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I have an Android phone (Cosmo Communicator) with a keyboard but without function keys. On Windows or Linux, ALT+F4 closes the application (well, window) that is focused.

Is there anything similar on Android (9.0 Pie)? I find it hard to believe this is impossible yet I was unable to google it out.

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5 Answers 5

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In Android 9:

  • To go home you can press the Windows key (if you have a keyboard for Windows) plus Enter

  • Press the Win key plus -. Android will show you all shortcuts.

  • Another way, if you already have plugged in your keyboard, go to "Settings" and search "Physical keyboard", there you will find configuration needed.

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    I do not have Windows key, unfortunately, and my keyboard is an integral part of the phone.
    – sup
    Jun 7, 2020 at 8:32
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I'm on Android Pie as well, and under the keyboard settings (Language and Input), there is a physical keyboard section which lists out the shortcuts available (example). If your keyboard doesn't come with a function key, you may need to find a mobile equivalent to AHK that can bind a certain key input or combination to invoke the meta key input. Also note you may be able to send a keyinput event through ADB or your device's local shell terminal, which then might be made more accessible through various automation methods, some of which may have device-dependent factors.

Note: though it doesn't seem to appear on the list, I distinctly recall Alt+F4 working with a keyboard? Will verify on current device when I get the chance.

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  • AHK is autohotkey, a software for windows:-). Seemns like I could use button remapper play.google.com/store/apps/… for that but I need to get root first, otherwise the action to kill current app is not available. (also not really sure if "kill current app" is what ALT+F4 does.)
    – sup
    Feb 28, 2020 at 13:30
  • Yes, that's the platform I'm most familiar with, nothing comes to mind specifically for Android but I would think it'd be strange if there wasn't an equivalent available out there somewhere. And I don't believe root is required, but this could be dependent on your make and model's limitations and quirks. I've seen some that work without root and some you can just grant a permission through ADB for it to work.
    – Arctiic
    Feb 28, 2020 at 22:16
  • Also, here's an explanation on the different terms.
    – Arctiic
    Feb 28, 2020 at 22:19
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In my device (Redmi Note 5), we can force close the app by pressing the back button for about 3-5 seconds.

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  • hm, does not work on my device. I am running Android 9 Pie, on Cosmo Communicator by Planet Computers. But it would not be practicle, I would like something instanteneous. Weird Android does not have that.
    – sup
    Feb 25, 2020 at 14:45
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    @sup LineageOS (a custom ROM for Android) has that feature built-in.
    – Izzy ♦
    Feb 29, 2020 at 23:19
  • That does not exist from my device yet though :-( (If I understand it correctly, it needs to be adjusted for every device).
    – sup
    Mar 2, 2020 at 8:05
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A spin on the Markus Lankeit's answer, tested on my Android TV.

  • Hold Alt key entire time
  • Press Tab key (app switcher will appear)
  • With arrow keys, select an app that is running
  • Press Del or Backspace to close the app
  • Repeat for other apps
  • You can press Esc to quit from the app switcher any time
  • Release Alt key

Overall, this task-killing keyboard procedure is essentially the same as on Windows 10, for example.

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I got a video projector a few months back that is running Android as a base OS, to which I attached a cheap wireless generic Windows keyboard. Projector is running some older versions of Android. Here is what works for me:

Note: Hold down the Right-Alt key the entire time:

  • Tab to get a list of running apps.
  • Pick the app to close, then Down arrow, then Space to actually close it.
  • Repeat for other apps.
  • When done, release Right-Alt key

F3 also brings up the list of current apps, but it also seems to immediately context-switch to the selected app. The same happens when you Alt-Tab and don't hold down the Alt key.

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  • I am sure it helps somebody, but my phone unfortunately does not have a right alt key and with the left one, this does not seem to work:-(. Thanks for the suggestion though!
    – sup
    Apr 20, 2020 at 7:48

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