Button Savior is a software button simulation App. You can use it to display a sidebar style panel with most buttons that you can find on your phone such: Back, Task, Home, Menu, Search, Vol, Camera, Call, Power, and Direction Key.
Google is now enforcing dev from modifying SElinux policy. In attempt to satisfy the new change, I have no modified my code to run without needing to modify SELinux. It works well on my devices. If your device is Kitkat or Lollipop, please help me to test if SWkey81beta.apk works on your device? Thanks in advanced for your help.
[Introduction]
If you have a phone with broken hardware keys, or you want to remove the system NAV bar from Nexus devices to expand screen useable size, or you find the hardware keys on your phone are too hard to reach with one hand, or you can find keys at night, then Button Savior is just for you to remedy your pain points.
When I developed Button Savior, I personally didn't believe keys would break. Three years have passed since my first release, I got more and more compliment from users by both email or Playstore comment saying my App saved them from having a phone with broken keys. SO KEYS DO BREAK regardless its capacitive or mechanical type.
[New in V2]
☆ Ability to hide bottom navigational bar by enabling immersive mode
☆ Ability to go full screen by enabling full screen mode
☆ Native Android Holo style UI
☆ Powerful and customizable Pop Control
☆ Direction key support
☆ HD quality graphics
☆ Adjustable swipe trigger area
☆ Android Kitkat support
☆ Add action support to send arbitrary key code
☆ Add action support to open any URL
☆ Add action support to launch any App or shortcut
☆ Add action support to media play back keys
[Features]
☆ Enable/Disable bottom navigational bar on demand.
☆ Enable/Disable full screen mode on demand.
☆ Pop Control that supports action to perform arbitrary key action, app/shortcut launch, and open any URL
☆ Hover control supported for automatic Software Button visibility control with mouse or Samsung S-Pen
☆ Free floatable trigger icon
☆ Swipe to show Button Savior panel from both sides
☆ Long press on power key to show up reboot menu
☆ Simulates 'Home' 'Back' 'Search' 'Back' 'Recent Task' 'Screen Off' 'Volume', 'Directional Key'
☆ Can set to always open or auto hide based on user customizable timer
☆ Two types of trigger action to choose from (Gesture trigger and Click trigger)
☆ Added Camera key and Call key simulation
☆ Customizable trigger position
☆ Also provides themese to support e-ink display
☆ Can change it to one click mode for super fast button action in option
☆ Can create shortcut action such as call someone or go to bookmark on Call or Camera keys. (With PRO)
[Not Root?]
☆ Home key is supported
☆ Power key is supported
☆ Volume key is supported
☆ Camera key is supported
☆ Call key is supported
[Download Link]
Playstore - Get Button Savior (Root)
[6-Apr-2015 V2.1.6 beta swkey81beta.apk]
Made Button Savior work without SELinux modification
Some bug fix.
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Click to collapse
[7-Jun-2014 V2.0.1 swkey73.apk]
Added immersive mode toggle in pop control
Added full screen mode toggle in pop control
Fixed trigger icon placement when device is in full screen mode
Fixed USB debug message
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Click to collapse
[6-Jan-2014 V2.0.1 swkey72.apk]
Added a new button to show Pop Control that can perform additional actions
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Click to collapse
[2-Dec-2013 V1.9.0 swkey69.apk]
Implemented hover control to control visibility of Button Savior with events of hover enter and hover exit on trigger icon, trigger are, and software buttons.
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Click to collapse
[9-Jul-2013 V1.8.0]
Implemented a feature to show up reboot menu when virtual power key is pressed. Next step is to bring up Google Now on swiping up on home key.
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Click to collapse
[4-Jul-2013 V1.8.0]
I will now come back to maintain this thread from today. I am now gradually upgrading Button Savior to V2 since last month. Today, I added a long awaited feature, D-Pad support. To use it, just press and hold your finger on D-Pad button and move your finger slightly to the direction you want to go. Its that simple.
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[21-Feb-2012 V1.4.0]
I updated main UI to modern Android UI in this version. Also added experimental Kitkat fix. If you are still having problem to use it with kitkat, plea reply to the thread with model of your device. Thank you.
