From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android


I am setting up a new device with Android 16, Android programmers seem to
have reached the sane state as Windows programmers, fiddling round hiding things because they are bored.

Can anybody help with:

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can turn
it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in 16 I
just can't see how to get rid of it.

Changing the order of home screens, I used to be able to give a long press
on a home screen and then change the order, I can't see how to do that now.

Stop odd app icons appearing at the bottom of the home screen, I used to
be able to turn that off but can't find that option now.

Is there any way to bring the old navigation marker back? I can get to
places by wiping upwards on the screen but I can's see what apps are
running.

Any help much appreciated :-)
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
It may be that your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others. --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can
turn it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in
16 I just can't see how to get rid of it.

You'll probably need to install a 3rd party launcher

Changing the order of home screens, I used to be able to give a long
press on a home screen and then change the order, I can't see how to do
that now.

I never remember being able to do that, again find a launcher that
allows it

Stop odd app icons appearing at the bottom of the home screen, I used to
be able to turn that off but can't find that option now.

Normally they appear after installing apps, there's a setting "add new
apps to home screen" search for that within settings

Is there any way to bring the old navigation marker back? I can get to places by wiping upwards on the screen but I can's see what apps are running.

turn off gesture navigation, again search in settings for for gesture or navigation

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:

I am setting up a new device with Android 16, Android programmers seem to have reached the sane state as Windows programmers, fiddling round hiding things because they are bored.

Can anybody help with:

First tell us which brand and model you have, then we might be able to
help.

What you're asking is probably brand/model dependent, because most
(all?) what you're asking is no problem on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (also
with Android 16).

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can turn it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in 16 I just can't see how to get rid of it.

*Which* "Google' box? The *search* one (wide ellips form box) or the
*news* one (which has 'news' items you can doomscroll) or yet another? Remember, 'Google' is many different things.

Changing the order of home screens, I used to be able to give a long press on a home screen and then change the order, I can't see how to do that now.

Stop odd app icons appearing at the bottom of the home screen, I used to
be able to turn that off but can't find that option now.

Is there any way to bring the old navigation marker back? I can get to places by wiping upwards on the screen but I can's see what apps are running.

Any help much appreciated :-)

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 11/09/2026 in message <1181k4b.848.1@ID-201911.user.individual.net>
Frank Slootweg wrote:

Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:

I am setting up a new device with Android 16, Android programmers seem to >>have reached the sane state as Windows programmers, fiddling round hiding >>things because they are bored.

Can anybody help with:

First tell us which brand and model you have, then we might be able to
help.

Sorry, TABWEE T60 12 Inch Android 16 with LTE. Supposed to have 8 GB RAM +
16 GB virtual but only seems to have 6 GB so thinking about that :-(

What you're asking is probably brand/model dependent, because most
(all?) what you're asking is no problem on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (also
with Android 16).

It is supposed to be vanilla Android without anything like MUI sitting on
top of it.

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can turn >>it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in 16 I >>just can't see how to get rid of it.

Which "Google' box? The search one (wide ellips form box) or the
news one (which has 'news' items you can doomscroll) or yet another? >Remember, 'Google' is many different things.

It's the search box, no idea why it has pride of place

Changing the order of home screens, I used to be able to give a long press >>on a home screen and then change the order, I can't see how to do that >>now.

Stop odd app icons appearing at the bottom of the home screen, I used to
be able to turn that off but can't find that option now.

Is there any way to bring the old navigation marker back? I can get to >>places by wiping upwards on the screen but I can's see what apps are >>running.

Found these now!
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
This joke was so funny when I heard it for the first time I fell of my dinosaur.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 11/09/2026 in message <ngiqkqFhv8qU1@mid.individual.net> Andy Burns
wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can >>turn it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in >>16 I just can't see how to get rid of it.

You'll probably need to install a 3rd party launcher

I have used Nova Launcher in the past but didn't something odd happen to it?

Changing the order of home screens, I used to be able to give a long >>press on a home screen and then change the order, I can't see how to do >>that now.

