Smart Cover without magnet? - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

We're all waiting for a 'proper' smart cover for our Nexus 7s. some of us have modified other cases with a magnet to get the functionality, however, I'm thinking we should be able to get a similar, and fairly stable functionality using the light sensor.
There are many apps to turn the screen off & then on again with the proximity sensors, and I found some for the light sensor too but they're not reliable and most of the time left me with a 'screen off loop' where the sensor isn't sensitive enough to light and keeps shutting off the screen. Adjusting the sensitivity hasn't helped either.
Apps I have tried include:
Smart Screen Off / On
CaseSensor for Tablets
Smart Cover
SimpleOn (the closest i got to getting to work but mostly gets into a screen off loop)
a couple of other apps here and there.
Has anyone been able to find a good enough app for our Nexus 7 and other devices with light sensors to use this functionality? Please share your recommendations.

Related

Blackberry style sleep-in-pouch, possible?

Is there anything out there to mimic the Blackberry feature of locking the device and switching off the screen when the phone is put in the pouch?
Anyone? It would seem like a feature which should be standard given the way the proximity sensor is used in-calls...
as far as I know the blackberry use's magnets for the lock / sleep. I can see problems if you use the proximity/light sensor, as if you are using in a car at night for example it would conitnuely lock
Pocketshield can unlock with light. ie take it out ya pocket and it comes on. Was talk of adding proximity sensor support soon in addition.

Proximity sensor Strange behaviour - not working if u get very close.

I dont know if this is an issue with other handsets.
I installed proximity screen off application . The purpose was to have the phone turn the screen off when i close my flip case.
However i found something strange.
When the flip case is very close to the screen the proximity sensor does not seem to detect that there is something covering it.
Is this an issue with every one ?
Any solution
Please see the videos
As you can see from the videos when i bring the shield very close the proximity sensor does not seem to detect the sheild.
Edit : However if u use ur finger this is not seen
I've noticed the same behavior, it's quite annoying because it kills one of NoLed's best features (screen off using prox. sensor).
[deleted]
Still really annoying that the original flip cover won't work with the proximity sensor. A workaround might be a third party flip case. A diy modification of to the original one won't work since if I close it AND hold whatever object that alone is enough for a positive result over the flip cover, the sensor will still not register positive [because a minimal distance between an object and the glass surface is required, see below].
mine works even with a finger...
I've done it a few times accidently when i was trying to access the notification bar while on the phone
ph00ny said:
mine works even with a finger...
I've done it a few times accidently when i was trying to access the notification bar while on the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the thing i was saying.
With finger i works great even if u touching the screen
Dial *#0*# and press sensor. If it vibrates, the proximity sensor is registering an object.
Maybe it comes in handy with testing.
It's working for me, thanks for the tip about the app!
edit:
Okay, I tested and found that indeed when you set the app to:
"Cover an hold to lock the screen" to say 5 seconds.
Close the flipcover.
It does not register.
However. If I set:
"Disable Accidental Lock" to .25 seconds.
Close the flipcover.
It works quite well.
Coming back to the sensor. It indeed does not register the flipcover when it's closed and touching the screen.
Weird thing is it does not register your hand anymore either.
Recreating issue:
Remove flipcover and lay it completely flat over the sensor.
Dial *#0*#.
Press "Sensor".
No registration.
Now hover your hand over where the proximity sensor is, and... How about that, no registration.
This indeed messes up NoLed's battery saving feature.
This can also be a problem when:
You set screen timeout to 10 min.
In the app's settings set "Disable in landscape" to on.
Then use an app in landscape mode.
Close flipcover while in landscape mode.
Then rotate to portrait. At this point it should start registering again and turn off screen..
The sensor does not register and screen stays on.
Drains battery.
It is a really cool idea, but it does not function properly.
It's too flaky, also when just handling your phone. I find myself accidentally turning off the screen.
Maybe if you use a case or some other cover with a different or thicker material it would work better.
I ordered a Zenuscase, I'll give it a try with that one.
Don't know how long it'll take to arrive though
reflective color
heey i found the problem , the sensor is working fine ... but when so close with any black object the light is not reflected back to the proximity sensor.(black color absorbs light).
Repeat your video with any white object and you will notice the difference..
Now i am using Autostart and it works great with samsung original flip cover (white flipcover).
you can use any white sticker on the black one.
ahmedtaha7 said:
heey i found the problem , the sensor is working fine ... but when so close with any black object the light is not reflected back to the proximity sensor.(black color absorbs light).
Repeat your video with any white object and you will notice the difference..
Now i am using Autostart and it works great with samsung original flip cover (white flipcover).
you can use any white sticker on the black one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya correct, just few day back i have asked this issue to developer
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22170417&postcount=5
But it will work perfact if you use proximity + light both sensor enabled.
Color has no influence, distance between an object and the proximity sensor is what matters. I've just tested this using pieces of paper, cloth, metal and wood in white and black colors. The sensor seems unable to correctly register anything that is less than approximately 1 mm away from the glass (it may report 0 cm or jump to 5 cm). Also it seems it only reports changes of a certain minimal distance between two readings, even if the reported value remains the same as the old one. Anything below the threshold of the 5 cm reading will always result in a reported value of 0 cm, but if the effective distance between reading A and reading B was below a certain threshold, the sensor will not report a new reading of 0 cm (thus an object hovering stable over the sensor will not produce a 2nd post). I'm not sure if the sensor has a state that can be read at any time. From my tests using AutomateIt Pro, it seems only new posts can be used by apps. And if the delta between two readings is to small to make the sensor post a "new" result, then this can be problematic under certain circumstances (like trying to turn the screen off after the flip cover got closed (prox. sensor = 0 for 0 sec) and stays closed (light sensor = 10 for 5 sec) while preventing the screen from going off after an accidental wipe over the prox. sensor e.g. with the hand).
@Dr. Ketan: I've tested Power Switch (again) and I'm quite certain that for the Note + Flip Cover it only works through the light sensor (which is unsatisfying since it then won't work correctly in the dark). Covering the proximity sensor only doesn't make the app reliably react.
Power switch works ok for me with the Samsung flip cover. I have the confirmation set to minimum Abe theactivation delay set to 0 seconds.
It doesn't always work from the lock screen but works fine from the home screen or apps
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
so is it a hardware issue of software?
might it be fixes in ICS? it's fu***ng annoying! just bought the flip cover(black) yesterday and also bought smart cover app, my note's screen keeps on turn off (when flip closed) then it turns back on (flip still closed)!
Any solution for gingerbread? like proximity calibrator perhaps? (while waiting for final version of ics to come out)
Power switch will work if you use proximity + light sensor both.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
dr.ketan said:
Power switch will work if you use proximity + light sensor both.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's so sensitive that the moment my finger move over the sensor, the shutdown menu pops up.
Any app that works with the flip cover?

