Enable On-Screen Android Navigation Buttons on the Galaxy S3 (Requires Root)
***UPDATE*** If you're using the latest builds of CyanogenMod, you don't need to do this! Just go to Settings, Buttons, and check the "Enable on-screen nav bar" box. Et voila!
OK, this is one that's fun to try. You'll either:
- Love it -or-
- Hate it
I know it might seem redundant with the hardware softkeys on the the Galaxy S3, but I really like this mod and it's one of the first things I do after flashing a new rom. The S3 has plenty of screen real estate to handle it, and I find it a much faster way of navigating around the phone, with faster access to app switching and Google Now. Also, frequently while trying to reach down to the "Back" hardware button with my left hand, the phone feels like it's going to shoot out of my hand like a bar of soap.
To enable the on-screen navigation buttons:
Use a file explorer (like Root Explorer) to navigate to
/system/build.prop
and open the file with a text editor. Add the line
qemu.hw.mainkeys=0
at the end of the file. Save and close. Reboot. Done
That's it!
Be advised, there a are a few apps that don't behave well with the keys, such as the camera. For some reason (probably because it's a stock app) instead of resizing, it partially covers up some of the controls. Still completely usable though.
For extra credit, you might try one of these other mods...
Disable the softkeys: Navigate to
/system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchkey.kl
and open the file with a text editor. You will a giant list of key numbers and what they do. Try to find these...
key 172 HOME key 158 BACK key 139 MENU
Add a # before any key you don't wan't to use anymore. Save and reboot.
Thanks to jastonas over on XDA for the post!
Prevent the "HOME" key from waking your phone up: Personally, I like to keep the softkeys engaged. I do still use them from time to time, such as when you can't find the freaking "MENU" key on a poorly designed app. But, in a completely made up statistic, I have found that accidental pocket-engagement of the "HOME" key is responsible for 80% of battery loss.
Navigate to
system/usr/keylayout/sec_keys.kl
and open the file with a text editor. You will see this...
key 115 VOLUME_UP WAKE key 114 VOLUME_DOWN WAKE key 172 HOME WAKE key 116 POWER WAKE
Just delete the word "WAKE" from the "HOME" key (or more if you like, but be careful you still need a way to wake your phone!!!). Save and reboot.
Thanks to Eric over on Galaxy S3 Forums for the post!
That's all there is to it! So now that the S4 is coming out, is anyone getting antsy to trade in their S3? Personally over a year in I'm still happy as a clam...
