Android back button doesn't work. How to enable on-screen buttons if the physical ones no longer work

Everything always breaks unexpectedly. Dropping a phone on a tiled floor is an unfortunate accident; drowning it in a bathtub is a banality that occurs more often than it seems at first. Statistics of calls to service centers contain many complaints about accidents from the “it fell and broke” series, even more often than drownings. At the same time, you should not expect that the first fall will take away the touch substrate or even the screen itself - in most cases, the consequences of unfortunate accidents do not look so destructive. Among other things, this is a sudden inoperability physical buttons"back, home and menu." If this problem happened to your phone, but you still don’t have money for repairs, don’t worry. There is a relatively simple solution to this common problem. Now we will teach you how to enable on-screen buttons on your smartphone if the physical ones no longer work.

For everything to work out, you need to get Root rights. Administrator access to the depths of system files is sometimes difficult to obtain. But with the advent of apps that get the necessary access for you, you no longer need to read multi-page instructions. Just install Kingo program Root to your computer and connect your phone. The only thing you need to do while the program is being installed is to enable “USB Debugging” in the phone settings, “Security” section. That's it. Clicking big button Root in the interface Kingo Root, activate administrator rights.

Step two looks a little more difficult. You will need to download from Google Play(or a little... alternative sources) Root program Explorer. Install it on your smartphone. Run this application, find the System directory, and in it - build.prop. If such a file is in system directory not visible, no problem. IN top corner programs have an ellipsis - tap on it to open a submenu. In the program settings, check the “Show hidden files" The loss will be discovered immediately.

In the left corner Root Explorer There is one more item we need - r/w. Tap it once and confirm your choice. This action will enable the ability to edit system files. Now touch build.prop and keep your finger on it. Top menu will change and from the drop-down list (in the same ellipsis) you will find the sub-item “open in a text editor”.

Scroll open file to the very bottom - all these long lists of settings are not needed yet. At the very bottom, add the line qemu.hw.mainkeys=0. Save the file and restart your phone.

Done, three on-screen buttons have appeared at the very bottom of the screen - similar to what you can see on the screen of any tablet. And after repairing the physical buttons, it will be possible to hide the virtual ones back by replacing the line qemu.hw.mainkeys=0 with qemu.hw.mainkeys=1 and rebooting the device again.

The notification panel on Android is one of the main interface elements operating system. With its help, users gain access to key settings device and important notifications, and additional applications allow you to expand the functionality of the notification panel and make working with your smartphone more comfortable. In this article, we will tell you how to customize the notification panel and what to do if the notification panel is not working.

How to customize the notification panel on Android

On smartphones different manufacturers The notification panel on Android may be visually different due to the features of the installed shell, but still the main elements have approximately the same arrangement. The panel opens by swiping down from the top of the screen; by swiping backwards from the bottom, the control panel can be removed.

At the top there are switches for quick on/off wireless networks, mobile transmission data, sound settings, screen brightness, and so on. At the bottom of the panel, you can see current notifications from applications. Each notification can be opened with a tap or hidden with a swipe to the side.

To customize the notification bar, go to your device settings and go to the Notifications and status bar section. Here you can select the location of the switches and appearance notification panel elements.

Using the Notification Toggle utility, you can expand the functionality of the notification panel - add switches and shortcuts for quick access To installed applications. Find the switch you are interested in in the application and check one of the boxes next to it.

Application shortcuts are added like this:

1. Open Notification Toggle
2. Swipe to the tab on the right
3. Click "Add Application"
4. Select the applications you need

What to do if the notification panel is not working

First, you need to figure out why the notification panel does not open. There may be several reasons:

• Software conflict with a third-party application
• Firmware update fails
• Device screen sensor malfunction

If the notification panel stops opening after installing an application, try uninstalling it and checking the functionality of the notification panel again. If the notification bar error appears after updating the firmware, do the following:

1. Try installing the update again
2. Do a factory reset (read the article)
3. Reinstall the firmware (read the article)

Often problems with the notification panel occur due to a malfunction touch screen devices after falls or moisture (read our article). First you need to check the operation of the screen sensor using the Screen Touch Test utility. Open the application and click on different areas screen. Where the clicks are registered and a white mark remains, the sensor is working properly.

If in upper area There is no white trace left on the screen, which means that the sensor in these places does not respond to presses, and this leads to the inability to open the notification panel. The best way out in such a situation there will be an appeal to service center however, you can also use alternative ways open the notification panel.

Other ways to open the notification panel on Android

If the notification panel does not open due to a problem with the sensor at the top of the screen, third-party applications can help you.

With Status Bar Shake Opener, you can open the notification bar with gestures by tilting your device to the left. Select in the application the force of response to the rotation of the device that will be convenient for you. This way you can open the notification panel without using the touch screen.

Menu button on the phone android samsung and many others, maybe sensory, physical and of course, like almost everything, sometimes it doesn’t work.

If it is physical, it is often solved by cleaning the contacts. There seems to be a video on YouTube on how to do it yourself.

If your menu button is part of the sensor and does not work, then it is worse than if it were physical. Such repairs are more expensive.

However, you can try to calibrate the screen of your smartphone - maybe it will help and there will be no need for repairs by specialists.

What to do if the menu button does not work on your Android smartphone

From the first words I will immediately say that you can fix the problem yourself broken button the menu is not simple.

However, you can live without it, as well as some other “home” and “back” ones, if you emulate them programmatically.

To do this you need to get root rights and install the program " Floating Soft Keys." Then you can adjust the buttons to return your device to proper operation.

Sometimes you may need a new touchscreen, although it may take a while to find one. certain models it can be difficult.