[Q] LG G2 Proximity Sensor causing me problems!

Hello all, I know this issue has been raised before but there hasn't been a fix. I'm currently facing trouble putting my G2 in a waterproof ziploc bag because of the proximity sensor. It detects that something is in front of the phone and doesn't allow me to turn it on. I can't knock-knock to turn it on. The moment I turn it on using the back button the screen will time-out. This is a feature of the phone, not a defect. I want to know how to disable it. Please, if anyone knows how to do it, tell me! Your help will be much appreciated!
Edit: if you want to replicate the problem try putting your finger on top of the front camera - the phone will not turn on when knock-knock
Android App Disabler
I have found an app that may help, but I do not know how to use it! If anyone knows how please tell me!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hatcyl.android.Hardware_Disabler&hl=en
Wierd, I just experienced what you are talking about by testing it out. If the phone is already on and being used and you cover the proximity sensor it doesn't turn off, but, if it is covered as you turn the phone on it will immediately turn itself back off. Even if you use the button and try to swipe the screen quickly it doesn't prevent the phone from turning off automatically.
Unfortunately, I am not able to help you with this problem as it is fay beyond my limited knowledge of linux/android etc. However, maybe this reply will cause someone who can help you with an easy solution.
One thing that would almost certainly fix it would be to switch to one of the alternatives rom not based on the stock LG software/kernel like Cynogen Mod or Android Open Source Project, etc. Those roms use a different kernel and also a standardized version of android that is open source. So the sensor problem will likely not be an issue, however, I believe you lose either knock on or knock off functionality with Cynogen Mod, not sure which one as I am still running LG based rom.
Some people prefer the open source alternatives to the LG rom, so, you might even like it better than the LG setup. However, it will require some effort/reading to learn how to root your phone. Then to flash your particular model of G2 with a custom recovery and then to install a rom/kernel. It is not that hard though, you just have to acquire the knowledge to avoid bricking your phone by doing something foolish.
DornoDiosMio said:
Wierd, I just experienced what you are talking about by testing it out. If the phone is already on and being used and you cover the proximity sensor it doesn't turn off, but, if it is covered as you turn the phone on it will immediately turn itself back off. Even if you use the button and try to swipe the screen quickly it doesn't prevent the phone from turning off automatically.
Unfortunately, I am not able to help you with this problem as it is fay beyond my limited knowledge of linux/android etc. However, maybe this reply will cause someone who can help you with an easy solution.
One thing that would almost certainly fix it would be to switch to one of the alternatives rom not based on the stock LG software/kernel like Cynogen Mod or Android Open Source Project, etc. Those roms use a different kernel and also a standardized version of android that is open source. So the sensor problem will likely not be an issue, however, I believe you lose either knock on or knock off functionality with Cynogen Mod, not sure which one as I am still running LG based rom.
Some people prefer the open source alternatives to the LG rom, so, you might even like it better than the LG setup. However, it will require some effort/reading to learn how to root your phone. Then to flash your particular model of G2 with a custom recovery and then to install a rom/kernel. It is not that hard though, you just have to acquire the knowledge to avoid bricking your phone by doing something foolish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the tips but i think there should be a way to disable the proximity sensor on the stock rom. If all else fail then i will try and install custom rom like the ones you mentioned.
catfish90 said:
Thanks a lot for the tips but i think there should be a way to disable the proximity sensor on the stock rom. If all else fail then i will try and install custom rom like the ones you mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it would have been a nice feature for them to include, I wonder if they just overlooked it. That being said, I'm not sure if there is anyway to do it on the stock rom. Hopefully for you it will be possible in time. Good luck!
I can confirm that CM11 is not affected. I put it in a baggy and it will still respond to all input.
zero0422 said:
I can confirm that CM11 is not affected. I put it in a baggy and it will still respond to all input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? That is good news! Sorry but im to custom roms - is aosp or paranoid android rom based on cm11? I believe those are one of the best custom roms for android. I might install one of them soon.
catfish90 said:
