I'm using a Moto g 5G plus running Android 11. Does anyone know of a way
to lock the positions of the icons on the home screen so they cannot be
accidentally moved? I've searched around the web quite extensively but
cannot find a way to do it on *this phone* with *Android 11*. It seems
to be a function that's built into some phones and maybe into other
Android versions.

--
Bob,
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

Bob Henson wrote:

> I'm using a Moto g 5G plus running Android 11. Does anyone know of a way
> to lock the positions of the icons on the home screen so they cannot be
> accidentally moved?  I've searched around the web quite extensively but
> cannot find a way to do it on *this phone* with *Android 11*. It seems
> to be a function that's built into some phones and maybe into other
> Android versions.

I don't know what Motorola's default launcher is, but certainly I've
seen the "layout lock" feature in 3rd party launchers (Nova Launcher was
one I used to use).

On 07/06/2023 10:50, Andy Burns wrote:
>> I'm using a Moto g 5G plus running Android 11. Does anyone know of a way
>> to lock the positions of the icons on the home screen so they cannot be
>> accidentally moved?� I've searched around the web quite extensively but
>> cannot find a way to do it on *this phone* with *Android 11*. It seems
>> to be a function that's built into some phones and maybe into other
>> Android versions.
>
> I don't know what Motorola's default launcher is, but certainly I've
> seen the "layout lock" feature in 3rd party launchers (Nova Launcher was
> one I used to use).

The Nova launcher definitely can lock icons wherever you have them placed.
(Although, like you probably did, I need to find a replacement for it.)

Not only that, but Nova will "reload" them if you saved the configuration
and then accidentally (or purposefully) moved the homescreen icons around.

Nova even saves the icon positions for apps inside the folders (which is
useful when you move from one phone to another & want to replicate by
putting everything in the new phone where it was on the old phone).

And Nova let's you change the icons (and names) and arrange those icons on
any grid that you like (using a wide number of shapes & shadowing styles).

The free Nova launcher should work on almost any Android phone (AFAIK).
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher

On 7.6.23 6:00 pm, Daniel Washington wrote:
> On 07/06/2023 10:50, Andy Burns wrote:
>>> I'm using a Moto g 5G plus running Android 11. Does anyone know of a way
>>> to lock the positions of the icons on the home screen so they cannot be
>>> accidentally moved?� I've searched around the web quite extensively but
>>> cannot find a way to do it on *this phone* with *Android 11*. It seems
>>> to be a function that's built into some phones and maybe into other
>>> Android versions.
>>
>> I don't know what Motorola's default launcher is, but certainly I've
>> seen the "layout lock" feature in 3rd party launchers (Nova Launcher was
>> one I used to use).
>
> The Nova launcher definitely can lock icons wherever you have them placed.
> (Although, like you probably did, I need to find a replacement for it.)
>
> Not only that, but Nova will "reload" them if you saved the configuration
> and then accidentally (or purposefully) moved the homescreen icons around.
>
> Nova even saves the icon positions for apps inside the folders (which is
> useful when you move from one phone to another & want to replicate by
> putting everything in the new phone where it was on the old phone).
>
> And Nova let's you change the icons (and names) and arrange those icons on
> any grid that you like (using a wide number of shapes & shadowing styles).
>
> The free Nova launcher should work on almost any Android phone (AFAIK).
> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher

I'll have a look at it, but I was hoping to be able to do it from within
the phone's standard software. The recent comments on Nova don't suggest
it is to reliable.

--
Bob,
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

Bob Henson wrote:

> Daniel Washington wrote:
>
>> The free Nova launcher should work on almost any Android phone
>
> I'll have a look at it, but I was hoping to be able to do it from within
> the phone's standard software. The recent comments on Nova don't suggest
> it is to reliable.

There are probably a hundred other launchers ...

On 07/06/2023 23:28, Andy Burns wrote:
>>> The free Nova launcher should work on almost any Android phone
>>
>> I'll have a look at it, but I was hoping to be able to do it from within
>> the phone's standard software. The recent comments on Nova don't suggest
>> it is to reliable.
>
> There are probably a hundred other launchers ...

It's hard to believe that some don't realize that the best app launcher
isn't necessarily the one that the carrier put on the phone by default.

