Develop Bugs

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.

[Q] What's the best setup for S-Pen on CM/AOSP ROM?

I'm running PAC-Man ROM and am thankful for the settings that allow me to use gestures (when the S Pen's button is held) but it's a huge pain to have to hold the button for these gestures. The button on the pen is too low on the pen for my liking when I'm trying to use it as a pointing device/extension of my hand.
A couple of ideas I have had:
-the input settings that I described earlier
-the Sidebar application. I would love it if I could access shortcuts through Sidebar that emulate the back and menu keys but unfortunately the only button that can be emulated is the home key!
-CM S Pen Add-on used in conjunction with Note Buddy. I like the idea here, but I'd like to know if there's a way to automatically activate the AOSP on-screen buttons when I detach the S-Pen, but Note Buddy doesn't seem to support any extensions.
Are there any other solutions you guys have come up with that allow me to use my Note in a practical way with ONLY the S-Pen? That means I don't want to have to take any fingers off of the pen or have to lift my other hand to press the menu and back buttons.

I use GMD SPen control & cant say enugh good things about it! It can do everything you are looking for (I think) I have it open lecture notes when I detach the pen, & simulate the home button when I attach it! But you can set up any user gestures you want!

Just bought the pro version...
Very nice application...
And it's running well on carbon 1.8..
Thank you....g
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium HD app

I'm not really willing to shell out $6 just yet... I'll have to do some more research!
I also found another method: use the ribbons feature built into PAC-Man ROM (not sure if it's an AOKP feature) in order to swipe out a tray from the right side of the screen that has the nav buttons in it. Still wish I could get the real navbar to display by default though!

Edit: Just remembered there's also PA Pie.

To add a navbar to ANY rom that doesnt have one..
open your buildprop (in /system)
scroll down to the bottom, and after the last line, add this line
qemu.hw.mainkeys=0
save the changes, reboot the phone, and BOOM, you have a navbar..works on AOSP and TW roms..

wase4711 said:
To add a navbar to ANY rom that doesnt have one..
open your buildprop (in /system)
scroll down to the bottom, and after the last line, add this line
qemu.hw.mainkeys=0
save the changes, reboot the phone, and BOOM, you have a navbar..works on AOSP and TW roms..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Getting a navbar to display is not the issue. What's difficult is trying to get the navbar to display only when the pen is detached! :/

rrroach said:
Getting a navbar to display is not the issue. What's difficult is trying to get the navbar to display only when the pen is detached! :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a tasker task to launch with the help of secure settings to hide the navigation bar when spen is attached and to show it when I de-attach the spen. Just take advantage of the expandable desktop function (and select it to only hide the nav bar when pen is inserted).
Works like a charm.

pemell said:
I have a tasker task to launch with the help of secure settings to hide the navigation bar when spen is attached and to show it when I de-attach the spen. Just take advantage of the expandable desktop function (and select it to only hide the nav bar when pen is inserted).
Works like a charm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you referring to the "Expand desktop" option under Custom ROM Actions? That option has a red circle next to it for me, meaning that it is not supported by my ROM. :'(

Which rom are you on? Is it featured in your rom?
If so, you need to turn on expanded desktop and reboot. You might also need to make secure settings a device administrator.
For me, on SlimBean, it's a red circle at first too, but it turns green when following my steps above.
Try it out and report your progress.
Skickat från min GT-N7105 med Tapatalk

pemell said:
Which rom are you on? Is it featured in your rom?
If so, you need to turn on expanded desktop and reboot. You might also need to make secure settings a device administrator.
For me, on SlimBean, it's a red circle at first too, but it turns green when following my steps above.
Try it out and report your progress.
Skickat från min GT-N7105 med Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reboot worked! Can't believe I hadn't thought of that. xP

[Q] Hiding soft keys quickly

First off, let me say that I love that the G3 comes with a setting to hide the soft keys. The only complaint I have is it takes too long to go away once you bring it up. If you don't know what I mean go into an application bring it up and go home and see how long it stays.
I used an application called UND Navbar and it works great, you can choose to hide the bar as soon as you press a button. The only downside is the fact that you can't use the split screen and other button combinations the g3 has, you're stuck with the traditional soft keys.
Is anyone aware of an app or an Xposed Module that would allow me to have the navigation bar hide once I click one of the buttons?

yugendreams said:
First off, let me say that I love that the G3 comes with a setting to hide the soft keys. The only complaint I have is it takes too long to go away once you bring it up. If you don't know what I mean go into an application bring it up and go home and see how long it stays.
I used an application called UND Navbar and it works great, you can choose to hide the bar as soon as you press a button. The only downside is the fact that you can't use the split screen and other button combinations the g3 has, you're stuck with the traditional soft keys.
Is anyone aware of an app or an Xposed Module that would allow me to have the navigation bar hide once I click one of the buttons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
G3 tweaksbox ?

