Override Home Button Android

Question

I'm programming an app that must stay on the screen of a tablet which is accessible by everyone.

This means that only people who know the passcode can access the tablet, while passing-by users can only use the app. However, I'm stuck on the home button. Is there any way to change it? Disable, control, anything?

not possible in ics and above i guess. cannot override home button — Raghunandan, Nov 16 '13 at 15:56
Unless you fork the Android source code and build your own custom Android OS rom for your device (not a realistic undertaking...) I doubt you can achieve exactly what you want. Even if you can block the home button, how would you stop someone accessing settings and uninstalling your app? Or accessing other recently used apps via the recent apps list or via the notifications pull down? — NigelK, Nov 16 '13 at 16:04

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 16 '13 at 15:58

You can make your application as a Home screen launcher app using very similar activity code in your AndroidManifest. This way when user press the home button your app will be opened.

    <activity
        android:name=".MainActivity"
        android:launchMode="singleTask"
        android:excludeFromRecents="true">
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <!-- The following two intent-filters are the key to set homescreen -->
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.HOME" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />

        </intent-filter>
    </activity>

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:12

0

It seems what you need to do is make a launcher to replace the default home screen. Otherwise there is no way to change the home key behavior.

To make a launcher, check this How to make a launcher

edited May 23 '17 at 12:12

Community

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answered Nov 16 '13 at 16:02

beeender

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score 0 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 30 '15 at 19:20

I have tried this on Android ICS and it works:

<category android:name="android.intent.category.HOME" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />

When i press the home button with this set in my Android manifest the activity automatically starts.(The first time it asks if i want to go to Xperia Home or Start my Application, i can also make that permanent)

Though i do have a question, I want to be able to open my application when i hold down the home button, how could i do this?

Override Home Button Android

3 Answers3