Need help removing Google App & Search Bar in Rooted Moto G4 (Nougat) - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am in no way a programmer, but I'm really wanting to lock down a phone, so that it has no internet browser capabilities. I have a Moto G4 that I have just rooted and is running the Elemental IX Kernal. I installed the Build.prop app that helped me make some changes in removing some features, but I'm having a hard time finding instructions to remove the Google Search Bar Widget and the Google App from a rooted phone . Removing the search bar, isn't enough because the Google App launches the search bar as well. I've tried app locking software (4 different ones) that will lock the Google App, but it makes the phone unusable with a lock screen that pops up every time you try to clear it, even though you aren't doing anything to the phone. My assumption is that something is running in the background that triggers the lock screen from these app lockers, so maybe if I'm somehow able to kill that process?
Any suggestions on how to deal with these apps?
Note- Nova Launcher is not a solution for me. When I install Nova Luancher, I am then unable to lock down the Google Now launcher, so anyone can just switch from Nova's to Google's launcher and then have free access to search the internet with the Google Search Bar.

Related

Any fix for the screen sharpening on text?

I just got the phone today and so far that's the thing I hate most about it. Text on certain web pages looks awful unless you zoom in because it's so sharpened.
Also, I couldn't stand the default launcher so I installed Google Now Launcher. Double-tap to turn off the screen no longer works with the Google Launcher. Any way to rectify that?
LaTropa64 said:
I just got the phone today and so far that's the thing I hate most about it. Text on certain web pages looks awful unless you zoom in because it's so sharpened.
Also, I couldn't stand the default launcher so I installed Google Now Launcher. Double-tap to turn off the screen no longer works with the Google Launcher. Any way to rectify that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about that launcher but if you're rooted and have xposed + G3Tweakbox module you can enable Knock Off on the Nav Bar.
There's also an app called Screen off you can use with Nova gestures or you can use Greenify to have it set up so you Knock off the screen and it Hibernates your apps plus locks it.
Both those options require you to have Nova though. Just an idea. I'd imagine there is a way to do it with your launcher possibly with the xposed module that's been made for it. Maybe if your not rooted look into doing so using Stump Root ( very easy ) and then check out xposed.
- Tapatalked from the G3
Mistertac said:
I'm not sure about that launcher but if you're rooted and have xposed + G3Tweakbox module you can enable Knock Off on the Nav Bar.
There's also an app called Screen off you can use with Nova gestures or you can use Greenify to have it set up so you Knock off the screen and it Hibernates your apps plus locks it.
Both those options require you to have Nova though. Just an idea. I'd imagine there is a way to do it with your launcher possibly with the xposed module that's been made for it. Maybe if your not rooted look into doing so using Stump Root ( very easy ) and then check out xposed.
- Tapatalked from the G3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm not rooted and won't be for a bit. I have two weeks to test the phone out before I can return it to Verizon for a refund if I decide I don't like it. It's hit and miss so far.
Does Greenify require root for it to work with knock off?
I guess I'll have to look into to some other launchers that support the knock off feature. It's annoying pressing that back power button when you have your phone laying on a desk.
I really don't want a bloated launcher though. That's one of the things I love about the Google Now Launcher. It's nice and simple. The only improvements I would like to see be made to it is the ability to have 5 rows of icons instead of 4 and the option to hide apps in the app drawer.
Just a note: I discovered with the help of a user on another site that you can still use knock-off to turn the screen off if you double tap the very top of the screen on the notifications bar regardless of the launcher you are using.
One problem solved.
Now to figure out the terrible sharpening issue that occurs on some web pages.

Google search from the nav bar

I f*&#ing hate this stock rom! If anyone could tell me how, or if there is a way by disabling a service, to stop the google search popping up when you swipe past the home button or hold it for a second. Aargh!
Install Google Now Launcher or Nova.
Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
I have the pro version of nova installed. This has no options to disable this feature
Install Tasker for example. Then if You swipe the home button the popup will show with apps to choose - then choose Tasker (use always) that could do just nothing.
Now if You swipe home button only white circle would appear - that would do nothing.
I should have pointed out that my intention is to stop this circle popping up, so i can use the slimpie controls and disable the navbar completely. I am afraid I am struggling to come to terms with just how limited a stock rom is. Sure I can get root via the sony dev website but at this point I think all the fancy algorithms for camera performance would be removed, as well as throttling for thermal control.
When you Google Search, you find https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hk.sld.SwipeLaunchDisabler
The Irony
I'm using this app to fast lock the screen when I swipe up the home button
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.katecca.screenofflock
otherwise you can use this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dynamicg.homebuttonlauncher
to have more options respect to open google search
Just FYI:
- This is called "Swype up for Google Now" in old Nexus manuals.
- Now in Android 6.0 is replaced for "Google Now on tap".
I don't really know how to disable it.... Maybe trying another Launcher.
Thanks for your input. however the home button launcher will not achieve my goal, and the swipelauncher disabler is comically pointless! It is less a disable function, more so it just doesn't launch my browser, choosing instead to flash the screen at me! It is clear that I will not be sated until custom roms come about with some CM or AOSP goodness. Please hurry devs, I want to love this phone...
I'm a bit late to the party and I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but I've just been disabling some apps on my z5c and one of them was the Google Now app (I think it was called). Because the bubble popping up was from the Google now app, it has stopped appearing ever since. Hope to have helped.
Disable the Google App
Yep remove Google Now or I just tried this and works well (you cannot prevent the animation that will still persists, but the action gets revoked the way you have requested.)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.AdrianCampos.swipeuputility

