Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) - Google Now/Pixel Launcher Side-panel Problem - Galaxy A3, A5, A7, A8, A9 Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

Hello.
I have a Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) and I use the Google Now Launcher. I rely on having the google app to the left of the main home screen for notifications about traffic, weather and news. I like having it there a lot. Today I noticed that it was no longer accessible from there.
I looked this up and it sounds like Google plan to discontinue the Google Now Launcher and replace it with the "Pixel Launcher". But naturally, my device is not supported by this new app.
I downloaded and installed this, and it seems like the Pixel Launcher (or something similar to it, nearly identical) works on my device now. It was very convenient to have because I do not want to Root my phone.
At first the side-panel Google app worked with this (bootleg?) Pixel Launcher, but after I was done customizing my home screens it stopped working. I checked all the options like "Google app to the left of main screen" and such things, and they didn't change anything. It only started working again when I re-booted the phone.
My question is: what made it stop? Can I still get the Google side-panel to open on the original Now launcher (with which I am more used)? I like the Pixel launcher but I prefer to use officially-supported apps so I can get updates for them, and I don't believe the one I downloaded (from the link above) will get any updates.
Any help would be appreciated.

Just downgrade to the old Google Now Launcher

Related

Install Google Now Launcher on AT&T version of Galaxy S5

Hi.. I am looking to install google now launcher on my AT&T Galaxy S5.. I was just wondering will there any issues with using the launcher and Google Now.. I am big fan of them both. Also when Google updates either of these, will i be able to update in Play Store?? I am asking this because I am side loading the launcher. Response is appreciated.
I tried to but can't, maybe change to Nexus 5 in build.prop.
For now you will have to side load any update to that app until Google makes it available for non nexus devices. As you probably already know sideloading works perfectly fine

How well does google now work on note 4?

How good does Google now work on the note 4? I am thinking about getting the note 4 & I am real big on Google now. One of the features that I like the most that this phone offers is the ability to do Google now while the screen is off and wake it. Does this work pretty good?
Also, I read were moto voice makes Google now laggy. How is the Google now in terms of responsiveness for note 4?
I find it very responsive. However, my Google Noaw stopped working (would respond to okay google command only from Google search screen...would not respond from off screen or any other screen for that matter.) I checked all my settings and they were fine. I rebooted, still no joy. Cleared cache, still not. The only thing that worked was uninstalling the updates via app manager. Why this worked I do not know but....if someone runs into similar I hope it helps.
dman777 said:
How good does Google now work on the note 4? I am thinking about getting the note 4 & I am real big on Google now. One of the features that I like the most that this phone offers is the ability to do Google now while the screen is off and wake it. Does this work pretty good?
Also, I read were moto voice makes Google now laggy. How is the Google now in terms of responsiveness for note 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works great, the only problem is if you have a gear watch or anything with bluetooth already connected, then it only works whenever it wants. You can't even set up your own voice if gear watch is on. Once you disconnect the fear watch, it works perfect every time, screen on,off, locked. I also have the s voice active. So with my gear watch connected, i use s voice for text, call, open apps etc from my gear watch. I only use the ok google for searching as ok google does a much better job at searching.
S voice is improved drastically. I'm coming from note 2 so, for me, s voice is like day and night. Even the car mode is amazing. I hope this helps your decision. Note 4 is a beast phone. I have been using it for a week now and love it. I'm stock by the way. No root.
i use the google now launcher and i have no issues (i've disabled S-Voice).
Ok Google search comes up whenever i say the hotword. I don't use it from lock screen (have a lock screen security on), but works fine if you have an unsecured lock screen.
Also have a Moto 360 connected via blutooth and it doesn't affect it at all.
There are some conflict issues between s voice and google now voice search. Once i turned off s voice, the problems went away.
"Always-on"-function gone and replaced by "From any screen". Why?
When you go to the settings of Google Search/Voice/OK Google Detection/
one should see the "Always-on" option, right?
I used to have it, but right now it´s gone and got replaced with "From any screen". I don´t know how that happened.
The problem is, "From any screen" doesn´t work when the display is OFF.
The "Always-on"-function does work also when the display is OFF.
I already re-installed Google Search, but that didn´t help either.
Anyone got an idea how to get the "Always-On"-function back?
Not , but I did find out the delay in voice search is caused the touchwiz launcher. Install the free nova launcher, and the search launched twice as fast, plus has a lot better customization.
Gareee said:
Not , but I did find out the delay in voice search is caused the touchwiz launcher. Install the free nova launcher, and the search launched twice as fast, plus has a lot better customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice, thanks. By the way: Does your Note 4 show the "Always-on"-function, or do you also have only the option "From any screen"?
I wonder whether it could be that there is a special version of the GoogleSearch-app for the Note 4 or devices like to Moto-X?
So when one downloads the standard GoogleSearch-app from the PlayStore, one will not have the "Always-on"-function.
Is that possible?
I have always and also from lock screen checked. There might be a specific version in the samsung pre-installed app store.
I think Always On works better with Nova Launcher than with Google Now Launcher. I was using GNL for a bit and after a long idle, the phone would not respond to "OK Google" with the screen off. It would take turning on the screen, then off, for it to work. My guess is that the Google app gets killed when not in use for a while. With Nova, you have Aggressive Desktop, which is similar to keeping the app in memory. Couple that with enabling "OK Google" from Nova and it keeps the Google app from being killed. Just a theory. Will test more.