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=app%20launcher%20lock%20icon&c=apps

My advice is to choose a launcher you like, and then keep it for the next
five or ten phones (unless you find a better app launcher in that time).

On 2023-06-07 11:17, Daniel Washington wrote:
> On 07/06/2023 23:28, Andy Burns wrote:
>>>> The free Nova launcher should work on almost any Android phone
>>>
>>> I'll have a look at it, but I was hoping to be able to do it from
>>> within the phone's standard software. The recent comments on Nova
>>> don't suggest it is to reliable.
>>
>> There are probably a hundred other launchers ...
>
> It's hard to believe that some don't realize that the best app launcher
> isn't necessarily the one that the carrier put on the phone by default.
>
> https://play.google.com/store/search?q=app%20launcher%20lock%20icon&c=apps
>
> My advice is to choose a launcher you like, and then keep it for the next
> five or ten phones (unless you find a better app launcher in that time).

It's hard to believe that you don't understand that most people DON'T
WANT TO CHOOSE A LAUNCHER.

On 7.6.23 7:17 pm, Daniel Washington wrote:
> On 07/06/2023 23:28, Andy Burns wrote:
>>>> The free Nova launcher should work on almost any Android phone
>>>
>>> I'll have a look at it, but I was hoping to be able to do it from within
>>> the phone's standard software. The recent comments on Nova don't suggest
>>> it is to reliable.
>>
>> There are probably a hundred other launchers ...
>
> It's hard to believe that some don't realize that the best app launcher
> isn't necessarily the one that the carrier put on the phone by default.
>
> https://play.google.com/store/search?q=app%20launcher%20lock%20icon&c=apps
>
> My advice is to choose a launcher you like, and then keep it for the next
> five or ten phones (unless you find a better app launcher in that time).

Most phone users would not have the faintest idea what a launcher was -
nor would they change if they did. As mine is fine other than that one
item, I too would be loath to swap the devil I know for the devil I
don't know. I assumed that such a function would (or certainly should)
be part of Android. Now I'm told it isn't, I can look elsewhere and look
for advice as to which launcher might do the job and be reliable. I have
frequently found in the IT world that the old maxim "If it works, don't
fix it" trumps all other cards - so advice from someone with the same
phone and who has tried several launchers would be handy before I try to
fix it.

--
Bob,
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

On 7.6.23 7:41 pm, Alan wrote:
> On 2023-06-07 11:17, Daniel Washington wrote:
>> On 07/06/2023 23:28, Andy Burns wrote:
>>>>> The free Nova launcher should work on almost any Android phone
>>>>
>>>> I'll have a look at it, but I was hoping to be able to do it from
>>>> within the phone's standard software. The recent comments on Nova
>>>> don't suggest it is to reliable.
>>>
>>> There are probably a hundred other launchers ...
>>
>> It's hard to believe that some don't realize that the best app launcher
>> isn't necessarily the one that the carrier put on the phone by default.
>>
>> https://play.google.com/store/search?q=app%20launcher%20lock%20icon&c=apps
>>
>> My advice is to choose a launcher you like, and then keep it for the next
>> five or ten phones (unless you find a better app launcher in that time).
>
> It's hard to believe that you don't understand that most people DON'T
> WANT TO CHOOSE A LAUNCHER.

Quite!

--
Bob,
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

Bob Henson <fake@obfuscation.net> wrote:
> I'm using a Moto g 5G plus running Android 11. Does anyone know of a way
> to lock the positions of the icons on the home screen so they cannot be
> accidentally moved? I've searched around the web quite extensively but
> cannot find a way to do it on *this phone* with *Android 11*. It seems
> to be a function that's built into some phones and maybe into other
> Android versions.

Well, for example my Samsung phone has it and it's in the most obvious
place: Settings -> Home screen. If your phone has the feature, it should
be in such an obvious place.

My phone also has a search function to search in the Settings 'app'.
Perhaps your phone has such a function too.

Other than that, get another launcher, as some others have suggested.

On 07/06/2023 20:53, Bob Henson wrote:
>> My advice is to choose a launcher you like, and then keep it for the next
>> five or ten phones (unless you find a better app launcher in that time).
>
> Most phone users would not have the faintest idea what a launcher was -
> nor would they change if they did.