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[7-Feb-2012]
Sorry for not maintaing my thread for such a long time. I just released an update version, V1.3.2, to Market today with new features to show native Android recent task dialog (if you have it in system) on home key long press. So Button Savior now supports ICS and HC much better now.
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[1-Sept-2011]
Thanks to XDA member OMGWTF_BBQ, now Button Savior supports E-INK display properly with newly designed high contract theme. Please refer to this post for more detail [ORIGINAL POST]
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[30-Jun-2011]
I published a similar app like this one but it is for clipboard management in windows office style. Read this post for more detail Everywhere Clip official XDA news
Beside than my new app, I also updated Button Savior today and brought back power off option on non root devices. But it is not yet widely tested on all kind of phones, so not sure it will work. If it doesn't please feedback.
If you want to include your own theme to my app, please send me png files with clicked and unclicked states altogether. I will add screen off button soon. So it is good idea to send me screen off picture too. [email protected]
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Thanks xda member, bpk, who contributed his recently announced SWkey source code to public so that I have chance to learn what command shell to use to simulate keys. I only spent a morning to come out this draft but still functional. Hope you guys like it. I will eventually polish it up a bit and publish it on Market. By the way, I want to call this app, Button Savior. haha
If you have used my app, Smart Taskbar, then you should already know how to activate the sidebar style SWkey panel. If you don't, then just look carefully for an Orange circle at the right end of your screen. Click on it to trigger SWKey panel.
I basically used built in shell command 'keyevent input' learned from bpk's key simulation hack with a streamlined version of my Smart Taskbar together to come out this one. Feel free to comment
[Installation] ***** Root required*****
(1) install the apk
(2) When you click any of the 4 buttons first time(except close), you need to grant Button Savior root access. It happens only to your first ever button click.
[FAQ]
1. Why menu, search, back don't work on my device?
Ans: Make sure your device is rooted. Make sure your USB debug mode is on. Make sure you have granted superuser right to button savior. After you have done all three steps, reboot your device and restart Button Savior.
Did it ask you for root permissions? If not, go into SuperUser and check to see if the binary is up to date. If it isn't then update it. After that, try to open Button Savior and see if it asks for root permissions. If it doesn't then go into Manage Applications and clear data on this app and try again.
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2. Why I can't uninstall Button Savior ? (Shows uninstalled unsuccessful)
Ans: Because you have Enabled screen lock. In order to uninstall, please go to /settings/location and security/device admin/ and remove button savior from the list.
thanks, will try and feedback
works great, but is there an option to make it app launcher and customized?
thanks
Fantastic app mate! Is properly what I'm searching for....
Thank you
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
thank you thank you thank you..
nice man, thank. button savior especially for hd2 xD
btw, can polish abit the interface to more nice looking?
Only home and close button worked for me.
XDAndroid
fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you
fmedrano1977 said:
Only home and close button worked for me.
XDAndroid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure ur phone is rooted and have granted root priviliage to Button Savior
jerryfan2000 said:
Thanks xda member, pbk, who contributed his recently announced SWkey source code to public so that I have chance to finish my sidebar style alternative. I only spent a morning to come out this draft but still functional. Hope you guys like it. I will eventually polish it up a bit and publish it on Market. By the way, I want to call this app, Button Savior. haha
[Installation] ***** Root required*****
(1) install the apk
(2) When you click any of the 4 buttons first time(except close), you need to grant Button Savior root access. It happens only to your first ever button click.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's near perfect !
Can you please add a configuration to it to??
- Choosing theme (I want darker buttons)
- Choosing what side of screen it will be at. For easy one hand (left/right) access.
- What about hapatic feedback?
I'll rate this as 4.5 stars already now. Without connection to the hardware buttons saving.
perfect!! really usefull.. best app I ever use.. great job man..
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Thaaaanks you so much for sharing kind sir...
been searching for this kind of app, works really great...
Nice job, thanks for this app.
I am already using Smart Taskbar.
Will test how they work together. SmartTaskbar on the left, Button Savior on the right.
woot!!! finally...prayers for soft keys has been answered
thank you!!!
THANK YOU!!! i love it!!
It would've be perfect if it was at the bottom in portrait mode. I love it to the side in land scape though. And If i may suggest, can you make the buttons highlight a little when you press on them?
