How do I reassign my Home screen?

[macleodal]

Home screen reassigned itself - aaarrrgghhhh!

Hi,
I am (you prob guessed) new to Android. I have a Galaxy Note 4 running Kitkat.
As of last night, if I pressed the main "button" (the physical one in the middle.. don't know it's correct name) it took me to the screen I want to be my home screen - the one with the time, date, weather and Google search preassigned.
This morning, when I press, I get taken to the screen one to the right! Clearly I did something very late last night to mess it up but I don't know what.
In the "row of little dots" (which I assume is to help navigate the various pages) I have two little horizontal lines on the left (which I am informed is some magazine thing), then a regular dot, then a miniature house-shaped dot (which appears to represent "the" home screen), then five more dots.
ALL I want is to be able to reassign so that when I push the button, it takes me to the screen it used to take me to. I assume this is probably related to the little miniature house icon too?
Have spent a couple of hours on this now without success, I assume part of the issue here is I don't know the right terms for Android.. could someone please help before I toss it out the window and go back to my iPhone???!
Thanks
Alastair

 

[anon(5600632)]

Re: Home screen reassigned itself - aaarrrgghhhh!

I'm not sure exactly how to do it on a Note 4, but most Samsungs are similar. That main button is the Home key.

Your phone has the capacity to add multiple home screens - 7, I think. If you pinch the home screen (the same motion as shrinking a photo or a map), you should be able to see all of the active screens. You can add, delete, shuffle the order and designate any of them as "Home" from this view. Samsung Galaxy?Note 4 User Guide

I think the magazine thing is a Flipboard feature. I'm not a fan - it can be disabled. http://phandroid.com/2014/10/17/galaxy-note-4-first-13-things/

Nova Launcher, the free version, makes this process extremely easy. You press home to your home screen, press it again and you see of of the screens, then you just slide any one you choose into the central Home slot.

Welcome to Android - yes, compared to iPhone it'll drive you crazy until you realize how much more control you have over everything. The beauty and the curse.

 

[konvajw]

Re: Home screen reassigned itself - aaarrrgghhhh!

Go to a blank space on any screen (where there is no app icon) and press and hold on that spot. You will then see a "house/home" icon at the top of every screen. Scroll to the screen you want to be your home screen and tap on the "house/home" icon. That's all there is to it, but can understand it's not very intuitive if you aren't familiar with it. Hope that helps.

Posted via Android Central App - Verizon S5

 

[MacQuack]

Re: Home screen reassigned itself - aaarrrgghhhh!

I tried that on a space with no app icon. The of the screens appeared but there is no home/house at the top of any of them. All 6 screens are blank or have some apps but nothing showng how to set it as the default home page (no house/home icon).
Still haven't learned how to set one as my home page.

 

[anon(5600632)]

Re: Home screen reassigned itself - aaarrrgghhhh!

Install the free version of Nova Launcher and this will get very easy. It copies your current home screen arrangements (except for widgets, which need to be redone). Then press the home button twice and you'll see all your screens. The Home-home screen has a check mark. Just press and hold whichever you want to be the new Home-home screen and drag it to where the check mark is.

You may even notice that your phone runs a little smoother and faster as compared to the Samsung built-in launcher.

 

[konvajw]

Re: Home screen reassigned itself - aaarrrgghhhh!

I'm not sure then if you don't have the "house/home" icon on the top of each screen. Attached is what mine looks like ("house/home" icon looks like up arrow).

Posted via Android Central App - Verizon S5