If you were saying that in an Apple newsgroup, I would agree with you.
Android users bought Android because they wanted the freedom to do things.

> As mine is fine other than that one
> item, I too would be loath to swap the devil I know for the devil I
> don't know.

I think most Android users who aren't stupid know that you can change the
default app launcher at will just like you can change the default anything.

It's in the settings - right in their face - so they can't miss the choice.

> I assumed that such a function would (or certainly should)
> be part of Android. Now I'm told it isn't, I can look elsewhere and look
> for advice as to which launcher might do the job and be reliable.

If you want to have one and only one launcher choice, then buy an iPhone.
But keep in mind that the iPhone launcher is just about as bad as can be.

> I have
> frequently found in the IT world that the old maxim "If it works, don't
> fix it" trumps all other cards - so advice from someone with the same
> phone and who has tried several launchers would be handy before I try to
> fix it.

Changing the app launcher is no different than changing a web browser.

It's right there in the settings. Next to the default browser.
Next to the default messenger. Next to the default dialer. And so on.

You can install as many of those apps as you want and set one at a time to
the default and if you don't like it you can just switch the default back.

You sound like you should own an iPhone instead of an Android phone because
you're afraid to do something as trivial as set a different default app.

On 8.6.23 9:32 am, Daniel Washington wrote:
> On 07/06/2023 20:53, Bob Henson wrote:
>>> My advice is to choose a launcher you like, and then keep it for the next
>>> five or ten phones (unless you find a better app launcher in that time).
>>
>> Most phone users would not have the faintest idea what a launcher was -
>> nor would they change if they did.
>
> If you were saying that in an Apple newsgroup, I would agree with you.
> Android users bought Android because they wanted the freedom to do things.
>
No, most people buy Android phones because they are cheaper than Apple
and work just as well. Most people have no idea what an operating system
is, and certainly don't want to. I used to volunteer as a computer buddy
at out library and, as such, got asked about phones and tablets as well
as laptops and desktops. I can assure you that Joe Public has no idea
whatever what Android is - if it isn't a robot in Doctor Who or similar.

>> As mine is fine other than that one
>> item, I too would be loath to swap the devil I know for the devil I
>> don't know.
>
> I think most Android users who aren't stupid know that you can change the
> default app launcher at will just like you can change the default anything.

Most Android phone users have no idea what is in their phones - they buy
them and use them. Most people buy cars to drive around - not to play at
changing engines or reconfiguring their dashboards.
>
> It's in the settings - right in their face - so they can't miss the choice.

Most phone users never go anywhere near the settings - and panic if you
suggest they should. You are talking about Android
buffs/hobbyists/fanatics whose first reaction is to alter everything,
with frequently disastrous results.

>
>> I assumed that such a function would (or certainly should)
>> be part of Android. Now I'm told it isn't, I can look elsewhere and look
>> for advice as to which launcher might do the job and be reliable.
>
> If you want to have one and only one launcher choice, then buy an iPhone.
> But keep in mind that the iPhone launcher is just about as bad as can be.
>

Most software on iPhones is - but Joe or Jo Public just use it and don't
think about it.

>> I have
>> frequently found in the IT world that the old maxim "If it works, don't
>> fix it" trumps all other cards - so advice from someone with the same
>> phone and who has tried several launchers would be handy before I try to
>> fix it.
>
> Changing the app launcher is no different than changing a web browser.

Which most people never do - they are not IT buffs, don't want to be and
never change what they buy ready installed. You should work with them
and see the look of fear and panic on their faces if you suggest
altering anything.

>
> It's right there in the settings. Next to the default browser.
> Next to the default messenger. Next to the default dialer. And so on.

So you can tell me where the default setting is for locking the home
screen - what is it right next to?

>
> You can install as many of those apps as you want and set one at a time to
> the default and if you don't like it you can just switch the default back.

And you'd be amazed how many people try that and brick their phones
doing it. Your average F*c*book user buys it, uses it, and that's that.
They didn't buy it to change it, they don't want to change it, they
aren't going to change it.

> You sound like you should own an iPhone instead of an Android phone because
> you're afraid to do something as trivial as set a different default app.

Tripe! I've rooted phones and applied custom ROMs and, guessing you're a
kid, probably used analogue mobiles before you were born. I asked my
question because I was hoping there was a way to do it without major
change and that people might be kind enough to help - not go off on a
ridiculous rant. When you grow up, you will find out how little you
really knew about people and what they did and what they wanted.