Really? That is good news! Sorry but im to custom roms - is aosp or paranoid android rom based on cm11? I believe those are one of the best custom roms for android. I might install one of them soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you meant AOKP? But either way, AOKP, PA, and CM are all AOSP based ROMs. Just different paths. PA has some really great features right now, but lacks a couple tiny things that keep me on CM11.
If you're looking for a no frills mostly stable ROM CM11 is probably the best choice, plus Delta updates make it pain free.
zero0422 said:
I think you meant AOKP? But either way, AOKP, PA, and CM are all AOSP based ROMs. Just different paths. PA has some really great features right now, but lacks a couple tiny things that keep me on CM11.
If you're looking for a no frills mostly stable ROM CM11 is probably the best choice, plus Delta updates make it pain free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard that people are having random reboots on CM11 - is it true? What are Delta updates?
catfish90 said:
I heard that people are having random reboots on CM11 - is it true? What are Delta updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get some here and there, nothing major. Delta updates take the nightly, and process it to pull only the changes, so you get about an 11mb update instead of a 150+ mb update. Its all in an app.
This rom solve the issue:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2582845
Very nice ROM, works perfect, better then stock
fsi09 said:
This rom solve the issue:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2582845
Very nice ROM, works perfect, better then stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, i might test it this weekend.
Working
i have a g2 d802 and i have tried the script workaround and is fine, but when i do put the phone next to my ear the screen remains on and does not go off, is this something i can chhange?
is there another workaround?
i am using Cm11
Had the same problem.
Great temporary fix: right after you unlock the screen hit the volume button once or twice. Not a permanent fix but it works for the time being.
It usually blacks back out because something is wrong with the proximity sensor next to the front camera. Either it's covered partially, dirty, a screen protector is peeling off over it, etc. I've read that some people have problems with the screen not coming back on during calls because the proximity sensor is messed up. Some said to use a high powered suction vacuum and put it up against the screen to get debris out of the cracks or simply try wiping it clean if there's something on it. Hopefully it works!
1509
Oh god, I just permanently fixed my proximity sensor \o/
So I had the issue where the proximity sensor would detect something near it, making it hard to wake up the phone (screen getting dark after half a second, as the phone thinks it's still in my pocket) or keeping the screen dark after a call.
An app displaying the proximity sensor output was showing the sensor always reporting 0cm when it's not working, and 5cm when it's fine.
If your get "no data" in a test app, then sorry you have another issue. Probably a dead sensor. If you do get the sensor always returning an obstacle at 0cm, keep reading!
I also noticed that pressing on the screen around the sensor kind of made it work. So I thought for a while my screen was slightly off, maybe slightly unglued.
But it's the opposite: it's actually the sensor that was moving a bit, thus getting too far from the screen surface - and detecting the screen as the obstacle. Just by a ridiculously small amount.
Now THE FIX:
I switched off the phone, and removed the SIM and the rear door,
I removed the 7 screws holding the top plastic plate and buttons
On the rear of that plastic plate with the buttons, there's a small soft pad that pushes on the sensor to hold it against the screen: that's your target! That pad is just a tad too thin.
I've put a very small piece of adhesive tape (I used a slightly thick double-face white tape, maybe a tenth of a millimeter) on that pad,
Then I put everything back together and... the sensor now works! All the time! And the knock-on too of course.
I can't post a picture of the pad below the button assembly. But if you look for "OEM Part - AT&T LG D800 G2 (WHITE) Rear Back Housing + Buttons + Camera Lens" on ebay, and look at the 2nd picture, the pad is the fully black rectangle on the top left, on the right of the empty black rectangle and below the half-circle small opening (probably for the light sensor).
Pic of the fix: reho.st/self/cb4a29e598652f925a19f05770b6f192b09af8f5.jpg
Sly_North said:
Oh god, I just permanently fixed my proximity sensor \o/
So I had the issue where the proximity sensor would detect something near it, making it hard to wake up the phone (screen getting dark after half a second, as the phone thinks it's still in my pocket) or keeping the screen dark after a call.
An app displaying the proximity sensor output was showing the sensor always reporting 0cm when it's not working, and 5cm when it's fine.
If your get "no data" in a test app, then sorry you have another issue. Probably a dead sensor. If you do get the sensor always returning an obstacle at 0cm, keep reading!
