Database Develop

[Request] Hide Applications

Hey all,
one thing i am really missing, is the ability to have an app (maybe spare parts) or whatever, that allows me to hide apps from the app drawer (and only there).
Like when i download a free app, and have another extra app, that functions as license key, i want to have the opportunity to hide it from the app drawer, so that i dont see it anymore....
hope i was able to describe what i mean
=)
Tigger

One way is to decompile and edit the manifest to not show the launcher icon. Not the best solution though.

What would be REALLY cool is a root app that can change the properties for installed apps.

britoso said:
What would be REALLY cool is a root app that can change the properties for installed apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exaxtly what i meant...an app, with that you can set every other app to vissible or not!

Actually... there's been a recent message about this somewhere, some launcher dev, perhaps it was even cyanogen refering to his older (launcher2) launcher before ADW came along... might have been somewhere else.
Yes, the problem with a root app, which I looked into developing ages ago actually (to do exactly this, and only this really) still can't remove the required entries from androidmanifest.xml without stuffing up the signature. The app then won't get approved by android at all. This particular xml file is sensitive because it contains permission information. This is where I ran out of ideas for a standalone app.
However, the correct way to do it is via a launcher that reads what it needs to display from a different database, which is entirely feasible and not even difficult really. This would give additional benefits like the easier and more elegant ability to support custom launcher icons, adding custom shortcuts to the launcher, reordering the launcher...
The rate LauncherPro and ADW are going one of them will have it sooner rather than later.

dxtop home actually has the ability to do this...but I love ADW too much to go back

Yea....i dont want to leave my launchers as well,
exactly that is the reason for me, to ask for an extra app that does the job.

RinTinTigger said:
Yea....i dont want to leave my launchers as well,
exactly that is the reason for me, to ask for an extra app that does the job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, it can't be done in a different app, it must be done in the launcher.
There are separate apps out there that hide things from the launcher but they do completely disable the app whilst they're doing it.

Are you able to extend AWD for that option?

djmcnz said:
Actually... there's been a recent message about this somewhere, some launcher dev, perhaps it was even cyanogen refering to his older (launcher2) launcher before ADW came along... might have been somewhere else.
Yes, the problem with a root app, which I looked into developing ages ago actually (to do exactly this, and only this really) still can't remove the required entries from androidmanifest.xml without stuffing up the signature. The app then won't get approved by android at all. This particular xml file is sensitive because it contains permission information. This is where I ran out of ideas for a standalone app.
However, the correct way to do it is via a launcher that reads what it needs to display from a different database, which is entirely feasible and not even difficult really. This would give additional benefits like the easier and more elegant ability to support custom launcher icons, adding custom shortcuts to the launcher, reordering the launcher...
The rate LauncherPro and ADW are going one of them will have it sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude any update on hide app ability for launcher pro or adw? thanks!

krasool said:
Dude any update on hide app ability for launcher pro or adw? thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pure speculation on my part, you'll need to hit up one of the launcher devs...

[SOLVED] Is There a Way to Hide Icons without LauncherPro?

Hi guys!
I've been searching around for a simple solution to OC/neat-freak people such as myself...
What has been bothering me for the longest time is the fact that some apps that don't really do anything still add an icon to the app drawer even if it is never needed.
Ex. Document Scanner's Add-On (It is literally just a second icon leading to the same program)
There are also some apps that are needed for other people but I, myself, really do not need to see or access them.
Ex. SuperUser, BusyBox
And there are others that come right out of the box courtesy of Google but I can't uninstall because it will mess things up.
Ex. Google Talk
I eventually found a solution to this using LauncherPro and other launcher alternatives since they all have the feature of hiding whatever application icon you choose...but the thing is:
I don't really like the look of it. I want to stick to the default look of my Samsung Galaxy S (Yes, I like TouchWiz!) It looks a lot nicer, IMHO. And it feels so much smoother also. I also like to organize my app drawer the way I want which is easy to do with TouchWiz.
I know Android ideally uses the homescreens for all the apps you need or use the most and everything else gets hidden in the app drawer..but I like keeping my homescreens tidy with widgets and very few shortcuts only.
So I was wondering...if LauncherPro can implement the feature of app hiding (which really just shows a list of all your apps and let's you check whatever apps you want hidden) then isn't there a mod or a simple app out there or that can be made that simply does this? I don't mind paying a bit.
* After a bit of digging, I came across an old thread on this forum by Irrenhaus about his Advanced Launcher. He apparently customized the launcher that came with Cyanogen (I only skimmed his post, sorry!) where he implemented a lot of great features like folders in the app drawer, app icon hiding and the like. I am very much interested in these features...but again I really don't want to change the look of my Samsung Galaxy S.
* I saw a lot of people posting the TouchWiz Launcher apk for use with other phones... is it possible then to just modify the twlauncher.apk file and implement these other features just like Irrenhaus did? If so, can someone go about doing this for me? I'm willing to pay a reasonable amount. I really do not know how to do this on my own...
* I saw some random dead-end posts in other forums that state that by deleting a line in an app's code or something you can allow the app to install without placing a shortcut. I'm not sure if it works though since there were no replies after that...
Here is the line of code in the manifest file to remove:
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
Is this possible with downloaded apps? Seems illegal to tamper with other people's codes... Or is that just a solution for people who make their own apps... I am only familiar with Java so I don't know how to go about these code modifications in Android.
I'm sorry for the lengthy-looking post! I hope I can get some answers or suggestions soon enough.
Thank you all in advance!