Google Assistant Force Closing

Here is the problem, and I have been looking on various sites and forums but thought I would take a peek on XDA and surprised that there isn't much chatter about it in here so wanted to start this thread.
For a few months now I cannot access "Google Now" .
I am running a Rooted Sprint Note 3 and still using Josh's KitKat Killer. Its a GREAT ROM and had been working fine until about Decemberish. Whenever I click on the Google Now Cards, or press the Google App Icon, I get a brief opening of the page with Weather Map and Events etc. but as soon as it loads it crashes out.
I can access a pure voice command search through my Widget to set an alarm, get the weather etc...
I cant help but Note (get it? NOTE!!! Ha!!) but it would seem to have happened at the same time Google Assistant broke onto the scene en masse back in December or so. Coincidence??? hmmmmmmmmmm
I have another phone that also had this problem, (Galaxy S4 Running Lollipop) and quite honestly couldn't get Google to work until I flashed a Nougat ROM and launched the new Google Assistant. I wonder if they are tired of supporting these older phones and are going to force people to up their game by making them upgrade to Nougat phones.
I have seen lots and lots and lots of 'help' sites talk about how if you 'Clear Cache/Uninstall/Re-install/Update' etc that it will work. That is A LIE! And don't talk to me about using the Google Now Launcher (which I am not that thrilled with) because that does not even seem to make a difference either. I have been, and currently using Nova Launcher. The whole process of Install/Uninstall/Install only works once then as soon as it gets a chance to load the data you are back to being screwed. It wont even stay open long enough to access the page to delete/alter/change settings. Very very frustrating.
I cant believe there inst rioting in the streets from millions of disgruntled Google users!!!!
So now I am just not using it. I'd like to but until then it is a hearty HELLO to S-Voice I guess.
--- ---

Missing apps in google launcher

Hey guys I downloaded the google launcher and I don't have any apps in the drawer, going to Nova and touchwiz doesn't have this problem. I've read on other forums similar issues but no fix. Any ideas? Btw nothing is disabled in package pro. Also did a clear data for touchwiz
Same issue here. I just bought a brand new SM-G955U (AT&T). Steps I've done so far with phone:
1) Turned on phone, signed in with google
2) Signed into Samsung account, setup acct, setup gearS3, samsung pay, then I logged out and signed in as a different samsung user (just to match the google acct).
3) Installed all the Google apps, updated everything, finished hours later.
4) Installed Samsung update, approx 45mb
5) Install Google Launcher from app store. Setup all my shortcuts, font-size, wallpaper...
6) Woke up this morning, opened the app drawer using the Google Launcher, shows no apps, just the words "Search Apps"
7) Switched back to TouchWiz, all is ok, working as normal.
8) uninstalled Google Launcher, reinstalled, still no apps in drawer. Also tried to clear the App-Cache, no go.
9) I tried to install the "Pixel Launcher" from the XDA forums, where it did work fine on my Moto Z Play, still no apps in drawer on my GS8+.
There seems to be some posts on other sites related to the same symptoms, but with older devices from about 2-3 years ago. They point to Knox as the culprit, but no step-by-step instructions on how to permenantly fix the issue.
Anyone? Ideas? Please?!
JonnyB
It's not compatible with secure folder. If you enable it, you won't see any apps in the app drawer
I tried disabling secure folder in package pro and it doesn't fix the problem
quangtungnguyen said:
I tried disabling secure folder in package pro and it doesn't fix the problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You actually have to uninstall it if you've opened it once, not just disable it
I uninstalled Google Launcher and all my apps re-appeared.
craya said:
You actually have to uninstall it if you've opened it once, not just disable it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cant uninstall the secure folder
I had the same problem and it's not Google, it's Samsung. I realized that only my games were not showing up but I could search them in settings. Turns out they were going to the game launcher. In game launcher settings there is an option to hide apps on home screen and drawer. Well, that is enabled by default. Hope this helps

Did i miss an update? (Leeco Le S3 X626)

So i've been reading for a bit and apparently there was an update that added an app drawer to Leeco phones (someone correct me if i'm wrong) but i can't find the system update option on my phone at all and i've looked everywhere.
Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
EDIT: Did some additional searching and it seems i have a shop rom (i have google apps and no system update option and zero chinese bloatware).
So for anyone that comes across this thread, you can't update unless you go through update.zip.
That's bad. I just got this phone and I was suprised that I don't have the bloatware launcher, but Google Now. Also I can't find any system updater in options. Seems like I have the same thing, which is both a plus and minus. And do you have a problem with custom launchers? Google Now is a poop and when I installed Lawnchair, I couldn't remove the last app I opened from the multitasking. Specifically it appeared in one "window" with the launcher so I couldn't "kick it out". I got back to Google Now, but I hate it. Do you have the same problem?
(Lol, such a long post)
Haven't actually tried a different launcher, i hear Nova is good though, it might be worth it to try.
TramSK said:
That's bad. I just got this phone and I was suprised that I don't have the bloatware launcher, but Google Now. Also I can't find any system updater in options. Seems like I have the same thing, which is both a plus and minus. And do you have a problem with custom launchers? Google Now is a poop and when I installed Lawnchair, I couldn't remove the last app I opened from the multitasking. Specifically it appeared in one "window" with the launcher so I couldn't "kick it out". I got back to Google Now, but I hate it. Do you have the same problem?
(Lol, such a long post)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for such a late reply. Finally moved to a custom launcher (Microsoft Launcher) and it has the same issue with the last app staying open. So i make sure to always keep the dialer/contacts app open as it seems like the least performance/battery heavy app to keep running. Annoying, but way way better than the launcher the phone came with that didn't even have an app drawer.

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