(How To) disable softkeys/ Home Button - Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2, 10.1, 8.4 General

So I found it really annoying when watching Netflix and accidentally hitting back or recent apps softkeys. Which pauses or exits out of movie everytime I do. Because of placement of soft keys (Navigation buttons) on Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4. (Which is where I hold the tab in landscape)
So I found a way to disable back/ recent apps and Home buttons. Temporarily
Settings /Device /Accessibility
Scroll to very bottom
Enable interaction control
Use volume down and home at same time to enable
Uncheck all checkboxes
Now soft keys (Navigation buttons) and home are disabled.
Usefully when watching a movie and holding with your hand on softkeys.
(Have to disable multi window to enable this feature)
If helped, thanks would be appreciated.

trevor7428 said:
So I found it really annoying when watching Netflix and accidentally hitting back or recent apps softkeys. Which pauses or exits out of movie everytime I do. Because of placement of soft keys (Navigation buttons) on Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4. (Which is where I hold the tab in landscape)
So I found a way to disable back/ recent apps and Home buttons. Temporarily
Settings /Device /Accessibility
Scroll to very bottom
Enable interaction control
Use volume down and home at same time to enable
Uncheck all checkboxes
Now soft keys (Navigation buttons) and home are disabled.
Usefully when watching a movie and holding with your hand on softkeys.
(Have to disable multi window to enable this feature)
If helped, thanks would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to do this on the demo units in Best Buy but I couldn't get it to work. Could it be the demo software they had on it?

dimcorner said:
I tried to do this on the demo units in Best Buy but I couldn't get it to work. Could it be the demo software they had on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly idk? Works on mine. Sometimes tablets/ TV have a retail firmware on them which isn't the same as what you take home. So could be possible

This worked for me.
http://brandtkrueger.wordpress.com/...ation-buttons-on-the-galaxy-s3-requires-root/
Home key had to be disabled in both of the below locations. This completely disables the hardware keys so make sure to enable the on screen keys first.
Note: The onscreen keys don't show up in landscape mode for some reason so I use LMT launcher for the few times I need navigation keys in landscape.
Generic.kl
gpio-keys.kl
Sent from my SM-T320 using xda app-developers app

kirbo20 said:
This worked for me.
http://brandtkrueger.wordpress.com/...ation-buttons-on-the-galaxy-s3-requires-root/
Home key had to be disabled in both of the below locations. This completely disables the hardware keys so make sure to enable the on screen keys first.
Note: The onscreen keys don't show up in landscape mode for some reason so I use LMT launcher for the few times I need navigation keys in landscape.
Generic.kl
gpio-keys.kl
Sent from my SM-T320 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone know how to disable the back light on the capacitive keys? I've been able to disable the buttons from functioning and I've got LMT launcher installed but I'd really like to stop them from lighting up if possible.

The only thing that stops me from buying the tab pro 8.4 at the moment are the hardware keys. I am used to on screen buttons and as I can see in some review-videos and as some of you already mentioned, if you hold the tablet in landscape you could accidentally come in touch with the capacitive keys or the home button. Therefore I am very interested in how you can handle the tab pro 8.4 with hardware-keys disabled and on screen keys enabled. Can anyone share some screenshots how it looks like?
kirbo20 said:
Note: The onscreen keys don't show up in landscape mode for some reason so I use LMT launcher for the few times I need navigation keys in landscape.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So at the moment there is no way to have googles on screen buttons in landscape mode?

I use xposed additions to remap buttons from single click to long press on my son's 8.4 since he kept accidentally hitting buttons and getting frustrated. Not exactly what you are looking for but it has helped us here. Take a look at button Savior on the play store as well. You could use xposed additions to disable buttons and then use button Savior buttons.
Sent from my Galaxy Note Pro 12 using Tapatalk

