Searching tool on home screen

[Pinedachisa]

Hi there,

How do I adjust my searching tool down under on my home screen to another app like Duckduckgo instead of Google? I already anabled the Google app but now the searchingtool isn’t working at all.

Thanks in advance!

[ManuHry]

Hi @Pinedachisa, welcome to Fairphone forum

Unfortunately I think you cannot remove the Google searching tool on home screen in Android AOSP (open source version of Android shared to constructors like Fairphone).
I read something like this in another topic, perhaps another community member could confirm ?

EDIT: just found it ! Kinda risky, I would not do this without further knowledge : Can you disable google searchbar on FP4? - #6 by Stanzi

For your information, you cannot remove date on home screen also.

Best regards, Emmanuel

[anon9989719]

@Pinedachisa

I already anabled the Google app but now the searchingtool isn’t working at all.

Not sure what you mean there.

However you could use a different launcher, the app that gives the format and layout to the home screen etc. I use Nova Launcher but here are some others.

Android Launchers

This is a Wiki Post. Everybody can edit it to add information. Hello, inspired by this Topic I thought a Topic where different launchers can be introduced to other users could be interesting. A Launcher is the program, that shows your homescreens, allows you to organize your Apps and gives you the possibility to place your widgets. Because this App can be changed like every other App on Android, you can simply change the look and feel of your phone by changing the launcher. Because everybody…

[hirnsushi]

If you want to change the search engine used for the widget after the first boot you need adb and have to use those commands:

@hirnsushi

$ adb shell settings delete secure selected_search_engine
$ adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.setupwizard.searchselector
$ adb reboot

That will reset the selected search engine and prompt you again to choose one.
As far as I know there still isn’t an easier way to do it…

Oh and welcome to the community btw

@ManuHry

EDIT: just found it ! Kinda risky, I would not do this without further knowledge : Can you disable google searchbar on FP4? - #6 by Stanzi

That won’t the remove the widget, just changes it to a dummy placeholder that does nothing when pressed.

[AlphaElwedritsch]

Another launcher man be an alternative

[berndi]

You can’t remove the Google Widget from the home screen of your original Launcher, I think. Here, for example, is my solution: Niagara Launcher. The screenshot is from my Fairphone 3+; you can download Niagara Launcher and the Legam Icons for your FP4 from the Play Store.

[Paul_Fungii]

I am very disappointed in the fact that I cannot change the home screen, I would like to remove the search bar and the date… Neither are removeable… why ??? I wish I did not purchase this product… it is not as good as they keep stating.

[anon9989719]

You can install a different launcher. I used Nova for exactly those reasons ~ easy

See this

Android Launchers

This is a Wiki Post. Everybody can edit it to add information. Hello, inspired by this Topic I thought a Topic where different launchers can be introduced to other users could be interesting. A Launcher is the program, that shows your homescreens, allows you to organize your Apps and gives you the possibility to place your widgets. Because this App can be changed like every other App on Android, you can simply change the look and feel of your phone by changing the launcher. Because everybody…

Nova Launcher

https://apkpure.com/nova-launcher/com.teslacoilsw.launcher

Please use the search function to see the same request multiple times

https://forum.fairphone.com/search?q=search%20bar

Asked that your post moved so here it is.

[Paul_Fungii]

How can I remove the search bar from the home screen

[Razem]

You can’t if you’re using the stock launcher. You can use an alternative launcher, such as Lawnchair.

[Paul_Fungii]

Problem is I do not want any Google on my phone… I do not use it or need it. I was under the impression that the FP4 was Google Free… Am now so disappointed in this phone, that I will soon be selling it… For me it is rubbish, sadly.

[NGnius]

If you install a Google-free alternative OS (such as /e/OS, CalyxOS, etc.) it’s definitely Google-free, but the default OS is definitely not Google-free.

I’m not aware of any marketing that implied otherwise.

[Razem]

Additionally, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of installing it yourself, you have an option to buy FP4 directly from Murena with /e/OS preinstalled.

Murena Fairphone 4 - Murena - deGoogled phones and services

[Paul_Fungii]

Thanks, this sounds li8ke what I am looking for, but no where on their site does it have a link to root this phone. I do not really want to pay another £700 for another mobile… Do you know a link to where I could root this phone ?

[anon9989719]

Hi @Paul_Fungii

If you root the phone and|or install any other OS you cannot avail yourself of the warranty unless you reinstall the default FOS. Except for maybe a flaky back cover or a camera drops out etc.

You can however
a) Instal Nova launcher to dispense with the Google search option
b) use adb to remove many Google apps, including the Google Play Store for example

all without rooting or voiding the warranty

[yvmuell]

You dont need to root to install another OS

Check the #oslist for links to all available systems

[Paul_Fungii]

That sounds good, will have a go… Thank you…

[Paul_Fungii]

I do not seem to be able to get phone to go into fats boot mode / I press start and volume dwn buttons and hold, all tht happens is Fairphone logo across cebtre and powered by Android logo at botton, ,the phone vibrates, then screen goes blank, few seconds later, again the logs,and vibrate and nothing then it comes again… I let it do this ten times… nothing… I then held the buttons and when the logos appeared i let go and the phone seemed to start as normal ? So how do I get Fastboot mode ?
FP4…

[yvmuell]

not sure which instructions you followed, here are those for the FP4

https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405858258961-FP4-Manage-the-bootloader

Alternatively, you can **disconnect** the USB cable, **turn off** your Fairphone, then **connect** the cable and hold the **volume down** button. After a few seconds, you'll see the **fastboot mode**.

Edit: I think it was not yet mentioned: better do not lock the bootloader again after flashing the other ROM

Trapped in fastboot mode with locked bootloader and corrupted custom ROM

After installing the custom ROM /e/ I locked the bootloader and unfortunately disabled “OEM unlocking” in the development settings. Then I restarted my device and always got in the fastboot mode (see attached image). I can’t even go to the recovery anymore. So I have no access to anything (not even adb) except to the restricted (because OEM is locked) fastboot command. Is there a possibility to reset back to stock ROM or unlock the OEM bootloader from fastboot mode with some secret code? Can s…

[Paul_Fungii]

nope exactly the same… logo appears, phone vibrates, then logo disapears then comes back phone vibrates and again disappears… tried this 10 times, nothing…