I also noticed that pressing on the screen around the sensor kind of made it work. So I thought for a while my screen was slightly off, maybe slightly unglued.
But it's the opposite: it's actually the sensor that was moving a bit, thus getting too far from the screen surface - and detecting the screen as the obstacle. Just by a ridiculously small amount.
Now THE FIX:
I switched off the phone, and removed the SIM and the rear door,
I removed the 7 screws holding the top plastic plate and buttons
On the rear of that plastic plate with the buttons, there's a small soft pad that pushes on the sensor to hold it against the screen: that's your target! That pad is just a tad too thin.
I've put a very small piece of adhesive tape (I used a slightly thick double-face white tape, maybe a tenth of a millimeter) on that pad,
Then I put everything back together and... the sensor now works! All the time! And the knock-on too of course.
I can't post a picture of the pad below the button assembly. But if you look for "OEM Part - AT&T LG D800 G2 (WHITE) Rear Back Housing + Buttons + Camera Lens" on ebay, and look at the 2nd picture, the pad is the fully black rectangle on the top left, on the right of the empty black rectangle and below the half-circle small opening (probably for the light sensor).
Pic of the fix: reho.st/self/cb4a29e598652f925a19f05770b6f192b09af8f5.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just want to pop in and say thanks for this fix. It really helped. :good:
proximity sensor issue
i had the same issue for my lg g2 . when i searched the internet for solution , all i got was to install proximity sensor disablers , rooting apps to disable them . i have solved the issue interms of hardware . the solution goes :
1 . go watch a youtube video of teardown of lg g2
2. in the video there will be showing a plug that connects the sensor to the circuit board.
3 . pick up a screw driver , open the casing of ur phone
4. unplug the connection between the board and the sensor
5. put everything right back
6 PROBLEMO SOLVED BAYBE
thank me
Just in case someone searched and finds this thread - the easiest way to disable the proximity sensor on any rom/kernel is to go through Xposed and this module: http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.mrchandler.disableprox
Works on 4.4, 5.0.2, Cloudy's rom, Dorimanx's kernel...
Big Thanks!!!
Sly_North said:
Oh god, I just permanently fixed my proximity sensor \o/
So I had the issue where the proximity sensor would detect something near it, making it hard to wake up the phone (screen getting dark after half a second, as the phone thinks it's still in my pocket) or keeping the screen dark after a call.
An app displaying the proximity sensor output was showing the sensor always reporting 0cm when it's not working, and 5cm when it's fine.
If your get "no data" in a test app, then sorry you have another issue. Probably a dead sensor. If you do get the sensor always returning an obstacle at 0cm, keep reading!
I also noticed that pressing on the screen around the sensor kind of made it work. So I thought for a while my screen was slightly off, maybe slightly unglued.
But it's the opposite: it's actually the sensor that was moving a bit, thus getting too far from the screen surface - and detecting the screen as the obstacle. Just by a ridiculously small amount.
Now THE FIX:
I switched off the phone, and removed the SIM and the rear door,
I removed the 7 screws holding the top plastic plate and buttons
On the rear of that plastic plate with the buttons, there's a small soft pad that pushes on the sensor to hold it against the screen: that's your target! That pad is just a tad too thin.
I've put a very small piece of adhesive tape (I used a slightly thick double-face white tape, maybe a tenth of a millimeter) on that pad,
Then I put everything back together and... the sensor now works! All the time! And the knock-on too of course.
I can't post a picture of the pad below the button assembly. But if you look for "OEM Part - AT&T LG D800 G2 (WHITE) Rear Back Housing + Buttons + Camera Lens" on ebay, and look at the 2nd picture, the pad is the fully black rectangle on the top left, on the right of the empty black rectangle and below the half-circle small opening (probably for the light sensor).
Pic of the fix: reho.st/self/cb4a29e598652f925a19f05770b6f192b09af8f5.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After almost a week trying to solve this, your answer hit right on the spot! I found it funny how the roms not based on stock LG's are not affected by this issue, but all of the LG's ones (I've tried 4 LG's stock roms and CloudyG2) so I've always assume this was a SW issue (and probably can be addressed via SW) so when I get to your answer saying that could be fix tearing the phone apart I was reluctant to do so, but as I've told you guys I was desperate. On a sidenote, the Stock JB ROM is not affected by this, but it is death slow for this times.
BTW, I've wanted to have a ROM that had the LG's camera app (any version) since the ones that came on the CM ROMs wasn't really good enough for my taste, so now I'm rocking the CloudyG2 3.2 ROM with any issues so far.
Your fix gave my phone some solid 6 more moths of life! (at least!) THANK YOU!