Related

Switching between portrait <-> landscape

Hi forum
Where can i manually switch between portrait and landscape mode? In WinMobile 2002 there was an icon on the bottom bar that did rotate the screen by 90 degrees. But i don't see it anymore. I don't want to pull out the qwerty keyboard everytime i want to switch to landscape mode. Tanks in advance.
Setting - System - Screen
You are able to assign the screen rotation to a hardware key. So it is only one click to rotate the screen
danielham
But this works only for the left and right softkey..if i need thoose i cant rotate, right?
nurps said:
But this works only for the left and right softkey..if i need thoose i cant rotate, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use AEBPlus - as far as im aware it is freeware. When I used it I found that it had a very low memory footprint and didnt slow windows down at all (in comparison with say Voice Command). AEBPlus enables you to assign anything to any button, including different states of button press (ie short press, long press, double press). For example I used the camera button half push (which normally controls auto focus) for rotating the screen. If you dont wanna loose your softkeys you could could have single press as softkey, double press as rotate screen have fun!
the problem is that Aeb turns the screen full 360 degrees in 4 steps (starting in the wrong direction)..while the native experia rotate only does the 2 settings you get when you slide it open..which i like more
how assign rotation (Setting-system-screen) to a leftkey
Did you ever get an answer to this? I too would like to know how to assign the landscape/portrait switch to a soft key.
Thanks,
Ian
completelyhis said:
Did you ever get an answer to this? I too would like to know how to assign the landscape/portrait switch to a soft key.
Thanks,
Ian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Softkeys are the two silver looking buttons below the screen.
Too change, go to Start > Settings > Buttons > Select either "Left key" or "Right key" and assign "<Rotate Screen>" via the dropdown menu below.
nurps said:
the problem is that Aeb turns the screen full 360 degrees in 4 steps (starting in the wrong direction)..while the native experia rotate only does the 2 settings you get when you slide it open..which i like more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go to Options -> Screen Orientation and select only 0 and 270 degrees, it will work like you want.
superweijie said:
Softkeys are the two silver looking buttons below the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure softkeys are the functions shown on the bottom of the screen. The two silver buttons are called left and right button usually I guess.
Often those keys will press the corresponding softkey, but they can be programmed to do other things with software like AEB+.
My bad, I meant left/right key. I do know the difference, I just had not had my coffee yet. thanks for the info!

[Q] about cm7's status bar

hmm, how 's the way i should ask.....forgive my language not so well......
my problem is: when i full screen for gaming, the cm7's status bar will hide down, and when i want to exit the game but the game dont have exit button. i dont know how to get back the status bar (back) from hidden.......
and every times exit the game i have to press on/off button and release the ram memory by 360* (*a widget from china made anti virus) then the game will erase and exit.
Install a app such a zmooth. It puts a little touchpad at the bottom of your screen, where you can use 3 gestures for home, menu and back. Works in all windows, such as fullscreen games or apps.
Takenover83 said:
Install a app such a zmooth. It puts a little touchpad at the bottom of your screen, where you can use 3 gestures for home, menu and back. Works in all windows, such as fullscreen games or apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx to you~!!! dude, it's working~
Menu> settings> cyanogenmod settings> tablet tweaks> disable fullscreen
Choose the other softbuttons you want here too, like a home button on the notification bar!
Otherwise, choose power buttons menu and add a back button... Home button is on the power screen by default.
sladehawke said:
Menu> settings> cyanogenmod settings> tablet tweaks> disable fullscreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be aware that disabling fullscreen may cause UI issues on some games and apps where the controls and text get mashed together. Real Racing 2 on mine had the controls and menu selections all mashed up on top of each other until I re-enabled fullscreen.
Another way is to add back button to power button settings
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
I really like this here https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smart.swkey for a few reasons. I can have it almost completely hidden (I watch a lot of videos and want the least amount of distraction) and you can also long press on them (which also works with cm's mods) so if you have the option set to kill foreground app via long pressing back button, it will work with button savoir, another example would be... I have holding menu button hides/shows the status bar via cm settings, that works with button savoir (actually that does not even work with cm's built in soft keys) I'm thinking about buying the license key so i can remove/customize the buttons but I haven't yet. I'm kinda holding out for cm 9/ICS. My experience with the unstable builds are that navigation is very well done and I might not feel the need for any third party navigation method.
foxdog66 said:
I really like this here https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smart.swkey for a few reasons. I can have it almost completely hidden (I watch a lot of videos and want the least amount of distraction) and you can also long press on them (which also works with cm's mods) so if you have the option set to kill foreground app via long pressing back button, it will work with button savoir, another example would be... I have holding menu button hides/shows the status bar via cm settings, that works with button savoir (actually that does not even work with cm's built in soft keys) I'm thinking about buying the license key so i can remove/customize the buttons but I haven't yet. I'm kinda holding out for cm 9/ICS. My experience with the unstable builds are that navigation is very well done and I might not feel the need for any third party navigation method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be my choice as well yes, I've had it running on my KF since day one. Havn't bought a license key more for the fact that the only time I need it is when I need a back or menu button from within a fullscreen app