Still_living714 said:
G3 tweaksbox ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have that and I've looked through. I don't see any settings for that.

Could you guide me to what you are talking about, because I can't find it.

yugendreams said:
Could you guide me to what you are talking about, because I can't find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey dude i was using UND aswell problem is its quite slow, and often it glitches or buttons dont work.
I tried many methods, by far the best one is "Auto hide soft keys" off the market - its VERY snappy and you can adjust the miliseconds for it to minimize OR just get it to minimize once you hit the key.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gmd.hidesoftkeys&hl=en

UND was lightning fast for me but the problem was it doesn't give you the split screen and drop down options that the lg soft keys have. It's the same problem with GMD.

yugendreams said:
UND was lightning fast for me but the problem was it doesn't give you the split screen and drop down options that the lg soft keys have. It's the same problem with GMD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like what?
Split screen works for me with GMD enabled, but you may mean something else.

Like what?
Split screen works for me with GMD enabled, but you may mean something else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you get it to work? It disappears from the bar when I turn the app on.

yugendreams said:
How do you get it to work? It disappears from the bar when I turn the app on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the recents window, select Dual Window - Slide first app UP - slide 2nd app DOWN, use as normal, touch the bottom when you want the nav bar to reappear.

Okay, that makes sense. I feel pretty stupid right now considering I see that option every single time I go to the recents window.

yugendreams said:
Okay, that makes sense. I feel pretty stupid right now considering I see that option every single time I go to the recents window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All good brother - you got there in the end.
Enjoy

Must have app for S2: Button Savior!

So, I don't know 'bout you, but I use my S2 in landscape mode more often than not and find it a bit awkward using the capacitative buttons on the side for navigation. I've used the recommended app on nearly every device I've owned but never have I found it more useful than on this tablet vs. anything else. The app is called Button Savior and it puts three pages of (configurable w/ pro version) navigation buttons on your screen. There are some cool themes with the free version and the pro version allows you to add an HD theme pack (see screen shot - that one's called Liquid Metal 2). It rarely gets in the way of screen content, but just hitting the circled X at the top collapses the panel into a small tab with an arrow that has configurable size and transparency. Of course there are other methods for soft key navigation but I'm a big fan of Button Savior, and to summarize... I would recommend it!
*As I mentioned there are other "soft key" solutions for navigation, but I find the above mentioned app the most convenient/intuitive. I actually have a few installed myself but don't really use them unless I need a particular function that Button Savior lacks (such as "kill app"). As you can see in the screen shot, I have a navbar courtesy of Gravity Box. For some reason though, the keys are only present in portrait mode, when I don't really need them. What's up with that? Anyways, I also use LMT (the actual app, not the Gravity Box version because it's much more configurable), but a lot of apps have slide-out menus from the left (these days...) which interferes with triggering it sometimes. However, using the LMT app, you can basically add whatever you want such as scripts and other such fanciness; I use it mostly for "kill app" whenever (rarely) something's non-responsive. Anyway, I can upload the apk if anyone wants it, but there's probably a newer version so you might be better off tracking it down. Here's a Play Store link for Button Savior: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smart.swkey&hl=en Check it out!

Sorry to be the party pooper, but all these solutions (LMT, Button Savior etc.) are not the real deal.
The only real convenient solution is GMD Gesture Control.
For any action you can think of (including Tasker actions etc.) you can freely configure gestures and the screen areas in which the gestures are recognized.
All the other solutions need too many actions to trigger an event, and/or they take up screen estate.

hasenbein196601 said:
Sorry to be the party pooper, but all these solutions (LMT, Button Savior etc.) are not the real deal.
The only real convenient solution is GMD Gesture Control.
For any action you can think of (including Tasker actions etc.) you can freely configure gestures and the screen areas in which the gestures are recognized.
All the other solutions need too many actions to trigger an event, and/or they take up screen estate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like GMD too. I have GMD S-pen Control and have used it on all of my Note devices. I've found that I prefer soft key solutions though for the following reason: I tend to set up GMD and use it for a while, then take a break from using it for whatever reason, then tend to forget most of the gestures that I set up.
GMD is definitely awesome, IME it just needs to be used consistently though. I might give Gestures a try as it might be more practical than S-pen control

