Database Info

[Q] Removing the TouchWiz Mini Apps Tray

Hi everyone. First of all, many thanks to Gary for Root. It was quick and painless.
Now that we have root, I was wondering if anyone knows what needs to be deleted in order to get rid of that pesky pop up menu you get by pressing on the Chevron/Arrow in the middle of the bar.
I have the Wizz Bar (what an unfortunate name) installed and it does the job so much better. If you're wondering what Wizz Bar is, it basically allows you to pick your own applications or commands and bind them to the little Chevron or Arrow in the middle of the Honeycomb Bar (also called the "Mini Apps Tray")
However the built in action that pops up the Task Manager/World Clock/Calculator etc also initiates. Is there some way to remove the TouchWiz Apps Tray?
Or does this require more tinkering than a simple apk deletion from system/apps

somebody9 said:
Or does this require more tinkering than a simple apk deletion from system/apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's much more involved. That aspect of touchwiz is buried somewhere in the frameworks. The last time I checked (a month ago), several people on both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 forums were looking for the same thing, but I haven't seen any good solutions.
If you find something over in one of those forums, try to get information on HOW they did it, and I'll try to reproduce it with ours.

I know with HTC phones modding such things requires the knowledge of decompiling, compling and signing apk's using apkTool or apkManager and editing smalis in notepad ++. You would have to track down which particular file contains the code and then know how to edit it to hide the taskbar. As an example just the simple task of hiding the clock in the notification bar of my HTC Incredible phone required the addition of 2 lines of code in the clock.smali file inside SystemUI.apk and the only way to get it to work was to push the file back to the phone and set permissions with adb. You couldn't just copy and paste it back in.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I actually did go look at a bunch of 10.1 and 8.9 ROMs and it looks like there may be a solution out there. I've contacted one of the ROM developers for an answer.

If someone tells you what file to edit and what lines of code to use please post it as it will be useful to the community.

You may install honeybar form market to hide/unhide the bottom bar(notification and clock as well)
Sent from my GT-P7500 using xda premium

i just tried honeybar and it doesn't work for me. I also have go launcher ex installed so not sure if it's conflicting. I see the white box for honeybar, but pressing on it multiple times does nothing (it even goes away eventually as described in the install notes).

Honeybar isn't the solution that most of us are looking for. I myself love the Honeycomb default bar. It's the Mini-Apps Tray that is entirely useless. The least that Samsung could have done was to make the shortcuts changeable by the user.
The whole point of quick access to shortcuts is to have a quick access to the applications you use the most without flipping through homescreens or going to the Apps Tray. Thanks Samsung, I really need the World Time and Calculator more than I need the Browser and Settings Panel.

somebody9 said:
Hi everyone. First of all, many thanks to Gary for Root. It was quick and painless.
Now that we have root, I was wondering if anyone knows what needs to be deleted in order to get rid of that pesky pop up menu you get by pressing on the Chevron/Arrow in the middle of the bar.
I have the Wizz Bar (what an unfortunate name) installed and it does the job so much better. If you're wondering what Wizz Bar is, it basically allows you to pick your own applications or commands and bind them to the little Chevron or Arrow in the middle of the Honeycomb Bar (also called the "Mini Apps Tray")
However the built in action that pops up the Task Manager/World Clock/Calculator etc also initiates. Is there some way to remove the TouchWiz Apps Tray?
Or does this require more tinkering than a simple apk deletion from system/apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've wondered whether there was a way to intercept the trigger that touching the chevron activates and just redirecting it to another command (such as what happens when you hit the "home" button after you've installed a home replacement). That way we wouldn't have to worry about hacking the touchwiz dock for customizing, we just replace it altogether so something else is invoked by touching the shortcut.

rEVOLVE said:
I've wondered whether there was a way to intercept the trigger that touching the chevron activates and just redirecting it to another command (such as what happens when you hit the "home" button after you've installed a home replacement). That way we wouldn't have to worry about hacking the touchwiz dock for customizing, we just replace it altogether so something else is invoked by touching the shortcut.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re-mapping the function would be more involved than just turning it off but it is possible if you know what you're doing. For HTC phones there's a mod called rosie remap which does just about the same thing but its a complicated hack. It remaps a + button on the phone that ads apps to the homescreen, the mod allows you to reassign the button so it opens any app you want. I believe this is a framework-res.apk mod. Eventually someone who is familar with touchwiz will do these mods, if they haven't already for the 8.9 or 10.1, which should all be pretty much the same.
Edit: I think the chevron function would be in the touchwiz apk located in system/app but I don't know what Samsung calls it. HTC calls their Sense UI Rosie and you mod Rosie.apk to do the remapping of their UI specific buttons. If the chevron is part of honeycomb itself then it would be in the framework-res.apk file I bbelieve.

