Hi all!
As you may know, the Remix Mini (or maybe it's Remix OS) doesn't allow the use of third party launchers, so we're stuck with the default one always. Yes, it's beautiful and useful, but if you have it on the TV, it's not so great.
So, very easily, I got a third party launcher to work on the Mini without root. In this case, a gorgeous TV style one, but anyone can work (I tried Apex too). Google TV Launcher doesn't work, but I didn't spend time on it: I think it only works on specific devices.
Finally, now it looks like this:
Heads-up: No wallpaper support (black wallpaper by default). You won't be able to have a wallpaper, unless the launcher itself is able to set one independently from the system. For example, TVLauncher has a setting for this, and it's now black (yay!).
How to do it (non-detailed guide):
PART 1: MAKING THE LAUNCHER A NORMAL APP
The thing is, there is a line on the androidmanifest.xml on the launcher apps that says it's a Home (Launcher), so the Remix reads that and blocks the app. Let's fix that:
1. Get the apk of the launcher. Go to APKMirror, or download it on any device, find the apk on the /data/app folder, and send it to your computer.
2. Decompile the apk. For those who don't know what this is, it's not so difficult: Google, and use apktool or similar. There is a lot of info!
3. With a text editor, open the Androidmanifest.xml file.
4. Find the lines that are: <category android:name="android.intent.category.HOME" /> --> Ctrl+F: ".home" to find them
5. Delete them. Save the file.
6. Recompile the apk
7. Sign the apk --> I use an app called ZipSigner on the Android device (Remix Mini) itself. Much easier!
PART 2: INSTALL IT ON THE MINI
8. Transfer it to the Remix Mini
9. Install it (find it through the file manager). Easy!
PART 3: MAKING IT THE "HOME/DEFAULT" LAUNCHER
Ok, so we got the app now, and you can open it as any app. But if you press the home button, you go to the desktop.
10. Install Buttons remapper (no root), or whatever you prefer.
11. Open it and add a remapping:
i) Click the "+" button
ii) On Key: select HOME
iii) On Action: select Other... --> Open app --> TVLauncher (or your preferred launcher)
PART 4 (optional): MAKING IT LAUNCH AT STARTUP
12. Install AutoStart - No root or similar.
13. Add your launcher to the list of apps that need to be launched at startup. On the delay, you can set 0. If it doesn't work (Apex was fine, but TVLauncher wouldn't), set it to 2.
You got it. Now, you press the HOME key on your keyboard/remote, and you go to your launcher!
If you have any comments or improvement, please let me know! It's not the perfect method, but it works pretty fine!! With a TV style remote (I bought a Rii i7 Mini), it now looks and feels like a real TV Box!
As you may know, the Remix Mini (or maybe it's Remix OS) doesn't allow the use of third party launchers, so we're stuck with the default one always. Yes, it's beautiful and useful, but if you have it on the TV, it's not so great.
So, very easily, I got a third party launcher to work on the Mini without root. In this case, a gorgeous TV style one, but anyone can work (I tried Apex too). Google TV Launcher doesn't work, but I didn't spend time on it: I think it only works on specific devices.
Finally, now it looks like this:
Heads-up: No wallpaper support (black wallpaper by default). You won't be able to have a wallpaper, unless the launcher itself is able to set one independently from the system. For example, TVLauncher has a setting for this, and it's now black (yay!).
How to do it (non-detailed guide):
PART 1: MAKING THE LAUNCHER A NORMAL APP
The thing is, there is a line on the androidmanifest.xml on the launcher apps that says it's a Home (Launcher), so the Remix reads that and blocks the app. Let's fix that:
1. Get the apk of the launcher. Go to APKMirror, or download it on any device, find the apk on the /data/app folder, and send it to your computer.
2. Decompile the apk. For those who don't know what this is, it's not so difficult: Google, and use apktool or similar. There is a lot of info!
3. With a text editor, open the Androidmanifest.xml file.
4. Find the lines that are: <category android:name="android.intent.category.HOME" /> --> Ctrl+F: ".home" to find them
5. Delete them. Save the file.
6. Recompile the apk
7. Sign the apk --> I use an app called ZipSigner on the Android device (Remix Mini) itself. Much easier!
PART 2: INSTALL IT ON THE MINI
8. Transfer it to the Remix Mini
9. Install it (find it through the file manager). Easy!
PART 3: MAKING IT THE "HOME/DEFAULT" LAUNCHER
Ok, so we got the app now, and you can open it as any app. But if you press the home button, you go to the desktop.
10. Install Buttons remapper (no root), or whatever you prefer.
11. Open it and add a remapping:
i) Click the "+" button
ii) On Key: select HOME
iii) On Action: select Other... --> Open app --> TVLauncher (or your preferred launcher)
PART 4 (optional): MAKING IT LAUNCH AT STARTUP
12. Install AutoStart - No root or similar.
13. Add your launcher to the list of apps that need to be launched at startup. On the delay, you can set 0. If it doesn't work (Apex was fine, but TVLauncher wouldn't), set it to 2.
You got it. Now, you press the HOME key on your keyboard/remote, and you go to your launcher!
If you have any comments or improvement, please let me know! It's not the perfect method, but it works pretty fine!! With a TV style remote (I bought a Rii i7 Mini), it now looks and feels like a real TV Box!
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