (I wasnt aware until now that I almost always hold my phone in my left hand).
It occured to me that my problem would be solved if the menu button and the back arrow could switch functions. Is there a simple way to do that? I'm rooted, running stock with ktoonsez kernel and Apex launcher.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

re: remap buttons
Dugan1017 said:
I smaller hands and have continually found it difficult to reach the back button with my thumb all the way across the phone (I wasnt aware until now that I almost always hold my phone in my left hand).
It occured to me that my problem would be solved if the menu button and the back arrow could switch functions. Is there a simple way to do that? I'm rooted, running stock with ktoonsez kernel and Apex launcher.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easiest way to re-map the buttons is to go to the playstore and get
the app called "Tasker" it can remap buttons and do a lot of other things.
It's more or less a one of a kind application.
Good luck!

Related

Button savior - the better menu/recent apps button

Don't really know why this app was never mentioned here.
I know it from my Archos 70 times.
To know what it does its best you look in the play store for it, but I want to tell you for what only reason I use it.
You can have shown all buttons you would have as hardware buttons, but that's not the point.
If you use the pro version you can edit and reorder those buttons, and that's what I did.
I choose only one button and that was the menu button, when only one button is mapped it directly uses that instead of expanding than I put the icon to the lowest right corner., and there you have the menu button, now you can use recent apps button like intended without having to map it to long press or something else.
Sure you can do the it with the recent apps button instead, whatever you prefer or use more frequently. Will try it the next days and see if it's practical in daily use.
You can see the button in the picture attached, you can set 3 sizes, for now I try biggest, that's what you see on the pic. I don't think it's interfering in use because it's totally in the corner which u don't use that much.
This way you get the speed of the recent apps button with the comfort of having a menu button
Let me know what you think of it
Sent from my HOX running ViperX
"Squeeze control" if u know wat I mean. But back to on-topic, u know that u can have recent apps and menu at the same time in one button? Look for it in tweaks.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Yes but only with long press that's to slow and uncomfortable sometimes.
Sent from my HOX running ViperX

Button replacement app

So I love my s3 but one thing I hate and I think a lot of u do as well is the physical home button...the solution to this annoyance of having to press the home button two apps one is LMT the other button savior...both apps need root...I used LMT on my gnex...on my s3 using button savior and its great. I have it set to auto hide and appear on a right edge swipe...with no icon overlay to trigger..the soft keys are customizable in the pro version...its not for everyone but for me makes using the phone a bit easier.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using XDA Premium HD app
Nice find i hate the physical home button personally wish it was all capacative buttons and in the pro version would i be able to use one my capacative buttons to wake the device isntead of using the home button ?
EDIT-tried the pro version the capacative buttons cant be changed to do another function
I had the same complaint and so I figured out how to re-enable the softkeys that are built into ICS. I used to have a GNex and I really missed the softkeys. The only issue I have is that the touchwiz apps are built using an absolute size meaning that they get cut off when the touchkeys are enabled but Its not a big deal to me.
I actually like the home button.. It's really convenient if your feeding your baby or your hands are full to just tap the button to wake the phone up.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Nova Prime allows you to remap the Home button function.
The home button isnt bad but it doesnt seem like it will hold up for long
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