Plonk!

--
Bob,
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

On 7.6.23 7:55 pm, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Bob Henson <fake@obfuscation.net> wrote:
>> I'm using a Moto g 5G plus running Android 11. Does anyone know of a way
>> to lock the positions of the icons on the home screen so they cannot be
>> accidentally moved? I've searched around the web quite extensively but
>> cannot find a way to do it on *this phone* with *Android 11*. It seems
>> to be a function that's built into some phones and maybe into other
>> Android versions.
>
> Well, for example my Samsung phone has it and it's in the most obvious
> place: Settings -> Home screen. If your phone has the feature, it should
> be in such an obvious place.
>

I read that particular one whilst researching the problem. Mine doesn't
have it in that place or in any obvious place, that's why I'm asking in
here. I'm as capable as the next man of missing something which *should*
be obvious, so I asked.

> My phone also has a search function to search in the Settings 'app'.
> Perhaps your phone has such a function too.

It has, but I didn't find anything with it that appeared useful.
>
> Other than that, get another launcher, as some others have suggested.

That would appear to be the only way to go. It just seemed ridiculous
to me that such a basic function it wasn't part of the O/S, so I asked
where I hoped their would be people a lot more technically smart then me.

That leaves me with the problem of finding one that has that facility
and that is reliable. Experience dictates that that may be far from
simple. The manufacturers of phones usually pick the best one for their
phone and factory fit it. As I type, I've just had a reply come in from
Motorola, so that may help.

Thanks for your help.

--
Bob,
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

On 7.6.23 7:55 pm, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Bob Henson <fake@obfuscation.net> wrote:
>> I'm using a Moto g 5G plus running Android 11. Does anyone know of a way
>> to lock the positions of the icons on the home screen so they cannot be
>> accidentally moved? I've searched around the web quite extensively but
>> cannot find a way to do it on *this phone* with *Android 11*. It seems
>> to be a function that's built into some phones and maybe into other
>> Android versions.
>
> Well, for example my Samsung phone has it and it's in the most obvious
> place: Settings -> Home screen. If your phone has the feature, it should
> be in such an obvious place.
>
> My phone also has a search function to search in the Settings 'app'.
> Perhaps your phone has such a function too.
>
> Other than that, get another launcher, as some others have suggested.

Motorola confirm that it cannot be done with my phone but say they have
put the idea forward for future inclusion. It would be nice to think
they actually will do that. They suggest, as folk have done in here,
that a new launcher is the only answer for now, but do not suggest which
one.

--
Bob,
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

On 08/06/2023 11:33, Bob Henson wrote:
>> If you were saying that in an Apple newsgroup, I would agree with you.
>> Android users bought Android because they wanted the freedom to do things.
>>
> No, most people buy Android phones because they are cheaper than Apple
> and work just as well.

People who choose Android don't buy based on only style & fear.

> Most people have no idea what an operating system
> is, and certainly don't want to.

Most people know Android advertises on functionality price performance.

> I used to volunteer as a computer buddy
> at out library and, as such, got asked about phones and tablets as well
> as laptops and desktops. I can assure you that Joe Public has no idea
> whatever what Android is - if it isn't a robot in Doctor Who or similar.

You might be talking about someone who buys a $100 Android phone to replace
their $50 flip phone but for someone who buys an $800 Android, rest assured
they could have bought a $400 Android but they bought on price:performance.
>>> As mine is fine other than that one
>>> item, I too would be loath to swap the devil I know for the devil I
>>> don't know.
>>
>> I think most Android users who aren't stupid know that you can change the
>> default app launcher at will just like you can change the default anything.
>
> Most Android phone users have no idea what is in their phones - they buy
> them and use them. Most people buy cars to drive around - not to play at
> changing engines or reconfiguring their dashboards.

Android sells a wide range of products based on price to performance.

>>
>> It's in the settings - right in their face - so they can't miss the choice.
>
> Most phone users never go anywhere near the settings - and panic if you
> suggest they should. You are talking about Android
> buffs/hobbyists/fanatics whose first reaction is to alter everything,
> with frequently disastrous results.