I never remember being able to do that, again find a launcher that allows
it

Stop odd app icons appearing at the bottom of the home screen, I used to >>be able to turn that off but can't find that option now.

Normally they appear after installing apps, there's a setting "add new
apps to home screen" search for that within settings

After I have used an app it's appearing in the launch bar at the bottom of
the screen I think it is called preferred apps or suggested apps.

Is there any way to bring the old navigation marker back? I can get to >>places by wiping upwards on the screen but I can's see what apps are >>running.

turn off gesture navigation, again search in settings for for gesture or >navigation

Thanks found it!
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
The only thing Flat Earthers fear is sphere itself.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

A little earlier, I wrote:

Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:

[...]

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can turn it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in 16 I just can't see how to get rid of it.

*Which* "Google' box? The *search* one (wide ellips form box) or the
*news* one (which has 'news' items you can doomscroll) or yet another? Remember, 'Google' is many different things.

This news-type 'Google' app is apparently also known as 'Google
Discover'. Search on 'Discover' in your Settings. (On my phone it's set
to appear by swiping the Home screen to the right. In my Settings it's
under 'Add media page to home screen'.)

[...]
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:

On 11/09/2026 in message <1181k4b.848.1@ID-201911.user.individual.net>
Frank Slootweg wrote:

[...]

First tell us which brand and model you have, then we might be able to
help.

Sorry, TABWEE T60 12 Inch Android 16 with LTE. Supposed to have 8 GB RAM + 16 GB virtual but only seems to have 6 GB so thinking about that :-(

OK. Can't help with that one. A bit out of the ordinary. Perhaps
someone else can help.

What you're asking is probably brand/model dependent, because most
(all?) what you're asking is no problem on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (also
with Android 16).

It is supposed to be vanilla Android without anything like MUI sitting on top of it.

As far as the 'launcher' ('MUI' in your case?) and (general)
'Settings' are concerned, there is no such thing as "vanilla Android".

Samsung phones are different from Motorola phones which are different
from (Google) Pixel phones, etc., ad infinitum.

So for all configuration/settings/UI/etc. questions, you always need
to mention the brand and model (and Android version, which you did
mention).

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can turn >>it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in 16 I >>just can't see how to get rid of it.

Which "Google' box? The search one (wide ellips form box) or the
news one (which has 'news' items you can doomscroll) or yet another? >Remember, 'Google' is many different things.

It's the search box, no idea why it has pride of place

On my phone, I can just long-press the icon and then get (amongst
others) 'Remove'.

[...]
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can >>>turn it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in >>>16 I just can't see how to get rid of it.

You'll probably need to install a 3rd party launcher

I have used Nova Launcher in the past but didn't something odd happen to it?

I made this screenshot for you today.
<https://i.postimg.cc/jj5n5Kkg/nova-backup.jpg>
a. You don't see no stinkin' Google search bar, right?
b. You see that I have full control of the icon locations
c. New icons don't pollute my home screen
d. It's Nova but without the 'odd' stuff (that happened to it)

There's still no better launcher on the planet, AFAIK, than Nova Launcher.
Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
Subject: What does your Android app launcher do that Nova Launcher doesn't do?
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 2026 12:42:24 -0800
Message-ID: <114llnh$2i0t$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

I use Nova Launcher and yes, something "odd" happened to it, but the trick
is to use the last known good version and to prevent it from updating.

Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
Subject: Nova launcher - wiped out my homescreen & can't find apps like Muntashirakon
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2026 23:44:25 -0800
Message-ID: <114hjop$13f6$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

Last known good version of Nova free/adfree launcher 7.0.57 by TeslaCoil
<https://tinyurl.com/nova-launcher> last known good version
<https://mobile.softpedia.com/apk/nova-launcher/7.0.57/>
<https://mobile.softpedia.com/apk/dyn-postdownload.php/8b21f6f729320222bb5f58052aa5045a/6a6c4ad0/d0/4/1d915>
<https://us.softpedia-secure-download.com/dl/e225364b176a7e7fdb683772e4081e74/6a6c3cdf/800000208/apk/Nova7-7.0.57.apk>

Note I'm told that Nova Launcher 8.0.6 (Beta, still TeslaCoil) is still
good, but I've been using 7.0.57 since, oh, since forever, so it's what I
know.