[Q] Lock Menu and Back buttons when using s-note

impossible to put my hand in bottom of the phone while writing in s-note, stupid thing when you know that you can disable hand-writing and use only the s-pen, is there any way to lock the 2 tactile buttons while writing???? thanks
ketchupyx said:
impossible to put my hand in bottom of the phone while writing in s-note, stupid thing when you know that you can disable hand-writing and use only the s-pen, is there any way to lock the 2 tactile buttons while writing???? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was actually annoyed that I couldnt tap on the menu button and back button with the s-pen and found that there is a command for back and menu.
Open the help from your apps and choose s-pen and then commands to see it. You basically have to click on the button on the s-pen and while holding it down draw a command which is from right to left diagonally down and then to the right again for back. For menu if I recall its the top of a triangle from bottom left diagonally up then down right...I should have used my note to respond and paste an image in here
harpocrates said:
I was actually annoyed that I couldnt tap on the menu button and back button with the s-pen and found that there is a command for back and menu.
Open the help from your apps and choose s-pen and then commands to see it. You basically have to click on the button on the s-pen and while holding it down draw a command which is from right to left diagonally down and then to the right again for back. For menu if I recall its the top of a triangle from bottom left diagonally up then down right...I should have used my note to respond and paste an image in here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think you understood me, but thanks anyway.
My question was, when i'm writing with my s-pen, i always accidentaly touch the back button, or the home or the menu button (physical and sensitive) . IS there any way to lock these buttons???????? like when watching a video and locking with power button, you canot anymore touch the home/back button, is there any way to do that in s-note? or any other apps
When I use the S Pen, the menu and back buttons are automatically disabled.
As a test, just on your home screen, hover the pen so the blue circle appears, then try and press the back and home buttons, they should not work.
Move the pen away, and they work again.
I too would prefer a way to lock the hard menu any back buttons. It is true that they don't work when the pen is in hover range but the moment it is out of hover range there is a high possibility that you hit them and they respond. It is impossible to always stay in that small range.
This feature would be really of great help when using the camera also. I keep accidentally touch the back button when trying to use the camera.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
richlum said:
When I use the S Pen, the menu and back buttons are automatically disabled.
As a test, just on your home screen, hover the pen so the blue circle appears, then try and press the back and home buttons, they should not work.
Move the pen away, and they work again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Confirmed, thanks.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
I understood the opposite of what you wanted
Mainly because as other member posted these buttons are locked while using the s pen. . However, if the s pen is not in range then they can still be pressed so you do have a point. . Maybe a customization feature in a rom. . ?? Feature request from the dev of the rom you are using?!
Well if you didn't know the s-pen shortcuts. . Now you do. .
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
harpocrates said:
I understood the opposite of what you wanted
Mainly because as other member posted these buttons are locked while using the s pen. . However, if the s pen is not in range then they can still be pressed so you do have a point. . Maybe a customization feature in a rom. . ?? Feature request from the dev of the rom you are using?!
Well if you didn't know the s-pen shortcuts. . Now you do. .
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea thanks
I'm not sure if that's possible but i know there's a post in the" how satisfied are you with your note 2" (or something like that) thread which has instructions on how to enable the on screen keys and disable the capacitative ones.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
the problem is for me that my hand touches the back button before the pen is close enough to the screen...
stupid that there is no real setting in S-Note to disable the back + menu completly...
yeah I want that option too
Bulut.O said:
the problem is for me that my hand touches the back button before the pen is close enough to the screen...
stupid that there is no real setting in S-Note to disable the back + menu completly...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah stupid, I'm just looking all over to solve this, but nothing yet. I also post two threads on other forums, maybe someone from SAMSUNG realize this is pretty stupid issue here,
that in writing phone, you have problems with writing. :laugh:

Q: Avoiding Hardware Home Key?