Multitask button on Nav Bar

Looked around and didn't see this being brought up. Is there away to out the multitasking app instead of the menu button and bring back the 3 dot menu button back in apps? Hate freaking menu buttons and having to long press the home.
I remember figuring out a way to add software nav buttons on an S4 manually by editing some lines in the system but since the soft nav bar is already present I don't think that would work. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
Root, and there's a few nav bar replacements in the play store that autohide as well.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
saywhat4118 said:
Looked around and didn't see this being brought up. Is there away to out the multitasking app instead of the menu button and bring back the 3 dot menu button back in apps? Hate freaking menu buttons and having to long press the home.
I remember figuring out a way to add software nav buttons on an S4 manually by editing some lines in the system but since the soft nav bar is already present I don't think that would work. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you, I think its stupid to have a dedicated menu button when android already has this covered.
The apps the poster above is speaking of does not fix this issue as it also hides the buttons, which is just dumb. Just be patient, I'm sure we will have a fix soon!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
This may be my only gripe about this phone, I have tried several of the options, but you have to hide it or tour home screen icons in the dock get lost.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
While using the Note 2 I was able to go to the (root) system file and mess with the nav bar. Im going to play with this in a few. I'll report back.
jmill75 said:
While using the Note 2 I was able to go to the (root) system file and mess with the nav bar. Im going to play with this in a few. I'll report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the S4 I was able to manually add the On screen nav buttons with a line of code. Default android soft buttons are back home and multitask LG edited that to the menu button which is annoying. Let me know what you find. I'm going to try some stuff my self
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
While I would like to have a dedicated multitasking button, I don't think the menu button is a waste or stupid. There are still numerous apps that don't adhere to Google's new rules for a software menu button and they result in a black bar on the screen. LG dodged this by adding a dedicated software menu button. If you want to see how annoying it is, just pick up an HTC One (or DNA, or One X) and it will make more sense. What they did is emulate the Optimus G Pro (and Samsung's Touchwiz) with software buttons to give the same feel (hold home for multitasking, back and menu). I see why they did it. But yeah, it would be nice if they'd add an option for a multitasking button as either a fourth option or in place of the menu. It would certainly make more sense than the notification shade toggle.
greyhulk said:
While I would like to have a dedicated multitasking button, I don't think the menu button is a waste or stupid. There are still numerous apps that don't adhere to Google's new rules for a software menu button and they result in a black bar on the screen. LG dodged this by adding a dedicated software menu button. If you want to see how annoying it is, just pick up an HTC One (or DNA, or One X) and it will make more sense. What they did is emulate the Optimus G Pro (and Samsung's Touchwiz) with software buttons to give the same feel (hold home for multitasking, back and menu). I see why they did it. But yeah, it would be nice if they'd add an option for a multitasking button as either a fourth option or in place of the menu. It would certainly make more sense than the notification shade toggle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main reason I did not get the One was because of the stupid buttons. First not on screen and second only 2 buttons.
I do think it will only be a matter of time until someone makes a zip to add the recent button back. Wish I knew how
saywhat4118 said:
Looked around and didn't see this being brought up. Is there away to out the multitasking app instead of the menu button and bring back the 3 dot menu button back in apps? Hate freaking menu buttons and having to long press the home.
I remember figuring out a way to add software nav buttons on an S4 manually by editing some lines in the system but since the soft nav bar is already present I don't think that would work. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my solution to this after 2 days of fiddling with the phone and trying EVERYTHING actually turned out for the better. The setup I have is using GMD gesture control for my buttons and auto hide navbar to have the navbar gone. This app let's you slide certain regions of the screen and trigger different conditions. I have no buttons at all on my screen and have slide functions that work perfect exactly where the Normal buttons would go. Slide up on the left is menu, slide in middle is home, and slide in right is recent apps. My back button is set by my thumb and it works out much better than I could have hoped.
kurofox23? said:
So my solution to this after 2 days of fiddling with the phone and trying EVERYTHING actually turned out for the better. The setup I have is using GMD gesture control for my buttons and auto hide navbar to have the navbar gone. This app let's you slide certain regions of the screen and trigger different conditions. I have no buttons at all on my screen and have slide functions that work perfect exactly where the Normal buttons would go. Slide up on the left is menu, slide in middle is home, and slide in right is recent apps. My back button is set by my thumb and it works out much better than I could have hoped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I'm going to try this.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
Apps that have their own 3-dot menu
Thanks for the research on this topic. Does anyone know if the GMD app allows an app to retain its 3-dot menu functionality? I've encountered several apps that won't work with the G2's menu softkey preventing you from accessing the app's options.
thanks in advance!

