How to avoid hitting home key while typing?

Question

I use a Nexus 7 and in landscape and when typing and when pressing the space bar I occasionally hit the home menu key by mistake. I have used "Imersive mode" but I like the status bar to show with the clock so that is not solution.

Is there a way to move that soft menu to the left of the keyboard or somewhere else so I don't activate a menu while typing?

PS: The Device is rooted

Are you looking for this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2005377 — ProPlayerMaxUltra, Sep 20 '14 at 12:21
@meerborg - lol ;) that was just a suggestion. I want to know if your problem solved? — ProPlayerMaxUltra, Sep 23 '14 at 03:50
What is the OS version? Can we assume its the latest because its a Nexus? — Mindwin Remember Monica, Sep 23 '14 at 18:30

score 5 · Answer 1 · edited Jan 31 '21 at 10:43

5

You can use Microsoft SwiftKey to have a split keyboard and avoid reaching to the home button like this one

edited Jan 31 '21 at 10:43

Andrew T.

15,988
10
74
123

answered Sep 21 '14 at 18:41

ravi

51
2

Tried installing it, needs network access and access to SD storage and need to accept some user agreement when installing. I have Hacker Keyboard installed at the moment and needs no access. From a security point of view I might as well publish my passwords on the internet. Although your solution is creative – Meer Borg Sep 22 '14 at 23:51
@MeerBorg It needs those things for downloading and installing language packs. – Nick Coad Sep 23 '14 at 01:13
@MeeBorg : it is very important to accept that to install swift key. and it need internet connection only once after you install it for downloading the language packs – ravi Sep 25 '14 at 02:57

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 31 '21 at 10:43

I solved this on my OnePlus 6, OS-10, by going to system Settings > Buttons & gestures > Navigation bar & gestures, then select "Navigation Gestures" instead of the default for the fixed navigation bar.

While this completely removed the navigation bar from my phone, it also leaves a bit of unnecessary space below my keyboard (Gboard) now where the navbar used to be.

Also, you will have to acclimate to using Navigation Gestures but it doesn't take long & you may, like me, come to prefer them over the navbar anyway.

Nevertheless, my accidental "Home" instead of "spacebar" issue is now solved and my stress level is much lower as a result.

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 31 '21 at 10:43

1

I would recommend GMD Auto Hide Soft Keys ★ root as your device is rooted, or try Ultimate Dynamic Navbar.

For avoiding permission issues, use App Ops.

edited Jan 31 '21 at 10:43

Andrew T.

15,988
10
74
123

answered Sep 24 '14 at 06:10

Saravana Bharathi

104
3

Ultimate dynamimic nav bar did the trick. Right permissions, allows me to keep hacker keyboard and most of all that navbar is out of the way. PS XPrivacy is way better than App Ops and works with most versions of Android – Meer Borg Sep 24 '14 at 22:41

cipricus · Answer 4 · 2021-01-31T18:53:23.477

0

On a Jusyea J5 tablet running Android 10:

System - - Navigation bar

Enable Navigation bar:

enter image description here

After that a down arrow appears on the bottom bar to hide the system buttons

enter image description here

edited Jan 31 '21 at 18:53

answered Jan 31 '21 at 08:40

cipricus

419
1
3
18

score 0 · Answer 5 · edited Jul 07 '22 at 18:49

0

Just go to settings, open Language and input, and select Hide.

edited Jul 07 '22 at 18:49

Andrew T.

15,988
10
74
123

answered Nov 16 '21 at 09:06

Frank Onwuzuka

1

Some freehand red circles could definetly improve this answer. – Luuklag Nov 16 '21 at 09:35
1

There's no such setting on Nexus 5, Lineage OS 14.1 (Android 7.1.2) and Pixel 3a, Android 12. Based on the shown search history, I'd assume this is on Oneplus 7 Pro which uses OxygenOS. But just to make sure, please [edit] and mention the device model and Android version in case this setting is customized by the manufacturer. Thanks. – Andrew T. Nov 16 '21 at 09:54

SurpriseDog · Answer 6 · 2022-07-07T16:58:16.807

0

My solution was to install a custom navigation bar, like this one for example (no root required). Then I changed the height setting in it to shrink the bar until it barely appears on the screen.

Now there is a nice dead space between the keyboard and the navigation bar which prevents accidental touches.

edited Jul 07 '22 at 16:58

answered Jul 07 '22 at 16:51

SurpriseDog

101
3

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Sep 21 '14 at 16:28

0

The easiest way to avoid accidentally touching the home button is to use a soft keyboard with longer space bar . For example Go keyboard has a bigger space bar that occupies ~50% of the screen width. So space can be touched long away from the home button.

answered Sep 21 '14 at 16:28

totti

383
4
12

As this too needs internet access, as it has in app purchases, its a security issue. – Meer Borg Sep 22 '14 at 23:56
then try w10 keyboard. no ABCD, different approach but no internet access . – totti Sep 23 '14 at 07:48

score 0 · Answer 8 · edited Jan 31 '21 at 10:43

You could move the soft buttons using some app like Pie Control.
You could try not to do anything with the device, and train yourself to memorize the position of the space bar.

It's not that small in a 7-inch screen, IF you have average hand dexterity
(we must cater to the people with disabilities, so a huge IF).
I would recommend playing this game, rhythm games really help improving tapping precision.

Caveat: all app suggestions and links here are to exemplify apps that could help; use your own caution and Google-fu to choose your apps. In no way I am endorsing those apps, or even have them installed. If needed, browse related apps that suit your security requirements.

How to avoid hitting home key while typing?

8 Answers8