Folders not updating as shortcuts on homescreen - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I seem to have stumbled on a quirk I haven't seen mentioned yet and am looking for help with it.
I'm using folders to categorize apps and when I add them to the homescreen as shortcuts, they work as expected. If however I then add more items to the folder, it doesn't seem to update the shortcuts properly. The number in the corner stays the same and the new items are not displayed.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Yup. Same for me.
Also for the TW app drawer, if I reboot the phone, the app orderings would mess up. I've organized mine to a certain order...and it varies a little bit everytime I reboot which is extremely annoying.

Unfortunately still the case in the new KE7 build. I'm surprised it's not bugging more people, is this not an oft-used feature?

you forgot that there are other launchers , i use go launcher

nechmadi said:
you forgot that there are other launchers , i use go launcher
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Sorry for bumping the thread but..i just wanted to say thank you for that useful information.may i ask what color of your jeans you prefer?
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I don't think this a bug.. it seems that whenever you drag the folder fo you home launcher it is treated as a single entity and not linked to your folder in your app drawer.
The only solution for this is wheneved you update your folder, simply delete the old one from your home launcher and drag the updated one from your app drawer again.
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Related

[Q] Organising the App Drawer

On the S2, it seems when you remove an app, the app drawer doesn't re-org it just leaves a gap meaning it has to be manually sorted. Is there a way to automatically sort it other than using the list view?
I also have a similar question to this that I can't find the answer to anywhere..
Basically I have the same problem with around 9 app drawers half filled. I could sit here for an hour dragging each app icon, one at a time, to other app drawers to consolidate them into less drawers but it's very tedious and annoying to do this.
In some apps, I can select multiple icons (such as multiple pictures) and then move them all to another folder, or perform an action on all the selected icons; I can't seem to find a way to do this with my non-rooted SGS2.
I'm trying to find an app that will allow me to set categories and then assign app icons to those categories and then be able to sort all my icons based on the different categories... again, I've not had any success finding an app like that...
...so I've ended up here, on XDA Forums, to ask the people who know more than me.
light487 said:
I also have a similar question to this that I can't find the answer to anywhere..
Basically I have the same problem with around 9 app drawers half filled. I could sit here for an hour dragging each app icon, one at a time, to other app drawers to consolidate them into less drawers but it's very tedious and annoying to do this.
In some apps, I can select multiple icons (such as multiple pictures) and then move them all to another folder, or perform an action on all the selected icons; I can't seem to find a way to do this with my non-rooted SGS2.
I'm trying to find an app that will allow me to set categories and then assign app icons to those categories and then be able to sort all my icons based on the different categories... again, I've not had any success finding an app like that...
...so I've ended up here, on XDA Forums, to ask the people who know more than me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have let me think 3 options or maybe two...either download appzorter application from the market..that basically will sort all your applications in alphabetical order and also the folders you create. then if you have gaps it will sort that for you as well and fill the empty spaces.
or second option use a different launcher from the market and it sorts the icons and folders for you.
one launcher that lets you organize your apps into categories i think its either nova launcher or 360 launcher..no need to be rooted or anything like that to be able to use those apps. good luck let me know how you guys get on
Thanks, I have the EX Launcher.. but I don't like it because I have to setup the home screen gain and I had trouble finding the same widgets I had on the out-of-the-box launcher.. maybe I will try again one day.. but for now I will have a look at appzorter to solve my immediate annoyances
+1 for Appzorter
Why Samsung didn't include this function is beyond me.
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Samsung does. But on Epic 4G which has an auto organized TW4 launcher. I only fine one custo which ported it to our model. But i am not able to make it run on another rom. So bad...
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light487 said:
In some apps, I can select multiple icons (such as multiple pictures) and then move them all to another folder, or perform an action on all the selected icons; I can't seem to find a way to do this with my non-rooted SGS2.
I'm trying to find an app that will allow me to set categories and then assign app icons to those categories and then be able to sort all my icons based on the different categories... again, I've not had any success finding an app like that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add a folder just go to Applications -> Context menu (hardware button) -> Edit -> Add Folder
light487 said:
Thanks, I have the EX Launcher.. but I don't like it because I have to setup the home screen gain and I had trouble finding the same widgets I had on the out-of-the-box launcher.. maybe I will try again one day.. but for now I will have a look at appzorter to solve my immediate annoyances
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have a look in themes and apps. there is a thread there that has modified touchwiz launchers and implemented in the touchwiz there is a modified version of appzorter. have a look there