The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
My Galaxy S4 has an Assistant Menu which provides things like an on screen Home and menu button. It's not in my Note 8.0 yet but may be added in a future release I guess.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk HD
Button Savior from the Play Store may do what you are after. It's funny. l personally like the hardware home key.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda premium
If you are rooted it would be simple to change your back or menu button to act as your home. You can go to /system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchscreen.kl and edit the BACK or MENU to read HOME.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
I am using GMD gesture control on note 2&8 to simulate hardware buttons and keeping full screen for applications
Envoyé depuis mon GT-N7100 avec Tapatalk
Same issue as the OP, I'm using LMT with a pie control right on top of the hardware home button.
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Taskbar task switcher by gdroid, it places a Return to desktop shortcut along with a configurable number of recent apps in the notifications pull down.
sisterchick said:
Button Savior from the Play Store may do what you are after. It's funny. l personally like the hardware home key.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Button Savior looks helpful, I played with it a little using both auto-hide and permanent display modes. The only downside to hidden mode is it takes two motions, first to expand the menu, then to click the home button. That can be done pretty quickly though.
Why do you like having a hardware button? I don't see why they made 2 buttons compatible with S-pen, and didn't make the Home button usable with the stylus as well.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
ual4720 said:
If you are rooted it would be simple to change your back or menu button to act as your home. You can go to /system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchscreen.kl and edit the BACK or MENU to read HOME.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that would be useful. Is it also possible to assign those actions to a long-press? For example, Menu goes to Home with long press.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
Handy Hardware Button
MikeChelen said:
Button Savior looks helpful, I played with it a little using both auto-hide and permanent display modes. The only downside to hidden mode is it takes two motions, first to expand the menu, then to click the home button. That can be done pretty quickly though.
Why do you like having a hardware button? I don't see why they made 2 buttons compatible with S-pen, and didn't make the Home button usable with the stylus as well.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Habit would probably be the best answer. I came to the Note 8 from a hacked Nook Color running CM10. I got accustomed to waking the device with the "n" hardware button. Like my old Nook, I put a non-slip bumper case on my Note 8 which makes pushing the power button to wake a little tedious. I also like to read in the dark and like the hardware key as a landmark for orientation when I pick it up with the lights off. Finally, I use the tablet in the kitchen on a stand for displaying recipes. I use a cheapest of the cheap $5 stylus in the kitchen to wake it up by pushing the hardware key and for scrolling pages so I don't get the tablet or the S-pen all gunked up with cookie dough from my fingers.:silly:
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROM
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMT Pie
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use your Note 8 in landscape mode, you'll soon wish all keys were physical, not capacitive.
tokugawa said:
If you use your Note 8 in landscape mode, you'll soon wish all keys were physical, not capacitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my concern, Im hoping that by using a case that goes over the bevel rather than sits flush with it, my palm will be less likely to brush against the back and menu capacitive buttons when playing games or drawing. My device should be arriving this evening so I will have to experiment to find my best solution. I dont want to mod the software to disble the buttons and get the traditional menu bar on the screen. I value the screen real estate. If they were physical buttons I wouldnt have this issue
hertsjoatmon said:
This is my concern, Im hoping that by using a case that goes over the bevel rather than sits flush with it, my palm will be less likely to brush against the back and menu capacitive buttons when playing games or drawing. My device should be arriving this evening so I will have to experiment to find my best solution. I dont want to mod the software to disble the buttons and get the traditional menu bar on the screen. I value the screen real estate. If they were physical buttons I wouldnt have this issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's still a bit annoying to me in landscape mode, but in Portrait mode it's been actually quite fine (even drawing). Perfect would be an app that could just temporarily disable/toggle it (maybe via a small 1x1 widget). Then if I want to use it in landscape mode (or whenever Im going to use it in a way that could be annoying with the capacitive keys), I could simply turn it on.
I do like the physical/capacitive keys in general too, since I also value the screen real estate so I guess for me a toggle solution would be best. Maybe I'll investigate into it and make it myself...
Or you can add Home button as Multiwindow "app" with this
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.t2.shome
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Hi, there's a way for disabling the capacitive keys, just look under development here on this forum. The mod will disable the keys and require the S Pen to make them work (quite useful for landscape) to enable On-Screen Buttons you should try this (works on the Galaxy S3/Note/Note II) I haven't tested in the Note 8 but I will as soon as I get mine (by the end of this month).
Enable on-screen buttons:
You will need root access for this.
Install ES File Explorer File Manager on your Note from the Play Store. This is a file manager that will be used to edit those system files to enable/disable on-screen/soft buttons.
Open ES Explorer. Then, click the menu button on your device and click Settings. Here, tick the “Up to Root” option. Then go down and tick the “Root Explorer” option, then press Allow/Grant button when prompted to grant it root access. Then, tick the “Mount File System Option” as well. Once all three options are selected, press back to exit the settings.
Hit the Up on top in ES Explorer till you reach the outermost folder (till it says / at the top).
Go into the system folder, then scroll down to find the build.prop file (Copy this file to a Safe location!!).
Tap on this file to start editing it. If you get an “Open With” prompt, select “ES Note Editor”.
Now, at the end of the file (at the bottom after the last line), add the line “qemu.hw.mainkeys=0″ (without the ” quotes), then save the file (press the Menu button to see the Save option).
Then, reboot. After the boot up, you should have the virtual on-screen buttons on your screen.
Sent from my XT925 using xda app-developers app
EDIT
How-to: disable the home button
The thread that Samper was referring to is at: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2250941
I can't post there yet, so I would like to add here that after disabling the menu/back buttons as described there, I worked out how to disable the home button. Following the same instructions as in the above link, also edit the gpio-keys.kl, changing the last line by adding a # to the beginning, so it looks like this:
Code:
#key 172 HOME WAKE
Now that all three buttons are completely dead (though the pen will still activate the menu/back buttons), I use LMT Launcher to provide pie controls at the bottom of the screen. Get it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150. PieControl from the Play Store is an easier-to-configure but less powerful alternative to LMT.