This is good info flowing in. I'm gonna see if I can figure out some more.

On a positive note - guess what Samsung changed? Exactly what I was *****ing about :
Mini Apps : Upgraded so you can choose and edit your own Mini Apps tray. You can easily access favorite features such as Calendar, Email, or PenMemo as a pop up over full screen applications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

somebody9 said:
On a positive note - guess what Samsung changed? Exactly what I was *****ing about :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was there an update that I don't know about that allows this??? I really like the idea of the mini app tray, but like was said before, not having the ability to put your most used apps there makes it pretty useless.
Please explain how apps can now (or in the near future) be changed in the tray.
Thanks!!!

I guess until they release 7.7 we won't know. Unless there's an update out on KIES. But I really doubt it.

Confirmed:7.7 has fully customisable mini apps tray...i'm disappointed in Samsung for releasing 'premium' products in such close succession that are so different in functionality. Why did they not include this basic and important feature on all new of their new tablet products? I actually feel somewhat conned now
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

rEVOLVE said:
i just tried honeybar and it doesn't work for me. I also have go launcher ex installed so not sure if it's conflicting. I see the white box for honeybar, but pressing on it multiple times does nothing (it even goes away eventually as described in the install notes).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doesn't go launcher ex look like **** on the tab+? i installed it yesterday and when i found out that i can't remove the dock, i uninstalled it.

diospada11 said:
doesn't go launcher ex look like **** on the tab+? i installed it yesterday and when i found out that i can't remove the dock, i uninstalled it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pare, actually like it better because i don't like stock honeycomb desktop and app drawer. I set swipe up gesture to hide/unide the dock and also changed the stock dock icons.
Once we're able to customize the Touchwiz shortcuts, or hijack the launch command so we can tell it to launch something else, I'll be much happier.

For those who've not seen this function in action yet, check it out in this video at 2.05: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=tBpzweqvKJA
Surely Samsung can put this function in tab plus on an update ... and they need to. The app tray is almost functionless otherwise. The presence of this thread is sufficient evidence that there is a high demand and several unsatisfied customers. Many customers have spent over £400 on this tablet. Why did they put it onto the 7.7 which was going on sale only a few days/weeks after the tab plus?
Sent from my GT-P6210 using xda premium

Just for my two cents, I would also like to see the app tray made editable. I've only had my unit for a couple of days, and I already feel its wasted on me for what it holds. Hoping for that to change in a coming update.

somebody9 said:
On a positive note - guess what Samsung changed? Exactly what I was *****ing about :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is this "mini apps?" Did I miss something?

[APP][5.0+] CCSWE App Manager (Root/Samsung) - Honest alternative to PDP

[APP][5.0+] CCSWE App Manager (Root/Samsung)
CCSWE App Manager was designed for users who want disable applications and packages to improve performance. It also allows you to hide icons for applications they do not use without uninstalling the entire application. You can also hide icons for stock system applications which will allow you to continue to receive system updates while saving space in your application drawer.
★★ NOTE: You must have a stock Samsung device in order to use CCSWE App Manager (Samsung) ★★
★★ NOTE: You must have root access in order to use CCSWE App Manager (Root) ★★
Contact [email protected] if you have any issues. We are more than happy to offer any help we can but cannot do anything if you simply give us a low rating instead of contacting us.
★★ Features ★★
★ Clear data for any application
★ Disable services and receivers
★ Export and import package lists
★ Hide (disable) application icons without uninstalling the application
★ Home screen widget
★ Favorites list
★ Freeze (disable) applications
★ Password protection
★ Uninstall applications

Wow, thanks for this.
I think i managed to remove like 5 or 6 useless icons from my app drawer
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note using XDA Premium app

Really works and it does so fast, clean and easy. I think it's the only app available on the Play Store that actually does this WITHOUT breaking the apps.
GREAT JOB!
Wish the UI was cleaner, based on ICS design elements.
Thanks!
(Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4)

Works great. Just one thing, when I tried to hide SIM Toolkit, it makes my phone lose the signal n when it got the signal back, SIM Toolkit appear again on my app drawer.

nice
Thanx this a great work...
I'm use for hide all in unused icons.
I'm use a miui launcher a this put any icons in home this unused icons take a one more page of laucher...
This app need to go to front page of XDA....
Sent from my MB525 using XDA

Thanks for all the positive feedback. Next releases will be focused on making it easier to use (filters and status indicators).

