google play store - How would you uninstall a rogue Home (Launcher) application?

If you were to install a Home Screen application that does not give you access to the System Settings screen (to go to Manage Applications), and also does not let you launch Apps (such as the Market App or 3rd party install/unistallers), is there ANY way to uninstall such an application?

I know that Android requires your permission before letting a new App take over the home screen privilege. But say you're trying a newly published Launcher app that is buggy (or malicious). You are of course still going to tell Android it's ok to give this App the Home screen privilege. Now once it is installed, your phone is now effectively useless?

Is there a way for a typical end user (who doesn't have Eclipse/ADB) to get out of this situation? Other than doing a complete factory reset?

I realize there are ways to uninstall an App via ADB ("adb uninstall package.name")

But it seems like a typical end user is potentially screwed if they ever install such a malicious/buggy app. This seems like a gaping security hole in Android, no?

Answer

Start your device in SAFE MODE and then uninstall the app that's causing problems. Rebooting will exit from Safe Mode. Here's how to access SAFE MODE in a few popular devices.

HTC devices with physical buttons:

• Turn off your Android phone.


• Press the Menu button on your phone.


• While holding down the Menu button, turn on your device and keep pressing the Menu button until you see the lock screen.


• “Safe Mode should now be printed in the lower-left corner of your display. When in safe mode, Android does not load any third-party apps, and you can uninstall the application that gave you trouble from Settings > Applications > Manage applications.

Nexus One:

• Turn off your Nexus. Remove the battery if it cannot be done the normal way.


• Press the power button to start your phone, and right when the logo appears, press and hold the trackball. You should also be able to hold down the touch sensitive Menu button at this point, if you prefer that.


• Keep pressing until you see the lock screen, and you should now be in safe mode.

Motorola Droid

• Turn off your Droid and slide open the hardware keyboard.


• Press both the power button and the Menu button on the keyboard simultaneously.


• Keep holding down the Menu key until you see the “Droid Eye”, and you feel your phone vibrate.


• Your Droid should start and say “Safe Mode” in the lower-left corner of the screen.

Samsung Galaxy S

1. 
   

   Power the phone off.

   
   


2. 
   

   Turn the phone back on while pressing and holding the Menu button.

   
   


3. 
   
   

   Keep holding the Menu button until the Home screen loads. The lower-left corner should say Safe Mode.