[Q] Go Launcher loosing its settings

For some reason on my S2 go launcher keeps on loosing its settings for instance shortcuts of apps disappear or appear on top of each other or move around or widgets disappear etc all the time.
Any reason for this ?
Thanks
knowlesy said:
For some reason on my S2 go launcher keeps on loosing its settings for instance shortcuts of apps disappear or appear on top of each other or move around or widgets disappear etc all the time.
Any reason for this ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had not problems with Go launcher until wednesday when my copilot icon disappeared then the next day 2 other icons disappeared which is weird. Luckily I had done a Go Launcher backup so it was easy to fix but I might email the dev for the app and let him know.
left feedback on their home page and downloading/installing the 2.31 beta to see if this works
http://golauncher.goforandroid.com/
Im having the same problem too on KE7..
Its not a big deal but its kinda annoying when suddenly some icons went missing.
i've found 2 temp solutions for it..
1) if in portrait, switch to landscape once or twice, it should return to normal.
2)if point 1) didnt work..backup the Go launcher config under preferences,n restore the config when when icons missing again..
N other this little bug, the launcher EX is a fantastic app!
I get the same. Shortcuts disappear. I just restart the phone and the icons come back
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PpJoe said:
2)backup the Go launcher config under preferences,n restore the config when when icons missing again..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I do... I just hope they fix the issue soon, it's a great launcher.
Wow, I had the same happen to me today, while at the super markeg my wife took the phone to take a photo, of our daughter and the 5 buttons at the bottom gone and 5 pluses were there instead. They came back earlier when the app updated though.
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I had a little bit of flakey behavior with this one too, not just here but on the N1. To be truthful as time has gone by all the big players (LP, ADW, GO) have become more and more similar in their features and functions and to me it has come to a few simple things, with ADW I get a little hitchiness in the launcher, not big but its there, with GO I get a little bit of assorted things as described, with LP I get no issues and it works smoothly. With touchwiz I get no issues and it works smoothly.
I had been using LP but thought I would beat around the stock launcher and see what could be made of it and truthfully I like some of the things touchwiz as a launcher alone does. It used to be that when I switched back and forth between launchers I felt like I was doing something new and different, rather than the same old thing which had grown boring. Its one of the reasons I switched in the first place, to spice things up. Nowdays though the big three feel much the same, I know I have switched because of the little differences but it feels like using the same launcher. With TW I feel like I'm doing something a little different, its nothing major but its there. I like that. I like the home screen slider that allows me to slide from one far screen to the other or any screen instantly with one hand. No need to pinch and pull up the overview or swipe across. The only real fault I have with it is that you cannot define rows and columns and other basic setup items that would greatly improve my ability to set it up the way I want. I had been hoping that someone might step in and offer a utility that allowed that. So far changing default home and sorting the app drawer alphebetically is covered if you're rooted.
At any rate IMO unless you are a launcher fanboy start checking out the rest of them and see how your performance with your setup is, if its good and you have no issues you're done because the difference between them as far as function,form, and features has become very little. Also consider giving TW a go, it really isnt too bad once you remove all the wiz and use it strictly as a launcher.
Vairn said:
Wow, I had the same happen to me today, while at the super markeg my wife took the phone to take a photo, of our daughter and the 5 buttons at the bottom gone and 5 pluses were there instead. They came back earlier when the app updated though.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I think you may have just swiped the 5 buttons at the bottom of the screen mate. There is a setting in Go Launcher to have around 3 bars at the bottom of the screen. If you make it so its only 1 then you can't swipe it and get those +'s.
lol Good point Matrix, the buttons are swipable so you can add more shortcuts there. I can see how someone could accidently swipe over and think he had something screwed up when the shortcuts were "gone" and only the pluses where you would move new shortcuts were showing.
Same issue here. Icons sometimes disappear when restarting the phone. Restarting again brings them back though
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@matrix, Yup, looks like it, woo new feature, now i have 2 bars with the same icons... Hehe
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Any way to auto-close home folders?