[Q] Enable Onscreen Menu Button

I have rooted my Note 3 and remapped the navigation buttons to match the galaxy nexus I came from. Now that I don't have the menu button is there a way (maybe in the build.prop) to enable the onscreen menu button? If not is there a way to enable all onscreen navigation buttons for the note 3? I tried the "qemu.hw.mainkeys=0" approach but it caused system ui to crash. Thanks.
Looking for this as well. Got the same UI crash when adding that kind.
Why would you want to when we have hardware buttons?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk now Free
Gvaz said:
Why would you want to when we have hardware buttons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remapped my hardware buttons to match my galaxy nexus onscreen buttons (from left to right: Back, Home, Recent Apps). As you can see I don't have a menu button mapped. A lot of apps have the menu button in the UI but it doesn't show up if your device thinks it has a hardware menu button. So what I am looking for is a way to tell android that I do not have a hardware menu button. Thanks.
could you keep us updated if you find anything? could you make a quick tutorial how you were able to remap the buttons, or does it work exactly like on the s3:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34848407
smoothjeff said:
could you keep us updated if you find anything? could you make a quick tutorial how you were able to remap the buttons, or does it work exactly like on the s3:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34848407
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it looks like it is exactly the same. Wish I could have found that guide when I was searching lol.
Do the correct icons appear to the right and left of the home button with this mod?
chhaggerty said:
Do the correct icons appear to the right and left of the home button with this mod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not. I just turned the touch key lights off in display settings.
Has anyone figured this out yet?

home button alternative?

i tend to use stylus a lot and i can even use it on soft key buttons which is great, i always want to use home button function without pressing the actual button. Is there a motion gesture or anything similar that would allow me to go to home screen?
Basically i would like to avoid pressing the home button with finger all the time.
vadimo said:
i tend to use stylus a lot and i can even use it on soft key buttons which is great, i always want to use home button function without pressing the actual button. Is there a motion gesture or anything similar that would allow me to go to home screen?
Basically i would like to avoid pressing the home button with finger all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try button saviour
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smart.swkey.nonroot&hl=en
or you can use the one included in the note, just go settings and then accessibility, in there just activate the assistant menu it's pretty good
Sent from my SM-N900 using xda app-developers app
vadimo said:
i tend to use stylus a lot and i can even use it on soft key buttons which is great, i always want to use home button function without pressing the actual button. Is there a motion gesture or anything similar that would allow me to go to home screen?
Basically i would like to avoid pressing the home button with finger all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use swipe home button. Works perfectly with Spen. Just set sensitivity to large inside its settings if it is not that responsive.
thanks guys i liked the samsung accessibility one but i thought it was too laggy to open up and then its always floating
i then found perfect simple app called 'Home Button', its always in notifications and you simply click it
Try floating toucher on google play.
Gmd pen gestures. You create the gestures you need for whatever functions. I've got press pen button swipe down for notifications and up for home..

Categories

Resources