This would permit the app to automatically load on boot

already requested #4030

help prevent it from getting automatically closed which happens to mine every few days.

this is a symptom of the app crashing or not having background access a bug report instaed of feature request should be filed

What actual launcher features do you want? Pretty sure webview cannot be a launcher element so not sure what the end goal of the request is.

I previously used https://wallpanel.xyz/ for my tablet, it has not been updated in ages and so I figured I would try the companion app on this new wall tablet. With that app it would stay running for weeks at a time without fail.

My only goal is to not have to manually open the app on the tablet every few days.

This tablet does not have a battery and none of the background or battery features are available. It doesn't say anything about crashing, I just walk past the tablet and it's sitting on the launcher window and the companion app is gone. I relaunch it and repeat every few days.

If there's something I can do to get some logs from it that explain why to file a bug report I'll do so.

It doesn't say anything about crashing, I just walk past the tablet and it's sitting on the launcher window and the companion app is gone

thats the exact symptom of the app crashing actually, you dont always get a pop-up

Next time that happens when you open the app go to Settings > companion app > troubleshooting > show and share logs and you may see a Recent Crash tab at the top and if that is there you will see the crash and the reason for it. The app becoming a launcher wont fix that crash. You may need to try for a few days if the crash or 2 does not get caught but hopefully the app can save the crash.

There wasn't a tab there from the crash earlier, I'll check again next time it happens.

Thank you

It has closed down 2 more times, neither time had a Recent Crash tab.

Maybe the Play Store auto update is closing it?

Only if it's been updated 5 times in the last week.

@bs42 there are a few options to achieve something similar
One is obviously picking HA as the launcher app, the downside of that is the moment you want to access something else on the tablet it becomes a but annoying.

Another option that might work is if you pin the app. Different devices call it differently. For example on the samsung tablet I'm using the options is called "keep open". It is accessed when I open the recents apps and then click the HA icon. Perhaps you could try that and see if it helps?

A third option would be to introduce a lock screen listener so that it reopens the app when the screen gets locked.

Also there are options like making the app a "device owner", through the DPM (Device policy manager) kind of like an admin app, but that too has it's drawbacks. Additionally I'm not up to date on the google play store policies about such apps.

Would you be willing to test out option two and report how it goes?
If I get some time in the coming month I might try an implement that screen listener.

There are some requests out there for the companion app to be modified so it can be selected as an Android launcher app. However, it seems people suggest workarounds to accomplish something similar rather than the app being modified to do so. Is there any particular reason why it shouldn't be allowed to become a launcher app?
I'd very much like it to be - I use several wall-mounted tablets that would greatly benefit from being able to use the Home Assistant Companion app as a launcher. Here are some:

Reasons why I'd like to use the companion app rather than an alternative (such as full kiosk, etc) include

• Ability to control device specific settings, such as default dashboard, theme
• Availability of device sensors
• Configuration options with permissions, etc

Reasons why I'd like to use it as a launcher app (rather than just starting it automatically, etc) include

• I still need some apps to be started from within dashboards (already works from the companion app) - returning to the companion app from those needs to be seamless (i.e., use the Android home button)
• I don't want the default launcher to show at all

Another option that might work is if you pin the app. Different devices call it differently. For example on the samsung tablet I'm using the options is called "keep open". It is accessed when I open the recents apps and then click the HA icon. Perhaps you could try that and see if it helps?

This tablet is super bare bones (it's actually a Digtal Signage that runs Android), I have looked everywhere I can think of in the apps and settings and there is nothing like this.

Is there any particular reason why it shouldn't be allowed to become a launcher app?

I can only speculate, but what I've personally encountered is that the Play Store has certain restrictions / policies regarding such apps and it's always considered as a last resort. Additionally, I believe Apple doesn't even have such capabilities.

Reasons why I'd like to use the companion app rather than an alternative (such as full kiosk, etc) include
...

Those are some valid and compelling reasons. I too have been thinking about this more and more. I will start looking into this, but no promises .

I can only speculate, but what I've personally encountered is that the Play Store has certain restrictions / policies regarding such apps and it's always considered as a last resort. Additionally, I believe Apple doesn't even have such capabilities.

If it helps, I don't even use the play store but instead use F-Droid