Right, so for as long as I have had this phone (Sony Xperia 5 iii), I have encountered numerous issues. However, one that I cannot for the life of me not figure out is why my Overview Button stops working. I dont know how to reproduce it, I’m pretty certain it happens at random, when pressing the button.

The expected behaviour is that I should be able to access other recently used apps. However nothing happens. The only way to fix this issue (each time) is, as far as I know, change my default home launcher, back to the stock one, then open a new app and after that it will work again. I use Kvaesitso Launcher as my daily driver, however this bug has affected my throughout all launchers I have used, including the stock one.

At this point I’m looking to find a way to run a script or something to automate the process of changing the launcher and back again, as I’m sick of doing it. No idea if that’s even possible yet.

I also just had the phone in for service where I mentioned the problem, along with various other problems. Phone came back with new screen and main board, if thats relevant information.

Anyone have any idea what could be causing this? Or how to fix it?

Would highly appreciate it if you have any tips or tricks. I am desperate.

  • @OttomateeverythingEnglish
    5•11 months ago

    I wish I had a better answer for you… But…

    This seems to be some bug in Android 14. I reported it numerous times during the beta program MONTHS ago, and it’s never been fixed. The public release came out and multiple friends have told me they’re having this issue too. It still isn’t fixed.

    I don’t know what the fuck Google is doing, but I’ve heard people have this issue with different launchers so I can’t imagine they’ve all got the same bug - this seems to be Google’s fault. The launcher I use has fixed multiple Android 14 bugs, but not this one. I don’t think they can.

    Fwiw, you should be able to force stop your launcher which is a little faster than changing launchers and changing back. And it’s a hell of a lot faster than a restart… Pull down notification shade, tap settings, type Kvaesitso in the search bar which should let you tap to get to the app settings, and on that page should be a “force stop” button. Tap that, tap home, and it should be fixed.

    I find this shit infuriating and I don’t understand how Google deems this OK. I doubt this gets fixed before Android 15 at this point. Google has their fucking heads up their ass on this one.

    I don’t know if it does anything, but there’s an issue about it here: https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/302132145 Commenting/subscribing/etc might help get this more attention.

    • LunchOPEnglish
      2•11 months ago

      Too typical… At least I’m not alone on this, was about to go crazy. Thanks for the post, will follow it up 👍👍

      • @OttomateeverythingEnglish
        1•11 months ago

        I’ve been crazy for months over this lmao. Glad I could help 😜

        • LunchOPEnglish
          1•8 months ago

          Still an issue for me… Assume for you too?

          • @OttomateeverythingEnglish
            1•8 months ago

            Lol funny you should ask.

            Google said they fixed it with the update 3 weeks ago ish.

            Mine has been like five to ten times more frequent ever since said “fix”. So yeah, still a major issue for me.

            • LunchOPEnglish
              1•8 months ago

              Are you using an additional launcher? If yes, which one? I believe removing the stock launcher with adb could potentially “fix” this issue.

              • @OttomateeverythingEnglish
                1•8 months ago

                Yes, I currently use Nova.

                I assume it’s pixel launcher related… I also had assumed the Pixel launcher couldn’t be un-installed over adb but maybe that’s not the case?

            • LunchOPEnglish
              1•8 months ago

              Goddammit yeah same here…🙁

  • @Crazychicken563English
    3•11 months ago

    Happens to me constantly on the P6P. Rebooting phone fixes it. Absolutely hate this bug

  • monotremata
    3•11 months ago

    I had a similar issue on my Pixel 6, where I’m using Nova launcher. (I know they changed hands and are not great now, but it’s still more usable than the Pixel Launcher.) There the solution was to go into the Apps settings, find Pixel Launcher, and choose force stop, then clear cache, then clear settings. Apparently there was some bug in Android 14 causing both launchers to try to intercept the “recent apps” press, and it caused it to hang like that.

    Obviously that’s not going to be exactly the same issue on your phone, since presumably Pixel Launcher isn’t on there, but maybe doing the “force stop, clear cache, clear storage” on the default launcher on your phone would help?

    • @OttomateeverythingEnglish
      3•11 months ago

      There the solution was to go into the Apps settings, find Pixel Launcher, and choose force stop, then clear cache, then clear settings.

      Fwiw, force stopping your actual launcher should fix the issue without restarting etc but it does come back.

      I think I’ve tried doing this on the Pixel launcher with no dice, but going to give that a shot since it shouldn’t hurt. I doubt this would impact the issue if it’s actually based on what you claim though.

    • LunchOPEnglish
      2•11 months ago

      Nice tip! Will give it a try and see if it solves anything. Might also just remove the default launcher through ADB and see if that does anything.

  • m-p{3}English
    2•11 months ago

    It rarely happens to me, but I had to reboot my Pixel 7 Pro (Android 14) to make it work again.

    I’m using Ruthless Launcher.