Sometimes the problem can be solved without opening the case - by duplicating the function keys, but this will not work on all Android devices.

To activate such a function, you need to write the line “qemu.hw.mainkeys=0” at the very end in /system/build.prop, but superuser rights are required.

As a result, additional functionality should appear above the faulty button. The Soft Buttons application can simplify this procedure.

There is a program that does not require root rights, which allows you to duplicate phone buttons. One of these “Back Button” is free with many settings.

After installation, translucent icons appear on the display with function keys: Menu, back, home and screen rotation. They can be dragged to convenient place, only the screen is reduced by the height of the icons.

Reasons for menu buttons not working in Android

The reason may be software or hardware failure. Fortunately, 90% of problems in software glitch, which is solved independently.

To do this, go to “settings” and click on the section “ backup and reset." There we choose full reset settings with deletion of all data.

Naturally, before doing this, we separately save everything we need (you can do it on your computer and then transfer it back to your phone).

The last option is “reflashing”, which requires skills and contacting a service center.

If the description above did not bring a positive result, then you don’t want to, but you most likely cannot do without a service center. Good luck.

If we talk about possible reasons why they stopped working touch buttons on an android phone, it crashes more often with the physical one than software side. If there are reasons from the first list, most likely you will have to take the device to a service center.

Physical reasons:

• A strong blow to a tablet or smartphone, a fall from a height.
• Prolonged exposure to moisture. Especially serious damage occur due to water getting into the area between the screen and the film or under the housing. Contacts are oxidized. After exposure to moisture, action must be taken immediately.
• Sudden temperature changes. Return the device to room temperature. Sensor performance may improve.

• Punching the screen. There are no scratches or cracks. The damage is noticeable when pressed - then glare is visible in the damaged parts of the sensor.
• Replacing the screen with an unsuitable model.
• Serious contamination. Wipe off dirt, dust, moisture, fingerprints with special wet wipes from an electronics store or a microfiber cloth.
• Poorly applied film. In places where air accumulates under the film, parts of the screen will stop working. Remove the film and, if possible, replace it with a new one.

Software reasons:

1. The OS is overloaded with applications or some of them are not working correctly.
2. Changes device settings.
3. Touchscreen problems are possible if the screen does not recognize touch correctly or poorly. Screen calibration will help here (you can actually do it at home).
4. Inappropriate or unstable firmware version.

Why doesn't part of the sensor work on Android? Most likely, the contact has come loose or oxidized.

On the phone with removable battery remove the cover and take out the battery. Insert it back and turn on the device using the mechanical button.
If the sensor does not work partially, but not completely, and you can download the application, install Rebooter from Play Market. On Xiaomi, Meizu or Digma, after long pressing the on/off button (20 seconds or longer), the phone will reboot or turn off. For Samsung and Sony, press the Power/Lock, Volume Up, and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. Hold for 7-10 seconds. If that doesn't work, try again, but hold down these three keys longer. If your smartphone is from other manufacturers and has a built-in battery, perhaps the above methods will help. Otherwise you'll have to wait full discharge batteries or take the device to a service center, where they will also sort out problems with the screen. It also happens that a reboot is needed just to get the display to respond again. What to do if the sensor on Android does not work after locking the screen?

Most often the problem is with the firmware version. To solve this, update the Android version and, if that doesn’t help, reset the settings. How to do this is in paragraphs 2 and 4 of the instructions in the next paragraph of the article. Why don't touch buttons work on an Android phone? Sometimes the problem is the film. If everything was fine before, try to remove it. Sometimes it's even new protective glass, which can also be disconnected independently. Users say that the bottom touch buttons stopped working after calibrating the screen (3rd step following instructions), became sensitive again.

Common repair options

These steps will help in many cases malfunction phone or tablet running Android OS due to software, so you can apply these tips when you doubt the system is working properly.

• Reboot your device. Perhaps it was under heavy software load or a minor error occurred. Maybe the application just froze, but the sensor is working?

• Update the firmware. To do this, go to the following items: “Settings” – “About device” – “System updates” – “Check now”. More often than not, the problem is solved.
• Reset settings to factory defaults. Save all important data to a memory card, computer or similar storage device. Click “Settings” – “Memory” – “Reset to factory settings” – “Reset settings” – “Erase everything”. If necessary, confirm your choice. Wait a few minutes and the reboot will happen automatically

• What to do if the screen is glitchy? If it works but is slow, just clean the phone as a whole. Remove extra files and applications and cache (“Settings” – “Applications” – any application from the list – “Clear cache”). For removing other debris and cleaning RAM use CCleaner, Cleaner Master or other application.

How to fix your device

It is unlikely that you can fix your phone yourself. You will succeed when the cause of the malfunction is software. In this case, read the methods below.

1. Calibrate your screen. Depending on the manufacturer, there may be a built-in utility for this, or you may have to download the application yourself. There are several ways. For HTC models: “Settings” – “Language and keyboard” – “ HTC Sense Input". On other smartphones: “Settings” – “Display” – “Display” – “Screen calibration”. If desired, you can calibrate the screen via engineering menu. It is used by developers to test and change system components. We do not recommend this method as it can cause problems and takes longer than other methods. Third party application to calibrate the screen from the Play Market can improve the display's response. For example, Touchscreen Calibration or SGS Touchscreen Booster (you can set parameters manually in it).
2. The bottom touch buttons on an Android phone do not work, what should I do? You can install an application to create soft keys with the same functions, but in a different location. We recommend Back Button - it does not require root rights.

Contact the service center. There they will more accurately determine the cause and repair the device.