Other than that, absolutely fantastic job!!!
love it
i'd like to have a try.
i use smart taskbar on milestone and it works perfectly.
love it, and the man
哈哈～～～
Completely........ perfect. Nice job mate. Very convenient. And I get to haze a search button. Now to train my hand to stay off the hard keys.
It can't hold home button open multitasking but it good app, i hope you update it....thanks so much
fmedrano1977 said:
Only home and close button worked for me.
XDAndroid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here......
I have granted root access the first time I pressed a button
jerryfan2000 said:
Make sure ur phone is rooted and have granted root priviliage to Button Savior
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do I make sure phone is rooted? Is it build specific? Kernel?
XDAndroid
Hi Jerryfan2000,
great work!!
Furthermore look here for some inspiration...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=841559
Regards...
Hi all,
Have had my (Australian) Tab for almost 6 months and love it (even if I am an iPhone user atm). One annoyance was that Android doesn't seem to have an easy-to-use software control for music (like the multitasking bar in iOS). Sure, I could use lock-screen controls or home screen widgets, but then I have to leave my current app.
You can try using ButtonRemapper, but the Tab doesn't really have too many hardware buttons to go remapping. If you're looking for an easy way to control your media without headset controls and without leaving your current app, try this:
1. Download SwipePad Beta from the Market (its free!) and set it up with whatever hot zones you want.
2. Download Media Keys from the Market and install.
3. Now, hold on a shortcut in SwipePad (to edit it), select shortcuts and select Media Keys.
Now you can choose any of Android's media keys in whatever layout you want, all without leaving your current app.
I found it pretty handy as someone who doesn't own many headphones with headset controls.
Does anyone know where to find out all the shortcuts you can do with an external keyboard on Android 4.0? Things like the back button, home screen, etc. Thank.
Thread Necromancy, I know, but this is a serious question that remains unanswered. Here's the most info I've found:
Rootzwiki User Gr8gorilla posted a list of shortcuts that work with his Targus Bluetooth Keyboard (I'm editing the list for formatting, and adding more as I find them.)
ESC: Back (woo!)
Targus FN + F* keys: (edit: These only work with the specific model of Targus keyboard. Your FN key may only perform functions as labelled, test it to verify)
FN+F1: Search
FN+F8: play/pause music
FN+F7: Skip Prev
FN+F9: Skip Next
FN+F11: Volume -
FN+F12: Volume +
FN+ESC: Wallpaper, manage apps, system settings.
Alt+Tab - recent apps, task switcher (WOO!)
CTRL + Alpha keys:
Ctrl+A: Market (edit: this opens the "add to home screen" menu for me)
Ctrl+P: Settings
Ctrl+W: Wallpaper
Ctrl+M: Apps
In Browser: (edit: these work in other apps too, if they apply)
Ctrl+B: Bookmarks
Ctrl+A: Select all
Ctrl+C: Copy
Ctrl+V: Paste
Ctrl+W: Close current tab
Ctrl+T: Open new tab
Command/Windows button + : (edit: these commands work from anywhere, even in other apps)
Win+E: Launch Default Email App (brings up a choice dialog if necessary)
Win+A: Launch Calculator.apk
Win+S: Launch Messaging.apk (SMS App)
Win+C: Launch Contacts
Win+B: Launch Browser.apk (not your default browser, unfortunately)
Win+P: Launch Music.apk (not your default music player, unfortunately)
Win+L: Launch Calendar
Win+M: Launch Google Maps
From my own experience: the above work, other than the Targus-specific ones. I've tested them all. I'm looking for more, especially ways to activate "HOME", "MENU" and to open/close the notification drawer.
Also, you can edit your /system/usr/keylayout/qwerty.kl to change which key codes sent by the bluetooth keyboard activate various functions. This would be a rather involved hack, and may be specific to your hardware. Doing it wrong could compromise your ability to use your software keyboard. Also, it would be replaced whenever you flash a ROM, and possibly some smaller updates as well. Here's a guide to hacking keyboard layouts, though it's a bit old, and I haven't tested it. DO AT YOUR OWN RISK, but post your results either way!
