How to make a launcher

Question

I have been developing for quite a time and I am now trying to make an app that will replace the original home (e.g. HTC sense).

I need the app to open when the the user hits the home button on their phone.

So basically it is a home replacement.

Does any one know how to go about this?

Answer 1

Just develop a normal app and then add a couple of lines to the app's manifest file.

First you need to add the following attribute to your activity:

            android:launchMode="singleTask" 

Then add two categories to the intent filter :

            <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />             <category android:name="android.intent.category.HOME" /> 

The result could look something like this:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>     <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"         package="com.dummy.app"         android:versionCode="1"         android:versionName="1.0" >          <uses-sdk             android:minSdkVersion="11"             android:targetSdkVersion="19" />          <application             android:allowBackup="true"             android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"             android:label="@string/app_name"             android:theme="@style/AppTheme" >             <activity                 android:name="com.dummy.app.MainActivity"                 android:launchMode="singleTask"                 android:label="@string/app_name" >                 <intent-filter>                     <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />                     <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />                     <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />                     <category android:name="android.intent.category.HOME" />                 </intent-filter>             </activity>         </application>      </manifest> 

It's that simple!

Answer 2

They're examples provided by the Android team, if you've already loaded Samples, you can import Home screen replacement sample by following these steps.

File > New > Other >Android > Android Sample Project > Android x.x > Home > Finish

But if you do not have samples loaded, then download it using the below steps

Windows > Android SDK Manager > chooses "Sample for SDK" for SDK you need it > Install package > Accept License > Install