Getting rid of the Google Search is easy though, as it's a package in and
of itself. I forget the name of that package but you can just delete it.

Changing the order of home screens, I used to be able to give a long >>>press on a home screen and then change the order, I can't see how to do >>>that now.

I never remember being able to do that, again find a launcher that allows >>it

Stop odd app icons appearing at the bottom of the home screen, I used to >>>be able to turn that off but can't find that option now.

Normally they appear after installing apps, there's a setting "add new >>apps to home screen" search for that within settings

After I have used an app it's appearing in the launch bar at the bottom of the screen I think it is called preferred apps or suggested apps.

Nova has a setting for whether new app icons should appear or not.
Here are some random screenshots of my setup using Nova Launcher.

One hint is to back up your homescreen once you set it up, so that you can
port it to the same phone (after a factory reset) or to any other phone.
--
Only the best of the Usenet posters can add value in every single article.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Frank Slootweg wrote:

As far as the 'launcher' ('MUI' in your case?) and (general)
'Settings' are concerned, there is no such thing as "vanilla Android".
Samsung phones are different from Motorola phones which are different
from (Google) Pixel phones, etc., ad infinitum.

So for all configuration/settings/UI/etc. questions, you always need
to mention the brand and model (and Android version, which you did
mention).

Both Frank and I have Samsungs, where it's so far from the AOSP android
that it's not funny. Samsung changed a trillion things it didn't have to.

So I agree with Frank that a *lot* of questions, for us to help the OP,
require us knowing the make and model and often the Android version &
launcher (although most people seem to keep the stock launcher in place).

While I will not dispute that statement that there is no such thing as
Vanilla Android, I suspect the "closest thing to it" might be, oh, maybe
the Pixel or Nothing phone. Supposedly Motorola phones, and OnePlus
OxygenOS is closer to stock, but Frank is correct, there is no such thing
as vanilla Android.

Without unlocking the bootloader anyway...

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can turn >>>>it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in 16 I >>>>just can't see how to get rid of it.

Which "Google' box? The search one (wide ellips form box) or the
news one (which has 'news' items you can doomscroll) or yet another? >>>Remember, 'Google' is many different things.

It's the search box, no idea why it has pride of place

On my phone, I can just long-press the icon and then get (amongst
others) 'Remove'.

One of the first things I removed was the google-search package.
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

But I saw Frank also posted there are some new google "things", so if it's
not that package, the OP simply needs to figure out what package it is that
he wants to remove and then remove it (or disable it if it won't remove).
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
--
Each post to Usenet should strive to add value to what people already said.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 2026-09-11, Frank Slootweg wrote:

Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:

On 11/09/2026 in message <1181k4b.848.1@ID-201911.user.individual.net>
Frank Slootweg wrote:

[...]

First tell us which brand and model you have, then we might be able to
help.

Sorry, TABWEE T60 12 Inch Android 16 with LTE. Supposed to have 8 GB RAM + >> 16 GB virtual but only seems to have 6 GB so thinking about that :-(

OK. Can't help with that one. A bit out of the ordinary. Perhaps
someone else can help.

What you're asking is probably brand/model dependent, because most
(all?) what you're asking is no problem on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (also
with Android 16).

It is supposed to be vanilla Android without anything like MUI sitting on >> top of it.

As far as the 'launcher' ('MUI' in your case?) and (general)
'Settings' are concerned, there is no such thing as "vanilla
Android".

I suppose Jeff may have meant MIUI, one of the few systems referred to
with a different name (not sure how different from AOSP it is),
although, yes, it's quite common for manufacturers to have modified
builds, sometimes more heavily modified, and this is not just about
bundled apps, but parts of the system interface itself, like settings
(although that technically is likely a bundled app too...)

Samsung phones are different from Motorola phones which are different
from (Google) Pixel phones, etc., ad infinitum.

So for all configuration/settings/UI/etc. questions, you always need
to mention the brand and model (and Android version, which you did
mention).