[Q] What mod allows you to disable the in-call proximity sensor?

Hi everyone,
Long story short, I got a used Nexus 4 off someone, everything works perfectly except the proximity sensor. During a call the screen blacks out and doesn't come back unless I hard reset the phone to hang up. I figured out it was a problem with the proximity sensor. Upon reading these forums and many other articles on Google about taking off the screen protector (which I don't have) and swapping the rubber "sensor" holder holes, I decided to open the phone up and take a look.
It appears that my phone is missing the rubber piece to hold the proximity and light sensors in place, making the sensor unusable and causing many issues with making calls. I've tried playing around with it using other peoples' suggestions and nothing has worked. I've decided to just find a way to disable the proximity sensor instead during a call, as I'll be quite satisfied with just a simple software fix.
Right now I am using Proximity Screen OFF to keep the screen on, but it drains my battery pretty hard. I was thinking to just flash my phone with a mod that allows me to turn the proximity sensor off during a call.
Any suggestions as to which mod contains this feature?
Thank you.

Disabling proximity sensor

I recently bought a 6P (yey!), so far I've enjoyed it a lot! Came from a N4 that also served quite good.
Anyways, I bought a screen protector without the cutout for the proximity sensor. So as you would guess the screen goes black after I answer a call and it is really annoying.
Is there a way to disable the "darken the screen when a call is active" or another solution without replacing the screen protector?
So far I only enabled the Hang Up power button press feature, and I don't like this solution.
Thanks in advance
The only workaround (on stock) is to enable power button to end calls in accessibility options. My toast skin and TGSP was doing this to me until I got fed up and made the cutout wider - haven't had the issue since. If you download a proximity sensor tool or test suite from Play store you'll see that the phone can't detect distances - which is why it assumes it's pressed to your face.

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