Are there any mods/Market apps that will automatically close home folders either after the app is launched or after a set amount of time? I always forget to close the folders and its a little pet peeve of mine to have them left open lol.
I am running stock UCKH7 (rooted).
BTW, I'm not interested in 3rd party launchers. If that is anyone's answer then I appreciate the help, but no thank you
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
I'm annoyed by this as well. It'd be great if the home button went to the home screen and closed any folder that is opened. It'd be even better if folders automatically closed when launching an app from it, or after a set time.
The only rom I am aware of that does this is MIUI.
It annoys the heck out of me as well.
I dont think you can do this with a different launcher. I know you dont want to use it but I'm not aware of an app that will close the folders.
Just a question, but why are you against 3rd party launchers? they're easy enough to swap back and forth between.
Some, like Launcher360, support custom folders that more closely resemble iOS's folder structure. Those folders also close automatically once you open an app.
Ditto with ADW EX. That one has additional folder options as well.
Also, with ADW EX, you can make your home screen function just like TW. ADW EX also supports scrolling widgets and resizing widgets on the fly.
Just a thought.
I used Folder Organizer to do it. From within FO, I created the folders ("labels" in FO) and added all the apps/shortcuts to each one. Then, from the home screen, I added the folders through the normal "add shortcut" option. Works great. Also, I think Apps Organizer will do the same thing, and is free.
Brent212 said:
I used Folder Organizer to do it. From within FO, I created the folders ("labels" in FO) and added all the apps/shortcuts to each one. Then, from the home screen, I added the folders through the normal "add shortcut" option. Works great. Also, I think Apps Organizer will do the same thing, and is free.
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Click to collapse
Thanks so much! I kept seeing those apps actually, but never tried them. I just tried both and really like the Folder Organizer app. The free version is limited, but I am about to get the full one since it seems to have everything I need. I will also be able to easilg reorganize apps within folders without having to unpack the folders and repack them! (Why can't we easily do this to start with?)
Thanks for your help
Dmm5157:
I never said that I had anything against launchers. I didnt say i hated them or something like that. I just didn't want a launcher as my solution. You are either misreading my post or reading too mucb into it. :-\
I actually like the stock launcher very much, except for the folders not closing and how you can't put folders in the bottom launch row.
Launchers are nice and I used them in the past, but they can be so complicated to set up sometimes. For a solution to this issue, I just wanted a fix for the folders only, without having to go through tons of settings and having to basically redo my homescreen completely. That is all.
EVERYONE:
Thanks for your replies. I was starting to think that this thread would always be ignored.
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@spexwood:
I was just asking a question, not trying to insinuate anything at all.
Glad you found a solution that works for your needs.
dmm5157 said:
@spexwood:
I was just asking a question, not trying to insinuate anything at all.
Glad you found a solution that works for your needs.
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Click to collapse
I don't mean to start a fight or anything, so please understand that what I am about to say is spoken in a friendly manner:
It just sounded to me like you were accusing me of something or like you were getting angry at me for not liking launchers (which isn't true as I said before).
That is a major weakness of forums and such. It is different from talking with someone face-to-face, where we can hear voice tones and read facial/body language.
Im sorry that I misunderstood the intention of your post.
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Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App

