New in version 0.1.5
Letters typed quickly on a keyboard in the contacts or the app list all reach the search now.
Before, the first one could get lost. A setting a later version adds no longer makes this one
throw away the whole setup when you go back. It falls back to its default instead.
HomeTiles is a home screen made of large, plainly labelled tiles, with a phone dialler and a
messaging app in the same package. It is meant for small screens, unsteady hands and eyes
that would rather not squint.
Every tile can be anything you like: an app, a contact, a shortcut, a widget, a function
such as the torch or Wi-Fi, or a jump to another screen. Grid size, tile size, colours and
labels are all yours to set.
What you get:
* A home screen of big tiles, freely assigned, with an optional header showing time, date
and battery.
* A dialler with a keypad, speed dial on 2 to 9, a grouped call log and its own in-call
screen. Taking over the phone role is offered, never forced.
* Messages: thread list, conversation and composing.
* Contacts with search, sorting by first name or surname, and favourites.
* An SOS button with a countdown that calls several numbers in turn and can send an
emergency message with your location.
* Reading help: hold a tile to have it read out or shown large, and page through long
lists with buttons instead of swiping.
* Export your setup to a file and read it back on your next phone.
* If the launcher ever fails to start, a simple fallback screen appears with phone,
contacts and settings, rather than a black device.
No account, no advertising, no tracking, and no internet permission at all.
HomeTiles is a free replacement for BIG Launcher, whose features are now spread across three
paid apps.
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Versions
Although APK downloads are available below to give you the choice, you should be aware that by installing that way you will not receive update notifications and it's a less secure way to download. We recommend that you install the F-Droid client and use that.
Download F-Droid
-
arm64-v8a
armeabi-v7a
x86
x86_64
This version requires Android 8.0 or newer.
It is built and signed by F-Droid, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
-
access approximate location only in the foreground
This app can get your approximate location from location services while the app is in use. Location services for your device must be turned on for the app to get location.
-
access precise location only in the foreground
This app can get your precise location from location services while the app is in use. Location services for your device must be turned on for the app to get location. This may increase battery usage.
-
directly call phone numbers
Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Note that this doesn't allow the app to call emergency numbers. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
-
show notifications
Allows the app to show notifications
-
read call log
This app can read your call history.
-
read your contacts
Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone. Apps will also have access to the accounts on your phone that have created contacts. This may include accounts created by apps you have installed. This permission allows apps to save your contact data, and malicious apps may share contact data without your knowledge.
-
read phone status and identity
Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.
-
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
This app can read all SMS (text) messages stored on your phone.
-
receive text messages (SMS)
Allows the app to receive and process SMS messages. This means the app could monitor or delete messages sent to your device without showing them to you.
-
send and view SMS messages
Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
-
display notifications as full screen activities on a locked device
Allows the app to display notifications as full screen activities on a locked device
-
control vibration
Allows the app to control the vibrator.
-
write call log
Allows the app to modify your phone's call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. Malicious apps may use this to erase or modify your call log.
-
modify your contacts
Allows the app to modify the data about your contacts stored on your phone. This permission allows apps to delete contact data.
-
dev.kicker.hometiles.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
Download APK
1.9 MiB
PGP Signature
|
Build Log
New in version 0.1.3
Phones with keys work on every screen now. Every row, button and key shows a thick focus
border, not only the tiles. The number keys type in the dialler and in the PIN entry (star and
pound too). The green key moves to the call button without dialling. On a phone with a
keyboard, letters typed in the app list or contacts go straight into the search.
-
arm64-v8a
armeabi-v7a
x86
x86_64
This version requires Android 8.0 or newer.
It is built and signed by F-Droid, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
-
access approximate location only in the foreground
This app can get your approximate location from location services while the app is in use. Location services for your device must be turned on for the app to get location.
-
access precise location only in the foreground
This app can get your precise location from location services while the app is in use. Location services for your device must be turned on for the app to get location. This may increase battery usage.
-
directly call phone numbers
Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Note that this doesn't allow the app to call emergency numbers. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
-
show notifications
Allows the app to show notifications
-
read call log
This app can read your call history.
-
read your contacts
Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone. Apps will also have access to the accounts on your phone that have created contacts. This may include accounts created by apps you have installed. This permission allows apps to save your contact data, and malicious apps may share contact data without your knowledge.
-
read phone status and identity
Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.
-
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
This app can read all SMS (text) messages stored on your phone.
-
receive text messages (SMS)
Allows the app to receive and process SMS messages. This means the app could monitor or delete messages sent to your device without showing them to you.
-
send and view SMS messages
Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
-
display notifications as full screen activities on a locked device
Allows the app to display notifications as full screen activities on a locked device
-
control vibration
Allows the app to control the vibrator.
-
write call log
Allows the app to modify your phone's call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. Malicious apps may use this to erase or modify your call log.
-
modify your contacts
Allows the app to modify the data about your contacts stored on your phone. This permission allows apps to delete contact data.
-
dev.kicker.hometiles.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
Download APK
1.9 MiB
PGP Signature
|
Build Log
New in version 0.1.2
Fixes crashes on Android 8 and 9 in the SOS alarm, the call screen and the message notice on
the lock screen. A tile whose app has been removed now says so. Labels get smaller instead of
breaking a word. An incoming call shows a phone in the status bar instead of an envelope.
-
arm64-v8a
armeabi-v7a
x86
x86_64
This version requires Android 8.0 or newer.
It is built and signed by F-Droid, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
-
access approximate location only in the foreground
This app can get your approximate location from location services while the app is in use. Location services for your device must be turned on for the app to get location.
-
access precise location only in the foreground
This app can get your precise location from location services while the app is in use. Location services for your device must be turned on for the app to get location. This may increase battery usage.
-
directly call phone numbers
Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Note that this doesn't allow the app to call emergency numbers. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
-
show notifications
Allows the app to show notifications
-
read call log
This app can read your call history.
-
read your contacts
Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone. Apps will also have access to the accounts on your phone that have created contacts. This may include accounts created by apps you have installed. This permission allows apps to save your contact data, and malicious apps may share contact data without your knowledge.
-
read phone status and identity
Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.
-
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
This app can read all SMS (text) messages stored on your phone.
-
receive text messages (SMS)
Allows the app to receive and process SMS messages. This means the app could monitor or delete messages sent to your device without showing them to you.
-
send and view SMS messages
Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
-
display notifications as full screen activities on a locked device
Allows the app to display notifications as full screen activities on a locked device
-
control vibration
Allows the app to control the vibrator.
-
write call log
Allows the app to modify your phone's call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. Malicious apps may use this to erase or modify your call log.
-
modify your contacts
Allows the app to modify the data about your contacts stored on your phone. This permission allows apps to delete contact data.
-
dev.kicker.hometiles.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
Download APK
1.9 MiB
PGP Signature
|
Build Log