I'm looking for a way to enable the Android SDK Emulator Shortcut Keys on real devices. It would give us that which we're missing.
Ctrl+W and Ctrl+T
In the stock browser:
Ctrl+W - closes the current tab
Ctrl+T - opens a new tab
There may be more of these that are similar to chrome shortcuts but those are the only two I really use.
erupe said:
In the stock browser:
Ctrl+W - closes the current tab
Ctrl+T - opens a new tab
There may be more of these that are similar to chrome shortcuts but those are the only two I really use.
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Click to collapse
Tested to verify. Works in Chrome as well. Added to the list above!
Thanks for coming up with that list. Really appreciate it.
I'd just like to clarify something: using an app called KeyEvent Display, free on Google Play, you can verify that Android is actually receiving keystrokes from your keyboard. I've tested every key on my keyboard, and found that they correspond exactly with /system/usr/keylayout/Generic.kl (fn key excluded, because that's handled by the keyboard itself, not passed to the OS).
I think the Android Framework doesn't know what to do with:
F-Keys
Mute
wow nice one.
I'd like to point everyone's attention to the newest addition in my suite of Android remote desktop applications. The first two being bVNC and aRDP, which as the name implies are a VNC viewer and an RDP client. The new app is called aSPICE, and yes, you guessed it, it's the FIRST SPICE protocol client on Google Play.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iiordanov.aSPICE
The current list of features:
- Control any SPICE-enabled qemu virtrual machine with ANY guest OS.
- Multi-touch control over the remote mouse. One finger tap left-clicks, two-finger tap right-clicks, and three-finger tap middle-clicks
- Right and middle-dragging if you don't lift the first finger that tapped
- Scrolling with a two-finger drag
- Pinch-zooming
- Dynamic resolution changes, allowing you to reconfigure your desktop while connected, and control over virtual machines from BIOS to OS
- Full rotation support. Use the central lock rotation on your device to disable rotation
- Multi-language support
- Full mouse support on Android 4.0+
- Full desktop visibility even with soft keyboard extended
- SSH tunneling for added security or to reach machines behind a firewall.
- UI Optimizations for different screen sizes (for tablets and smartphones)
- Samsung multi-window support
- SSH public/private (pubkey) support
- Importing encrypted/unencrypted RSA keys in PEM format, unencrypted DSA keys in PKCS#8 format
- Automatic connection session saving
- Zoomable, Fit to Screen, and One to One scaling modes
- Two Direct, one Simulated Touchpad, and one Single-handed input modes
- Long-tap to get a choice of clicks, drag modes, scroll, and zoom in single-handed input mode
- Stowable on-screen Ctrl/Alt/Tab/Super and arrow keys
- Sending ESC key using the "Back" button of your device
- Ability to use D-pad for arrows, and to rotate D-pad for some bluetooth keyboards
- Minimum zoom fits screen, and snaps to 1:1 while zooming
- FlexT9 and hardware keyboard support
- Available on-device help on creating a new connection in the Menu when setting up connections
- Available on-device help on available input modes in the Menu when connected
- Tested with Hackerskeyboard. Using it is recommended (get hackers keyboard from Google Play).
- Import/Export of settings
Planned features:
- Clipboard integration for copy/pasting from your device
- Audio support
The app's UI is GPL licensed open source:
https://github.com/iiordanov/bVNC
It's backend is LGPL licensed spice-gtk, and I'm currently working on open-sourcing the library and my "glue". It needs to become a whole lot prettier to be open-sourced.
Im trying to create a widget for Unified Remote that allows me to jump back or forward 5sec in MPC (In Media Player Classic, the shortcut keys are Arrow keys left and right). Unified Remote info shows there should be a remote titled MPC-BE when going into "Change Action > Remote Action" that has such shortcuts. But it's not I figured Id just try to use a shortcut key itself as an action, but there are no keyboard remotes listed either when going into "Change Action > Remote Action"
Does anyone know how can I allocate the computer keyboard keystroke "Right/Left Arrow" to a Unified Remote widget?
Also, does anyone know where the icons for Unified Remote (as in icons used for the widget buttons) are stored/installed? Can I add my own?
and lastly, does anyone know how to backup/save any information relating Unified Remote to copy over to another device?