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Help Recent apps button stopped working

L

Lavi12

Lurker
Hello!
I got a new Galaxy Alpha yesterday. I used it for a while before updating to Lollipop and everything was fine. Since I updated the recent apps button stop working completely.
I've already tried to delete cach partition, and factory data reset and still no solution.

Does anyone have an idea?
Thanks!

Edit:
Oops, sorry about the double-post
 
I think lollipop changed the button layout/function on Samsungs.
Try long pressing some buttons.
Or maybe someone with a sammy running LP can shed some light?
 
Thanks guys!
Long pressing the home button starts a google search, and the recent apps button just does nothing. I've seen other posts about this problem but none with a fix.
This is very frustrating...
 
Lavi12 said:
Thanks guys!
Long pressing the home button starts a google search, and the recent apps button just does nothing. I've seen other posts about this problem but none with a fix.
This is very frustrating...
Click to expand...
So you have no access to the recents screen at all?
That can't be right.
Have you tried askin in your device forum?
I don't think there's any way of "remapping" the hardware buttons without root but I can't imagine Samsung deliberately leaving you with no access to recents.
Have you tried googling "lollipop changes to galaxy alpha" or similar?
 
The only way to get to that screen which I have found is by the assistant menu through accessibility settings.
other than that I have no access to the recents screen.

I haven't noticed there was a forum for each model until now, so I will try asking there.
 
Hi again, as to now, no one has answered my question in the Galaxy Alpha forum.
I've googled the changes of Lollipop, and saw there was a change in the recents - it was stated "new overview space (formerly called recent menu)" - but I guess it shouldn't be inaccessible...
I'm thinking maybe of rooting my device only for that issue, since it's driving me crazy not being able to switch between apps.
What do you think?
 
You could install Nova Prime launcher (not free) and use a gesture like slide a finger up the screen to bring up recents (i dont think free Nova has gestures but you could try it)
And a few bucks beats rooting your phone :thumbsupdroid;
 
It is what is usually used by work emails etc...that's what I use it for. Do you have any apps allowed to use specific security? I'm assuming not as you say you factory reset so there wouldn't have been any apps installed and still not working?
 
I am having a similar problem, but just at work when i have to sign in. Sounds like the security issue someone else mentioned.
 
Last edited:
Had the same issue begin on a Droid Mini yesterday evening.

Actually, it is acting like I am pressing the Recent Apps button constantly, even when not touching the screen and without a case or screen protector. This causes the recent apps to blink in and out repeatedly, at times; and even when it is not doing that, the recent apps button is unresponsive.
 
Lavi12 said:
Hello!
I got a new Galaxy Alpha yesterday. I used it for a while before updating to Lollipop and everything was fine. Since I updated the recent apps button stop working completely.
I've already tried to delete cach partition, and factory data reset and still no solution.

Does anyone have an idea?
Thanks!

Edit:
Oops, sorry about the double-post
Click to expand...
Lavi12 said:
Hello!
I got a new Galaxy Alpha yesterday. I used it for a while before updating to Lollipop and everything was fine. Since I updated the recent apps button stop working completely.
I've already tried to delete cach partition, and factory data reset and still no solution.

Does anyone have an idea?
Thanks!

Edit:
Oops, sorry about the double-post
Click to expand...
My galaxy s6 recent apps quit 2 days ago, I simply shut down for a few minutes,,,when I turned it on my recent apps worked again,,,,good luck,,,,,
 
nelliej said:
My galaxy s6 recent apps quit 2 days ago, I simply shut down for a few minutes,,,when I turned it on my recent apps worked again,,,,good luck,,,,,
Click to expand...
I have a few Galaxy devices, my S6 recent apps button stopped working before the Galaxy firmware update, my Galaxy Tab E recent tab button stopped working today. If I turn my devises of and on again it's back...
 
JNoble said:
Had the same issue begin on a Droid Mini yesterday evening.

Actually, it is acting like I am pressing the Recent Apps button constantly, even when not touching the screen and without a case or screen protector. This causes the recent apps to blink in and out repeatedly, at times; and even when it is not doing that, the recent apps button is unresponsive.
Click to expand...

I am having the same EXACT issue with my Droid Mini! The "Recent Apps" function has a mind of its own, going crazy on and off and interrupting anything I am trying to do. The button for it on the bottom right of my phone is unresponsive. Stopping and restarting does not fix it. The phone's operating system is up to date. I also noticed that the phone gets very hot a lot, but this also happens even when the phone is cool and not being used! Have you found any answers???!
 
Sandi_T said:
I am having the same EXACT issue with my Droid Mini! The "Recent Apps" function has a mind of its own, going crazy on and off and interrupting anything I am trying to do. The button for it on the bottom right of my phone is unresponsive. Stopping and restarting does not fix it. The phone's operating system is up to date. I also noticed that the phone gets very hot a lot, but this also happens even when the phone is cool and not being used! Have you found any answers???!
Click to expand...
Had the exact same freak out last night, and then I lost my 'recent apps' and 'home' button on my Note4.

Are you using Google Now Launcher?

I was about to reset my phone when I noticed other top-level symptoms beside the softkeys. With Google Now just updated, I uninstalled it and chose the stock SmartWiz as my default home app, and voila! Everything is working again!!

Settings > Default Applications : Home
Choose anything but Google Now Launcher.

The buttons (and everything else) function just as before. I reinstall Google Now from the AppStore and so far so good. Hope this work for you too!
 
dt2c said:
I uninstalled it and chose the stock SmartWiz as my default home app, and voila! Everything is working again!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the ideas dt2c! After a lot of searching and brainstorming when that first happened, I attempted to uninstall Google Now, (which I have never used!) but I was unable to find out HOW to uninstall it. Anything I found online did not match up with my phone when I tried to follow the steps.

Your idea of not using Google Now Launcher was news to me, so I thought I would try that... however, I can not find the Home Default Applications anywhere in Settings! ?? I have a weird phone! :)

In the mean time I have "turned off" anything in the Google settings that sounded like it was related to Google Now. (There was no any one specific thing I could find to "turn off" Google Now itself.)

I've powered off and will see what happens when I turn it back on!

(minutes later... after turning phone back on...)
I am guessing that the settings for everything I turned off didn't "stick" when I turned the phone off and on again... it is now acting up worse than before I turned it off. I can't go through turning everything Google related every time I turn the phone off and on! SIGH!!! This is frustrating! I used to love my Mini before all this started happening!
 
My Samsung Note4 is running Android 6.0.1. These steps are based on that version.

Google Now Launcher (GNL) appears in my app list with an extra step.

Settings > Application Manager
Within the '...' menu, Show system apps

Find GNL in the list, select and uninstall.


Alternatively, I can uninstall GNL when choosing my default home app

Settings > Default Applications
Home (Google Now Launcher)

Tapping that shows a list of Samsung's stock launcher apps and GNL selected. Tapping on GNL trash can icon pops the uninstall confirmation prompt.

Hope this helps.
 
dt2c said:
My Samsung Note4 is running Android 6.0.1. These steps are based on that version.

Google Now Launcher (GNL) appears in my app list with an extra step.

Settings > Application Manager
Within the '...' menu, Show system apps

Find GNL in the list, select and uninstall.


Alternatively, I can uninstall GNL when choosing my default home app

Settings > Default Applications
Home (Google Now Launcher)

Tapping that shows a list of Samsung's stock launcher apps and GNL selected. Tapping on GNL trash can icon pops the uninstall confirmation prompt.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...


Unfortunately I don't have any of those on my Droid Mini! Thanks though! Maybe my next phone will be a Samsung!
 
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