Only navigation from maps is going back after reboot.
Btw good work.
Thanks
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

Guess I must be doing something wrong...?
Great idea, this app!
However, I don't get the option to "hide" a particular item...
All it offers for me - when long-pressing an app - is "Clear data", "Freeze" or "Uninstall"...
What am I doing wrong/missing?

androidarmin said:
Great idea, this app!
However, I don't get the option to "hide" a particular item...
All it offers for me - when long-pressing an app - is "Clear data", "Freeze" or "Uninstall"...
What am I doing wrong/missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The freeze option would allow you to hide all icons and completely disable an app but this probably isn't what you want...
Short press the app to transition into the "Details" view at which point you'll see a list of icons associated with the application. Short press the icons you want to show/hide to check them and then click the "Show/Hide Icon(s)" button to process the operation.
After hiding/showing icons some launchers will require you to reboot before they actually show/hide.

I've installed it and when I run it, It asks for root permissions, which I click allow, but then the app just sits there with the spinning circle and "Asking for root permissions" It's been like that for about 10min so I think it's stuck
On a Sony Xperia Arc, rooted gingerbread 2.3.4
Anything I can try?

mr_exit said:
Anything I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should try installing BusyBox. See if that helps.

mr_exit said:
I've installed it and when I run it, It asks for root permissions, which I click allow, but then the app just sits there with the spinning circle and "Asking for root permissions" It's been like that for about 10min so I think it's stuck
On a Sony Xperia Arc, rooted gingerbread 2.3.4
Anything I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't seen/heard of this before. My first suggestion would be to exit out and retry. If that doesn't work you can PM me here or email [email protected] (better option since it dings my phone ) and I'll try and help you resolve it.

Awesome app!
machx0r said:
Short press the app to transition into the "Details" view at which point you'll see a list of icons associated with the application. Short press the icons you want to show/hide to check them and then click the "Show/Hide Icon(s)" button to process the operation.
After hiding/showing icons some launchers will require you to reboot before they actually show/hide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew it... This app is AWESOME!!!
Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction, machx0r!
Love the app, and it works exactly as described.
Will get the $$ version for sure...
Thanks, man!

mr_exit said:
I've installed it and when I run it, It asks for root permissions, which I click allow, but then the app just sits there with the spinning circle and "Asking for root permissions" It's been like that for about 10min so I think it's stuck
On a Sony Xperia Arc, rooted gingerbread 2.3.4
Anything I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem here. I restartet the Device and it works now.

this is awesome, i've been looking for something like this since ditching non-stock launchers. Question, will uninstalling undo anything I hid? or do i need to do this before uninstalling to prevent apps from permanently being hidden? I also noticed that hiding the icons this way prevents them from showing up when searching on the Evo.

jonathan.strunk said:
Question, will uninstalling undo anything I hid? or do i need to do this before uninstalling to prevent apps from permanently being hidden?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This application modifies system settings to hide the icons or freeze applications. They will continue to be hidden/frozen after uninstalling so you should unhide them first or reinstall the application when you need to restore them.

I installed this because it sounded like it would hide the icons but still let me use the apps. I spent about 10 minutes going through my apps and hiding them.
I hid my Apex launcher and after I exited the app the system freaked the **** out going to a few other apps and then finally the default CM9 launcher when I hit the home key.
Also it doesn't highlight everything I check to be hidden in blue. So I had to go through and unhide everything just to be safe, taking another 10 minutes to sort through my app list trying to remember what I ticked off. Around 500 apps, not fun.

Scary Guy said:
I installed this because it sounded like it would hide the icons but still let me use the apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically it disables the Activity associated with the icon which does in fact make it unusable while hidden. Beyond a launcher with the capability to hide icons this is the only way to do it.
Scary Guy said:
I hid my Apex launcher and after I exited the app the system freaked the **** out going to a few other apps and then finally the default CM9 launcher when I hit the home key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For most launchers this would be fine as separate Activities are created for the "Settings" and "Launcher" functionalities. Unfortunately this is not the case with Apex launcher and I sent them an email a while back suggesting a change.
In general care should be taken while hiding launchers and system apps (titles in red). Maybe I should do something more than just the red text to indicate caution should be taken. Maybe a warning prompt with an option to disable it for those that like to live dangerously ;-)
Scary Guy said:
Also it doesn't highlight everything I check to be hidden in blue. So I had to go through and unhide everything just to be safe, taking another 10 minutes to sort through my app list trying to remember what I ticked off. Around 500 apps, not fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I haven't heard of this issue but will definitely look into it. The Activities (icon rows) are not cached and are loaded when you enter the details screen so they should represent the current state (ie: blue = hidden).
In the next few days I'll be putting out an updated release that will contain filtering which would have made it easier to locate what you hid. Sorry for your troubles.

Just uploaded version 1.0.5. Only change is to filter Apex Launcher from the list of available applications since it doesn't like being hidden. As always shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll be more than happy to help.

I assume that pretty much any launcher is going to react the same way if it's the active launcher and you're hiding it.
Anyway thanks for the quick response.

