Does the Home button turn on the screen?

[JohnJSal]

I haven't noticed this before, but after installing Nova Launcher, the Home button turns on the screen from sleep mode. Is this normal for Android or the S4, or is it something from Nova Launcher? And can it be disabled?

Thanks.

 

[shmn]

I haven't noticed this before, but after installing Nova Launcher, the Home button turns on the screen from sleep mode. Is this normal for Android or the S4, or is it something from Nova Launcher? And can it be disabled?

Thanks.

It's normal for the stock phone. Has nothing to do with Android or Nova. It's an S4 hardware feature.

 

[JohnJSal]

It's normal for the stock phone. Has nothing to do with Android or Nova. It's an S4 hardware feature.

Thanks. Any way to disable it?

 

[joesixpack]

I don't think there is (since it's a hardware feature) but I could be wrong. Besides, why would you want to disable it? At least you'll save some wear on the power button by using the Home button to wake it up. I've read that these buttons have a limited life, so I'll take any opportunity I can to conserve the power button's life.

Now if they would only give us the option to use the volume buttons to wake the phone...

 

[shmn]

Thanks. Any way to disable it?

Not yet. If you are rooted, there may be a way if someone figures out the mapping of the buttons.

 

[JohnJSal]

Besides, why would you want to disable it?

Well, after using the Home button to wake up the screen for the first time, I noticed that my lock screen was basically frozen. I tried swiping to unlock, and nothing happened. I was still able to scroll sideways to access my lock screen widgets, but swiping did not unlock (and I know for sure I was doing it properly, on the proper screen, without the widget being expanded).

Eventually it worked again after turning the screen off and on, and I guess I thought the Home button had something to do with that issue.

 

[joesixpack]

That's weird - didn't know that happened. Glad you got it back. Tried it with mine and the swipe worked after a "home button" wakeup if I put the phone to sleep with the power button and if it went to sleep as a result of a screen timeout.

Are you using a different launcher than what came with the phone?

 

[lotus49]

I'd say it's highly unlikely that it's anything to do with the Home button.

Once the screen is on it's on, it doesn't make any difference how it got on. I don't believe it would have made any difference in this situation how the screen was turned on. I'd look elsewhere for your problem.

 

[JohnJSal]

That's weird - didn't know that happened. Glad you got it back. Tried it with mine and the swipe worked after a "home button" wakeup if I put the phone to sleep with the power button and if it went to sleep as a result of a screen timeout.

Are you using a different launcher than what came with the phone?

Yes, see my original post

 

[Podivin]

I use a non-stock launcher (Action Launcher) and regularly use the home button to wake the phone, so that alone wasn't the 'locking' issue. Which isn't to say that the launcher that YOU use might not cause a problem, but I'd bet against it.
MY guess is that since you unlocked by accident, you also swiped too soon and/or swiped something 'wrong' and just confused the phone.

 

[JohnJSal]

I use a non-stock launcher (Action Launcher) and regularly use the home button to wake the phone, so that alone wasn't the 'locking' issue. Which isn't to say that the launcher that YOU use might not cause a problem, but I'd bet against it.
MY guess is that since you unlocked by accident, you also swiped too soon and/or swiped something 'wrong' and just confused the phone.

Probably something like this. I've tried again and didn't have the same problem.

 

[Evil.Bonsai]

I don't think there is (since it's a hardware feature) but I could be wrong. Besides, why would you want to disable it? At least you'll save some wear on the power button by using the Home button to wake it up. I've read that these buttons have a limited life, so I'll take any opportunity I can to conserve the power button's life.

Now if they would only give us the option to use the volume buttons to wake the phone...

On my S4 Active, carried in my left front pocket, twice now the Home button has turned on the screen, and my leg (through the pocket material) has been enough to use the EMERGENCY call function. Had 911 call me back asking if there was an emergency and my Mom as well (she's an 'emergency contact'). If only the side power button would turn on the screen, I'd have no issue. I need to de-activate that HOME button for screen wake.

 

[bobby2478]

On my S4 Active, carried in my left front pocket, twice now the Home button has turned on the screen, and my leg (through the pocket material) has been enough to use the EMERGENCY call function. Had 911 call me back asking if there was an emergency and my Mom as well (she's an 'emergency contact'). If only the side power button would turn on the screen, I'd have no issue. I need to de-activate that HOME button for screen wake.

THere's also a handy app in android market called Call Confirm, it presents you with a confirm box you have to hit "Yes" before it calls. Prevents accidental pocket dials.

 

[Evil.Bonsai]

THere's also a handy app in android market called Call Confirm, it presents you with a confirm box you have to hit "Yes" before it calls. Prevents accidental pocket dials.

