Check if app launcher has menu key/swipe up for app drawer OR apps on home by default

Checking App Launcher Behavior

Different Android launchers utilize varying methods for accessing apps. Here’s how to determine if your launcher uses a menu key, swipe up gesture, or displays apps directly on the home screen:

Menu Key

What it is:

A physical button on older Android devices (usually located below the screen) that, when pressed, displays a menu with app icons.

How to Check:

• Look for a physical button on your device labeled “Menu” or “Apps.”
• If present, press the button and see if a menu appears.

Swipe Up for App Drawer

What it is:

A gesture where you swipe upwards on the home screen to reveal an app drawer containing all your installed apps.

How to Check:

• On your home screen, swipe upwards from the bottom.
• If an app drawer appears, your launcher supports swipe up for app drawer access.

Apps on Home Screen by Default

What it is:

Some launchers place frequently used apps directly on the home screen, while others use a dedicated app drawer.

How to Check:

• Observe your home screen.
• If apps are displayed directly on the home screen, your launcher places apps on the home screen by default.

Comparison Table

Code Example (Example of checking for app drawer)

Here’s an example of using the AccessibilityService to check if an app drawer is present. You can customize this example for different launchers.

import android.accessibilityservice.AccessibilityService;
import android.view.accessibility.AccessibilityEvent;

public class AppDrawerChecker extends AccessibilityService {

    @Override
    public void onAccessibilityEvent(AccessibilityEvent event) {
        if (event.getEventType() == AccessibilityEvent.TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGED) {
            String className = event.getClassName().toString();
            // Replace with the actual app drawer class name of your launcher
            if (className.equals("com.android.launcher3.allapps.AllAppsContainerView")) {
                // App drawer is visible
                // Perform actions like taking a screenshot or logging information
                // ...
            }
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void onInterrupt() {
        // Handle interruption
    }
}

Please note that the code example above is for demonstration purposes and may need adjustments for specific launchers.