How to remove Google Search Box from Home Screen

It may sound a little novice, but I tried to find the option, but couldn't find any.
Is there any ways to remove the "Google Search Box" on the home screen of OPX ?
Yeah. Disable the App called "google App" and you have a beautiful black screen.
Rincewind82 said:
Yeah. Disable the App called "google App" and you have a beautiful black screen.
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Click to collapse
Use another launcher?
Couldn't you just hold onto the bar and remove it? If not, another launcher like Nova Launcher would be able to do it.
NekoXiu said:
Couldn't you just hold onto the bar and remove it? If not, another launcher like Nova Launcher would be able to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, unfortunately that doesn't work with the built-in bar, only ones you add yourself as widgets.
I've found an app file called base.apk in /data/app/ com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox-1 - could this be changed, renamed etc as a solution for this? I'm not game to try because I don't want to break anything.
I used Debloater to uninstall the Google Search App. Than its gone. If your device is not rooted you could just try to deactivate it. I am not sure if you can do it in the Apps section in the settings but Debloater does nearly the same without root. It just deactivates the selected Apps.
Be aware that if you deactivate the app "close all running apps" button will also disapear!
Hope that helps you out.
If you want to remove the google search bar and keep the Google Now Launcher and its possibilities I only know of the following solution :
- Root your phone
- Install Xposed framework
- Install Xposed GEL Settings which has an option to hide the search bar
If you don't want to keep the Google Now functionnalities then just go with another Launcher.
Rincewind82 said:
Yeah. Disable the App called "google App" and you have a beautiful black screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you disable Google App, you can not use close all open apps X button. :crying:
New option in OOS 2.2.0, now you can remove search bar !
Tap on the home screen. You'll see three options i.e Wallpapers- Widgets- Settings. Go to settings. Scroll the screen down, You'll see to hide search bar, enable it, to hide search bar.
Enjoy:good:
Great news
MarkoPam said:
New option in OOS 2.2.0, now you can remove search bar !
Tap on the home screen. You'll see three options i.e Wallpapers- Widgets- Settings. Go to settings. Scroll the screen down, You'll see to hide search bar, enable it, to hide search bar.
Enjoy:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is such a great find!!! Thanks.
Edit: however, the search bar is still present in the recent apps screen.

Moto App Launcher required to view Recents?

So I noticed something I find odd, I installed Nova Launcher as my default launcher, and I like to disable unused/uneeded system apps so I froze the 'Moto App Launcher' with rooted method. However I noticed upon freezing it that I can not bring up the recents menu (the one where you can view and switch between apps, far right button in 3 button nav).
Defrosting Moto App Launcher immediately makes the recents menu work again (in any launcher). So I'm wondering if this is normal behavior for this phone (SOFIA - Android 10 stock - magisk rooted),
...and why does the Moto App Launcher seem to have this effect, how is it tied to the resents menu? I have not observed this type of behavior on other phones when disabling/replacing stock launchers.
Not a real problem but I am curious as to the explanation, would anyone care to try it out and see if you get the same effect? Thanks.
So is this not happening for anyone else, or no one cares to try? Just freeze it in Titanium Backup or something like that and see if you can still bring up the recents menu, it would really ease my mind, thanks in advance I know someone will find it in their heart to do the right thing.
Why do you need to freeze the default launcher? Just wondering. BTW, I haven't rooted my phone yet, which means I can't freeze the launcher like you ask. But I'm thinking it's like freezing the default file manager, which causes some problems.

Question Recent App Button with 3rd Party Launcher

Hi! I received my Oppo Find N in the mail a week ago and with the help of all the information on this forum I've been able to pull all bloatware, install Google play store, and replace the default launcher. I am using the Microsoft Launcher and everything is working great aside from one function, I can't seem to get the recent apps button to work. The home button and back button work just fine. I've checked access, accessibility options, restarted, cleared launcher cache, cleared phone cache, turned off animation scale, installed 3rd party apps and to no avail, the recent apps will not come up. If I hold the recent apps button it does go into split screen mode as it should. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this? Any ADB commands I can throw at it? Help will be much appreciated.
This may be related to Android 13, which my phone was upgraded to before I bought it. Looking for options to downgrade. Will post a separate question about that.
Is there still anybody using buttons in navigation bar instead of gestures?

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