[Q] Google Play Services

When I checked my Galaxy's file manager to uninstall an app, I suddenly saw "Google Play Services" installed. a 3.15 mb app. What is this for? I read on the market it is automatically installed? But, I didn't see any updates on my notification bar to install this, it just popped on my file manager.. I uninstalled it, but it installed again without any notification for it to be installed... please see attachment to see what im talking about guys.. Thankz!

I think that the 3.15MB file is the latest version of Google Play. It NEVER alerts you when it is downloading, updating, or complete. So just to let you know, it is likely to update again. If you are in GPlay at the time, it will force close with no warning.
That is not a defect in the app, but that is simply how it behaves. I flash many roms weekly, and sometimes daily, and this behavior is common among ALL fresh installs of any rom.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G
_____________________________
Current Rom: Deck's ICS -7.09.12 build (flashed with Google Now)
_____________________________
Main GB Rom - MikG 3.11
Anthrax kernel (I don't remember which version)
Main ICS Rom - Deck's ICS - 7.09.12 build
Mason kernel 0.1.5sbc RC
______________________________

I received this envelope icon on my notification bar and it isn't my gmail, when i scrolled down my status bar i saw the envelope and had some Chinese words next to it. is this an ad or spam? how would i solve this annoyance? I installed some apps yesterday and deleted them hoping this envelope notification would go away. This envelope only appears when i switch on my wifi. I also sometimes get this folder titled "ppy_cross" and sometimes some random numbered folder. Even if i delete these 2 folders, sometimes it woud return when my wifi is on.. I also read that Go launcher apps such as themes and keyboard skins have airpush ads, could this be true because i do have Go Launcher, and I had that chinese envelope thing on my notification bar, could this have any relation?

Hmm...can't really tell with the Go Launcher issue. I never had this problem, but I do get the Airpush ads with Go launcher and its products installed. Did you try a XDA or Google search for ppy_cross? That might yield the best results, if any.
Could also be spam that filtered through from somewhere

Google play services is some app to better unify and use Google plus and +1s I believe. Something to that extent.
I got it too, useless for me but WHATEVS
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium

Just a quick note. Has anyone looked at what this google play services actually has access to.. basically it can take almost total control of your phone..

I froze it with titanium backup and nothing happened.

[Q] How to add a specific app to the multiwindow bar vs a random app

Ok, I apologize as I know the answer is somewhere in XDA (I saw it once), but for the life of me I cannot find it via XDA's search function or google. Apparently bad search fu today.
I'm running a custom ROM that has all apps enabled for multi-window use. Which is great. But the problem is when I choose an application that is not on the first screen of apps, it will choose one from the first page instead (in I think roughly the same location of the screen). The only "work around" I've been able to deduce is on the first screen (w/o scrolling), drag the bottom right app into the multiwindow bar. Then remove it fro there. This will shift the apps up by one spot. Then repeat this until you get the app you want.
This becomes annoying when the app you want is towards the bottom of the list.
Anyone know of a better way of doing this? I recall this same issue on my S2, but perhaps I didn't have any many apps installed so it wasn't such a big deal.
Thanks
John

[Q] Hide and password protect a specific app!

Looking for an app that allows me to hide an app (Lets call it "Q") from the system, maybe in such a way that it doesnt appear to be installed either, is this possible? (i have root).
And I also want to password protect Q, all password protectors i find just popup a screen with a enter password-request whenever Q is opened, but Q is very clearly visible with its contents on the multitasking menu of the Galaxy S5, and this isnt good enough.
Its would also be a bonus if the app will not allow itself to be un-installed.
I want real security on this application. Military style. Willing to pay for it.
Does anyone have any tips?

As for app locking, I'd highly recommend AppLocker. Very secure, very reliable, just plain good all around.
As for app hiding, I'm not aware of any apps that do this. However, if you'd like to have it available on your homescreen, many custom launchers (like ADW) offer app shortcut label and icon changing. For example, I use ADW Launcher with the Minimalist theme, and I have my email app password-protected and labelled "Light Bulb" with an illuminated light bulb as the custom icon.
Hope this helps! And if it does, don't forget a thanky!

Get Hide it pro from play store. It has an option to hide apps using root and it won't even show up under Apps in settings.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smartanuj.hideitpro

thenookieforlife3 said:
As for app locking, I'd highly recommend AppLocker. Very secure, very reliable, just plain good all around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately AppLocker is the first app i tried out. This just pops up a window infront of the screen whenever it notices that Q is open, but it doesnt really help when the recent apps list is up, all the contents are easily visible from the menu :/
When it comes to hiding Q, I was hoping i could make it dissapear from the "Installed applications" list in settings->Applications menu.
If someone steals the phone from me, they are not supposed to be able to find out that this particular app is installed.
Its already hidden from app drawer and is password protected. But if anyone checks the list of actually installed applications, it shows up there, and it also shows up in recent apps list. I want it to vanish