[Q] Please help me Palm Pre my app drawer

One of the main things I've been missing since I made the switch from WebOS to android is that every launcher that I've found all of my apps are organized alphabetically. On the Palm pre you had multiple scrollable pages and you could organize your apps. All of your games on one, work on another, settings and utilities on another.
Does anyone know of a launcher or a way to make this possible? I made finding the right app so much quicker instead of scrolling through the alphabet or physically typing in to search for the app.
Any ideas or suggestions? Any other WebOS devotees feel me on this?
sbjohnny said:
One of the main things I've been missing since I made the switch from WebOS to android is that every launcher that I've found all of my apps are organized alphabetically. On the Palm pre you had multiple scrollable pages and you could organize your apps. All of your games on one, work on another, settings and utilities on another.
Does anyone know of a launcher or a way to make this possible? I made finding the right app so much quicker instead of scrolling through the alphabet or physically typing in to search for the app.
Any ideas or suggestions? Any other WebOS devotees feel me on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure other than making app folders on your homescreen.
sbjohnny said:
One of the main things I've been missing since I made the switch from WebOS to android is that every launcher that I've found all of my apps are organized alphabetically. On the Palm pre you had multiple scrollable pages and you could organize your apps. All of your games on one, work on another, settings and utilities on another.
Does anyone know of a launcher or a way to make this possible? I made finding the right app so much quicker instead of scrolling through the alphabet or physically typing in to search for the app.
Any ideas or suggestions? Any other WebOS devotees feel me on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is hard to put into words, so I apologize if my thoughts don't come out logically here...
I think that organizing your apps by type, like clusters of games and utilities, is what you use your homescreens for. The whole point of the app drawer is to organize them alphabetically. In my mind, if you could organize your app drawer by app type, your home screens and your app drawer would look almost identical. I'm not sure what the purpose of the app drawer would be.
I'm not sure if that made sense, but it does in my head, haha.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Dan, brilliant explanation and I agree with your point.
OP, using folders is all I can think of for you, as was already mentioned.
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There's a way to add tabs to the bottom where you see All, Frequent & Downloads. I don't remember the exact syntax for it but if you find a custom ROM that has it just open their '/system/customize/MNS/default.xml' file and search for the name of their extra tab. Then just edit your ROM likewise to add the tabs you want
I'm aware of both methods, I've found having as many icons as I would like on the homescreen tends to bog it down a little bit. Obviously the necessities are on the homescreens but I HATE the app drawer. On the Pre you could organize them just like widgets. Hold it down, move it where you want and it moves all the others for you.
The alphabetical just drives me nuts. I was hoping there was a launcher that had this option to just drap and drop apps wherever I want them in the app drawer. Open app drawer and theres the main, essential apps. Next page, some of my favorite games, next page all my bookmarks.
WebOS really was a great OS, it certainly did multitasking leaps and bounds better than my EVO4gLTE with 4 times the ram...no apps equals game over though.
scottspa74 said:
Dan, brilliant explanation and I agree with your point.
OP, using folders is all I can think of for you, as was already mentioned.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Thanks Scott, I'm glad that made some sense, haha. In my head it made sense, and then as I started to type it I was like, "uh oh, this isn't going well..." I hate that feeling of being unable to communicate what is in my brain.
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[Q] How do I remove the google bar from my home screen?

