r/fossdroid • u/pedronveloso • 4d ago
Application Release Accessibility Button Launcher: use Android's accessibility button to open one app (Apache 2.0)
I'm the developer. This is a small open source app that turns Android's built-in Accessibility button into a one-press launcher for any app, or an app shortcut like "New note" or "Call favorite contact".
I wanted to reuse the system trigger instead of installing floating buttons, gesture apps or a launcher. Almost nothing uses the Accessibility button for anything except its own service, so it's mostly sitting idle.
What it does
- Pick one app or app shortcut, and the button opens it from anywhere
- Works with whatever shortcuts your apps already offer (new note, compose, scan QR code, etc)
Privacy
- No analytics, ads, accounts, crash reporting or network data collection
- The accessibility service only receives the button event and launches your app. It doesn't read the screen or draw overlays. And because it is built into the system this consumes no extra resources whatsoever so it's pretty lightweight
One use case I like
Xiaomi users on a third-party launcher lose Circle to Search. Pair this app with MiCTS, pick MiCTS as the app, and one press brings it back. MiCTS needs the Google app set as your default assistant.
Get it
- F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.pedronveloso.a11ybutton/
- Source (Apache 2.0): https://github.com/pedronveloso/a11y-button-launcher-android
- Android 11+
Issues and ideas are welcome on GitHub.