SOLVED!!!
Nvm! Found an app for this!
The app is called "Smart Bar" the dev says it currently doesn't work well for Froyo but I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S running JPM ("official" froyo) right now and the hide app feature works just fine.
Best of all, it's completely free! It also has a ton of interesting/useful features. I have yet to play around with the other features so I can't confirm they all work in JPM.
At first I was afraid that the app would literally just "disable" but not delete the app via the renaming the apk method since when one clicks to hide an app it says "Disabling ____" ...so I thought oh great it hides the app icon and stops it from working too... But I tried it out with the Document Scanner Add-On and it still works fine from the main app.
Hope this information helps people out! Should be very useful for people who want to hide those add-ons and packs that for some reason have their own icons upon installing but just need the main app.

Nice
anoneemooz said:
Nvm! Found an app for this!
The app is called "Smart Bar" the dev says it currently doesn't work well for Froyo but I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S running JPM ("official" froyo) right now and the hide app feature works just fine.
Best of all, it's completely free! It also has a ton of interesting/useful features. I have yet to play around with the other features so I can't confirm they all work in JPM.
At first I was afraid that the app would literally just "disable" but not delete the app via the renaming the apk method since when one clicks to hide an app it says "Disabling ____" ...so I thought oh great it hides the app icon and stops it from working too... But I tried it out with the Document Scanner Add-On and it still works fine from the main app.
Hope this information helps people out! Should be very useful for people who want to hide those add-ons and packs that for some reason have their own icons upon installing but just need the main app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice,i also solve the problem for hide app as long as i am also a touch wiz hardcore fans

Sk0923 said:
Nice,i also solve the problem for hide app as long as i am also a touch wiz hardcore fans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have anyone got the solution as i am also looking for a app to hide only icon.I do not want to disable app.I just want to hide some apps.

i also would like to know the answer to this, the method you have added is okay but unfortunately theres no solution to starting the process eg. i have added an option to open superSU, STK etc in settings, that option will not work with it hidden...

These features cannot be added to Android?

Hello,
i am using lately MIUI, and i am impressed basically with 2 features that i wished it would 've been in Android. Is it so difficult to implement these on Android?
1. Seeing the drawer with all apps, being able to create and put apps in folders and knowing which apps are not in folders.
Is it so difficult for this to be implemented in the drawer? And if you have a folder in the drawer just to drag it onto the desktop? So many times i am frustrated because i've created over 50 times folders, and they have been deleted (by mistake or intentionally). But if they are always in the drawer, i would just drag them on the desktop.
2. Dragging icons on the dock.
Again is this something so difficult to implement?

Fekish said:
1. Seeing the drawer with all apps, being able to create and put apps in folders and knowing which apps are not in folders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What for? There's lot of apps that do. Free Apps Organizer or its paid version Folder Organizer for 1.
2. Dragging icons on the dock.
Again is this something so difficult to implement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's a question to your launcher developers. stock does not have that. Other might. No big deal though unless you spend your whole day dragging icons to the dock.