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can turn >> >>it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in 16 I
just can't see how to get rid of it.

Which "Google' box? The search one (wide ellips form box) or the
news one (which has 'news' items you can doomscroll) or yet another?
Remember, 'Google' is many different things.

It's the search box, no idea why it has pride of place

On my phone, I can just long-press the icon and then get (amongst
others) 'Remove'.

[...]

Yeah, but this is indeed launcher-dependent, so you'd need to at least
find out which launcher it is to look up how to configure it.

I suppose some may also have an option to prevent changing the home
screens accidentally.
--
Nuno Silva
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/09/2026 in message <11823fa$39udm$3@dont-email.me> Nuno Silva wrote:

On 2026-09-11, Frank Slootweg wrote:

Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:

On 11/09/2026 in message <1181k4b.848.1@ID-201911.user.individual.net> >>>Frank Slootweg wrote:

[...]

First tell us which brand and model you have, then we might be able to >>>>help.

Sorry, TABWEE T60 12 Inch Android 16 with LTE. Supposed to have 8 GB RAM >>>+
16 GB virtual but only seems to have 6 GB so thinking about that :-(

OK. Can't help with that one. A bit out of the ordinary. Perhaps
someone else can help.

What you're asking is probably brand/model dependent, because most >>>>(all?) what you're asking is no problem on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (also >>>>with Android 16).

It is supposed to be vanilla Android without anything like MUI sitting on >>>top of it.

As far as the 'launcher' ('MUI' in your case?) and (general)
'Settings' are concerned, there is no such thing as "vanilla
Android".

I suppose Jeff may have meant MIUI, one of the few systems referred to
with a different name (not sure how different from AOSP it is),
although, yes, it's quite common for manufacturers to have modified
builds, sometimes more heavily modified, and this is not just about
bundled apps, but parts of the system interface itself, like settings >(although that technically is likely a bundled app too...)

Android reviews always mention the interface sitting on top of Android and praise those devices where it is pure Android.

Samsung uses OneUI, Huawei uses EMUI etc.

The TABWEE said in the blurb:
Latest Native Android 16 & Gemini AI Assistant: Step into the future with
the newest Native Android 16 OS. Our clean, fast, and privacy-optimised
system is completely free of bloatware. Integrated with Google Gemini AI

The bit about no bloatware is crap of course!

Samsung phones are different from Motorola phones which are different >>from (Google) Pixel phones, etc., ad infinitum.

So for all configuration/settings/UI/etc. questions, you always need
to mention the brand and model (and Android version, which you did >>mention).

Getting rid of the "Google" box on the home screen, sometimes you can >>>>>turn
it off in settings, sometimes you can drag it to a delete icon, in 16 I >>>>>just can't see how to get rid of it.

Which "Google' box? The search one (wide ellips form box) or the
news one (which has 'news' items you can doomscroll) or yet another? >>>>Remember, 'Google' is many different things.

It's the search box, no idea why it has pride of place

On my phone, I can just long-press the icon and then get (amongst >>others) 'Remove'.

[...]

Yeah, but this is indeed launcher-dependent, so you'd need to at least
find out which launcher it is to look up how to configure it.

I suppose some may also have an option to prevent changing the home
screens accidentally.

Nova gives the option to replace it with something else, previous devices respond to a long click and would remove it.
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day.
Tomorrow, isn't looking good either.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 11/09/2026 in message <xn0pung9d3o00ty006@news.individual.net> Jeff
Gaines wrote:

Sorry, TABWEE T60 12 Inch Android 16 with LTE. Supposed to have 8 GB RAM + >16 GB virtual but only seems to have 6 GB so thinking about that :-(

Return started, if they can't get the memory right there s no knowing what else might be wrong. It's an Evri collection (free), wonder if that's as
good as their deliveries...
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
You know it's cold outside when you go outside and it's cold.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/09/2026 10:18, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 11/09/2026 in message <xn0pung9d3o00ty006@news.individual.net> Jeff
Gaines wrote:

Sorry, TABWEE T60 12 Inch Android 16 with LTE. Supposed to have 8 GB RAM + >> 16 GB virtual but only seems to have 6 GB so thinking about that :-(

Return started, if they can't get the memory right there s no knowing what else might be wrong. It's an Evri collection (free), wonder if that's as
good as their deliveries...