I disagree with you that most phone users never go near the settings.
>>> I assumed that such a function would (or certainly should)
>>> be part of Android. Now I'm told it isn't, I can look elsewhere and look
>>> for advice as to which launcher might do the job and be reliable.
>>
>> If you want to have one and only one launcher choice, then buy an iPhone.
>> But keep in mind that the iPhone launcher is just about as bad as can be.
>>
> Most software on iPhones is - but Joe or Jo Public just use it and don't
> think about it.

The iPhone is the epitome of a locked system advertised for fear & style.
They make it yellow for style. They tell you you're safe when its locked.

>
>>> I have
>>> frequently found in the IT world that the old maxim "If it works, don't
>>> fix it" trumps all other cards - so advice from someone with the same
>>> phone and who has tried several launchers would be handy before I try to
>>> fix it.
>>
>> Changing the app launcher is no different than changing a web browser.
>
> Which most people never do - they are not IT buffs, don't want to be and
> never change what they buy ready installed.

How hard do you think it is to change the app launcher default?

It's no different than changing the web browser default.
Or the messenger default.
Or any default.

> You should work with them
> and see the look of fear and panic on their faces if you suggest
> altering anything.

Then they should buy an Apple iPhone which won't let them change anything.

>> It's right there in the settings. Next to the default browser.
>> Next to the default messenger. Next to the default dialer. And so on.
>
> So you can tell me where the default setting is for locking the home
> screen - what is it right next to?

I said the Android settings allow you to set the default app launcher.
It's right next to the Android setting for the default web browser.
And next to the Android setting for the default sms/mms text messenger.

>> You can install as many of those apps as you want and set one at a time to
>> the default and if you don't like it you can just switch the default back.
>
> And you'd be amazed how many people try that and brick their phones
> doing it. Your average F*c*book user buys it, uses it, and that's that.
> They didn't buy it to change it, they don't want to change it, they
> aren't going to change it.

If setting a basic default worries you that it will brick the phone, then
you must have a paralizingly abnormal heightened fear of the unknown.

>> You sound like you should own an iPhone instead of an Android phone because
>> you're afraid to do something as trivial as set a different default app.
>
> Tripe! I've rooted phones and applied custom ROMs and, guessing you're a
> kid, probably used analogue mobiles before you were born.

If you are afraid changing a simple default will "brick" the phone, then
you're not the type of person who has ever contemplated rooting a phone.

> I asked my
> question because I was hoping there was a way to do it without major
> change and that people might be kind enough to help - not go off on a
> ridiculous rant.

If you think setting a default is a "major change", then it's you, not
anyone else on this newsgroup who is going on about a "ridiculous rant".

> When you grow up, you will find out how little you
> really knew about people and what they did and what they wanted.

Setting a default launcher is no more complicated than setting the browser.

On 2023-06-08 01:32, Daniel Washington wrote:
> On 07/06/2023 20:53, Bob Henson wrote:
>>> My advice is to choose a launcher you like, and then keep it for the
>>> next
>>> five or ten phones (unless you find a better app launcher in that time).
>>
>> Most phone users would not have the faintest idea what a launcher was
>> - nor would they change if they did.
>
> If you were saying that in an Apple newsgroup, I would agree with you.
> Android users bought Android because they wanted the freedom to do things.

You literally have no way of knowing that.

I suspect most Android users bought Android because they thought:

"Hmmm... ...it looks like it does what the iPhone does, and it's cheaper!"

But at least I know that I'm not necessarily correct.

>
>> As mine is fine other than that one item, I too would be loath to swap
>> the devil I know for the devil I don't know.
>
> I think most Android users who aren't stupid know that you can change the
> default app launcher at will just like you can change the default anything.

"No true Scotsman"

>
> It's in the settings - right in their face - so they can't miss the choice.

Ordinary people want things to work without their having to think about
it at all.

>
>> I assumed that such a function would (or certainly should) be part of
>> Android. Now I'm told it isn't, I can look elsewhere and look for
>> advice as to which launcher might do the job and be reliable.
>
> If you want to have one and only one launcher choice, then buy an iPhone.
> But keep in mind that the iPhone launcher is just about as bad as can be.

And yet iPhone customers are very, VERY loyal.