If you think these are essential components of the os then write it and send the changes to google. If they think it's important they will add your patch to the next update. But don't hope lot cause as I know they accepted only a few patches in the last years
Sent from my GT-I5700 using XDA App

Screenshot ?
I am, currently running the leaked vivo ROM. Does anyone have screnshots of the MUi ROm ? I would love to load it on my milestone..

Borszczuk said:
What for? There's lot of apps that do. Free Apps Organizer or its paid version Folder Organizer for 1.
it's a question to your launcher developers. stock does not have that. Other might. No big deal though unless you spend your whole day dragging icons to the dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am definitely sure that it might be applied to Android 2.5 or 5.1 or 9.3, that at some point people would have the ability to create folders in the app drawer in order to have their programs a bit more tide up, thus why delaying things?
And about the dragging, why not simplifying the things and use dragging, rather than clicking on it, then waiting for another menu to come up then clicking to go in another menu, until you find hte app you want...
MIUI for the moment rocks, i even tried with Launcher Pro as home app and is super fast!

Fekish said:
I am definitely sure that it might be applied to Android 2.5 or 5.1 or 9.3, that at some point people would have the ability to create folders in the app drawer in order to have their programs a bit more tide up, thus why delaying things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefuly it won't happen as Google announced all non core system components will be pushed out of system to allow users easily replace them
And about the dragging, why not simplifying the things and use dragging, rather than clicking on it, then waiting for another menu to come up then clicking to go in another menu, until you find hte app you want...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont hold your breath. Default behaviour for drag&drop is element removal from home screen. Of course any home replaacement can do on its own, but never seen any (nor I miss that feature myself)

Borszczuk said:
Hopefuly it won't happen as Google announced all non core system components will be pushed out of system to allow users easily replace them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and having an option to tide up your drawer would mess the system?
Borszczuk said:
Dont hold your breath. Default behaviour for drag&drop is element removal from home screen. Of course any home replaacement can do on its own, but never seen any (nor I miss that feature myself)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, obviously you didnt use MIUI...

[Q] A launcher without am app drawer for CM7? [MIUI/Iphone-ish]

Isn't there any launcher w/o an app drawer for CM7? Once you go app-drawer-free you never go back.
This poor guy didnt get an answer. Im trying my luck in the better forum
"I love the simplicity of having no app drawer and integrated folders with the MIUI rom... ...I always lose apps in the app drawer and I know it bloats up my phone"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059195

Ogglord said:
Once you go app-drawer-free you never go back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well maybe that is your opinion but me (along with most people) would rather have the app drawer and that is why when they go to miui they usually download launcher pro to get it back. I'm going to say that I don't know of a way and that is simply because there is not a high demand for this. I'm just slipping that in so you know that you may not get many options.

Dude Random21 said:
Well maybe that is your opinion but me (along with most people) would rather have the app drawer and that is why when they go to miui they usually download launcher pro to get it back. I'm going to say that I don't know of a way and that is simply because there is not a high demand for this. I'm just slipping that in so you know that you may not get many options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I fear you are right. I will get my head checked by a doctor.
Sticking with GO Launcher Ex for the moment.

i couldnt agree more with the op, having no chance of duplicating any app anywhere is a very awsome feature for keeping my device organized..
i would recommend miui launcher (not the original) from the apps section for android. not as good as the original but meets your requirments.

Move all you apps to the desktop, get rid of your app drawer icon.

Here you go
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1220695

baseballfanz said:
Move all you apps to the desktop, get rid of your app drawer icon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but still all new installed apps appear only in the app drawer.
I really do not understand why people want the app drawer: it's just messy and you need to think about where the apps are.
I would prefer to just have all apps in folder in pge number 2...
Any proposals for a solution ?

The Best Launcher for the MXP

Hi all,
Looking for a new launcher to try - I hate having the Google Now long press on my Home button - just hate everything Google Now.
In your experience, what's the best alternative launcher? Or perhaps, even more ideally, how can I turn that damn long press off? Can I change that through GravityBox?
Anyway, any insight is appreciated, as always!

Well, my Gravitybox has no such option. The only alt-Launcher i tried was Nova. What i really liked about it (and am missing despite GravityBox) was the "scroll-through" or "loop" when swiping continuously in any direction. But really, the Google Launcher is good enough for me. Why do you need the long press free, is there something nearby or similar..?

try nova launcher

My selection of best launchers !
Trust me I tested them ALL !
There's no such a thing as a "perfect laucher"....but since I hate Google now too, maybe you like my picks for a lightweight, customizable, feature rich, googless launcher:
1. L launcher
2. Slim Rom launcher
3. Nova launcher (is a classic!)
4. DarkLauncher (new but promising!)