Why don't you post back here in a year or so and let us know. ;-)
--
Jeff
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/09/2026 in message <1183abo$3lv18$1@dont-email.me> Jeff Layman wrote:

On 12/09/2026 10:18, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 11/09/2026 in message <xn0pung9d3o00ty006@news.individual.net> Jeff >>Gaines wrote:

Sorry, TABWEE T60 12 Inch Android 16 with LTE. Supposed to have 8 GB RAM >>>+
16 GB virtual but only seems to have 6 GB so thinking about that :-(

Return started, if they can't get the memory right there s no knowing what >>else might be wrong. It's an Evri collection (free), wonder if that's as >>good as their deliveries...

Why don't you post back here in a year or so and let us know. ;-)

:-)
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by those who
watch them without doing anything. (Albert Einstein)
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Android reviews always mention the interface sitting on top of Android and praise those devices where it is pure Android.

Hi Jeff,

It's my understanding (which can be wrong) that the Pixel is the most
vanilla of Android, and, since a Pixel bootloader can be unlocked, that's
even better as AOSP Android can be installed by the user if they want to.

My USA-spec Samsung bootloader is not known to be unlockable so I'm stuck.

Samsung uses OneUI, Huawei uses EMUI etc.

The Samsung OneUI is, in my humble opinion, a whole 'nuther Android.
It's that different. At least, to me it is.

If I dig up instructions for how to do something in Android 13, for
example, on a Pixel, it's often COMPLETELY DIFFERENT on my Samsung Galaxy.

The TABWEE said in the blurb:
Latest Native Android 16 & Gemini AI Assistant: Step into the future with the newest Native Android 16 OS. Our clean, fast, and privacy-optimised system is completely free of bloatware. Integrated with Google Gemini AI

The bit about no bloatware is crap of course!

I have had a Samsung since 2021 where there's tons of bloatware, but,
luckily, there are well-curated lists out there of what can be removed.

While I debloated over a period of years, removing one app a day, and
testing the implications, nowadays there are universal debloaters that run
on the PC such as the Universal Android Debloater (UAD) which use curated lists, I'm told, for each device.

There are also on-device Android curated-list debloaters such as Canta,
which work with Shizuku to debloat devices, although I don't use it.

I've tested both. But I did my debloating manually.

The funny thing is by debloating, I made my phone physically incapable of showing advertisements, which, well, that result surprised even me. :)

I suppose some may also have an option to prevent changing the home
screens accidentally.

Nova gives the option to replace it with something else, previous devices respond to a long click and would remove it.

I have been using Nova for, oh, I don't know, since Android 4.0 long ago.

I've tested every free app launcher (and wrote up reports on this ng long
ago), where nothing, at the time, even came close to what Nova does.

I still use it today, but I use the last known Tesla Coils version.
--
On Usenet, some of us share what we have learned so others do not struggle.
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From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/09/2026 in message <xn0puohtw4ls1ff009@news.individual.net> Jeff
Gaines wrote:

On 11/09/2026 in message <xn0pung9d3o00ty006@news.individual.net> Jeff >Gaines wrote:

Sorry, TABWEE T60 12 Inch Android 16 with LTE. Supposed to have 8 GB RAM + >>16 GB virtual but only seems to have 6 GB so thinking about that :-(

Return started, if they can't get the memory right there s no knowing what >else might be wrong. It's an Evri collection (free), wonder if that's as >good as their deliveries...

Just to close this with a bit or irony.

Evri didn't turn up Monday or Tuesday so I had a "chat" with Amazon who
said they would re-schedule for today (Thursday). Evri delivered something else yesterday and I asked the chap if he wanted to take the return
although it wasn't scheduled until Thursday, he said yes, it would save
him a trip so of it went.

He turned up to collect it again today, forgot he took it yesterday!
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
If Bj%rn & Benny had been called Syd and Dave then ABBA would have been
called ASDA.
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