My home button is gone and other issues with newest update

[Jaredwhite9]

Issue fixed about a week of dealing with it. Not sure if it was something I did, was fixed on the back end, or if it "fixed itself." I was eventually able to go through all the welcome screens and everything worked correctly, with only a few (intentional?) changes that were likely a part of the update (if you pull down on the right top of screen then you can gain access to controlling Bluetooth, airplane mode, flashlight, etc. and if you pull down in the middle then you see your notifications).

My home button is gone, just has the back button shows up at the bottom. And I cannot thumb down from the top to access anything. Also, my "settings" won't open, so I don't even know what I can change. And all my icons are smaller than before.

This "update" is absolutely awful and frustrating. I've seen some say it's trying to be more like Apple and I agree with the comment, "If I wanted an Apple then I would get an Apple."

[CEParsons]

Some users are experiencing this issue when first updating. This is caused by bypassing the welcome screen (see attached image.) If you do not click through the welcome screens, including the info about Galaxy AI, the phone goes into the state you've described.

I was able to fix both mine and my wife's phones by clearing cache partition, rebooting the phones, and clicking through the welcome screens.

[realaud]

Yeah, I'm guessing  you fixed it by clearing the cache partition and NOT by clicking through the "explore" screens.  One should always clear the cache after an update, especially a huge one like this.  If they are offering an option to bypass the slide show, it's not mandatory to click through and won't affect performance.  OTOH, it may be helpful for some people to do so and actually read the contents before they come on here and start screaming.

[CEParsons]

Probably. Although there was no option to bypass in my case. The explore pages simply never appeared after update. I assumed it was related because the phone is basically "stuck" with the limited navigation associated with those pages.

[Jaredwhite9]

It wouldn't let me even click through the welcome screens. It glitches and exited before I could, same thing when I restarted my phone. 

I also don't know what a "cache partition" is. 

Thanks for guidance! 

[Jbranco26]

I have cleared cache as a few people seem to have suggested, and then restarted my device. My home button was briefly reinstated but then when I tried tapping it I was met with the message "knox security restricts this action". I dont even know what Knox is lol but not even 30 seconds later my phone locked me back out and boom the buttons are gone again. It's been so frustrating having to use the back arrow for everything. I can't even switch to the swipe feature. Nothing works. I'm so confused as to why so many things were changed. Any other recommended steps to take? (I did not receive any welcome screens upon restarting). 

 

 

[realaud]

Knox is the security that protects your phone.  Go to settings/security and privacy and turn off auto blocker and see if the home button issue resolves.  I don't see any reason why Knox should block any home button action, even the long press on the home button which brings up circle to search (or used to anyway - I don't know what it does in the update). BTW, you know the home button only works when you are not on your first home page?

You may have to download Good Lock and the NaviStar module to set the navigation bar properly.

[Jaredwhite9]

I cleared the cache (side note: I have never had to clear the cache after any update ever with any smartphone I've had, most users wouldn't know to do that, so it's common sense that developers shouldn't expect it). Showed first "welcome screen" on startup and then they disappeared as I tried to click through them. I'm left with the same issues. There is only the back button on the navigation bar, no "home" button or "recent" button. Also, clicking on the "settings" does not open settings. I have to type everything into the search bar to get to memory, navigation bar, etc.

[realaud]

You don't  *have* to do it, it's good practice, especially if something is out of whack after an update.  It also generally keeps your phone running optimally, just as rebooting your phone at least once a week does. It is true, most people don't even know about the cache partition, let alone how to clear it, and most people's devices generally run trouble free.  There is a tips & tricks section here on the Members app and it has useful advice.  They now have up a post of best practices after an update.  Members should read it. I do the following after each update: Reboot, reboot again to clear cache, optimize all apps using Good Guardians App Booster.

[cherylsmithann04]

I am having the same issue and clearing the cache partition has not helped - I could not even get through the welcome screen prompts because it automatically entered me to the home screen before I could finish. Now I'm missing a bunch of buttons and I can't even launch my settings app.