I've tried quite a few over the years for various devices and keep coming back to good 'ole Nova (which is what I'm using currently on my Play).
Another one I really liked was Lightning Launcher because it's completely customizable but the performance wasn't as snappy as Nova. I haven't tried it on the Play and it's been a few months so might have to give it a shot again.

I have layers it.s okay

Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for your great recommendations. I've been on an installing spree today! I'm going to try all of the recommendations and go from there.
I'm wondering something though - it appears that no matter which launcher I have selected if I long-press the Home button I still launch the Google App. Am I messing something up here? Do I need to make the new launcher default to circumvent this? So far I've only been using them per Home press - (Just once instead of Always).
Looking forward to trying these things out! I want to uninstall Google Now. I gotta look up how to uninstall system apps..

I've been using Go launcher for last 6 years. It's perfect for me.
Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

XxMikeMasterxX said:
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for your great recommendations. I've been on an installing spree today! I'm going to try all of the recommendations and go from there.
I'm wondering something though - it appears that no matter which launcher I have selected if I long-press the Home button I still launch the Google App. Am I messing something up here? Do I need to make the new launcher default to circumvent this? So far I've only been using them per Home press - (Just once instead of Always).
Looking forward to trying these things out! I want to uninstall Google Now. I gotta look up how to uninstall system apps..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you are rooted, I know that ?
Just install titanium Backup and uninstall the Google now. I too uninstalled it as I didn't use it at all and it always got in between my tasks. ?
Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

XxMikeMasterxX said:
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for your great recommendations. I've been on an installing spree today! I'm going to try all of the recommendations and go from there.
I'm wondering something though - it appears that no matter which launcher I have selected if I long-press the Home button I still launch the Google App. Am I messing something up here? Do I need to make the new launcher default to circumvent this? So far I've only been using them per Home press - (Just once instead of Always).
Looking forward to trying these things out! I want to uninstall Google Now. I gotta look up how to uninstall system apps..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to Apps menu, press the Gear icon, choose Default Apps then pick Assist & voice input. Then change the Assist app from Google to None.

pijes said:
Go to Apps menu, press the Gear icon, choose Default Apps then pick Assist & voice input. Then change the Assist app from Google to None.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is one of the best posts I've ever read on XDA. Thank you sooo much pijes this is exactly - EXACTLY - what I needed. Goodbye Google Now! Hello sweet sweet Home freedom.

Tsf launcher
The far the best smooth, sexy, beautiful and no battery drain...!! The best launcher to try

ronak123456 said:
The far the best smooth, sexy, beautiful and no battery drain...!! The best launcher to try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is...?

PHey all,
Currently I'm using Nova. It's been working out great. I love being able to customize how many items are on my dock. I rock the dock and my dock is definitely bigger than yours. ;P
Thanks for all the thoughtful replies. Once again, appreciate the community here on XDA.

XxMikeMasterxX said:
Which is...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol...i thought i gave the name[emoji14]) hhahaha its TSF launcher..
Sent from my XT1563 using Tapatalk

Nova Launcher all the way

isene said:
Nova Launcher all the way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova Launcher is pretty sexy. I had to go pro - just love it so much. The gestures increase my geeky productivity 100x.

XxMikeMasterxX said:
Nova Launcher is pretty sexy. I had to go pro - just love it so much. The gestures increase my geeky productivity 100x.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i bought the Prime version (pro) in the christmas sale for like €0,50. I use is beceause is hate every feature of google's launcher... I never use most of google stuff anyway (Search / OK-GOOGLE / )

isene said:
i bought the Prime version (pro) in the christmas sale for like â?¬0,50. I use is beceause is hate every feature of google's launcher... I never use most of google stuff anyway (Search / OK-GOOGLE / )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"No it's NOT OK Google please stop what you're doing!!!"

XxMikeMasterxX said:
"No it's NOT OK Google please stop what you're doing!!!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO google, do not send search query to NSA.
I like my privacy so i use Duckduckgo everyone should try it it has OVER 9000 more features