S6 Recent Apps Button Not Working Or Lit

[haissamhoballah]

I Have Trouble like u are...
press call *#0*# and then press grip sensor and then press recents key.......... it work, I think it's not hardware but software that unable the key..

I have already 2times trouble like this.
I also want to find the answers

hope we can get it..

I have dialed *#0*# and I pressed on grip sensor and it shows that it's working
But after all it still not working

 

[Jesse Sutherland]

Yep, Kids Mode also disabled my recent apps. I just opened it and closed it again, and everything was back to normal. No need to even uninstall.

 

[tangycherie]

I know this is an old thread, but thank you for sharing because this worked for me too. I just uninstalled kids mode and everything is back to normal. I was just about to do a factory reset!

 

[Farmer Tony]

Sorry but I'm new to these forums. I created this comment but cannot see how to delete it.... only edit

 

[Farmer Tony]

Here is a "solution" that has worked for me. My S6 is the Verizon variant, but I think these steps will work on any Service Provider.

Settings > Accessibility > Dexterity and interaction > Assistant menu

From here, toggle the switch to "ON". This will create a hovering circle with a window with four panes inside it. If you interactive with the hovering circle it will open a new window in which you have access to the back and recent apps buttons via an onscreen button.

Not sure what has disabled the hardware buttons, but this should give you access via onscreen software.

I know it's not a true fix, but a work around.

If someone finds a true fix, please post it! But in the meantime ...

I hope this helps!

Thank you thank you thank you. I had my front replaced and about a week later I lost both soft buttons. So many apps get stuck if you can use the back button...... This little gem is exactly what I needed!

 

[DonovanEdge]

Thank you thank you thank you. I had my front replaced and about a week later I lost both soft buttons. So many apps get stuck if you can use the back button...... This little gem is exactly what I needed!

Glad to help!

 

[Nico65]

I had the same problem with my Galaxy S6. The problem on mine was the power saving mode. When it is turned on the buttons don't light up. If you turn power saving mode off they work.

So you have to decide if want the two buttons to light up and drain the battery more quickly or dark lights and more battery life.

Samsung and all mobile companies suck. They put all this cool stuff on the phones but you can't use them because the batteries don't pack enough juice for 15 to 20 hours on one charge a day. Merde!

 

[Nathan1687]

Same issue as you guys. At first my phone was glitching between recent apps and split screen mode! Several factory resets to no avail! I eventually factory reset AND deleted the cache. This resulted in the recent apps button not working - but it still lit up when the back key was pressed. Following some research there seems to be a consensus that this function has been removed. (I'm guessing a firmware update had gone rogue and they have deactivated it)

My solution a simple one - at least one that cost zero as opposed to going to by a new phone and most likely get the same issue!

I downloaded an app from the market place called 'All in one gestures' and assigned a swipe gesture from the top right of my screen to open recent apps. Works great and its free! I wonder if the next update - it will be resolved..... hmmmm

 

[Diamond72]

Hi

Just wanted to post a solution that i found worked and resolved my recent apps button issue plus my notification panel issue:

Solution copied below:
Hi,

Does the button light up?

This is was a historic issue on Samsung phones and was because of a faulty/corrupt software update. You can try a couple of things the first is to clear the cache:

Press and hold Power, Volume Up and the Home button
You'll see a blue screen with the Android on it, then you'll be taken to the recovery menu.
Use the volume buttons to scroll and highlight Wipe Cache Partition. Press Power to confirm.
You have already tried the factory reset so next step would be to connect to Samsung Smart Switch and perform a recovery reinstalling the firmware.

If if this still doesn't work then firstly contact Samsung support here: Mobile Phone | Support | SAMSUNG UK as the phone is still under warranty.

Hope this helps.
End of copied solution

I tried the wipe cache option but not the factory reset after reading so many posts stating it didn't it didn't work but the Samsung Smart Switch/recovery reinstall solved the problem and i've also noticed that my phone is faster and isn't lagging as much as it was after i upgraded the firmware.

NB. You need to dload the Samsung Smart Switch pc version and connect your phone to your PC. I tried the phone app version but couldn't find the recovery install option. The PC version can be found here:
Samsung Smartswitch | SAMSUNG UK

Hope this helps

 

[misswitch]

So frustrated!

I was on skype with a friend and the phone kept trying to switch into split screen mode, then popping up errors saying that the app didn't support it.

I kept trying to get back to the app to re-enter full screen mode and the button wouldn't work. I restarted my phone twice before the split screen mode finally stopped trying to kick in, but the recent apps button still won't work.

I've restarted, I've checked my power saving options, I've done the cache wipe.....nada.

 

[Margaran]

Device reset should be a last resort. Like taking a machete to perform delicate surgery.

Try clearing the cache partition.