Just tried it. It actually disables ALL emergency calling, which I do not want. I keep my phone locked with password, but like to have my mom/sister as emergency contacts, so that if something were to happen to me, my phone, if still working, can be used to call them. This app prevents the emergency function from being usable.

 

[bobby2478]

Just tried it. It actually disables ALL emergency calling, which I do not want. I keep my phone locked with password, but like to have my mom/sister as emergency contacts, so that if something were to happen to me, my phone, if still working, can be used to call them. This app prevents the emergency function from being usable.

Check the options menu. You have an option to bypass the prompt for numbers not in your contact list (which I would assume emergency numbers like 911 wouldn't be in your contact list)

 

[Evil.Bonsai]

Check the options menu. You have an option to bypass the prompt for numbers not in your contact list (which I would assume emergency numbers like 911 wouldn't be in your contact list)

Only works for 911. Needs to work for my mom and sister's numbers as well. Needs to have option to bypass dialog for EMERGENCY calling, which would then lead me back to where I was: pocket dialing my emergency numbers.

it's not a bad app, just not at all useful for doing what I need, which is to disable the HOME button waking the screen. The power button works fine for me, don't need a 2nd button to do the same thing, especially since it's on the front and prone to be pushed when in pocket.

 

[bobby2478]

Ok, I wasn't following along with the concept of using contacts as emergency numbers, but now that I know what you're trying to do that makes sense. In that case yeah this app isn't for you.

I wish they'd update it to bypass emergency contacts, as well as an option to bypass when on bluetooth (like in your car).

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Any way to disable it?

I know this is an old thread, but I recently rooted my S4 and took care of this annoyance (phone was coming on in my pocket, and every time I'd go to wipe the screen clean, it would wake the phone up).

1. Download X-plore, and configure for "Superuser + mount writable"
2. Goto /system/usr/keylayout
3. Long-press gpio-keys.kl file and select "Edit text"
4. Scroll to bottom where the keys are defined:
[HIGH] key 172 HOME WAKE[/HIGH]
5. Delete everything on that line after "HOME" (i.e., several spaces + "WAKE")
6. Save file and reboot

The Home button performs all other functions as normal, but will no longer wake up the screen.

P.S. X-plore is an excellent file manager, even if you're phone isn't rooted!

 

[jejb]

Here's a thread on it from XDA too. It's in the Galaxy Note forum but I've confirmed it works on the S4 as well.
Allow or Disallow the Home key from waking up the Phone [Galaxy Note] - xda-developers

 

[drexappeal]

I don't have a S4, but I had a Note 2 and now a Note 3 and have been dying to find a way to disable this thing, since I first switched over to Samsung. Although I've found it to be convenient at times, I dislike being able to wake the phone with the home button more than I like it, so I have a couple questions for both of you:

I know this is an old thread, but I recently rooted my S4 and took care of this annoyance (phone was coming on in my pocket, and every time I'd go to wipe the screen clean, it would wake the phone up).

1. Download X-plore, and configure for "Superuser + mount writable"
2. Goto /system/usr/keylayout
3. Long-press gpio-keys.kl file and select "Edit text"
4. Scroll to bottom where the keys are defined:
[HIGH] key 172 HOME WAKE[/HIGH]
5. Delete everything on that line after "HOME" (i.e., several spaces + "WAKE")
6. Save file and reboot

The Home button performs all other functions as normal, but will no longer wake up the screen.

P.S. X-plore is an excellent file manager, even if you're phone isn't rooted!

Just wanted to be sure I'm understanding. What you're saying is that X-plore File manager will allow access to root files, without the phone being rooted? And will it allow for editing the root files to perform the hack you mentioned, without being rooted? If so, do the changes stick on a non-rooted file or will they revert back after the phone has been re-started?

Here's a thread on it from XDA too. It's in the Galaxy Note forum but I've confirmed it works on the S4 as well.
Allow or Disallow the Home key from waking up the Phone [Galaxy Note] - xda-developers

Will those work on a non-rooted phone?

 

[Mr. Lucky]

I don't have a S4, but I had a Note 2 and now a Note 3 and have been dying to find a way to disable this thing, since I first switched over to Samsung.

. . .

Just wanted to be sure I'm understanding. What you're saying is that X-plore File manager will allow access to root files, without the phone being rooted? And will it allow for editing the root files to perform the hack you mentioned, without being rooted?

No. Your device must be rooted to be able to execute the instructions I posted earlier. The only reason I mentioned X-plore is because if it's configured as described in step-1 of my previous post, it will do all the write-mounting/dismounting automatically, and makes the task rather easy and user friendly.

 

[jejb]

Will those work on a non-rooted phone?

No. The link I posted will require root as well.