>
>> I have frequently found in the IT world that the old maxim "If it
>> works, don't fix it" trumps all other cards - so advice from someone
>> with the same phone and who has tried several launchers would be handy
>> before I try to fix it.
>
> Changing the app launcher is no different than changing a web browser.

Which most people don't really understand what that even is, let alone
why they'd want to change it.

>
> It's right there in the settings. Next to the default browser. Next to
> the default messenger. Next to the default dialer. And so on.
>
> You can install as many of those apps as you want and set one at a time to
> the default and if you don't like it you can just switch the default back.
>
> You sound like you should own an iPhone instead of an Android phone because
> you're afraid to do something as trivial as set a different default app.

Ah... ...anyone who makes choices you disagree with must be incompetent
and/or afraid, is that really what you want to say?

On 2023-06-08 02:33, Bob Henson wrote:
> On 8.6.23 9:32 am, Daniel Washington wrote:
>> On 07/06/2023 20:53, Bob Henson wrote:
>>>> My advice is to choose a launcher you like, and then keep it for the
>>>> next
>>>> five or ten phones (unless you find a better app launcher in that
>>>> time).
>>>
>>> Most phone users would not have the faintest idea what a launcher was
>>> - nor would they change if they did.
>>
>> If you were saying that in an Apple newsgroup, I would agree with you.
>> Android users bought Android because they wanted the freedom to do
>> things.
>>
> No, most people buy Android phones because they are cheaper than Apple
> and work just as well. Most people have no idea what an operating system
> is, and certainly don't want to. I used to volunteer as a computer buddy
> at out library and, as such, got asked about phones and tablets as well
> as laptops and desktops. I can assure you that Joe Public has no idea
> whatever what Android is - if it isn't a robot in Doctor Who or similar.
>
>
>>> As mine is fine other than that one item, I too would be loath to
>>> swap the devil I know for the devil I don't know.
>>
>> I think most Android users who aren't stupid know that you can change the
>> default app launcher at will just like you can change the default
>> anything.
>
> Most Android phone users have no idea what is in their phones - they buy
> them and use them. Most people buy cars to drive around - not to play at
> changing engines or reconfiguring their dashboards.
>>
>> It's in the settings - right in their face - so they can't miss the
>> choice.
>
> Most phone users never go anywhere near the settings - and panic if you
> suggest they should. You are talking about Android
> buffs/hobbyists/fanatics whose first reaction is to alter everything,
> with frequently disastrous results.
>
>>
>>> I assumed that such a function would (or certainly should) be part of
>>> Android. Now I'm told it isn't, I can look elsewhere and look for
>>> advice as to which launcher might do the job and be reliable.
>>
>> If you want to have one and only one launcher choice, then buy an iPhone.
>> But keep in mind that the iPhone launcher is just about as bad as can be.
>>
>
> Most software on iPhones is - but Joe or Jo Public just use it and don't
> think about it.
>
>>> I have frequently found in the IT world that the old maxim "If it
>>> works, don't fix it" trumps all other cards - so advice from someone
>>> with the same phone and who has tried several launchers would be
>>> handy before I try to fix it.
>>
>> Changing the app launcher is no different than changing a web browser.
>
> Which most people never do - they are not IT buffs, don't want to be and
> never change what they buy ready installed. You should work with them
> and see the look of fear and panic on their faces if you suggest
> altering anything.
>
>>
>> It's right there in the settings. Next to the default browser.
>> Next to the default messenger. Next to the default dialer. And so on.
>
> So you can tell me where the default setting is for locking the home
> screen - what is it right next to?
>
>>
>> You can install as many of those apps as you want and set one at a
>> time to
>> the default and if you don't like it you can just switch the default
>> back.
>
> And you'd be amazed how many people try that and brick their phones
> doing it. Your average F*c*book user buys it, uses it, and that's that.
> They didn't buy it to change it, they don't want to change it, they
> aren't going to change it.
>
>> You sound like you should own an iPhone instead of an Android phone
>> because
>> you're afraid to do something as trivial as set a different default app.
>
> Tripe! I've rooted phones and applied custom ROMs and, guessing you're a
> kid, probably used analogue mobiles before you were born. I asked my
> question because I was hoping there was a way to do it without major
> change and that people might be kind enough to help - not go off on a
> ridiculous rant. When you grow up, you will find out how little you
> really knew about people and what they did and what they wanted.
>
> Plonk!
>

Exactly right...in pretty much every point you made.