First, I'm not a developer (any more), just a novice user of a Nexus 10.
I've been playing with various widgets, putting them on the home screen & building groups of apps to keep the screen simple,
so I can actually see my wallpaper. (Nothing special, just pics I like.)
Problem is that huge Google bar at the top. Is there an simple way to get rid of it, like the select-drag-drop for other home screen stuff.?
Also, there seems to be some limits on where I can actually put apps or widgets. Is there a way to adjust this too?
I'd really like to put a dashboard widget in place of that Google bar.
Finally, is there a way to disable Google when I select or swipe nearby the bottom of the screen?
This is a real pain-in-the-patootie when playing solitaire & the cards get near the bottom of the screen.
Thanks in advance. I could not find this anywhere in the Q&A forum for Android.
Try a different launcher, like nova, which will allow you to disable the persistent search bar.
Ok, what' a "launcher"?
bodh said:
Try a different launcher, like nova, which will allow you to disable the persistent search bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds helpful, if I knew what a launcher is.
I am soooooo out of date re: computers of any kind anymore...
Just go on google play and search "launcher"! It is the app which launches other apps, provides the app drawer, and many other setting options, like how pages scroll, etc.
Thanks!
Thanks for the info. I'll go see whats I can find, & come back here to make sure its a good one.
Root file manager under system then apps. Look for Google search bar and add .back at end then restart phone
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... and how do I...?
aandkharris said:
Root file manager under system then apps. Look for Google search bar and add .back at end then restart phone
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good, a real engineering solution instead of a workaround (not that there is anything wrong with a workaround).
How to I get to the root file system to modify filenames?
I'm on a Nexus 10. Any idea what app/widget/setting function to use?
I've got "androzip" which let's me see the file system down to a certain point ( /.) & shows a bunch of folders,
but crashes when I try to see what's in the folder named "root"
Suggested launcher?
bodh said:
Just go on google play and search "launcher"! It is the app which launches other apps, provides the app drawer, and many other setting options, like how pages scroll, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which one is best/most reliable/free-or-cheap?
If I muck this thing up, Duh Hubby will get really upset!
I know there is/was a list of recommended apps & widgets, but can't find the thread now. Don't know if it mentioned a launcher anyway.
Thanks again!
bodh said:
Try a different launcher, like nova, which will allow you to disable the persistent search bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just now realized that you suggest a launcher here... Doh!
The other suggestion about changing s filename may be good too. I suspect a launcher will be safer for me.
Yes, using a launcher is better. Otherwise you'd have to unlock the bootloader of Nexus 10, which will wipe all your data, then set it up all over again and restore backed up data, then get into the root filesystem and modify the file name of the app file, which can be too much since you say you're not experienced (unless you're interested in learning to do all that) The app is called QuickSearchBox.apk btw not GoogleSearchBox.apk.
Also, custom launchers like Nova and Apex launcher look exactly the same as the default launcher you're using right now, but have a boatload of additional features a lot of which you may find interesting and useful. The default (stock) launcher is very basic in functionality.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
Now using Nova launcher
sashank said:
Yes, using a launcher is better. Otherwise you'd have to unlock the bootloader of Nexus 10, which will wipe all your data, then set it up all over again and restore backed up data, then get into the root filesystem and modify the file name of the app file, which can be too much since you say you're not experienced (unless you're interested in learning to do all that) The app is called QuickSearchBox.apk btw not GoogleSearchBox.apk.
Also, custom launchers like Nova and Apex launcher look exactly the same as the default launcher you're using right now, but have a boatload of additional features a lot of which you may find interesting and useful. The default (stock) launcher is very basic in functionality.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
Much nicer than Android basic, more "toys" to play with & no Google bar at the top!
I even learned what a home screen actually is & have set up several for different uses.
Another fun time waster to play with beyond just games... would be nice to set
different wallpaper for each screen, but being able to actually see the whole
image is really nice.
I think I'll get the Pro version to get rid of other Google launch with the sweep/touch near
the bottom of screen- the answer to the second part of my original question.
Thanks to all who replied... I feel like such a noon at this point. These forums are truly the best place
to find/get answers to basics questions. The Help provided by Google is distinctly lacking in detail.
Now to search for answers to more questions....
damn. the stock launcher is actually pretty nice on the hydro edge at least for my pop but I want that damned google bar gone (BUT WANT google search and google now) I just want the stupid useless homescreen bar gone (its too small for him to use he can't hit the mic icon reliably) so I just put a regular voice search icon on the screen for him.
Grrr I hate when they "shove" things down your throat like that.
nerys71 said:
damn. the stock launcher is actually pretty nice on the hydro edge at least for my pop but I want that damned google bar gone (BUT WANT google search and google now) I just want the stupid useless homescreen bar gone (its too small for him to use he can't hit the mic icon reliably) so I just put a regular voice search icon on the screen for him.
Grrr I hate when they "shove" things down your throat like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with you
Is there any way to go into system and delete it all together?
You can't delete system apps unless you are rooted, which if you have a nexus device than this is super easy
Yes as mentioned before the simple fix is just use another launcher, there are many amazing ones to pick from often with a free version that works great
As for removing the bar from the stock launcher the easiest way would be to decompile the .apk and find the xml file for it and chances are change a simple bit of code from true to false but without ever decompiling this myself can't say how its set up. But in truth this may be more work than it is worth
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