Er, how about simply NOT intermittently stopping using GMD???
You must admit that your reason for not using GMD is quite hilarious
(And, additional tip: Use the gestures wisely and don't add too many gestures - then you won't be confused )
I use GMD on all my devices now for years (so unrootable devices won't ever be bought by me), and it's second nature...

hasenbein1966 said:
Er, how about simply NOT intermittently stopping using GMD???
You must admit that your reason for not using GMD is quite hilarious
(And, additional tip: Use the gestures wisely and don't add too many gestures - then you won't be confused )
I use GMD on all my devices now for years (so unrootable devices won't ever be bought by me), and it's second nature...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL :laugh: I think it has to do with the S-pen. Normally I just go through periods where I use it more or less. I think that it'd be easier with gestures.

Pie controls works amazing. It's on the app store

James.Markham0757 said:
Pie controls works amazing. It's on the app store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed I have Button Savior set to trigger on the right side of the screen which I use mostly for "simple" navigation (although it has many more functions... 3 pages that you can scroll through) and PIE set to trigger on the left side. I mostly use PIE for more complex functions that I have mapped to long presses. I like Button Savior because the pro version looks nice with the HD themes, is completely unobtrusive, and faster and slightly easier to trigger than PIE even if collapsed. PIE definitely comes in handy if I ever need to kill an unresponsive app or something like that :good:

A better solution to Button Savior is already built into the Tab S2. It is called Assistant Menu. Go into Settings, Accessibility, Dexterity & Interaction, Assistant Menu then turn it on.

tsg2513 said:
A better solution..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd agree that the already *build in* navigation assistant is better but, NO. You cannot change the background color (it is snow white). You cannot change the color of the floating navigation assistant button nor does it auto hide itself.
All other suggested apps need *root*. :x

I use this. It's simple and no root. I just need back, home and recent, but you can set more. Its completely transparent. The app is called "all in one gestures" and free.

tsg2513 said:
A better solution to Button Savior is already built into the Tab S2. It is called Assistant Menu. Go into Settings, Accessibility, Dexterity & Interaction, Assistant Menu then turn it on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems to be gone with the Nougat update...

I found a much better one,
Handy Soft Keys Pro.
Small, ultra fast, no ads and with fade out feature.

Coming from Nexus 5, have some questions on OP3

I use Gravitybox on my Nexus so I'd like to do the same on the OP3.
It looks like the OP3 has physical nav buttons, which is to say, I can't add to that with anything.
Is there an IME switcher that shows up anywhere when typing for easily switching between keyboards? What about adding arrows for cursor navigation. I use Swiftkey for my keyboard, so unless I enable the keyboard row, there's no way to move the cursor with it. On the Nexus, I used the function in Gravity box to add cursor keys to the nav bar, but OP3 having physical buttons seems like it would put a stop to that too.
If I keep it stock and used systemless root/xposed/etc via Magisk, would it pass safetynet checks as it does on the Nexus when I turn them off?
Are there any other caveats I'd need to look out for?
(And in the interest of fairness, what would likely be the best improvements I notice too?)

You can enable navigation bar on the oneplus 3, even if there is physicals buttons.
The IME switcher will show up in the navbar if you enable it, or in the notification if you don't.
I don't know about root and safetynet

olimar7184 said:
You can enable navigation bar on the oneplus 3, even if there is physicals buttons.
The IME switcher will show up in the navbar if you enable it, or in the notification if you don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enable by way of default options or if I'm using Gravitybox specifically?

Trel said:
Enable by way of default options or if I'm using Gravitybox specifically?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an option on the settings of the stock rom:good:

Welp, the physical size is bigger than I was hoping, but I can't find a better option on all the other specs.
This is most likely the only viable phone then and will be what I end up getting.
We shall see.

If needed you can use LMT to display the "pie" and customize actions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150

Dushaine said:
If needed you can use LMT to display the "pie" and customize actions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks like it may do what I want.
I'm not quite familiar with it, can you make it so if I call it up, it persists until I dismiss it?
Thinking along the lines of bringing up a menu with "[<] [Dismiss] [>]" to let me do multiple arrow presses.
If that's doable, then that would fully take care of what I'm looking for.