The fact that these groups are for us techno-geeks gives a very
distorted view of what regular consumers want from tech devices.

On 6/8/23 8:56 AM, Alan wrote:
> On 2023-06-08 02:33, Bob Henson wrote:

>> Most phone users never go anywhere near the settings - and panic if you
>> suggest they should. You are talking about Android
>> buffs/hobbyists/fanatics whose first reaction is to alter everything,
>> with frequently disastrous results.
....
>> Which most people never do - they are not IT buffs, don't want to be and
>> never change what they buy ready installed. You should work with them
>> and see the look of fear and panic on their faces if you suggest
>> altering anything.

Or "Why would I want to do that? It's good enough the way it is..."
Baby son, the actual world-class programmer, thinks like that. He just
has it for the phone (google voice) and camera, mostly the camera. He
uses firefox straight out of the box too. Most of what he uses is
software he wrote himself.

I do know a lot of people who have no idea about their tech toys,
including people who SHOULD know better.

I always explore the settings/options, and even then I miss obvious
stuff which others are kind enough to point out to me. When I was
working I was apparently the only one who knew you could set a return
receipt flag on each in-company email message -- which enabled me to
attack people in their offices without making several wasted trips
around the building. Sometimes you just have to do stuff face to face :-(

> The fact that these groups are for us techno-geeks gives a very
> distorted view of what regular consumers want from tech devices.

If you want to see what "regular" people think, subscribe to Next Door.
It's a revelation, and not a good one.

--
Cheers,
Bev
"The Flat Earth Society has members all over the globe."
-- Bob Henson

On 08/06/2023 19:01, The Real Bev wrote:
> Or "Why would I want to do that? It's good enough the way it is..."
> Baby son, the actual world-class programmer, thinks like that. He just
> has it for the phone (google voice) and camera, mostly the camera. He
> uses firefox straight out of the box too. Most of what he uses is
> software he wrote himself.

I must agree that programmers are a psychological class unto themselves.

Like soldiers in a combined arms frontal assault - programmers will always
code what's easiest (and safest) for them - not for you - unless they're
supremely well managed in combined arms which includes user customization,
usability, reliability, and the ability to recover from random settings.

> I do know a lot of people who have no idea about their tech toys,
> including people who SHOULD know better.

You have to assume if it was such a "dangerous" setting to change the
browser & app launcher defaults, Google would have put them into the
"Developer options" section instead of right there in the users' face.

> I always explore the settings/options, and even then I miss obvious
> stuff which others are kind enough to point out to me.

What I found incongruous was this user "claims" to have rooted phones, and
yet he then goes on a tirade worrying a setting will "brick" the phone.

Do you also find those two sentiments expressed by the author incongruous?

> When I was
> working I was apparently the only one who knew you could set a return
> receipt flag on each in-company email message -- which enabled me to
> attack people in their offices without making several wasted trips
> around the building. Sometimes you just have to do stuff face to face :-(

Ah. They never read your emails. Serves them right for getting caught!

Was this prior to 1990?

If not, then they could have set a randomly short-timed delayed response!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procmail

>> The fact that these groups are for us techno-geeks gives a very
>> distorted view of what regular consumers want from tech devices.
>
> If you want to see what "regular" people think, subscribe to Next Door.
> It's a revelation, and not a good one.

I think Google understands "regular people" well enough to create the
"settings" for default apps such as the browser & launcher well enough.

The OP is at a level well below "regular people" given he's inordinately
worried that setting a default like a browser will "brick" the phone.

On 6/8/23 10:31 AM, Daniel Washington wrote:
> On 08/06/2023 19:01, The Real Bev wrote:
>>
>> I always explore the settings/options, and even then I miss obvious
>> stuff which others are kind enough to point out to me.
>
> What I found incongruous was this user "claims" to have rooted phones, and
> yet he then goes on a tirade worrying a setting will "brick" the phone.
>
> Do you also find those two sentiments expressed by the author incongruous?

Not really. Last time I read about it seriously (years ago) the whole
process seemed iffy. It would probably work, but maybe not. Different
phones were different. I was never willing to give it a shot -- the
benefits didn't seem to outweigh the potential loss. Past performance
does not guarantee future success.

