New user questions...

[stewarta13wsb]

I don't know what I changed but now I have the dreaded google search bar on every screen I add apps to - how do I get rid of it. Can't switch off Google now either.
All the photos show the Moto Z with a colourd circle around the clock (battery guage?) How do you switch that on?
Thanks for help...

 

[doogald]

I don't know what I changed but now I have the dreaded google search bar on every screen I add apps to - how do I get rid of it. Can't switch off Google now either.

Did you by any chance install the Google Now launcher and make it the default home app?

 

[stewarta13wsb]

I did, but just like I have on previous non Moto phones and I could change it, but on this no long press and delete and the Google now page is there all the time not just when you hold the button

 

[doogald]

Try going back to the default Motorola launcher? Just install Google Now launcher from the Play Store (or settings / applications). The Moto launcher has an option to remove the Google widget on all home screens and doesn't show Google Now cards as the left-most home screen. That will solve that at least.

The clock is a widget that you can add to any home screen, though it should be front and center on the default Moto launcher.

 

[stewarta13wsb]

Even in the play store there is no uninstall button

 

[doogald]

Sorry, I don't have this phone, but is there a way to change the default home/launcher in settings / apps, tap the gear icon top right, and choose "default apps"?

 

[stewarta13wsb]

Good try doogald, but the launcher is not in there as an option

 

[stewarta13wsb]

The clock is a widget that you can add to any home screen, though it should be front and center on the default Moto launcher.

Yes, I've got the clock in the right place, I just can't find a way to get the battery bar running round the outside of it?

 

[doogald]

Yes, I've got the clock in the right place, I just can't find a way to get the battery bar running round the outside of it?

Can you grab a screenshot?

Also, just to ask the question, have you disabled any apps on the phone? (If you don't know what I am talking about, then you most likely haven't.)

 

[Thom]

On the Turbo 2 the answer to your original question ...

The Command Center widget allows you to create the round clock display showing battery level circle.

Do you have that widget available?

... Thom

 

[doogald]

One last question: do you have the Verizon Moto Z Droid Edition, or do you have the unlocked, non-Verizon Moto Z? It may be that the clock "circle widget" is Verizon-exclusive...

 

[stewarta13wsb]

"Can you grab a screenshot?"

After I worked out how to take it, and then where the hell it saved it, yes! Then I searched for one showing the battery bar - it's on the droid, you guys were right
Wonder if it's downloadable?

"Also, just to ask the question, have you disabled any apps on the phone? (If you don't know what I am talking about, then you most likely haven't.)"

Yes but nothing drastic!

As for Google being everywhere, I downloaded the Nova Launcher and that's hidden all the search bars and Google now page thanks.

Next! (Sorry)

The SD card. I just popped it in as normal with previous phones and it didn't work properly. It suggested making it only work with the phone, not on other devices (I forget the name... not helpful now... but I guess it makes it like all one big memory?
Trouble is if I open the Moto File manager all I see now is the SD card, no phone storage?? Don't want to mess with it again as the last format wiped it (luckily I had a back-up)

 

[doogald]

So, you do have the unlocked Z. That may explain everything - it's possible that Motorola made the Google Now launcher the default on the unlocked model, while they use something called "Launcher3" on the Droid version. That one would be strange, if true.

Wonder if it's downloadable?

Sadly, I think not.

"Also, just to ask the question, have you disabled any apps on the phone? (If you don't know what I am talking about, then you most likely haven't.)"

Yes but nothing drastic!

Where I was going: did you disable something called "launcher3", or "Moto launcher" or "MotLauncher" (I'm not sure what Moto called it now on settings / apps.) However....

As for Google being everywhere, I downloaded the Nova Launcher and that's hidden all the search bars and Google now page thanks.

That was going to be my next suggestion!

The SD card. I just popped it in as normal with previous phones and it didn't work properly. It suggested making it only work with the phone, not on other devices (I forget the name... not helpful now... but I guess it makes it like all one big memory?
Trouble is if I open the Moto File manager all I see now is the SD card, no phone storage?? Don't want to mess with it again as the last format wiped it (luckily I had a back-up)

You set it up for Adoptable Storage I assume? Adopted Storage uses the SD card as the actual internal storage for the device, so it will not show up in a file manager - it is not a separate device any longer.

(As an aside, I truly wish that Adoptable Storage was only available on cheap phones with small storage totals, like 4 GB and 8 GB phones only. This was such a huge mistake IMHO to offer on high-end phones like this one.)

Motorola also has a note about switching from adopted to portable storage, which is what I think you want. this: https://motorola-global-portal.cust...er_detail/a_id/109134/p/1449,9582#changedmind

What I do not know is whether you lose data. I *think* not, but you may find that you will need to reinstall some apps, if you've installed apps since adopting storage.

 

[stewarta13wsb]

Thanks for all that Doogald, a gentleman of the Forum World.
I didn't knowingly delete Moto Launcher but can't find it listed anywhere now. Google seems to be a very powerful 'cleaner' and 'controller' of an unlocked Moto phone! I'm going to stick with Novo rather than continue down that route and waste everyone's time.

The SD card thing... yes I think adoptable was the word I don't like it much though. Can't see what I've got on the phone now, it just looks like one total - but it doesn't add the two together on the computer, it just shows me the SD card?
If I undo it I guess I lose what's on the card again? And If I copy everything back, from what you say, some APPS might end up in the wrong place and not work? Sounds like leave that alone too!!

Here's an easy one... every phone I've had, I've changed it's name (don't know why, I just do) but again, on this Moto I can't find the phones name to change it? Small but daft.

Great phone but I'm not enjoying it. Maybe just missing the irreplaceable Note 7

 

[doogald]

I don't like it much though. Can't see what I've got on the phone now, it just looks like one total - but it doesn't add the two together on the computer, it just shows me the SD card?

Sadly, that's what I think happens. The SD card gets used as internal storage and the internal storage gets ignored. I believe it's possible for the maker of the phone to combine the storage into one big virtual disk, but you cannot do that as a user.

(Again, I don't have the Z, so I am only guessing based on your description that Moto basically just uses the SD card from this point forward as storage.)

If I undo it I guess I lose what's on the card again? And If I copy everything back, from what you say, some APPS might end up in the wrong place and not work? Sounds like leave that alone too!!

I do not know. Hopefully somebody who has done this will chime in...

Here's an easy one... every phone I've had, I've changed it's name (don't know why, I just do) but again, on this Moto I can't find the phones name to change it? Small but daft.

If it was formatted as portable storage, you would be able to change the name.

 

[stewarta13wsb]

Yay... one back from me... one small victory
http://www.droidviews.com/install-moto-z-circle-clock-widget-on-your-android-without-root/