Fix Launcher Force close loop without rooting or USB debugging in Android

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By Rama Krishna Chunduri on January 12th, 2013

Android Launcher (Contents are hidden for quick reading )

In the world of android, launchers are the applications which serves the first purpose of the operating system. & A launcher presents the main view of the phone and is responsible for starting other apps and hosting live widgets.

Launcher just like explorer.exe (Windows shell) in Windows operating systems

As the launcher would be the main view of the android operating system, the android operatinf stucks in an in-accessible state when the launcher crashes. So, when a launcher crashes you are left in a stage where you cannot access your phone.

When Android Launcher starts

Starts by default with OS (if setted as default)
Starts when home button is pressed (if no previous instance is existing)
Starts when exiting primary application (if no previous instance is existing)

When Android Launcher force closes

The latest update of the launcher you are using is having a crash bug
The latest update of the third party widget is having a crash bug
The stock launcher given by the manufacturer is not supporting to fit one of the widget you recently added.
One of your latest installed application tried to add it's own icon which doesn't strict to the laucher rules
The laucher got damaged because of removal of some file when connected to pc.(if internal memory of phone is allowed to be browsed by the manufacturer)

When Android goes into force close loop

When you don't have any third party launcher installed and your stock launcher crashes
When you have a third party launcher which is crashing. But you've setted it to be the default one

How Screen appears when launcher crashes

How to Fix it
Well comming to this point there are 4 solutions to help you.

Start android in Safe mode : This solution works only if your os is android 4.0(ICSW) or higher, The solution doesn't help you when the stock launcher given by manufacturer itself is not working.
Root : Solution works only when the device has a processor which support clockwork (some processor manufacturers like spreadtrum doesn't support clockwork. Also when a phone is rooted it is against manufacturers waranty agreement and apparently warrenty voids
USB Debuging : Solution works only when you are able to turn on usb debugging. Solution won't work when some manufacturers won't show direct screen when usb connected (instead u would have to go to notification bar and pick appropriate action)
Google play store :Solution works only when you have internet activated on device. Solution won't work if your device doesn't has Play Store in it

Each solution has their own advantages and disadvantages. So, lets leave the 4 solutions. Now with the understanding upto this, we know that if we are able to somehow get into an application the launcher never re-opens until we exit from it.

Here is the solution which i've used to resolve my phone. This solution can work with any sort of android device. I am not mentioning this solution is perfect, it has its own limitations as well.

What you require

A friends(secondary) mobile which has bluetooth support which you have used previously to send some file to your mobile. The mobile should have an active SIM in it
A pc with internet connection

Note : if your force close error keeps appearing while doing the solution, please be patient and press force close.

Get into Dialer

Call to your mobile from the friend's mobile
Lift/Attend the call
Use "Add call" option to get into dialer
You are now in dialer, so drop the call from friends mobile (don't use your mobile to drop call)

Turn on Bluetooth

Open notifications by clicking notification bar and turn on bluetooth

Pick your launcher - From this step the steps differ based on the type of launcher you are facing the problem with, hence switch below tabs based on launcher type

Third Party Launcher
In-Stock Launcher

Problem with Third Party Launcher

Download apk to friends mobile

Download Es File Explorer from here or here
Copy it to friends mobile via 'USB Mass Storage'
Alternatively if ur friend owns an android mobile, then back up EsExplorer from his device

Transfer via Bluetooth

Send the file to your mobile via bluetooth from friend's mobile
Click on it and accept the file
Wait for recieving file
Click on notification bar and Open file from inbound transfers

Get into Apps List

If android prompted to install application, install it and choose open (Or) if it says installation blocked click settings
Depending on the current screen being shown click "AppMgr" or "Manage Applications"
The apps will be listed as shown either of below images

Uninstall Launcher ("Launcher" will be replaced by the launcher name you have problem with)

Tap on the launcher from the application list (and then "Details" if prompted)
Tap on the "Uninstall" button and confirm the uninstallation
Wait for the uninstall to complete and then finally restart your device

That's all - Oyla you will now be able to access the device with the default launcher.

Problem with Default/Stock Launcher

Download apk to friends mobile

Download "Go Launcher" (Security) from here or here
Copy it to friends mobile via 'USB Mass Storage'
Alternatively if ur friend owns an android mobile, then back up "Go Launcher" from his device

Transfer via Bluetooth

Send the file to your mobile via bluetooth from friend's mobile
Click on it and accept the file
Wait for recieving file
Click on notification bar and Open file from inbound transfers

Start Go Launcher

If android prompted to install application, install it and choose open, then skip to step 3 (Or) if it says installation blocked click settings
Enable the "Unknown sources" option, this will let you install and open Go launcher. So, start again with steps for Transfer via Bluetooth
The Go Launcher is now started and you will be able to access your phone.... Looks something like below

Change Default Launcher

Your InStock Launcher is still active. So press the home button, enable "Use by default" and pick the go launcher from the list.

That's all - Oyla you will now be able to access the device with the Go launcher leaving the stock launcher permanently disabled.

Thanks for reading - your comments encourage me, Rama Krishna Chunduri

Categorized under: Mobile.
Tagged with: android, rooting, smartphone.

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