>> When I was
>> working I was apparently the only one who knew you could set a return
>> receipt flag on each in-company email message -- which enabled me to
>> attack people in their offices without making several wasted trips
>> around the building. Sometimes you just have to do stuff face to face :-(
>
> Ah. They never read your emails. Serves them right for getting caught!

No, I would just send some sort of semi-relevant email. Everybody did a
lot of moving around during the day. As soon as they read it I'd get
the signal and knew they were in their office. Worked every time. If
they'd been smarter they might have thought I was psychic.

> Was this prior to 1990?

1990-1995. Company email might have been part of Fourth Shift, a really
neat inventory/accounting/manufacturing/personnel/whatever system built
on dBaseII. Or not.
> If not, then they could have set a randomly short-timed delayed response!
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procmail

That was probably possible, but it would have required RTFM.

>>> The fact that these groups are for us techno-geeks gives a very
>>> distorted view of what regular consumers want from tech devices.
>>
>> If you want to see what "regular" people think, subscribe to Next Door.
>> It's a revelation, and not a good one.
>
> I think Google understands "regular people" well enough to create the
> "settings" for default apps such as the browser & launcher well enough.

A constant curiosity: Why do so few apps offer a choice of font for the
operating bits of the software (toolbars, menus etc.)? I'm talking
about Firefox here, but I just noticed that Cx (Android replacement for
ES File Explorer, which just stopped working) has that problem.

> The OP is at a level well below "regular people" given he's inordinately
> worried that setting a default like a browser will "brick" the phone.

When figuring out new software I always crashed the program numerous
times. The authors can't possibly figure out what weird things people
will do when they're flailing around, and there are clearly successions
of things that just can't be anticipated. Good programmers fix their
stuff as soon as they find things they can fix. Bad ones don't. More
bad ones than good ones.

--
Cheers, Bev
Jesus saves. Buddha makes incremental backups.

On 2023-06-08 10:31, Daniel Washington wrote:
> On 08/06/2023 19:01, The Real Bev wrote:
>> Or "Why would I want to do that?  It's good enough the way it is..."
>> Baby son, the actual world-class programmer, thinks like that.  He
>> just has it for the phone (google voice) and camera, mostly the
>> camera.  He uses firefox straight out of the box too.  Most of what he
>> uses is software he wrote himself.
>
> I must agree that programmers are a psychological class unto themselves.
>
> Like soldiers in a combined arms frontal assault - programmers will always
> code what's easiest (and safest) for them - not for you - unless they're
> supremely well managed in combined arms which includes user
> customization, usability, reliability, and the ability to recover from
> random settings.
>
>> I do know a lot of people who have no idea about their tech toys,
>> including people who SHOULD know better.
>
> You have to assume if it was such a "dangerous" setting to change the
> browser & app launcher defaults, Google would have put them into the
> "Developer options" section instead of right there in the users' face.
>
>> I always explore the settings/options, and even then I miss obvious
>> stuff which others are kind enough to point out to me.
>
> What I found incongruous was this user "claims" to have rooted phones, and
> yet he then goes on a tirade worrying a setting will "brick" the phone.
>
> Do you also find those two sentiments expressed by the author incongruous?
>
>> When I was working I was apparently the only one who knew you could
>> set a return receipt flag on each in-company email message -- which
>> enabled me to attack people in their offices without making several
>> wasted trips around the building.  Sometimes you just have to do stuff
>> face to face :-(
>
> Ah. They never read your emails. Serves them right for getting caught!
>
> Was this prior to 1990?
>
> If not, then they could have set a randomly short-timed delayed response!
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procmail
>
>>> The fact that these groups are for us techno-geeks gives a very
>>> distorted view of what regular consumers want from tech devices.
>>
>> If you want to see what "regular" people think, subscribe to Next
>> Door. It's a revelation, and not a good one.
>
> I think Google understands "regular people" well enough to create the
> "settings" for default apps such as the browser & launcher well enough.
>
> The OP is at a level well below "regular people" given he's inordinately
> worried that setting a default like a browser will "brick" the phone.

The "OP" is not worried about that at all, you simpleton.

He was expressing that many ordinary users are worried about making
changes to settings...

....because that is TRUE.