Remove recent apps button from button combination.

Is there a way to move this off the button combination? I want to replace it with my menu key using xposed, but it won't let me remove the Recents. Kinda a pet peeve of mine.
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Free mobile app
Harmtan2 said:
Is there a way to move this off the button combination? I want to replace it with my menu key using xposed, but it won't let me remove the Recents. Kinda a pet peeve of mine.
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I really hope someone figures this out. I prefer holding Home to get my Recent Apps list and instead would like my Menu key be always visible.
It is on the to do list for G3 TweaksBox. See the post linked below for conformation on this from the dev. Looking forward to this myself since I never use the recent apps button.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=54898929&postcount=1812
pside15 said:
It is on the to do list for G3 TweaksBox. See the post linked below for conformation on this from the dev. Looking forward to this myself since I never use the recent apps button.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=54898929&postcount=1812
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't wait!. :good:
Awesome! thanks!
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Free mobile app
Harmtan2 said:
Is there a way to move this off the button combination? I want to replace it with my menu key using xposed, but it won't let me remove the Recents. Kinda a pet peeve of mine.
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, press and hold recent (task) button calls up menu.
It's same as 2014 Samsung devices.
mingkee said:
Actually, press and hold recent (task) button calls up menu.
It's same as 2014 Samsung devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is the LG default. He's talking about being able to remove the recents button, which currently can't be done. G3 Tweaksbox will let you add a menu button but you can't remove the recent app button, yet.
How often do you all actually use a menu key to need it to be so prominent, though? Personally, I'd rather have my recent key default to the last app with a long press to all apps, but I personally can't see myself needing to use a menu button often enough to have it on my navigation bar (I took away the press and hold for menu entirely on my phone).
I like having the press and hold menu option that way I don't need to stretch my thumb when I am one handing the phone.
I am a naughty boy so this should go lol
partylikeaninjastar said:
How often do you all actually use a menu key to need it to be so prominent, though? Personally, I'd rather have my recent key default to the last app with a long press to all apps, but I personally can't see myself needing to use a menu button often enough to have it on my navigation bar (I took away the press and hold for menu entirely on my phone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it a lot, it's faster for me. You don't. The option should be there so that we can choose what fits our individual needs. It's called personal preference.
siraltus said:
I use it a lot, it's faster for me. You don't. The option should be there so that we can choose what fits our individual needs. It's called personal preference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't get your panties in a bunch over a simple question. I never said YOU don't need the option, I was only wondering how often those requesting it use a menu button over task switching.
Maybe whatever phone you can from had a menu button while my Nexus devices didn't. And speaking of Nexus, I really liked how a menu button could set to appear on either the left or right sides whenever it was usable.
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk
partylikeaninjastar said:
Don't get your panties in a bunch over a simple question. I never said YOU don't need the option, I was only wondering how often those requesting it use a menu button over task switching.
Maybe whatever phone you can from had a menu button while my Nexus devices didn't. And speaking of Nexus, I really liked how a menu button could set to appear on either the left or right sides whenever it was usable.
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it quite a bit. Came from a Gs4 which had it built in on the capacitive buttons below the screen. I would like to have it back and set the how button long press to do Recents. No big deal though, I'll just have to wait. Maybe I'll be used to it and it won't matter much when they've come up with a fix.
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Free mobile app
It takes me quite a bit to get used to the new operation, but this method can toggle apps much faster than press and hold home button, or you can close app by moving it left or right to save the resource, and, sometimes, the battery.

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