Turn the device off.
Volume up+home+power
Use volume rocker to select clear cache. Power to accept.
Toggle to reboot. Power to accept.

Please,let us know what happens when it boots up.

This worked for me. Many thanks.

 

[Kelpfrond]

The recent apps button stopped working after using my S6 extensively in the rain today. The best workaround I found so far is the "All in one Gestures" app. You can set up a gesture, e.g. swipe from bottom-left corner to bring up the recent apps list or even remap 'long-press back key' to recent apps (if your back key is still working).

 

[Daniel Hickinbottom]

Here is a "solution" that has worked for me. My S6 is the Verizon variant, but I think these steps will work on any Service Provider.

Settings > Accessibility > Dexterity and interaction > Assistant menu

From here, toggle the switch to "ON". This will create a hovering circle with a window with four panes inside it. If you interactive with the hovering circle it will open a new window in which you have access to the back and recent apps buttons via an onscreen button.

Not sure what has disabled the hardware buttons, but this should give you access via onscreen software.

I know it's not a true fix, but a work around.

If someone finds a true fix, please post it! But in the meantime ...

I hope this helps!

I've been looking for something like this since mine stopped working a week ago I kept thinking why would there not be another way to get to recent apps. Thanks man not a true fix but now my battery may last more than 8 hours whilst trying to run 50 apps. Cheers

 

[DonovanEdge]

I've been looking for something like this since mine stopped working a week ago I kept thinking why would there not be another way to get to recent apps. Thanks man not a true fix but now my battery may last more than 8 hours whilst trying to run 50 apps. Cheers

Indeed Daniel, glad to help!

 

[Harribo34]

Here is a "solution" that has worked for me. My S6 is the Verizon variant, but I think these steps will work on any Service Provider.

Settings > Accessibility > Dexterity and interaction > Assistant menu

From here, toggle the switch to "ON". This will create a hovering circle with a window with four panes inside it. If you interactive with the hovering circle it will open a new window in which you have access to the back and recent apps buttons via an onscreen button.

Not sure what has disabled the hardware buttons, but this should give you access via onscreen software.

I know it's not a true fix, but a work around.

If someone finds a true fix, please post it! But in the meantime ...

I hope this helps!

I know this is an old thread but thank you thank you thank you so much for this post! I accidentally dropped my phone in water at the weekend and ever since the "recent apps" button isn't working. This fix has solved the problem and means I won't need to send back to Samsung. Thanks again!!

 

[DonovanEdge]

I know this is an old thread but thank you thank you thank you so much for this post! I accidentally dropped my phone in water at the weekend and ever since the "recent apps" button isn't working. This fix has solved the problem and means I won't need to send back to Samsung. Thanks again!!

@Harribo34, glad to help!

Not sure why this capability is not well advertised, but happy it is available.

 

[Sam Jones0909]

This is great. Super helpful. Thank you

 

[The fog]

So on my S6, the Recent Apps button is no longer working or even lit. When I open several apps, I'm unable to use that button.

I cleared cache, etc. VZW is offering me a new phone, but it's "factory reconditioned" and I'd like to keep this one.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Same thing here.. lights work but not the recents or back keys ... did soft reset..cleared cache and reboot..and a factory reset..still nothing.. I belive it to be an issue with the native email an ppec as that was and still is causing issues ... and u cannot Uninstall it.



So here are 2 solutions.. sounds length but it isn't...
1 go to settings.. accessibility..dexterity and interaction.. assistant menu.. turn it on
..a floating app will alow u to use back and recents keys..


But better yet install the (all in one gestured app)
You can play with this to make the recents and back as well as many functions go where u like on the screen.
I found Best to do as follows
click more... click more hot-spot..
Click 12 hot-spot straight swipe... click on swipe ... click enable.. go to the "bottom" listings..not the bottom of the screen...lol
Check the right box assign "back"... Center assign no action own what ever u like.. left assign "recents"...
Better now than before it was broken all actions right above the home key on the screen..
Play with settings for size transparency..etc..

Better than factory... and don't need to buy a new phone..
Good luck.

 

[STU-Caitland Johnson]

I am having the same problem but it is just my recent apps button and it still vibrates and lights up when I touch it. I've tired all the things you have said except a factory reset. I even tried the apps they didn't work for me AT ALL so I don't know what's going on. Also, when I have my phone's power off screen on it only shows two options POWER OFF and RESTART the other one that is usually there has disappeared. Could I have been hacked? If so how do I fix that problem? Should I just reset it and hope that works?

 

[aibr]

Thanks, Donavan, that worked for me and the button is fine to work with, since the normal Recents key is gone.

I have the same problem, suddenly the recent apps isn't working. I'm using the assistance menu, but it's not the same. I also did a reboot, (which I hated) and nothing. I tried the *#0*#, but it doesn't give me the grip sensor option. Is there anything I can do or is getting another phone the only option.